Graflex.org

[R_J]

Hi there,

Someone may already have come up with a design for extending the limited movements of the Graphic. I thought to ask before I try it out.

Background:

On a Century Graphic, I find I can get backward front tilt [circa 20mm] - great for getting mountains in focus from a valley. With a drilled tripod hole on the top of the Graphic, mounted upside down on a tripod, I can get front forward tilt [20mm] for DOF work too, using the traditional Scheimpflug principle. The bed-drop isn't required for a standard lens then.

Turning the tripod head either left or right, lateral tilts and shifts can be combined [circa 20mm]. Perhaps it just takes a little thinking at the time to work out, and recall why I needed the movement at all then.

When the shift is also applied, I can combine a tilting movement with lateral movement, with or without front bed drop.

The interesting bit:

When the front bed is dropped with the lens in retraction, the lens and bellows can be guided out of its guide rail. Viewing the groundglass, it's possible to introduce a wider range of flexible free movements. The extent of movement off the baseboard is quite tremendous, and seems to overcome the limitations of movements associated with this type of baseboard rail camera.

Clearly then, the lens can have an infinite combination of combined movements - greater than the 20mm afforded by the guiderails in either tilt or shift, and extending as far as the lens covering power allows.

I've looked into trying to find a way to temporarily 'lock' the lens in manual movement down. One option is a Novoflex G-clamp type forceps, to grip the lens. This would clamp onto a tripod leg and then 'hold' the lensboard at the desired angle for shift/tilt/displacement in any combination which doesn't rupture the bellows. It's disadvantage is that two grips would be required for either side of the board in addition to cumbersome and awkwardness. A simpler option is for an assistant to hold the lens in position as I swap over the focussing groundglass for a film back. This is just as awkward, particularly for the independent photographer.

I'd love to hear from anyone else who has found a more elegant solution to extend the movements of their Graphic, or even if anyone has reservations or limitations about this method.

Kind regards.

RJ

[ This Message was edited by: R_J on 2006-05-28 07:39 ]

[ This Message was edited by: R_J on 2006-05-28 07:40 ]

[ This Message was edited by: R_J on 2006-05-28 07:40 ]

[Dan Fromm]

[R_J]

"RJ, isn't it time for you to get a real view camera?"

Lol Dan!

I let go of the 5x4" view camera (Sinar F) I've used since I was at college as well as the field camera (Wista). Since then, I've been using the Sinar F2 much more, as well as a no-real movements wide angle technical 5x4" camera.

I'm quite fond of working with the Century Graphic and love its compact size, as well as working with as little equipment as possible. I know this kind of minimalism isn't very trendy on a gearhead's forum...but still....

[glennfromwy]

Turning the camera upside down is an old trick to get the movement you describe. You get a good lens shade, too. Minimalist is good. You just do what works and have fun with it.

_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

[troublemaker]

On my backpacker Graphic dissassembled the front standard and flipped it around and reassembled it so it now has forward tilt for those landscaped that require small amounts of tilt...
I tried it at Joshua Tree a few weeks ago and the results were promissing with an 80 Heligon and 127 Ektar...

[Dan Fromm]

[R_J]

Thanks for all the comments so far.

Glenn - the use of the lensboard as a shade was one reason I used the inversion method to gain a forward front tilt.

Troublemaker - is it too much trouble to ask if you have a photograph of your set up? I was thinking of altering the tilt mechanism as you have, although feared wrecking the Graflex with those two left hands..

Dan - that's an interesting suggestion - I've never come across a Galvin. Here's what I could find about it:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/cameras/toyo/toyo-galvin-2x3.html

Why reinvent??

Perhaps I'm extending the use of the Century as far as I can for my own use. It is one of the lightest 2x3" cameras I've seen in use. Having the degree of shift and tilt, combined, laterally or vertically (all I need to work out is how to get a rotating film back on), it offers superior perspective control over something like a fixed lens 6x9cm rangefinder and for the complete range of lenses I use with it, amounts to less than a Fuji 690III rangefinder.

Perhaps I'm keen to work the Century Graphic to the bone, after the effort to mount a lens range from a 47mm S.Angulon, 65mm S.Angulon, a 105mm Ektar and 135mm Caltar onto the Graflex. (The 101mm Optar in a heavy Graphex Wollensak never sees any use).

Perhaps because it is so cute and portable in the airport luggage sac - as a folding box, it stores easier and safer than any other 6x9cm camera I use, which risks damage in transit.

Perhaps really, it's because one day when the black bellows I use expires, and when I've ransacked the peeling leatherette, I'll be able to rest assured that I know I can repatriate my Graflex to the States and get a replacement bright red set of bellows and faux crocodile leatherette covering.

Yes...that must be it....

Kind regards,

RJ