Reliable Options for Using 200300mm Barrel Lenses on Medium Format Focal Plane Shutter Cameras

Over the years I’ve collected a handful of barrel lenses (mostly by chance), and I enjoy experimenting with them. For now, I use them on my 4×5 monorails or my 4×5 and 2×3 Crown Graphics (with 6×7 rollfilm adaptors), sometimes with a front-mounted Packard shutter.

The problem is workflow and handling. The 4×5 rigs feel too unwieldy for casual use, and while the 2×3 Crown Graflex is more fun, I’m realistically capped at about a 6⅜″ lens because of the limited bellows draw. That makes it tough to explore the 200–300mm range I’d like for portraits.

For almost 20 years I’ve been tempted by the Rollei SL66 as a possible solution, but both times I got serious about buying one, the camera failed at the dealer before the sale went through. At this point I’m convinced the universe doesn’t want me to own one!

So I’m looking for reliable, straightforward, and usable medium format focal plane shutter cameras—6×6 or larger—that can handle barrel lenses in the 200–300mm range without too much workflow hassle. I do have access to a 3D printer to make adaptors. Portrait use is my main goal.

What are the realistic options besides the SL66?

Bellows focusing and focal plane shutter are pretty uncommon on the same device. If you go with the Mamiya RB67 or any other MF camera that doesn't have a FP shutter, you need to figure out a shutter like a Sinar shutter or a Packard shutter. Making focusing work on a camera with a FP shutter might be easier and cheaper than making making a shutter work with bellows focused camera, but if I were to go down that road I'd lean toward a Horseman VH-R.

On the focal plane side, Pentax 67 would be my first thought, but you'd need to jury rig up some kind of focusing helicoid. Pentax made one which is essentially a focusing extension tube. Combine that with some normal extension tube to space the lens far enough away from the film plane. Finally youd need a way to mount the barrel lens. Thats a bit trickier, but I remember seeing an adapter to mount Linhof lens boards on a P67, but I'm sure that is hard to find.

Look for a Bronica EC and its macro bellows. They made 2 bellows, one with shift and tilt and a compact one with out. Or just get the Nikkor 200mm lens.

Speed Graphic.

Graflex 3x4 SLR

If you just want a list of focal plane shutter SLR cameras in 6x6 or larger, that can be made. People will then have different opinions about which ones are reliable or straightforward or easy to adapt for barrel lenses. Then there's the problem that you felt limited by the 2x3 Crown Graphic's bellows draw. I think most medium format SLRs will have less focus travel than a Crown Graphic, unless they have a macro bellows accessory, which may be large and awkward. However, you might succeed with extension tubes, and perhaps adapting a focus helical (you can get these in a few screw mount sizes on ebay, but with limited options for focus travel).

Some FP shutter SLR cameras that you might consider:

- Bronica S2/EC - have their own focus helical, which is a plus; you'll also likely need extension tubes or the system for mounting long lenses, which I have never touched
- Pentacon 6 / Kiev 60 - not hard to find extension tubes
- Pentax 6x7 - lots of accessories
- Rollei SL66 you know about
- Speed Graphics

I suppose I might be able to rig up something that attaches the SLR's lens mount to a Graflok and then use the monorail or 4x5 crown graphic as a bellows?