Square format LF?

[Fintan]

Guys, are there any square format LF cameras?

I'm thinking of dipping my toe in LF next year, I really love 6x6 and thinking of a bigger square neg, is it possible?

 

[Aggie]

You would have to get special cut film it it was a dedicated square format LF camera. What you could do is get a mask for the film holder that would essentially give you the same square format on what ever format camera you get.

 

[Joe Symchyshyn]

Can't you just crop the image to a square once it's shot?

joe

 

[Fintan]

Can't you just crop the image to a square once it's shot?
joe

Sorry Joe, I know its obvious to just crop but I have this square addiction

 

[Fintan]

What you could do is get a mask for the film holder that would essentially give you the same square format on what ever format camera you get.

Thanks Aggie, do you think that would be possible with the Sinar F1 or F2?

 

[Joe Symchyshyn]

In that case, if you're REALLY stuck on square... You could mark the darkslide at what point it needs to be drawn out to give you an automatic cropper. Simply slide it out to the line, take the shot, flip it over and voila! A big blank spot will be left on the film.

Make 2 marks on both ends so that the square is true and not lopsided...

That's definitely the easiest way... (Just make sure you mark the ground glass to what side you bias the shot when you compose)


joe

 

[Joe Symchyshyn]

Or better yet...

Make a mask darkslide (ie: a darkslide with most of the slide removed)

Take out your darkslide, pop in the new mask darkslide, take the shot, put the real slide back in...

Same as the above idea, but without all the muss and fuss of marking every holder... As well as the possibility of lopsided crops.

The bender camera system uses a similar darkslide to get 4x10s on 8x10 sheets...

joe

 

[Fintan]

neat idea, wouldnt be too difficult to cut a darkslide out methinks

 

[Flotsam]

I would just tape off the Ground Glass to a square and not hassle with custom film, holders and carriers. That way you'll be able to concentrate on composing to the square format without distraction while shooting. It is simple enough to crop the neg in the darkroom.

 

[wfwhitaker]

If you're going to mask a negative to square in the camera, it doesn't make much sense unless you're planning to contact print. Otherwise it's a lot simpler to crop during enlarging. Joe's suggestion of a masking dark slide makes a lot of sense, especially from an economic point of view. Depending on the size of the cutout, the mask could become a bit fragile. You might consider another material such as glass epoxy sheet or aluminum (or even aluminium ) and have a machine shop do a neat job.

The square idea isn't new. Butch Welch built a 9x9 with the intent of contact printing on platinum.

-Will

 

[georgeg]

You could buy a roll film back and shoot 6x6 and still have all your LF perspective controls.

 

[George Losse]

There are other ways to block the light from hitting the film. As any LF shooter with a drooping bellows can tell you.

Before you start cutting any dark slides. Try putting a piece of matboard in the rear standard of the LF camera. If its an 8x10, then put a 1x8 inpiece at the top and bottom of the 10 inch side. Then you'd have an 8x8 centered on the ground glass.

I've been wanting to do this with a board with a circle cut in it fit into the camera back. Then I can shoot with any lens and make a round image on the film. Just have to stop working long enough to start with this new idea.......

 

[jimgalli]

Rob an aerial camera out of an airplane. They're 9 1/2 X 9 1/2" :'()

 

[Fintan]

You could buy a roll film back and shoot 6x6 and still have all your LF perspective controls.

Can you use hasselblad 6x6 backs on any LF cameras?

Otherwise it's a lot simpler to crop during enlarging

I'm not really noted for taking the simple option ;-)

Actually I like printing square and full frame, showing the borders a lot of the time.

 

[mikewhi]

I have had bad experiences with cutting holds in dark slides. The problem came in when pushing\pulling the cut darks slide thru the septum. It can get hung up in there and tear the septum and make the holder non-light safe after that. I think masking is the way to go. with 4x5, just mask off 1/2 inch on the long side so that you get 4x4 on the groundglass. When you enlarge, just enlarge to 8x8, 12x12, etc.

-Mike

 

[Aggie]

Why not just cut one of the dark slides to 1 inch in length? It could be your mask for every shot. When you take out the regular dark slide, you insert the new really short one. That way it masks just the very top of the negative. No worries about a mask bending or having problems. No worries if you pull the dark slide out only so far and hope it squares up. No worries about finding a MF back to fit your LF camera. Cheap and you only need one. Ok hare brained idea number 2389 over.

 

[Fintan]

Oh dear Aggie, you might have just nailed it. Since 4x4 looks possible one way or other I'm going to take the plunge in the new year. I fancy a Sinar F1 or F2 perhaps.

 

[mikewhi]

I still prefer masking on the groundglass, exposing the full negative and cropping during enlargement. You never know when that UFO or Elvis would have shown up in that 1 inch of film that you're not exposing........

Also, with the 1-inch darkslide the image is always offset. You'll have to shift the front\rear to be sure the center of the 4x4 area is centered with the optical axis of the lens, right? Of course, you'll have to raise\lower if shooting a vertical. That takes away a little of the camera movements just to re-center the optical axis.

Anyway, I just loaded a bunch of 5x7 holders with EFKE 100 and I'm off to Yosemite in the morning (about 5 hours of sleep from now). I found a real nice 1000 feet of granite that I need to catch in the right light. I can see another gallery post in the near future...

Take care.

-Mike

P.S. Hi Aggie!

 

[Aggie]

Mike if you are still in the area this Saturday, there is a party at Geary's house to celebrate his new darkroom. Quite a few of us from apug will be there.

 

[Joe Symchyshyn]

Make a mask darkslide (ie: a darkslide with most of the slide removed)
The bender camera system uses a similar darkslide to get 4x10s on 8x10 sheets...

Why not just cut one of the dark slides to 1 inch in length? It could be your mask for every shot. When you take out the regular dark slide, you insert the new really short one. That way it masks just the very top of the negative.

That's what I was talking about... "A darkslide with most of the slide removed"

This is why I referenced the bender site...

http://www.benderphoto.com/4x10pa.htm

the darkslide would have to be 1" + the amount still in the top of the holder...


joe

 

[matt miller]

My 8x10 has grooves in the back for splitters/masks. I've cut my own from sheet metal & they work quite well. I can shoot 8x10, 4x10, 5x8, & 8x8 with 1 back. I've never used the 5x8 or 8x8 masks yet, but I use the 4x10 quite frequently.

 

[Aggie]

That's what I was talking about... "A darkslide with most of the slide removed"

This is why I referenced the bender site...

http://www.benderphoto.com/4x10pa.htm

the darkslide would have to be 1" + the amount still in the top of the holder...


joe

Joe it was 2 am when I made that post. I totally missed what you said. Guess great minds think alike. Or is it you are thinking down on my level? Heaven help you if you start thinking like me.