Wide angle helicoid

[el french]

Has anyone made a camera with one of these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/WIDE-ANGLE-DEVICE-4-LINHOF-TECHNIKA-4x5-helical-focus-/350128926772?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51854f7034

If so, I'd be interested in seeing some pictures of it.

[Bob Salomon]

Rodenstock makes helical focusing mounts for most of their lenses in 0 shutter. Schneider does also. So these things are really quite common if you order one from your camera store. However, they are not universal. Each helical is made for a specific lens and is calibrated with distance scales to infinity as well as depth of field scales for that lens

[rdenney]

Has anyone made a camera with one of these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/WIDE-ANGLE-DEVICE-4-LINHOF-TECHNIKA-4x5-helical-focus-/350128926772?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51854f7034

If so, I'd be interested in seeing some pictures of it.

I know a guy who visits the Kiev Report forum who made a 4x5 camera with a 47/5.6 Super Angulon XL using one of these mounts.

The camera was essentially a solid box with an International back scavenged off a view camera screwed to the back, and a Technica mount on the front, using clips from Bender.

Here is a link to a post in that forum with pictures, but you will have to join Delphi Forums to follow it. The post is mine (because I have picture posting privileges there), but the camera's creator has described it in that thread. The thread was about my return to large format, from a little over a year ago.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/kievreport/messages?msg=8509.15

Rick "who has almost bought one of these mounts on several occasions" Denney

[NicolasArg]

Well, it's a very good looking mount. I've been thinking about building a PS shifteable camera with helicoid focusing. I think I'll give it a try.

[Ezzie]

Here's my 4x5 P+S using this paarticular mount. Awful picture I know, if you need pictures from a different angle, larger et at, let me know.

The Helicoid itself is nothing special. But its solid and it works. The grease they've used is a bit on the sticky side, and it needs a bit of use to free up properly.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4589911670_d3909eb1f4_o.jpg

[NicolasArg]

Wow, a really great camera Ezzie! I was thinking about something like this with my 90mm lens. Is it possible to adapt this mount to any shutter? I have my lens on a compur shutter, think it'll work?

[Ezzie]

Thank you.

I'm new to this, so I really wouldn't know. However, The lens mount is slightly oversize for my Copal #0 mounted Fujinon 90. The seller responded to mails, and was very helpful. Why not drop him a line?

These helicoids seem to be focal length specific by the way. I specified the length when ordering. In my case the seller didn't have ready drilled out lens boards available (Linhof type), and I had to do it myself. Not much of an issue, I really wanted a Helicoid, rather than having to rely on hyperfocal focusing only. (coming from SLRs and Rangefinders does that)

[el french]

Here's my 4x5 P+S using this paarticular mount. Awful picture I know, if you need pictures from a different angle, larger et at, let me know.

The Helicoid itself is nothing special. But its solid and it works. The grease they've used is a bit on the sticky side, and it needs a bit of use to free up properly.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4589911670_d3909eb1f4_o.jpg

Very nice, can you show a picture of the back?

[Emmanuel BIGLER]

M. Jean Goupy in France has made a 6x9 camera with Mamiya Press rollfilm back and a Schneider lens-on-helicod
http://picasaweb.google.fr/goupy.jean/W6x9V2#

[Ezzie]

I think I've posted these before somewhere, but can't quite remember where. OK, here goes

The main parts (the lens box and rear frame are detachable):
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4589911878_29ec3faa63.jpg

Assembled with GG (Graflok back)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4589292795_ec59b8045b.jpg

With DAYI back attached
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4589913022_73204c8d00.jpg

More info on the build here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/ezzie0304/4589911670/

[Ezzie]

M. Jean Goupy in France has made a 6x9 camera with Mamiya Press rollfilm back and a Schneider lens-on-helicod
http://picasaweb.google.fr/goupy.jean/W6x9V2#

Whooah. A really nice piece of work. French camera builders are good. I reminds me that I've seen this Helicoid used on another really nice French DIY camera build, here: http://www.galerie-photo.com/chambre-legere-4x5.html

[NicolasArg]

Great, thanks Ezzie, wonderful camera. I've began a similar project but will mount a shiftable lens board.