Re: MF camera kit survey

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Alan wrote:
>
> I've got a few survey questions:
> 
> If I were considering designing an entry level medium format stereo
> camera kit to build (not that I am mind you....) that had the following
> required features:
> 
> 1) Focus by rotating element on lenses (using lenses from other cameras
> of course).  IOW; no focus by shifting lenses.
> 

I'd rather it shift the lenses.  This gives you a wider selection of
lenses to choose from.

> 2) Viewfinder, not third lens ground glass.
> 
> 3) Single roll of film.
> 
> 4) "Little red window" film advance.
> 

These are all OK.

> What do you think about the following:
> 
> 1) What lens to use?
> 

If you shift the lenses you could use all sorts of MF press camera
lenses (as others have already mentioned).  If you rotate lenses
you'll probably have to use lenses from Isolettes and similar
cameras.  Buying cameras just to get the lenses would increase the
cost of the kit.

> 2) Inexpensive way to get or design a viewfinder that people would
> actually like, and might even work.
> 

I would go for a finder like on the Graflex Graphic cameras.  A flip
up wire frame the same size as the film format mounted on the lens
board and a peep hole at the camera back.  You could even get fancy
and devise a way to change the height of the peephole as a means of
parallax correction.

> 3) Other things to consider (remember, entry level camera, inexpensive
> is the operative word).
> 

It might be interesting to use a Graflok style roll film back for the
film transport.  The Graflok locking mechanism isn't that complicated
(a pair of sliding brass plates angled downward so that the inner edge
is about 1/4 inch above the camera back reference surface).  The
killer is that 6x12 (or larger) Graflok rollfilm backs are pretty
expensive.  Instead, perhaps you could design the film back for the
kit camera so that it could be used on other cameras with a Graflok
back.

Would the camera kit come complete with lenses?

> 4) Would anyone come to my party?
> 

I'd be very interested in such a kit.  If I'm going to spend $250-300
on a camera (i.e., the Sputnik) I really don't want to have to then
re-kit it to make it useable.  I'd be willing to pay a bit more for a
kit that will produce a good camera out of the box.

I am much more impressed with your viewer kit than I am with my
Bender.  The level of design is much higher.  I hope you do decide to
design this kit, and are able to find all the materials you would need
to sell it.

-- 
Brian Reynolds     | "Dee Dee!  Don't touch that button!"
reynolds@xxxxxxxxx | "Oooh!"
NAR# 54438         |    -- Dexter and Dee Dee
                   |       "Dexter's Laboratory"