Wide angle lens on a Medium Format folder (no TLRs)

[ole-squint]

So, does anybody know of a MF folder that comes with a wide angle lens already attached? 6x6, 6x7, 6x9 doesn't matter. I've rigged a 75mm to a 6x9 folder in the past, but accurate zone focusing was always the problem. I'm trying to lighten my load and be just a little discreet. I used to use a baby Crown with a roll film back, but it still had to be pre-focused using the ground glass, then roll film back attached. Not a quick draw. Also, drew a lot of attention. I've also tried all sorts of lens attachments, but as you know, they don't work well at all.
If nothing else, does anybody know of any craftsmen left that could cobble something together?

thanks----------------------------

 

[Paul Howell]

Horseman 980 with a wide angle lens, might need to find a cam to match the lens, not sure which cams were standard. Then were several Lindhof MF models with interchangeable lens with matching cams.

 

[abruzzi]

The 980 might be a little big, but I guess the size is equivalent to the "baby Crown". If you're willing to consider the baby press camera like the 980, horseman made a bunch. I have the VH-R with focusing cams on my main 3 lenses (65, 105, 180) and it is a great camera.

My contribution isn't a folder, but is also a Horseman: the Horseman Convertible. It is scale focused so don't expect to shoot wide open but with a 63mm lens there with decent depth of field at ƒ11 or ƒ16, interchangable 6x9 or 6x7 roll film backs and almost nothing else (i.e. very little bulk) its actually quite fun to shoot. Its my walkaround camera.

I just looked recently and it looks like Convertible prices have come close to doubling in the last 6 months. I bought mine for $400 6 months ago, and now they're all $800-1000, which is really surprising. It easily worth $400, but probably not twice that. If you can find one for the price I paid though, its worth it.

 

[GregY]

Well a new Mamiya 6 has a bellows under the collapsible shell.... & the 50mm lens is just a killer!

 

[Trask]

Plaubel W67 -- 55mm f/4.5 lens, very sharp. It's a great travel camera. Here's a photo from this camera (Fuji Acros in UFG).

 

[GregY]

Plaubel W67 -- 55mm f/4.5 lens, very sharp. It's a great travel camera. Here's a photo from this camera (Fuji Acros in UFG).

Yes Those Nikkor lenses on the Plaubels are first class.

 

[xya]

Yes the W67 is a marvel. There was also a wide lens for the older Makina III. And the there is the Lomo LC-120, not a folder, but smaller and lighter than any folder with an ultra wide lens...

 

[abruzzi]

There is also a user on Photrio @dirkfletcher who builds custom cameras and they usually have an ultrawide lens. They look quite nice, but usually aren't folders once he's done customizing them:

custom designed and built large format and panoramic cameras — Dirk Fletcher

custom designed and built large format and panoramic cameras

www.dirkfletcher.com

 

[warden]

Plaubel W67 -- 55mm f/4.5 lens, very sharp. It's a great travel camera. Here's a photo from this camera (Fuji Acros in UFG).

Great example!

 

[Film-Niko]

So, does anybody know of a MF folder that comes with a wide angle lens already attached? 6x6, 6x7, 6x9 doesn't matter.

thanks----------------------------

Besides the already mentioned Plaubel there is also the quite recent (just a decade since production stop) Fujifilm Gf670w with a Fujinon EBC 4.5/55mm lens.
It is not a folder, but similarly compact.
Excellent lens, extremely quiet shutter and the possibility to use 6x6 and 6x7cm format are its strengths.