Mounting 35mm SLR on a 4x5

jcc · Mar 22, 2014

I don't know why I couldn't find anything in the threads about this. Seems worthy of a discussion though.

I want to attach a Canon 1V to the back of my 4x5 and use the movements for macro (mainly) and maybe for panoramas. There's a plethora of these adapters on eBay. Are these worth getting? Seems cheaper than investing in a dedicated tilt-shift lenses. Any recommended features to look for, or avoid?

Thanks!
Jefferson

EdSawyer · Mar 22, 2014

Macro... Maybe. The movements won't give that much extra DOF. panoramas....the mirror box shades the film too much to do much in the way of shifting. Frankly, bit of a dead end I think. Rollfilm holder would be a better option.

David A. Goldfarb · Mar 22, 2014

The camera and the adapter put a lot of distance between the lens and the film, so your minimum focal length that will focus to infinity will be around 120mm, depending on the camera. But you could use longer lenses and do macro, or shorter lenses and do micro, with movements, recording on 35mm, but it seems like a lot of trouble when you could just shoot on 4x5" and crop however you want.

For pano, figure that you're shooting with the 35mm camera oriented horizontally, you can get about 2-3 frames, sliding the back, depending on the focal length of the lens, and given the minimum focal length at infinity, it's not going to be a very wide view. Again, it would make more sense just to shoot 4x5" or maybe 6x12cm rollfilm to get the desired panoramic effect.

jcc · Mar 23, 2014

I know 4x5 would be an easier option... But I'm kind of not in it to make easy images. (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

jcc · Mar 23, 2014

EdSawyer said:
Macro... Maybe. The movements won't give that much extra DOF. panoramas....the mirror box shades the film too much to do much in the way of shifting. Frankly, bit of a dead end I think. Rollfilm holder would be a better option.

I'll see what I get after developing the film in the 120 film holder and see what it looks like. Do they make 35mm roll film adapters for 4x5?

David A. Goldfarb · Mar 24, 2014

jcc said:
I know 4x5 would be an easier option... But I'm kind of not in it to make easy images. (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Ahhh, you're that guy. Well, in that case, with the 35mm camera oriented horizontally and no overlap, you would only be able to make about a 2x2 grid before bumping into vignetting problems from the mirror box and the adapter tube needed to offset the 35mm camera from the 4x5" camera back.

Newt_on_Swings · Mar 24, 2014

Loved that earlier post jcc! Can't wait to see what you have planned next. There are premade 4x5 back to dslr bayonet adapters readily available that they created primarily for stitching photos. They allow you to mount the camera onto the back and slide it around the frame. Also if you get a roll film back you can make or purchase a 35mm to 120 reel adapter and attach the film that way and use a changing bag to take out the finished roll. But what David said is important as you field of view would be narrowed even with a wide lens when shooting onto a single frame of 35mm. Good luck!

jcc · Mar 24, 2014

David A. Goldfarb said:
Ahhh, you're that guy. Well, in that case, with the 35mm camera oriented horizontally and no overlap, you would only be able to make about a 2x2 grid before bumping into vignetting problems from the mirror box and the adapter tube needed to offset the 35mm camera from the 4x5" camera back.

I don't exactly know how to take that... Hahaha.

jcc · Mar 24, 2014

Newt_on_Swings said:
Loved that earlier post jcc! Can't wait to see what you have planned next. There are premade 4x5 back to dslr bayonet adapters readily available that they created primarily for stitching photos. They allow you to mount the camera onto the back and slide it around the frame. Also if you get a roll film back you can make or purchase a 35mm to 120 reel adapter and attach the film that way and use a changing bag to take out the finished roll. But what David said is important as you field of view would be narrowed even with a wide lens when shooting onto a single frame of 35mm. Good luck!

Thank you. I'll first give the roll film back a try, since I already have one. Now I just have to google how to spool 35mm into a 120 holder (or is it 220, since there's no paper?).

