Medium format technical / view camera

[abruzzi]

In addition to the baby Technikas, there is also. Linhof Technikardan. The issue with all the 2x3 Technikas is they don’t use easily accessible 6x9 Graflok roll film backs. The Horseman 6x9 roll holders that work on all my other 6x9 cameras are easy to find, and relatively inexpensive. The baby Linhofs all require a special Rollex or Super Rollex role film back, and they are harder to find and much more expensive.

Most of the other option have been mentioned. There are also Japanese wooden cameras of miscellaneous manufacturer. @B.S.Kumar has frequently had some for sale. Of the ones I’ve used:

Arca Swiss 6x9 (post-Oschwald): my favorite of the bunch. Very well made, smooth and rigid. Mine has the folding rail, so the whole thing can be quite compact.
Cambo SC-1: also very well made. My biggest issue with these is they’re cumbersome setting up for wide lenses. They also don’t fold up well, so if using in the field they are a bit more challenging.
Galvin 6x9: as tiny and light as you could hope, but I had issues with movements on mine. They work but the loosening for movements is not very accurate as it has a tendency to move when locking the movement down.
Linhof Technika 23: as mentioned the biggest issue is available roll film holders. I wanted a 6x9 back and the only one I could find was over US$300.
Linhof Technikardan 23S: I would love the camera if I could use the less expensive Horseman roll backs.
Horseman VH and VH-R: the only difference between these is the VH is pure technical view camera, the VH-R has a rangefinder with cams to adapt the range finder to different focal length lenses. Build quality is a tiny bit lower than the baby Technikas, but ease of use seems a fair bit better. With the right cams the VH-R can easily handheld.

 

[pkr1979]

Horseman 6x7 backs also seems to be pretty available.

 

[baachitraka]

Hello Peter, I believe you may get better response if you can provide more detail about how you will use the camera. What type of photography? Do you want full swings and tilts? Are you going to hike with it? More information the better for us out here to give suggestions. In 6x7 format I use a Koni-Omega 100, a Bronica GS1, a Pentacon Six, and a Galvin mono rail for different situations and reasons. I use a Linhof Technika and a Super Speed Graphic for 4x5 and both with 6x9 backs.

Pentacon Six is 6x6 only.

 

[Paul Howell]

Horseman 6x7 backs also seems to be pretty available.

My one and only Topcon lens that was made for Horseman a 105 3.5 professional is sharp and covers movements well enough. If I did not have a pretty complete Mamiya Universal set up I would be thinking of a Horseman. If you decide on a rangefinder model then you want to look into what cams match what lens. If budget allows maybe a setup with matched lens.

 

[pkr1979]

Im tempted to opt for the VH instead of the VH-R... I assume the rangefinder doesnt really work when using movements?

 

[ags2mikon]

I have been using the Horseman system since 1984. I like them very much. I started with a horseman 760 that didn't have a rangefinder or rear movements iirc, it was the predecessor to the VH. I sold it early on and replaced it with a 985 with a rangefinder and 2 lenses with cams and found it to be really quite nice. I now have a complete set of Horseman lenses with cams and a VH-R, 985, 980 and a 970. I sometimes use lens rise with the rangefinder and guestimate hand holding it. It is hard to find information on them and they do have a learning curve to master.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Im tempted to opt for the VH instead of the VH-R... I assume the rangefinder doesnt really work when using movements?

I used a VH for a few years. Mainly outdoors, urban buildings and landscapes and such. Worked very well. The back rotates which is very helpful. A little imagination using the rear movements can get you most non-studio movements I expect that you will need.

One important thing, and I bet this is an issue for many such cameras, is limits on wide angle lenses. I used a 75mm Nikkor (f/4?) that had a large back focus distance. I think a 65mm lens might need a recessed board? Well, look into this to see if it will fit your needs. Also look into the throat, how wide the physical diameter of a lens will fit.

 

[Paul Howell]

Although don't have a Horseman I do have a Busch 21/4 X 3 1/4 and a Speed 2 1/4 by 3 1/4. The Busch has a rangefinder the Speed does not. The Busch is good while hiking as I can use it handheld while the Speed I need a tripod. Same with my 4X5 Speed and Crown Graphic, the Crown still has the rangefinder while I damaged the rangefinder on the Speed when I dropped it off a roof. I can shoot the Crown handheld or on monopod. Having the rangefinder provides additional options.

 

[ags2mikon]

The early 65mm f7.0 and the 75mm f5.6 Horseman were on a flat lens board. When the VH and VH-R came out they went to a recessed board because the cameras with the revolving backs were thicker than the 900 series cameras. The later series boards / lenses work real good with the 900 series cameras. Both the 65mm and the 75mm use the same infinity stops.

