Request for suggestion: 6x9 view cameras

[AgentX]

Do you want a field camera or a monorail?

 

[2F/2F]

I wish that Sinar made 2x3 models. A 2x3 F1 would be my ideal camera for traveling, hiking, camping, etc.

 

[Greg_E]

OK, dumb question time.... With a roll film view camera, how do things work? Do you have the glass in place, slide it out of the holder, then slide the roll film back/mounting plate into the holder to make an exposure? Just trying to figure this out because I may cut one from billet aluminum if I ever get caught up on some other projects. My mill is just about the right size to do a 6x7 RB back sized housing. I would probably make it so that I could rotate the back so it would really be a 70mm x 70mm camera. Probably a monorail since that is probably much easier to build than a folder. Might do a 645 sized one first to play around since I have Mamiya 645 backs.

 

[keithwms]

Greg, it can work in many ways but, yeah, basically you focus on GG and then put the holder in place. You can also shoot sheet film on these babies and that is very useful. The little film holders are very cute My Horseman VH had a rotating gizmo which allowed you to go from GG to the film back with a quick turn of the back, very handy but kinda cumbersome.

You can also scale focus, but RF focusing is perhaps the most speedy mode of operation on the mini view cameras, very useful if you don't need movements.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

On the 2x3" Technikas and Tech 70 you either use sheet film holders with the groundglass back or swap the groundglass back with a rollfilm holder, or you can focus with the rangefinder, if you don't need movements. On the later models, it's very simple to switch backs with one lever.

The Linhof 679 cameras and the Techno also offer the possibility of a sliding back, which is best suited to the studio. I have a Sinar 4x5" sliding back, which is a neat thing, but a bit cumbersome for field use. I know there is a 4x5" Technika sliding back, but I don't know if I've seen one for the 2x3" Techs.

Developing and handling those little sheets of film is kind of strange, if you're used to larger formats. I've done it in open trays, with tanks and hangers, and with the Nikor sheet film tank.

 

[eclarke]

On the 2x3" Technikas and Tech 70 you either use sheet film holders with the groundglass back or swap the groundglass back with a rollfilm holder, or you can focus with the rangefinder, if you don't need movements. On the later models, it's very simple to switch backs with one lever.

The Linhof 679 cameras and the Techno also offer the possibility of a sliding back, which is best suited to the studio. I have a Sinar 4x5" sliding back, which is a neat thing, but a bit cumbersome for field use. I know there is a 4x5" Technika sliding back, but I don't know if I've seen one for the 2x3" Techs.

Developing and handling those little sheets of film is kind of strange, if you're used to larger formats. I've done it in open trays, with tanks and hangers, and with the Nikor sheet film tank.

I adapted 2 Jobo 120 reels to accept 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 sheets, each spool accepts 2 sheets and it works really well.