Fw: More camera ideas and questions

[Stephen Puckett <spuckett@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On July 11 Brian Reynolds wrote:

<snip>

>The original point of this project is to get both pairs on a single 


>film strip, but building a 4x5 back is easier than building a 6x12 
>rollfilm holder.  The Horeseman 6x12 rollfilm holder for Graflok 
>backs (the only Calumet has in their catalog) is $850 new, and I 
>don't expect it's much cheaper used.

<snip>

>I'd also be interested in hearing about source for cheap MF and LF
>lenses of about 80mm focal length and cheap 6x12 camera backs.

A possibility is to use an old folder 6x12 or hack together some
old 6x9's.  You can get 'dead' ones for under $20.  I've gotten 
several for free.  For a little more $, you can get some with 
working lens-in-shutter to hack for a project.

Be aware that the width (height?) of the 6x12's is more like 6.5cm
to use 116 or 616 film.  You can get this film from Film for 
Classics or (better IMO) use a homemade spacer for your spools, 
placed opposite to the wind key.  Some people add (by gluing) a 
plastic or metal strip inside the film gate to perhaps help keep
the film flatter on the spacer'd side.  I use a 620 takeup spool to 
better fit the smaller windkey tabs and have the processor return 
the spool to me.  120 spools probably will fit in the compartment 
without cutting down the diameter of the end disks.  You may also 
want to put in a 'red window' for your needs.  Still cheaper than a 
6x12 back.  
  
Some of the older 6x12 folders seem harder to load - the entire 
lens/shutter/bellows comes out of the camera and you spread the
film out inside the back.  I probably would avoid these kinds.