Dr Croubie · Mar 25, 2014

I've contemplated one of these for a while, but in the end decided against.
My reasoning was that there's no point in getting an adaptor to my P6 (they do exist) because I can just use a 120 rollback.
Getting an adapter to my EOS 3 is kind of pointless, I can shoot the same film in 4x5 as I would get in 35mm (except PanF and D3200, but I could use them in aforementioned 120 rollback), and I'd get the same IQ as just cropping a 4x5 or 120 (albeit, probably cheaper per frame, ignoring the cost of the 35-4x5 adapter).
The only thing I could think of would be to my 7D, for digital macro (which would be even more macro by the time I've added extension tubes to get around that damn popup flash). But for something that limited, meh. I've got an OM bellows and lenses for that that I barely use (although it doesn't have any tilt/swing).

ps, I've tried 35mm in a 120 camera (either P6 or K60, can't remember) using the tissue-stuffing method. Either way, they have pressure plates to keep the film registered. But the wind-on was all over the shop because there was no length of paper at the front to get the right diameter on the spool (the photos were an inch apart at one end, 5mm at the other, at least they weren't overlapped).

Speaking of crazy cameras, I've just joined the 617 club with a DaYi back. I too completely intend to do something crazy with that, like 3x17 sprocket-holed panormae with 35mm film.

Newt_on_Swings · Mar 25, 2014

jcc said:
Thank you. I'll first give the roll film back a try, since I already have one. Now I just have to google how to spool 35mm into a 120 holder (or is it 220, since there's no paper?).

You might need a 220 back for correct thickness and extra length of 35mm roll. But basically you can cut a 120 spool in half (not quite evenly one side a bit longer to sit evenly in roll film holder) then taper off the ends so they fit into the 35mm spool. Then you tape the leader of the 35mm roll to another unmodified 120 spool so that it won't come loose when you wind it forward.

The conversion kits online for this are basically metal inserts for the 35mm center spool ends. Easier if you don't want to spend some time measuring and cutting plastic and sanding.

Also instead of taping to an empty 120 spool you can make another 35mm film cassette converted with 120 film ends and tape leader onto the empty 35mm spool. As you wind on after exposure you wind the exposed film into the empty cassette. It's just arranged in a flipped orientation.

David A. Goldfarb · Mar 25, 2014

Very elegant, Newt-on-Swings. 35mm film base is thicker than medium format, so I suspect a 120 back should be just fine, though it may not matter, if there are no film rails supporting the film on the emulsion side..

Tom1956 · Mar 25, 2014

Snake oil gadget. Worthless.

jcc · Mar 25, 2014

I'll try the snake oil. Only thing to I have to lose is a roll of 35mm. Thanks for the post guys!

removed account4 · Mar 25, 2014

hi jcc

many years ago i did just what you are looking to do.
i got a 35mm recomar back
http://www.ebay.com/itm/35mm-Kodach...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

the ones that take roll film have a ruby window, 35mm don't ...

i just had to make a plate to adapt it to a 4x5 camera and it worked flawlessly.
the back slid up and the recomar 35mm ground glass was in place for focusing
then i slid it down and made the exposures.
if i still had it, id sell it to you, but i sold it years ago ..

pacific rim has some for roll film ( not 35mm )
and glennview had the one i bought ( he made the back for me too )
so just search places like that .. and keep an eye on ebay ( search under recomar )
pacific rim always has oddball stuff, it might be worth an email,
they are very nice ..

good luck, hope you find something that works for you ...

john

jcc · Mar 25, 2014

jnanian said:
hi jcc

many years ago i did just what you are looking to do.
i got a 35mm recomar back
http://www.ebay.com/itm/35mm-Kodach...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

the ones that take roll film have a ruby window, 35mm don't ...

i just had to make a plate to adapt it to a 4x5 camera and it worked flawlessly.
the back slid up and the recomar 35mm ground glass was in place for focusing
then i slid it down and made the exposures.
if i still had it, id sell it to you, but i sold it years ago ..

pacific rim has some for roll film ( not 35mm )
and glennview had the one i bought ( he made the back for me too )
so just search places like that .. and keep an eye on ebay ( search under recomar )
pacific rim always has oddball stuff, it might be worth an email,
they are very nice ..

good luck, hope you find something that works for you ...

john

Thanks for the lead, John. I'll look for recomar.

Mounting 35mm SLR on a 4x5

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Mounting 35mm SLR on a 4x5

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