 

[Romanko]

Another happy Horseman 985 user here. The difference in sizes between medium format and 5x4 Horseman is not that big. As others suggested I would go with a 5x4 format. The lenses/lens boards are interchangeable between these cameras and if you decide you need a smaller camera you can always buy a second body. They are relatively inexpensive. I can't comment on the usefulness of the rangefinder I haven't used it much yet.

 

[ic-racer]

The Horseman technical cameras are pretty versatile if you know all the tricks. For example the tripod mount on the side allows front drop.

An advantage over a monorail is the ability to hand-hold with the coupled rangefinder.

This shows the 4x5" camera, but the medium format camera has the exact same front standard. In addition to the rangefinder (on some models) the medium format camera actually has a light-sealing rotating back, unlike the 4x5 camera; you can rotate it without a dark slide.

 

[aconbere]

Although don't have a Horseman I do have a Busch 21/4 X 3 1/4 and a Speed 2 1/4 by 3 1/4. The Busch has a rangefinder the Speed does not. The Busch is good while hiking as I can use it handheld while the Speed I need a tripod. Same with my 4X5 Speed and Crown Graphic, the Crown still has the rangefinder while I damaged the rangefinder on the Speed when I dropped it off a roof. I can shoot the Crown handheld or on monopod. Having the rangefinder provides additional options.

Off topic: But curious if you’ve found a solution to using roll with with the pressman. I have one, as well as a small number of 2x3 sheet film holders. But would love to put a roll film holder on the back. I keep waffling on making my own hacked version of a graflock back to fit to it.

 

[romosoho]

I have a Horseman VH. Love it. I don't "hike" with it for miles but certainly go farther away from my car than I do with my 5x7.

I'm a bit unclear though - you want 6x7 to fit your enlarger? But you're talking 6x8 and 6x9 as well?

 

[pkr1979]

6x7 are the biggest negatives i can use with my enlarger.

 

[pkr1979]

Hows front tilt, swing, shift, rise and fall on the Horseman VH?

 

[romosoho]

I"m happy with it. Manual for the VH R is at https://butkus.org/chinon/horseman/horseman_vh-r/horseman_vh-r.htm and it describes the movements.

so you're okay with bigger than 6x7 even though that's the largest your enlarger can go?

 

[pkr1979]

Thanks. Not okay with bigger than 6x7. These backs seems readily available though.

 

[ags2mikon]

Here is a link. http://www.bnphoto.org/bnphoto/LFN/css_VH.htm The vh-r and the vh are the same camera sans the rangefinder and viewfinder.

 

[romosoho]

Oh okay. Just wanted to make sure I/we weren't being unhelpful with 6x9 recommendations.

 

[DREW WILEY]

When looking for Horseman roll film backs, you have to carefully distinguish between those intended for their MF only cameras, versus those mounted onto a larger overall plate for sake of 4X5 Graflok fittings.

 

[ags2mikon]

I have used rb-67 backs with mine, but the horseman backs are real nice too. All of my 6x9 backs are horseman backs and are double stroke like an early m-3. Some will need to be resealed with new foam to fix light leaks. Just part of old age.

 

[Paul Howell]

Off topic: But curious if you’ve found a solution to using roll with with the pressman. I have one, as well as a small number of 2x3 sheet film holders. But would love to put a roll film holder on the back. I keep waffling on making my own hacked version of a graflock back to fit to it.

I only use sheet film, for roll film I use my Mamiya's, although I have a sheet film back for the press I only have one 6X9 film holder. At times I shoot zone and due to age cannot carry my 4X5s while hiking, so the Pressman and Speed, 2 1/4 X 3 1/4 sheet film is as expensive as 4X5 and only available to a couple of emulsions. Last I looked only 1 emulsion was available for 6X9

I don't think it will that hard to transfer a roll film back from a bady speed to a pressman. Looking at my Pressman 4 screws holds the back on, doubt it was glued on as well. Finding a trashed baby speed for a salvaged back might take time. then again maybe a Horseman or Lindhoff back?

 

[pkr1979]

When looking for Horseman roll film backs, you have to carefully distinguish between those intended for their MF only cameras, versus those mounted onto a larger overall plate for sake of 4X5 Graflok fittings.

Thanks!

 

[pkr1979]

Whats the recommended lens selection for the Horseman VH like?

 

[romosoho]

Whats the recommended lens selection for the Horseman VH like?

Do you mean the quality of the glass or what the options are? Sorry that I don't quite understand what you are asking. I have the 75 and 90 lenses, FWIW.