How to use a reflex viewfinder

[gimenosaiz]

Hello!

I'm amazed with this photograph:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/genotypewriter/7271571796/

It amazes me because it was taken handheld! The photographer used a viewfinder like this:
http://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/_images/viewera.jpg

How could it keep the frame and focus??? Do any of you use a reflex viewfinder in this way??

Thank you
Antonio

[Jac@stafford.net]

One way:
Tie a 3' long string to the front of the camera. Focus the camera to 3' using the ground glass.
Then place your subject at the end of the string (or have her hold it to her face). She drops the string.
Photographer exposes film.

No need for the reflex viewer.

Or frame and focus with the viewfinder.
Insert film holder.
Take picture.
being very careful not to move the camera

[cowanw]

It is a made over Cambo product and nicely done.

[Dan Fromm]

Do any of you use a reflex viewfinder in this way??

From tripod, yes. Hand held, no way. Hand held, putting a film holder need not lose focus but it will kill the composition.

[Drew Bedo]

I have long thought about cobbling together a Graflex Reflex body with some reflex viewer to make a 4x5 SLR.

Unfortunately, I do not have the skill set, DIY experience or the resources to have someone else do it.

Still think it is a doable project.

[tonyowen]

169330

How about this for an idea.
A card fixed to the rear standard that has marks that indicate the position of the front standard for known focus at a given camera -subject distance.
The positioning of the subject in the vertical x-y dimensions would have to be by guess and by golly.
But the photographer mentioned earlier did his 8x10 images without a viewfinder.
regards
Tony

[AtlantaTerry]

I have long thought about cobbling together a Graflex Reflex body with some reflex viewer to make a 4x5 SLR.

Unfortunately, I do not have the skill set, DIY experience or the resources to have someone else do it.

Still think it is a doable project.

If my memory serves me correctly, I believe I read that some folks install a Mamiya RB-67 prism to the top of Graflex cameras.

My guess would be they would be the smaller film size Graflex cameras, not the 4x5" version like I have (R.B. Auto Graflex) because the ground glass area is simply too large.

[AtlantaTerry]

Hello!

I'm amazed with this photograph:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/genotypewriter/7271571796/

It amazes me because it was taken handheld! The photographer used a viewfinder like this:
http://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/_images/viewera.jpg

How could it keep the frame and focus??? Do any of you use a reflex viewfinder in this way??

Thank you
Antonio

Yes, I have used a reflex viewfinder. Mine is made by Cambo and I have used it on my 4x5" Cambo cameras. So let me tell you about using one.

It works great for horizontal compositions BUT your head needs to be higher than the camera so that you can bend your head forward in order to compose and focus. What this means if you are creating a portrait of a six foot tall person then your head needs to be about seven feet above ground. Oh great... now you need to haul a step ladder around with you. No fun.

If you are working with a vertical composition and the eyepiece is pointed to the side, when you look into the reflex finder the image is flipped left to right. This means when you move the camera to change your composition, you need to move it OPPOSITE to what you see. Not a huge problem but it does get confuzzling.

I think I'm going to sell the Cambo reflex finder and buy one from Cambo that is similar but has no mirror - you are looking directly at the ground glass through the eyepiece. Having been a large format photographer since 1962, my brain is used to inverting the image.

[tonyowen]

I’m slightly confused. Primarily the OP asked about the image linked on the #1 posting.
Secondly, the OP queried the possible use of the Reflex Viewfinder to take the image.
The basic technical details of that image are: “
Nikkor-SW 65mm f/4, camera 045N-2, Original frame, handheld.
The photographer states many times that he does not use a viewfinder for his handheld 4x5 images.
So should the discussion relate to taking handheld 4x5 images rather than how to use a Reflex Viewfinder?
Regards
Tony

[gimenosaiz]

Hello!!

Thank you everybody for your answers.
I must apologize because I really believe that the photo was taken using a viewfinder ... I thought that I'd read it elsewhere (maybe a flickr discussion). Tony, you're right.

I also believed that Dave Burnnet uses a viewfinder with his Graflex ...
And It seemed to me something nealy impossible because as Dan Fromm has said: "Hand held, putting a film holder need not lose focus but it will kill the composition." That's way I wondered HOW??? ;-)

I've shot some sheets with my Graflex handheld using the telemeter and the finder. Using the Grafmatic makes it easier (for me). The results are fantastic. Well, this is the "old way" of press photographers like Weegee I guess.

Atlanterry, I see ... and I've experienced that with my viewfinder. I seldom use it!!
tonyowen, thank you for the idea.
Jac, my idea was to be able to shoot a little bit faster with the viewfinder ... no way ;-)

I'm not sure now, but I think that this photographer told me that he always uses a viewfinder. Perhaps it does ... but with tripod. I'll ask him again ;-)
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/28837235296_127042c0cd_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KWfno1)
pola (https://flic.kr/p/KWfno1) by apasz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiddokiddo/), on Flickr

Thanks again everybody!!!!
Cheers
Antonio