Sinar Handy 47/5.6 cover 6x12?

[Frank Petronio]

Anyone have any direct experience using a Sinar Handy with a 47/5.6 Super Angulon (1974 era) and 6x12 backs? The Schneider website lists the lens as covering 123mm, which seems close. Also, am I safe in assuming the 1974 Super Angulons are single coated, not multi-coated?

I've shot 4x5 sheets and, yes, it doesn't cover 4x5, but who knows exactly what the size of a 6x12 back is? My 6x9 backs have varied by several mm from being "exactly" 6x9 cm. I'd assume that Sinar, Linhof, Horseman, and other 6x12 backs vary in the same way...

I have this camera on eBay and am getting many questions, so I ought to get it straight once and for all. Thanks

[CXC]

Hi, Frank,

Being an ex-Veriwide owner, you know that camera was literally designed around the SA 47mm. It's image is called '6x10', but I recall reading that it is really only 92mm long. This decision on the part of Brooks-Plaubel (why not 6x11 or 6x12, if possible?) makes it doubtful, IMHO, that it covers a full 6x12 nicely.

Of course a contact print and a ruler would be more definitive...

[James Driscoll]

The schneiders from the 70's (and later) actually say "multicoated" or "MC" if they are multicoated....also if the lens is multicoated it reflects several colors on the glass. A single coated lens will only reflect one (eg:blue).

Regarding the coverage....if you shot 4x5 why not take a ruler to the image and measure. You will be able to get a rough estimate...and tell your perspective buyers. Be sure to word it a way that can't be interperted as "yes it will work with any 6x12 back".

[Frank Petronio]

I used to be able to add verbage to my eBay auctions but it seems they've canceled that feature. I will make the bidders aware of it though.

[Frank Petronio]

CXC point that the Veriwide would have been a 6x12 if the lens would have covered - maybe this is true but the Veriwide 100 used a 47/8 SA from 1959-1961 wheras my Handy is using a 47/5.6 SA from 1974. I've shot 4x5 and it almost covers the whole sheet, so I'd expect it to cover 6x12 but with the expected couple stops of falloff that some people might want a center filter for.

Using a center filter on a handheld camera like a Veriwide or Handy is another issue though...

[Dan Fromm]

Frank, per various places on Schneider's site, the 47/8 SA covers 113 mm @ f/22, the 47/5.6 SA covers 123 mm @ f/22, and the 47/5.6 SAXL covers 166 mm @ f/22. I don't see how you can say that your 47/5.6 SA "almost covers" 4x5.

That said, like everyone else I don't know the actual dimensions of nominal 6x12. If the aspect ratio is 1:2, it has to be at most 57 x 114. If so, neither of the 47 SAs will cover it. And if nominal 6x12 is longer than 114 mm, more of the corners will be lost.

[Frank Petronio]

I'll post a scan of a full 4x5 shot with it on the ULF (http://www.cleanpage.com/cgi-bin/teemz/teemz.cgi ), and be happy to email anyone a jpg.

[CXC]

Sorry I was off-point, I didn't know there were 2 versions of the lens. My bad.

Frank, you sure are selling off a lot of film photo gear, what's up? Have you (gasp!) gone digital? ;-)

I just bought a 12x20. I won't shoot digital, even when film dies -- I'll just shoot myself...

A retrogeek forever,

[John O'Connell]

Actual 6x12 film back gate sizes:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lfforum/topic/190103.html

Unless you have a super-expensive 6x12 back, I don't think you need to worry about it being more than 56x112 -- though the thread above predates the Shen-Hao back.

At 56x112, my math indicates a 125mm image circle would be required. Looks like someone might get away with the 47/5.6 SA but not the f/8 lens.

[Frank Petronio]

I always wanted a Sinar Handy because they look so cool! I also like Normas and Linhofs for the same reason - their industrial design is just so nice. So when I saw this on eBay I snagged it, and I've used it a few times. But since then, I've talked myself out of it.

I am "going digital" for commercial jobs but keeping my primary film cameras - especially the large format stuff because while the DSLR is wonderful, it won't be able to match 4x5 for a long time, if ever...