Viewfinders for DIY camera

gunner

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Nov 24, 2012

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21

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Large Format

• Jun 17, 2024

• #1

I started thinking about building a 6x17 camera a few years ago now, but now have the time to get on with it. Back when I first started looking into it, it seemed quite easy to fing a suitable viewfinder for such a build people like Gaeorsi did them along with several other makers. They no longer seemed to be readily available, i don't really want to use a smartphone or something similiar, so does anyone know if any are available (at a sensible price) or is it possible to build/make something useable?

 

blee1996

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Jul 25, 2008

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SF Bay Area, California

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Multi Format

• Jun 17, 2024

• #2

There are several options for 6x17 viewfinder:

1) Buy one 3D-printed one from Shawn on Etsy (search Kraken 617). It even has a built-in spirit level.
2) SPRKPLG used to sell an Ojo universal finder with different masks, but it seems he is taking a break from selling
3) Use an existing optical viewfinder (for your focal length) and mask off 6x17 frame line. e.g. TTArtisans makes several good quality finders at reasonable cost
4) Build your own from parts

 

_T_

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Feb 21, 2017

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406

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EP

Format

4x5 Format

• Jun 17, 2024

• #3

You can also build a sports finder from just wire if you’re willing to do a little diy and some algebra

 

OAPOli

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Sep 26, 2022

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Toronto

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• Jun 17, 2024

• #4

Here is a tutorial on how to make an optical VF

Galilean Viewfinder Design — Panomicron

The Mathematics of galilean viewfinders and how to design them

www.panomicron.com

With a 3D printer and inexpensive lenses you could make one.

 

AnselMortensen

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Jun 9, 2020

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SFBayArea

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Traditional

• Jun 18, 2024

• #5

I had a custom 3D printed 6x17 viewfinder for my modded WWII torpedo camera made by the Cameradactyl camera people.

 

OP

OP

gunner

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Nov 24, 2012

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Large Format

• Jun 19, 2024

• #6

thanks everyone for your sugestions and ideas, I contacted Shawn on etsy, but he seemed to think shipping a finder to the U.K would cost twice what the finder cost!, the ttartisan finders look like the way to go, I've got a 90mm schneider super angulon i'm going to use for the build, looking on the net the 90 on 6x17 gives a viewing angle of 20-22 degrees (varies from website to website) so I'm going to try a 21 degree ttartisan viewer and hopefully can mask it down to give a good aproximation of the 6x17 field of view