Thanks for that Ed! No finders on the radar as of yet, but sure does look awesome.
Mamiya 7 43mm finder by Nokton48, on Flickr
Mamiya 7 43mm Optical Viewfinder 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr
Thanks for that Ed! No finders on the radar as of yet, but sure does look awesome.
Mamiya 7 43mm finder by Nokton48, on Flickr
Mamiya 7 43mm Optical Viewfinder 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr
Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
― Mark Twain
I've had an used a lot of finders, the ones for the Mamiya 7 are as nice as they get, really, especially for really wide angles. It has easily adjustable diopter, plus the built-in bubble level helps too. The framelines show a region for close-up use as well. I actually have 2 of these, one for my mamiya 7 and the other for the Cambo Wide.
This is interesting. I have been looking for something new to play with maybe this can be my new walkaround camera.
Hi Ed,
I've been looking for the Mamiya 7 43mm Viewfinder, and today I finally got one.
Not cheap, though at $250. I just noticed it is missing the rubber eyecup.
I can deal with that, I am sure. This is NOT an easy to find item.
Mamiya 43mm Viewfinder #1 by Nokton48, on Flickr
Mamiya 43mm Viewfinder #2 by Nokton48, on Flickr
I may need to mount this on a spacing block, as I am seeing in the "modern" Sinar Handy. Ground glass to viewfinder comparison will tell me what to do.
Last edited by Daniel Unkefer; 28-Oct-2017 at 11:54.
Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
― Mark Twain
OK So my shoe (luckily) is centered L-R in regards to the lens (a good thing). So if I have this right, the viewfinder center to lens center, (the viewfinder height) is the other most critical design element. Field size of course depends what type of holder I happen to be using. Mainly I will use this camera with 4x5 sheet film, although I might try some 70mm just for an experiment and to test backs I am guessing I will need to raise the finder up a bit, (a machined aluminum block would do it), although the Cambo Wide does not seem to have this. And I think it is 65mm on 4x5 as well.
Not many finders are as wide as the 43mm Mamiya. I had a Voigtlander 15mm Voigtlander finder but it was not a good experience for me; too much barrel distortion. Too bad for me the Linhof finders only go to 75mm; I would consider modifying one.
This is going to be fun to have for occasional use. It also fills in this part of my Norma system.
Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
― Mark Twain
The Linhof Technar is not all that different from what I am building. But it appears to be panoramic format.
Linhof Technar by Nokton48, on FlickrYashica SLR Viewfinder on Sinar Handy by Nokton48, on Flickr
Last edited by Daniel Unkefer; 29-Oct-2017 at 11:52.
Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
― Mark Twain
Some external viewfinders tilt down-forward to accommodate closer focusing. Regarding the machined block, there are adequate plastic flash shoe extenders. To use smaller films, such as 2.25"x* a little masking tape over the finder does a good job.I might try some 70mm just for an experiment and to test backs I am guessing I will need to raise the finder up a bit, (a machined aluminum block would do it), although the Cambo Wide does not seem to have this.
Keep it simple & cost effective for early prototypes.
Here is a 4x5 with 47mm S/A, universal back and simple viewfinder riser.
That is all excellent advice. Thanks.
And by the way, beautiful WA camera you have there!
Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
― Mark Twain
Many years ago built a very similar camera for 6x9 roll film back using an Arca Swiss back and carved on milling machine frame from a block of aluminum and Schneider 47mm super angulon and Schneider focus mount for the 47mm SA. Worked really well.
View finder used was a 50mm mamiya press viewfinder, like this one:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/6f/ce...15e0c91091.jpg
If image accuracy is needed, ground glass viewing is mostly a must. Most of wide angle viewfinders have distortion and other problems. Alternative to this could be to use a film-video directors view finder like this:
http://cavision.biz/images/products/detail/VFM11X.jpg
It is shoe mount and has tilt-distance compensation. Works good enough to get the job done.
Sinar handy idea has been around for a long time. There have been many versions of this idea in recent years from Hasselblad flex body, Cambo wide, Horseman wide, Alpa and many others. Really a speciality camera, but can be fun and interesting to use. Suggest using a 4x5 graphmatic to get six sheets of 4x5 film in a small package if a 4x5 film version is used. This is much easier and more convent than lugging around a stack of 4x5 film holders. For roll film, there are many choices that work well.
Bernice
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