In search of 5x8 format

[John Brady]

I have had all types of cameras over the years. I am shooting a lot of 8x10 but I am always drawn back to the 5x8 format. My current set up is an 8x10 Ebony 810slw with i custom made 5x8 reducing back that Hiromi created for me back when he was still building cameras. I am able to use a SA 72XL but on a recessed board, which is not pleasant, but it works.

I have ten 5x8 film holders built by Chamonix, that are very nice.

My goal would be to find a dedicated 5x8 that would be non folding, have rise and fall and focus the 72XL on a flat board. The camera needs to be as light as possible yet sturdy, I work in some pretty extreme conditions in the Everglades and surrounding swamps.

In the past, I have owned a 5x8 chamonix that was a well built camera but the 72 was too wide for it, the front rail was visible in the image.

Shen Hao builds the TFC58-B, which is their wooden 5x8 camera. Jeff at Badger Graphic inquired for me about it's ability to utilize the 72xl and they told him it wouldn't.

I have contacted Fotoman in China, they have offered to build a camera based on their 45sps that they tell me will work with the 72xl and my film holders. That is great of them to offer and may be the best thing for me to try. It would be like a point and shoot 5x8 with a hyperlocal lens adapter with rise and fall. I am just concerned about the language barrier and fully understanding at the end of the day that this will not vignette or do anything strange. I'm also not clear on weather or not it will have a Graflok type back that will allow me to compose the image.

I have considered scrapping the whole idea and just get a Walker Titan 5x7, but I would really like 5x8.

Anyway, if any of you have a suggestions of a camera that is already out there or a company that can build what I am looking for please let me know. Or if you would just like to discuss the format.

John
www.timeandlight.com

[Oren Grad]

Thinking out loud...

I wonder whether Richard Ritter could build something for you - either a non-folding bellows camera or a box camera with a sliding front, with the lens put into helical mount. If you're willing to dedicate it to the 72XL, a box camera could be pretty compact.

Also if you're inclined more toward the wide end, perhaps someone can make you an expansion back for the 5x7 Titan XL. But the Titan XL in that format is fairly heavy even without an expansion back, though certainly lighter than your Ebony.

[Pere Casals]

Walker Titan 5x7, but I would really like 5x8.

The most practical choice would be shooting 5x7" and then discarting two 8mm strips in the long sides, to have 4.375x7", which is exactly the same aspect ratio than 5x8". The 8mm strips can be painted in the GG or even a mask can be placed in the inside so the negative would take 4.375".

Sure you are to enlarge/scan and anyway a 4.375x7" negative would have an insane amount of image quality. Having the 5x8 aspect it's quite easy, but if wanting the camera...

[Ken Lee]

OOPS - Pere provided the same answer already

You can also apply some easily removable painter's tape to your 5x7 ground glass to render the same aspect ratio as 5x8. I've done that often.

Given the clear film edge, 5x7 is roughly 4.75 x 6.75 inches.

5/8 * 6.75 = 4.22 inches. If you round that up to 4.25 you basically need to lose 1/2 inch from 4.75 to get the narrower format. You can either apply a 1/2 inch piece of tape at the top or bottom, or a 1/4 inch piece of tape on both top and bottom.

Again due to the clear film edge when we shoot with a 5x8 camera we're really shooting 4.75 x 7.75 but this should be close enough.

[Luis-F-S]

Not to point out the obvious, but you can also use one of the splitters in a Deardorff V8 to make two 5x8 negatives on an 8x10 sheet of film. You'd need an 8x10 enlarger to print it, using the method above allows you to use a 5x7 enlarger. Or you could just get that 5x7 Titan. L

[B.S.Kumar]

Or crop using a Rittreck 5x10 expansion back?

Kumar

[Michael Roberts]

Awesome photos on your site, John. Since you already have the holders, I second your attempt to find a dedicated 5x8 camera. I’m with you on the 60% aspect ratio.

Am I correct in thinking you primarily shoot in landscape mode? How would you feel about a dedicated landscape mode camera, I.e. one w/o a reversible back?

Also, what are the dimensions of your holders? I’m thinking 6 1/2 x 9 1/2” o/s dimensions for the camera might work...

A couple of other options would be to put an expansion back on a 5x7 camera or put a reduction back on a whole plate camera.

[John Brady]

Thinking out loud...

I wonder whether Richard Ritter could build something for you - either a non-folding bellows camera or a box camera with a sliding front, with the lens put into helical mount. If you're willing to dedicate it to the 72XL, a box camera could be pretty compact.

Also if you're inclined more toward the wide end, perhaps someone can make you an expansion back for the 5x7 Titan XL. But the Titan XL in that format is fairly heavy even without an expansion back, though certainly lighter than your Ebony.

Thanks Oren, Richard Ritter is a good suggestion! I've never handled the Walker Titan so I hadn't thought about it being heavy, I just liked the fact that it handles the 72 well.

[John Brady]

Awesome photos on your site, John. Since you already have the holders, I second your attempt to find a dedicated 5x8 camera. I’m with you on the 60% aspect ratio.

Am I correct in thinking you primarily shoot in landscape mode? How would you feel about a dedicated landscape mode camera, I.e. one w/o a reversible back?

Also, what are the dimensions of your holders? I’m thinking 6 1/2 x 9 1/2” o/s dimensions for the camera might work...

A couple of other options would be to put an expansion back on a 5x7 camera or put a reduction back on a whole plate camera.

Thanks Michael, yes, I stick with horizontal for the most part in this format, I'm okay with a non convertible back, I can always flop the ball head on the tripod. My goal here is low weight and simplicity.

[Michael Roberts]

John, do you use other lenses besides the 72? If so, what's the longest?

I'm just wondering if you need anything beyond a bag bellows?

I dig low weight and simplicity, too. My fav 5x7 right now is a modified Cycle Poco No. 3. Weighs less than 2lbs w/o lens. Landscape mode (with additional tripod socket for portrait), with front rise and shift (rise for portraits). This camera could be modified for a drop bed to avoid vignetting your 72XL, but it's 5x7, not 5x8, so I'm not suggesting it would work for you. But the design might work for you.