Panoramic 617 back?

rayonline_nz · Jan 27, 2015

Just a really general question. Just curious. 5x7 can be used with a 6x17 back right? I have just been googling and I read that backs can be hard to come by? Are they easily available, I would proably go for a lighter Shen Tao (?) model or something like that. To be used for outoors cityscapes and landscapes. I just thought that LF might be cheaper than a real Pano camera and it does 5x7 as well. I also read that the lighter 5x7 isn't that much larger or heavier than 4x5. Are the 612 backs easy to come by too (to be used on a 4x5).

Cheers.

Jesper · Jan 27, 2015

I don't think I've seen a 6x17cm back for 5x7" (that doesn't mean that they don't exist but since you already have a negative that is 17cm wide I don't think there is a market for them). It will probably be easier to find one for a 4x5" camera. The problem is that you will be restricted as to bellows extension (the 5" opening will limit how far out the lens can be). In reality this is not a big issue since you can use tele lenses for the longer focal lengths.
I have a back like that and I would say that bulk and complexity in handling is what made me put it away. I realised that a 4x5 camera with 6x17 ground glass and film back is actually heavier and slower to use than a 8x10" camera and with that you get 25cm wide negatuves instead of 17.
My advice would be to forget about the 6x17 back and just go with the 5x7" camera and crop the negatives. You can mask the GG if you feel more comfortable composing like that.

wildbill · Jan 27, 2015

Yes. Readily both available. Google 6x17 back for 5x7 camera.

Ian Grant · Jan 27, 2015

In terms of costs it will probably be cheaper to buy a dedicated Panoramic camera, however a 7x5 camera with a 6x17 back would give you much greater flexibility and you could build up the kit over time.

I have a Gaoersi 617 and love the format but plan to make a 6x17 back for one of my 7x5 cameras, I find I'm often carrying two or three cameras and the gx17's are heavy. I intent to make my own 6x17 back based on one I found only, my Ceneca doesn't have a Graflok back so fitting a commercial 6x17 back is difficult.

6x12 & 6x17 backs don't come up for sale very often second hand, these are available new.

Ian

LJH · Jan 27, 2015

The most readily available 5x7" 617 back is made by Canham. Too much info on it to write up here.

The opinion (above) on the Tele lenses with 4x5/617 is not correct. The orifice that is created through the 4x5 creates the vignetting which, in turn, limits the focal length. Put simply, regardless of lens design, light will not go around something in its path.

Further to Ian's thoughts, also consider the dedicated 617 field cameras as made by Shen Hao and Ebony. They offer the most lens options, camera movements and minimum bulk for this class.

All options have limitations for their secondary use. It will come down to what you can live with.

Ian Grant · Jan 27, 2015

LJH said:
Further to Ian's thoughts, also consider the dedicated 617 field cameras as made by Shen Hao and Ebony. They offer the most lens options, camera movements and minimum bulk for this class.

The only problem with the dedicated 6x17 field cameras is you're limited to shooting roll film, if you were only shooting 6x17 (6x12 etc) these would be the ideal option.

I considered a Dayi back for my Wista 45 DX but it's got a spring back, in addition it limits the use of wide angle lenses and I wouldn't be able to use a 75mm - which I use as standard on my 617 camera.

Ian

rayonline_nz · Jan 27, 2015

How heavy is this 617 back? Maybe I might just shoot a full sheet and crop then. It is $600US too ...

If one doesn't use the pano back. On a 4x5 can one shoot a whole sheet and crop down to 6x17?

Update - the Canham 617 back is 2lbs on the web. Hmmm ... maybe just shoot without a back then.

Ian Grant · Jan 27, 2015

6x17 is wider than 5" you can crop 5x4 to approx 6x12. 6x17 is just a touch less the 6¾" wide.

You can shoot 2 panoramas on a sheet of 7x5 with a modified dark-slide and tat's almost the same as 6x17. That's the cheapest and easiest option.

Ian

Dan Fromm · Jan 27, 2015

LJH said:
The most readily available 5x7" 617 back is made by Canham.

DaYi, anyone? There are several (for example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Dayi-617-Film-Holder-Designed-for-5X7-camera-/271486594216) on eBay now and no Canhams.

wildbill · Jan 27, 2015

Dan Fromm said:
DaYi, anyone? There are several (for example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Dayi-617-Film-Holder-Designed-for-5X7-camera-/271486594216) on eBay now and no Canhams.

here's a list of dealers which sell the canham back:http://www.canhamcameras.com/dealers.htm

rayonline_nz · Jan 30, 2015

Many thanks.

5x7 might not be that ideal - as I like to shoot color slides and they are not available now. Trimming down 8x10 but Velvia for that is under special order now and who knows how long that can be for. Per shot that becomes $7.50US vs $2.50US if I shot 120 (4 shots per roll).

4x5 can get a 617 but the FL might be limited 90-150mm right? With my Nikon film camera I've shot images with a 85mm and probably need it down to about a 28mm. The 28mm I think is within that but the 85mm might be outside of that, that would be a 300mm on 4x5 right?

The Dayi dedicated 617 cameras have limited lenses right too? So that might leave the Fotoman and the Fuji's, are the Fotoman restricted in lenses too?

Oops - since a pano camera is wider framing. Umm.. given I used a 85mm on my Nikons you think the 617 back on the 4x5 is wide enough (with its 150mm)? Also if one was on the Hong Kong waterfront and you wanted to capture the skyline can the job be done?

LJH · Jan 30, 2015

rayonline_nz said:
The Dayi dedicated 617 cameras have limited lenses right too? So that might leave the Fotoman and the Fuji's, are the Fotoman restricted in lenses too?

You've not mentioned the Shen Hao 617. It'll handle 72mm up to 400mm (Tele) in a compact body (compared to cameras using cones.

You also get the benefit of movements.

Panoramic 617 back?

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