4x5 Fisheye TLR

[Steve Goldstein]

Some time ago Jim Hemenway created a 4x5 fisheye camera using a stripped-down Speed-Graphic body and a 30mm Arsat lens. I might have posted a link to that one a few years back, you can see it here:

http://www.half-fast.com/

Yesterday I received an update from Jim describing some more recent work. He said the basic fish-eye camera proved a bit inconvenient to use, what with tripod legs showing up in images and ergonomic challenges, so he turned it into an 11-pound TLR:

http://www.half-fast.com/FishFlex.jpg

Remarkable, though not for the weak-of-back.

I suppose it could also be used for stereo if turned sideways.

[Frank Petronio]

Very cool

[rdenney]

I'm not understanding how he avoids tripod legs in view, but I'm still a bit giddy looking at it.

I love fisheyes, but prefer the full-frame approach. A 50 or 55mm fisheye would fill a 4x5 frame, and that would really interest me, except that nobody makes one.

The Arsat fisheye is quite good. I have one but I'm reluctant to dedicate it to this sort of application. I might have to look for another one.

Rick "looking at some recent 120 negatives made with the 35mm fisheye on the Pentax 6x7" Denney

[rich815]

That is such a beautiful and cool looking camera.

[Steve Goldstein]

I probably should have posted this in "Cameras" rather than in "Gear". I wouldn't complain one bit if a moderator cared to move it.

Rick, I think it's still hard to avoid the tripod leg, but at least with the viewing lens there's an opportunity to assess the impact on the image-to-be.

[Frank Petronio]

Is the focusing of the two lenses unified or is it just zone focused or ?

[Steve Goldstein]

I think it's Zone-focused, but I'll ask.

[William Whitaker]

I'm not understanding how he avoids tripod legs in view...

Are you sure that's a tripod leg?

[Steve Goldstein]

Jim says he focuses through the top lens, and both have helicals, so I guess he then adjusts the lower lens as they don't look coupled to me. He also says he shoots handheld, which eliminates the tripod at the cost of hand-holding an 11-pound camera.

[Corran]

Nice!!