Panoramic camera overview

[naturephoto1]

To turn a 6x9 camera into a 6x24, you would need an attachment that is bigger than the camera...

Hi Petzi,

First of all the camera that was used for the basis of this modifaction was the Technikardan 45 or 45S. It was not the 6 X 9 version. The people that modified the camera used the original front standard and I believe bellows as well as the original collapsible rail. However they did replace the back of the camera with a 6 X 24 frame (which should have needed a 6 X 24 film holder); but I can not remember if the rear standard (but I believe they did) was used for the camera. The finished camera was quite large and something to behold. At the time I inquired about purchasing it, but never proceeded from there.

Rich

 

[jimgalli]

The cheapest pano camera is a pair of scissors.

Maybe next spring when Aggie has me traipsing all over southern Utah we can get together and set up the 10 Cirkut. You would be a good candidate for that thing I think.

 

[Ted Harris]

I use a 6x12 Noblex camera and I think it is one of the most beautiful cameras I have ever used. the angle of view matches my vision, I think this camera is definately worth looking at and trying.

Exactly the point and too often overlooked. The angle of view was specifically chosen because it matches the angle of view of the human eye. Like Bob, I ue this camera frequently and love the results. It is the only piece of equipment I own that paid for itself on one job. BTW before I got the Noblex I tried out a Fuji G617, a Technorama and rented a Seitz Roundshot. None of the came close to my way of working. The Noblex was a natural from day one.

 

[naturephoto1]

Exactly the point and too often overlooked. The angle of view was specifically chosen because it matches the angle of view of the human eye. Like Bob, I ue this camera frequently and love the results. It is the only piece of equipment I own that paid for itself on one job. BTW before I got the Noblex I tried out a Fuji G617, a Technorama and rented a Seitz Roundshot. None of the came close to my way of working. The Noblex was a natural from day one.

Hi Ted,

That is part of the reason that many of us use a 6 X 12 (Horseman or Linhof) back on our 4 X 5 cameras. Personally I have found the 6 X 17 proportion a bit long and narrow for my taste.

Rich

 

[Ted Harris]

Rich, you miss the point. A fixed lens 6x12 haas a different angle of view than the 146 degrees provided by the swing lens on the Noblex 150 series. In fact the job that I was talking about was aninterior architectural assignment where my camera placement was limited insuch a way that the shot was absolutely impossible with my 4x5. The Noblex nailed it ... the Seitz Roundshot would hve nailed it too I just hated the camera. Couldn't get it with my widest lens, a 75mm f4.5 Grandagon, nor with a borrowed 55.

Don't get me wrong, I like the image you get from a 6x12 back too but it isn't the same view as you get from a swing lens camera.

 

[naturephoto1]

Hi Ted,

For the moment I had forgotten that the Noblex was a swing type camera. I have never used one and for that matter had never considered getting one. I have tended to be put off a bit by what at least most of these cameras can do with straight lines.

Rich

 

[Platinumprinter]

Jim,

You’ve got a #10 circuit? Cool! I’ve worked with those cameras a long time ago. If you need an assistant let me know.

John R

 

[jimgalli]

Jim,

You’ve got a #10 circuit? Cool! I’ve worked with those cameras a long time ago. If you need an assistant let me know.

John R

Hi John. I think I could have some fun with it in Utah. Maybe in spring. I'm a woos when it's cold. j

 

[Vaughn]

my quick and easy...

I cut a darkslide in half and make two 3.75"x10" negs per 8x10 sheet of film.

Works great, no extra equipment for me to buy (or carry!)

Vaughn.

 

[jamie young]

I know a bunch of people who made 6 Plus x 17 cameras by doing the same thing with 5x7 cameras. I like the deardorff split backs myself.
Jamie

 

[Vaughn]

If I only had a Deardorf...

Sung to the tune "If I Only Had a Brain" from the Wizard of Oz

Having to make sure I get the correct darkslide (the whole one, or the half one) in the correct way at the correct time is a hassle -- the Deardorf split backs are probably a lot easier to use. I have lost a few images due to mental mistakes

Vaughn

 

[Bob Carnie]

Hi Rich
What I have found with this camera is that the horizons can be made very straight quite easily with this camera. In fact this is why I started using the Noblex as one of my clients uses it and showed me the camera.
I am very interested in the ability of coming in close to an angle and being able to see down both sides of the alleyway, road,building .*One of my favorite photographs is Bresson's Boy with Bottle of wine.* I have always loved that angle of view. With the Noblex I would be able to see down both sides of the street.
This wide view is almost like the Hooded Rolliflex Box concept of looking down at the image facing one way but the lens actually pointed the other way , if you get my thinking, the ability of capturing imagery without being noticed , or at least less noticed.
The 6x12 format fits into my enlargers with ease and I really enjoy the printed format.

Hi Ted,

For the moment I had forgotten that the Noblex was a swing type camera. I have never used one and for that matter had never considered getting one. I have tended to be put off a bit by what at least most of these cameras can do with straight lines.

Rich

 

[DougGrosjean]

Hi Ted,

For the moment I had forgotten that the Noblex was a swing type camera. I have never used one and for that matter had never considered getting one. I have tended to be put off a bit by what at least most of these cameras can do with straight lines.

Rich

Depends on how you use them.

For landscapes, as long as you compose with the horizon in the center, the horizon will be flat / straight. Few other lines in nature are straight, so they usually don't matter. Want to bow the horizon upward, such as a view from top of Pike's Peak? Put the horizon a little above center.

For architectural shots, the distortion / curves done to straight lines is unavoidable. Funny thing though is that any one portion of a long swing-lens camera, the perspective is correct. It's only when you string a whole series of views together in one long strip that the curving looks odd.