[rollei_list] Re: 6 x 9 search
- From: "R.C.Booth" <rcbooth@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:40:35 -0400
I've been following this thread with interest as I've been playing with wide
angle lenses on a 2x3 Century Graphic.
But if you can do with a 65mm lens, one ready-made solution is to get a Fuji
GW690 in any of the three versions that were made.
These are certainly convenient with great lenses and pretty close to an actual
6 x 9 format.
RCB
http://rcbooth.zenfolio.com/
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Bischof
To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 12:36 AM
Subject: [rollei_list] Re: 6 x 9 search
Jan,
After all the technical discussions ;-), let me give you some perspectives
from a user's point, as I have gone that route in the last couple of years --
and yes, it does lead to LF photography with no shortage of opportunities to
blows lots of cash. As a result, my current favorite weapon is an Arca Swiss
4x5 Field camera with a Rodenstock Apo-Sironar S 210, but that's a different
discussion :-D
Back to the topic at hand. After considerable time with the 6x6 negatives and
slides from my Rolleiflex, I wanted to get something with a bigger (and
rectangular) negative, so my first choice was a Crown Graphic 23. Here are a
couple of notes on that camera (which I still own and love, but which doesn't
get a whole lot of use anymore, thanks to the Arca):
1) Relatively cheap and lightweight camera with good (and cheap) access to
multiple lenses. I still have the 101mm Ektar and the 80mm WA Ektar, both are
great lenses.
2) With the proper sets of infinity stops (and good calibration), neither
lens really needs the rangefinder for focusing _landscapes_ since they _will_
be shot at infinity. Of course, other shots will require focusing.
3) For hand-held operations, focusing by groundglass is a PITA, but so is
composition. I always used my Crown Graphic tripod-mounted, but it is possible
to do handheld as well. For _landscapes_, I think the bigger issue is
composition, but if you are only using B&W, where you can crop during printing
(rather than slides, where that is less desirable), you could just get the
proper masks for the external viewfinder that is attached on top of the
(older?) Crown Graphics. They are not as accurate as in an SLR, but you can
just make sure that you are capturing the scene in general (also see film
flatness issues below).
4) If you do buy a Crown Graphic, make sure you get one with a Graflock, so
you can use rollfilm holders. Since you are interested in 6x9, you want the
rollfilm holder that generates 8 shots out of a 120 roll (I think it's called
RH-8???). There are (at least) two versions, the newer ones have additional
rollers to achieve better (but not perfect) film flatness, but as a result, the
image is really more like 6x8 (one of mine was as small as 56x72mm). The older
ones do not have the rollers, are closer to 6x9, but also have more film
flatness issues. My approach was always to compose generously, and then really
only use the center 6x7 (or so) for printing.
5) There are wider lenses than the 80mm WA Ektar for 6x9, but they will all
require you to "drop the bed" to avoid it showing up in your picture. As a
result, IMHO, _handheld_ composition is practically impossible. I had a 65mm
Angulon and a 47mm (Super?-) Angulon for a while, but even tripod-mounted it
was a PITA, and they never saw enough use (for me) to warrant keeping them.
Incidentally, since I wanted to have a _handheld_ camera whenever I can't use
my Arca, I got a 6x9 folder about a year ago. Since I didn't want any
front-cell focusing camera (due to the well-known image quality issues, all the
Zeiss Ikons (unfortunately) were off the list. I ended up getting a Voigtlander
Bessa II, which had most of the things I wanted:
- good optics. I only got the Color-Skopar (=Tessar) version, but there is a
Color-Heliar and even a Apo-Lanthar version. although at _much_ higher prices.
- coupled rangefinder
- not front-cell focusing -- the whole lens moves when focusing
I does have considerable film-flatness issues, but, again, the center potion
(about 6x7) is perfect, and the viewfinder isn't terrible accurate for
composition anyway.
Feel free to contact me offline, if you have more questions.
Cheers,
Mike
Jan Decher <Jan.Decher@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Eric:
Very interested in a portable 6x9 folder, especially in one that can handle
a mild wideangle (60mm) so I can do panoramic landscapes on my expeditions.
Do you have web links for the Miniature Speed or Busch Pressman? Do they
have coupled rangefinders or will I have to resort to groundglas focusing by
taking the 6x9 cassette on and off?
I guess this is how people gradually slide into LF photography...
I picked up the Omega B7 today. It has two focusing tracks for a 50mm
Componon and a 3 1/2inch (90mm) Ektar, But only came with a 50mm EL Omegar...
Thanks,
Jan
On 30 Aug 2007, at 02:28, FreeLists Mailing List Manager wrote:
My fav 69 shooters are a miniature Speed and
a Busch Pressman, from which I can hang any number of fine lenses. I
also think they have the edge over folders relative to film
flatness...
Eric Goldstein
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