What's the LF with no bellows?

[Pietro]

Hi,

My first real post as a newbie here!

I found a web site about a year ago with LF cameras built without bellows, they look a bit like a flat brief-case with a lens and have a viewfinder on top. I think they used helical focusing. I forget where I found the site.

I guess someone here will know.

TIA,

Peter

[BarryS]

Fotoman?

http://www.fotomancamera.com/product_list.asp?id=335

[kv nguyen]

cambo wide

[Gem Singer]

Bostick-Sullivan "Hobo" Not sure they make them anymore.

[dazedgonebye]

Didn't Gowland make one of those too?

I've also seen any number of home made cameras that amounted to metal boxes with focusing helicals. Certainly the simplest way of making such a thing.

[Gem Singer]

"They look a bit like a flat briefcase".

That's the Hobo!

However, it had a fixed focus, tailored to focal length of the lens. Not a helical mount.

[CG]

There's lots of 'em. Hobo, Cambo Wide, Sinar Handy, Alpa, Silvestri, Fotoman. Probably more, but my memory...

C

[Glenn Thoreson]

Maybe it's the Printex I got from Robert Newcomb?? :D

[Pietro]

Thanks Guys,

I followed up the suggestions and its the Hobo! Guess it wouldn't be too hard to make a version?

Thanks again,

Peter

[Bob Salomon]

Linhof Technar.

[Alan Rabe]

There is also http://www.gaoersi-camera.com/main.php

[dazedgonebye]

I am very often tempted by these sorts of cameras but the price always puts me off.

Is a gaoersi that much smaller than a crown graphic folded up? It's very expensive relative to its versitility (as are all of this type of camera).
I guess a truely minimalist version with a very wide lens would be the most attractive option.
Like this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/CUSTOM-4X5-CAMERA-SINAR-SUPER-ANGULON-65mm-HOOD_W0QQitemZ310109926934QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Cameras?hash=item310109926934&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A10%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[Emmanuel BIGLER]

about a year ago... LF cameras built without bellows, they look a bit like a flat brief-case with a lens and have a viewfinder on top.
Arca Swiss RL3D and Rm3D ! ;)
http://www.galerie-photo.net/contents/media/l_arca-rm3d.jpg

[Frank Petronio]

It is funny but an inexpensive Crown Graphic (~$300+-) will provide more movements, hand-holdability, a working rangefinder, and compact secure package that doesn't leave the lens exposed when you carry it. The 4x5 Crown will work with 65mm - 210mm lenses just fine (albeit 90mm lenses are probably the more practical optic).

I had a Sinar Handy for a couple of weeks, it was primitive in comparison to a Crown. I suppose it would be the camera to use if you wanted to shoot a 47mm on 4x5, but that's really an extreme focal length.

[Bob Salomon]

I suppose it would be the camera to use if you wanted to shoot a 47mm on 4x5, but that's really an extreme focal length.

Maybe, but the Linhof TechniKardan easily takes a 35mm Apo Grandagon as does the Master Technika 3000 and 2000. Both of which can do it hand-held if you could find a finder.

[Glenn Thoreson]

Pietro, I've made several of my own. Those things they sell are just ridiculously priced. I have a wide angle fixed focus 4X5 box camera I built that uses the hyperfocal distance of it's 90mm lens at f/11 as the base focal point. Stopping down gives more near and far aparent focus. It works pretty doggone well, too. Not bad for under 100 bucks. :D
Frank's comment on the Crown Graphic is a good one, too. I have a few of those. Love 'em.

[Frank Petronio]

Everything I said about the Crown applies to the Linhof Technikas too, good point Bob. Linhofs are worth their prices, they are great versatile cameras.

[Pietro]

Thanks yet again, some great links there. I have a spare 5x4 Sinar back for which I could probably make a snout to use my 90mm Schneider and a frame finder. I guess a helical mount would be a good addition - are these easy to find?

Peter

[Glenn Thoreson]

Fairly easy to find. Rather pricey, usually.

[Richard A Johnson]

Hi Glenn, I have been interested in building one of these types of cameras for a long time. I would like to make a 4x5 with a 135, or 150mm lens and a 5x7 with a 180 or 210mm lens BUT I wouldn't know where to start , or how to go about it especially when it come to setting up the lens correctly. Would you mind sharing any of your plans that you used to make these cameras?

[Craig Tuffin]

I've got a Sinar Handy with a binocular reflex viewer and rangefinder. I also have the 45mm grandagon for use with the zoombacks making the change from 6x6 to 6x7 to 6x9 to 6x12 easy midroll. I find it terrific and very, very quick to set up. I also work a 65mm, 90mm and 120mm all with helical focusing mounts. The only thing to watch is when talking to our Sinar rep here in Australia, you can't and never could get helical focusing mounts for any lens longer than 120mm. So great for ultra-wides and wides but nothing 1:1 or longer. For backpacking though, you can't get much lighter.

[kev curry]

Pietro you should check this ''simple box'' out from a member here on the forum...

http://web.mac.com/cjbroadbent/Site/fivebyseven.html

[Paul Droluk]

you can't and never could get helical focusing mounts for any lens longer than 120mm. So great for ultra-wides and wides but nothing 1:1 or longer. For backpacking though, you can't get much lighter.

Much longer HFM's are available from Fotoman... 135, 150, 180, 210, 240, 250, 270, 300 and even a 360mm. Only caveats being - lenses must be in a #0 or #1 shutter, and lenses with very large rear groups cannot be used.