Rittreck View Cameras

jpreston · Feb 27, 2016

I'm looking at a Rittreck View camera with 4x5 back. Trying to find some info about them, but the search function here and Google have not been my friends . Are they all 5x7 cameras with various adapters for other formats? The one I'm looking at is from Japan and seems to be in pretty decent condition.

Anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks!

xya · Feb 27, 2016

yes, they are all 5x7, often with 4x5 backs. I have 2 of these, with 5x7 and 4x5 backs, a sliding 6x9cm roll film back and an 8x10 back (extension), the latter with less movements. I find them fantastic, the camera is smaller and lighter than some genuine 4x5, and yet the rittrecks are very sturdy. seen that they are about 50 years old, you can imagine how solid they are.

outwest · Feb 28, 2016

Mine has 5x7, 4x5, sliding 6x9, and 6.5x8.5 whole plate extension backs. I wouldn't exactly call it small and light but it is definitely sturdy and capable. If you PM me your email I can send you the instruction manual.

rmann · Feb 29, 2016

Lens boards will be hard to find, adapter to Linhof boards will also be a little hard to find, check what comes with camera you are looking at. Solid, well built camera with enough movements for field work.

outwest · Mar 1, 2016

Lens boards and adapters are easy enough to make (and cheap) if you any DIY skills at all. I use Linhof boards in the adapter I made for the shutters that are small enough to fit in them.

jpreston · Mar 20, 2016

outwest said:
Lens boards and adapters are easy enough to make (and cheap) if you any DIY skills at all. I use Linhof boards in the adapter I made for the shutters that are small enough to fit in them.

I haven't bitten the bullet on the Rittreck View yet, but I'm getting closer. Do you have instructions on how to make the lens boards? I suppose they could be 3D printed.

Thanks,

JP

outwest · Mar 20, 2016

Take a hobby shop aluminum sheet of the appropriate thickness, saw to size with what have you, fine shape with a file, drill hole with an adjustable bit (or drill a lot of small holes inside the edge of the circle you need and finish with a file), spray the inside with flat black paint. Adapter is just as easy. Take strips of the scrap aluminum you have left and form a frame the size of the other board you will use and epoxy it on the full size board. Add an extra strip across the bottom of the frame to hold the bottom edge of the board and a couple of hardware store rotating nylon window screen retainers at the upper corners to lock the new board in place. Easier to do than talk about.

jpreston · Mar 21, 2016

Cool, thanks!

Rittreck View Cameras

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