I modified one of those many years ago, but sold it when I was dealing in cameras. Just didn't use it much, but it sure was portable. Like you say, it wasn't no lightweight. The viewfinder/rangefinder worked really well too. It had a 127mm Ysarex lens that was extremely sharp and had good contrast.I recently modded a Polaroid 120 Land Camera to shoot 4x5. Exclusively to use it as a hand held take around town camera. Replacing the machinery for polaroid roll film with an 3D printed back to hold 4x5 holders.
https://film.kolve.org/darkroomdiy/polaroid-110-convert-to-4x5/ (works with 110a, 110b, and 120 models)
I bought the camera used locally for about $50 and paid another $20 for parts needed to do the mod.
It still isn’t a light camera, clocks in at a couple pounds. But it packs up nicely, has a nice lens, accurate rangefinder focus, is a lot smaller than a speed/crown graphic, and I’ve found folks are a lot more comfortable around it than a standard view camera.
I modified one of those many years ago, but sold it when I was dealing in cameras. Just didn't use it much, but it sure was portable. Like you say, it wasn't no lightweight. The viewfinder/rangefinder worked really well too. It had a 127mm Ysarex lens that was extremely sharp and had good contrast.
Yes, with modifying one of these you can't have everything. It would be nice to have something like the Zeiss Contameter that would automatically correct viewfinder image and a proxar for the closeup, but like I said you can't have everything.As you can see from the examples I’ve found it to be a really fun camera for shooting informal portraits where a traditional view camera ends up feeling like it gets in the way. My only real complaint is that I wish close focus was a touch closer. But we’re getting into rangefinder limitation territory. (realizing i could fix this with a piece of string and a new infinity stop)
In Shropshire - Ta for the link
Very true Bill, many of the old 9X12cm-6.5X9cm plate cameras only had front rise and folks got by just fine.Converted Polaroid Rangefinders are great.
One hard decision to make: Do you like the “syntax” of a rangefinder with no movements?
When I was making up my mind, I played with a regular 4x5 and found I hardly ever used movements.
Well, there is one 9X12cm plate camera that is both compact and light weight. That's the KW Patent Etui 9X12. I have one of these and it's amazing as to just how small this camera is compared to the size format it shoots. Of course we are talking 9X12cm and not 4X5. I think these 9X12 cameras would be much more popular if there were more sheet film available and holder/septums were easy to find. 9X12cm is not far off from 4X5. They are much smaller than say a Speed Graphic.The lightest 4x5 might be the 3D printed ones from Chroma, Will Travel, and etc. They are great for wide angle lenses: e.g. 65/75/90mm. You can do scale focus and use the DoF table. Typically they don't have any movements at all. When the lenses get longer (e.g. past 105mm), the cone will become rather large and kinda defeat the portability.
I also have a Polaroid 110A converted to 4x5 Graflok. You only get one lens, but a very good Ysarex 127mm that is rangefinder focus coupled! I use both sheet film and Lomograflex Instax back: you only need to mark the different infinity stops. Again, there is no movement on this.
Next along the portability scale, will be wooden/hybrid field cameras like the Chamonix and Tachihara. Both can fold down quite compact, are lightweight, and offers lots of movements (esp. tilt) for most purposes.
Recently I have also been playing with 9x12 metal folding cameras, which are cheap and cute. They typically only have rise/fall and shift, and a fixed 135mm lens for its format. The main pain is finding the compatible 9x12 film holders, since there are dozens of variants. They fold down very compact, but not lightweight.
Hi IanI'm in North Worcestershire if you want to pop down. I have various 5x4 cameras,
Ian
my daughter did ask if it took film or was digital
It's got a rewind crank...
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