Small MF?

3Dfan · Feb 6, 2013

Are there any MF camera models out there which are small enough to mount them sufficiently close as a stereo twin rig without an excessive lense separation? In other words, I'd like to mount a pair fairly close together, say ~3"from lens axis to lens axis. My Ricohflex is small, but the film advance knob would get in the way if I tried twinning it with another.

mike c · Feb 6, 2013

Just had a thought, how 'bout mounting the two base's together. The film winders or focusing knobs would not be in the way.

Mike

EASmithV · Feb 6, 2013

yeah, take a 1/4 20 bolt, cut off the head, and screw two TLRs together

rawhead · Feb 6, 2013

Bases together would get you around 3.5~ inches, at least with my Reolleicord here.

Of course, since you're shooting square, they don't need to be both facing up. If you can get a little more involved with the mounting, you can put two TLRs side-by-side, wherein one is upside down and get an even tighter spacing… with my Rolleicords, it's right around 3".

rawhead · Feb 6, 2013

Of course, there are such things as MF stereo cams (many of them), e.g.,

http://www.amazon.com/Holga-194120-120-3D-Stereo-Camera/dp/B0022TQXWG
http://www.stereoskopie.com/Stereokameras/Heidoscop/body_heidoscop.html

ntenny · Feb 7, 2013

This is a pretty interesting idea, maybe interesting enough to make me want to find a couple of cheap TLRs and try it.

How would one actuate both shutters at once? Are there Y-shaped release cables?

-NT

250swb · Feb 7, 2013

Two Lubitel 166 cameras may work. They have pretty good glass lenses and the centre of the lens to bottom (including tripod bush and feet) is 1.75 inches. Of course putting the bases together on a TLR isn't so easy because of the direction the back opens.

Steve

Slixtiesix · Feb 7, 2013

There are double cable releases. Hasselblad offered one for some time (for close up work).

thegman · Feb 7, 2013

Two folders like Zeiss Super Ikontas, mounted from the base would get the lenses pretty close together.

AgX · Feb 7, 2013

http://www.dresdner-kameras.de/andere_baureihen/pouva_stereo_10_ub.jpg

DIY entry-level.

mgb74 · Feb 7, 2013

Doesn't the "point of aim" for the 2 taking lenses have to be the same? Would you need a mount that allowed adjustment? Or camera bodies with a high degree of specimen-to-specimen uniformity to allow a fixed mount?

There are (or were) Y style cable releases. But years ago for a project I took 2 identical releases, mounted them on either side of a small piece of wood with tape. I carved out a small indentation on both sides of the wood to hold the collar of the cable release in place. I was able to actuate both releases at once.

3Dfan · Feb 10, 2013

Yes, it's ideal to get them aligned well, although small deviations could be corrected while cropping to set stereo window. It's more important that the focal lengths are a good match so that the images are the same size.

There are plans for a dual cable release at http://www.berezin.com/3d/dual_cable_release.htm.

Dan Daniel · Feb 10, 2013

Here's someone who took off the focusing knob and spool knobs and coupled two Rolleicords together-
http://www.meinezersaegtenkameras.de/ETriLR.html

An interesting 6x14 camera on his site, also.

Rollei made a stereo camera in the '50s, I believe. A search will find more info.

3Dfan · Feb 10, 2013

rawhead said:
Of course, there are such things as MF stereo cams (many of them), e.g.,

http://www.amazon.com/Holga-194120-120-3D-Stereo-Camera/dp/B0022TQXWG
http://www.stereoskopie.com/Stereokameras/Heidoscop/body_heidoscop.html

Unfortunately, the only affordable options are the Holga with its low quality lenses or the Sputnik with better lenses, but still some major quality issues. I've contemplated hacking a stereo holga and adding some better lenses, but want to know if there are suitable mf cameras for twinning.

Could anyone tell me how far the lens axis to base is for a Pentax 645? I realize that would give portrait format, but it would enable me to make superslides with little fuss.

xya · Feb 10, 2013

there was a stereo-makina http://www.ebay.de/itm/Plaubel-Ster...528233?pt=DE_Alte_Kameras&hash=item35c2352029
speaking in diy terms, a polaroid 4x5 passport camera would be a good and inexpensive base to start with.

3Dfan · Feb 10, 2013

Dan Daniel said:
Here's someone who took off the focusing knob and spool knobs and coupled two Rolleicords together-
http://www.meinezersaegtenkameras.de/ETriLR.html

Interesting! Sam Smith used to have a site full of stereo hacking projects, but it's long gone. Alan Lewis still has a few pages up with similar projects - http://www.seriousviewers.com/projects/cameras1/cameras1.htm - http://www.seriousviewers.com/projects/cameras2/cameras2.htm - http://www.seriousviewers.com/projects/mfcam2/mfcam.htm - http://www.seriousviewers.com/mfcam1/mfcam.html
See also http://www.angelfire.com/ca/erker/twin225.html

There are also hacking projects out there like the Frankenpony and the Argus See3D, but the are all 35mm.

Small MF?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency