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Thread: Compact, lightweight 4x5 camera with precise coupled rangefinder and excellent lens

  1. #21

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    Re: Compact, lightweight 4x5 camera with precise coupled rangefinder and excellent le

    Quote Originally Posted by JNmoyd View Post
    Or could I make a custom request to some independent camera manufacturer to make it for me? Thanks.
    Go for it and let us know how it comes out! I also wasn't aware that "user friendly" was a criteria to large format. May wish to reconsider your move from MF.

  2. #22

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    Re: Compact, lightweight 4x5 camera with precise coupled rangefinder and excellent le

    I've been through this exact form of gyration.

    I've had the Linhof Tech V, and various Graphics. I ended up staying with the Crown Graphic with top RF and a 135mm Xenotar that just happened to focus perfectly with my existing 135mm Xenar cam. I don't know the equivalent weights, but the Linhof felt like a ton of bricks in my hand vs. the Crown.

    I've thought about switching to either a Super Speed, for which cams seem to be easier to make, or a Kalart side rangefinder so I can use my 180mm. Although, I know from experience with the Aero Ektar, that the Kalart can either be adjusted for near or far focus but not both with that focal length.

  3. #23

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    Re: Compact, lightweight 4x5 camera with precise coupled rangefinder and excellent le

    Quote Originally Posted by nonuniform View Post

    I've thought about switching to either a Super Speed, for which cams seem to be easier to make, or a Kalart side rangefinder so I can use my 180mm. Although, I know from experience with the Aero Ektar, that the Kalart can either be adjusted for near or far focus but not both with that focal length.
    Could you get a kalart for both sides of the machine? one for near and one for far?
    ~nicholas
    lifeofstawa
    stawastawa at gmail

  4. #24

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    Re: Compact, lightweight 4x5 camera with precise coupled rangefinder and excellent le

    maybe, but who shoots an AE at infinity? beyond say 50ft doesn't matter with that lens, IMNSHO.

  5. #25
    Jac@stafford.net's Avatar
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    Compact, lightweight 4x5 camera with precise coupled rangefinder and excellent lens

    It's too bad you need to use Grafmatic holders. For one lens work I use a flyweight Printex 4x5 with a 135 mm Fuji lens. You can google it.

  6. #26

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    Re: Compact, lightweight 4x5 camera with precise coupled rangefinder and excellent le

    is the printex lighter than a crown? I'd be surprised if so.

  7. #27

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    Re: Compact, lightweight 4x5 camera with precise coupled rangefinder and excellent le

    The Super Graphic was meant to be used handheld, has a revolving back, superior to a Crown for most everything but coupled wide-angle work. I bought one for $250, decided I liked it better for cheap roll film used instead of shooting on the fly with Grafmaticss at more than $30 per loading... And found I was getting much better results with a Pentax 645N because of the vastly superior viewfinder. Sold it here for what I'd paid. Equipment can be virtually a free rental like this, but not if you have custom cameras built, or buy new.
    Hasten to add that the cammed balls-in-a-tube TRF Kalarts like on the Super Graphic (&Crown & Speed) TRF are very, very consistent in accurate focus. It's just that they haven't been made in about 50 years so there never were cams made for modern Plasmats-- you either use lenses that had cams commonly available for them (Tessar Optar Raptar Xenar 135mm, most often) or else have to get creative

  8. #28
    Jac@stafford.net's Avatar
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    Re: Compact, lightweight 4x5 camera with precise coupled rangefinder and excellent le

    Quote Originally Posted by EdSawyer View Post
    is the printex lighter than a crown? I'd be surprised if so.
    Good question, Ed. I will try to find a battery for my scale and let you know.
    .

  9. #29
    Jac@stafford.net's Avatar
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    Re: Compact, lightweight 4x5 camera with precise coupled rangefinder and excellent le

    Quote Originally Posted by Jac@stafford.net View Post
    Good question, Ed. I will try to find a battery for my scale and let you know.
    .
    Mr. Sawyer, I have not used my scale for so long it is lost. I will acquire another this week.
    .

  10. #30

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    Re: Compact, lightweight 4x5 camera with precise coupled rangefinder and excellent le

    Thanks Jac! I have a couple crowns, but no printex (yet).

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