Plaubel Proshift

Ever since i have heard about the proshift i have been excited..It

seems this is the one i have been looking for!! A 6x9 camera with

shift!!.. I intend to travel and there is nothin like havin a medium

format with perspective control. I shoot mostly architecure n am

currently using a walker xl with roll film backs..Anyone with

experience using the Proshift??Thanks

The Plaubel Proshift 69W is a wonderful camera. It is the marriage of a Schneider 47mm f/5.6 Super Angulon lens with a Mamiya 6x9 back. The camera dates from the early 80's and, as you've probably surmised, is long out of production.<P>

 

Its biggest feature is a front lens panel which offers front rise or shift (but not simultaneously). The optical viewfinder tracks with the lens movement to give a pretty good idea of framing. Focusing is by estimation using the scale on the lens mount and the DOF scale.<P>

 

A couple of web sites with more information on the Proshift are <a href=http://digilander.libero.it/clabo/mamiya/69w/>http://digilander.libero.it/clabo/mamiya/69w/</a> and <a href=http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/plaubel69w_proshift/index.html>http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/plaubel69w_proshift/index.html</a>. Proshifts show up occasionally on the used market for somewhere between $2000 and $2500 at last check. A used camera should include the optical viewfinder, although there's a built-in collapsible wire-frame viewfinder which can be used in lieu of the optical one. Extras which were originally available for the camera include a center filter and a small post which screws into a tripod hole on top of the camera. This post allows the camera to be mounted upside-down on a tripod so that the front rise may be used as a front fall.<P>

 

While the Proshift is no longer made, there are some other medium format cameras on the market which offer viewcamera movements and roll film capability. Two which come to mind are the Silvestri (<a href=http://www.bromwellmarketing.com/silvestri.htm>http://www.bromwellmarketing.com/silvestri.htm</a>) and the Horseman SW series which is available in 6x12 and 6x9 formats (<a href=http://www.horsemanusa.com/faq_sw.html>http://www.horsemanusa.com/faq_sw.html</a>). These cameras use current generation optics. The prices are pretty intimidating, however. I'm quite happy with my Proshift for now.<P>

Regards,<BR>

Will

Thanks Will,

 

one of the reasons why i like the Plaubel(albiet a very small matter) is that though this is a medium format camera with shift provisions..it looks very much like any of the usual rangefinder/35 mm manual cameras..Silvestri/horseman and the others have a tendency to attract unwanted attention..especially since i am planning to travle into remote areas!!.. i prefer to keep my gadgets as low-key as possible..

on that note.. A friend of mine recently acquired a 'Liere' (chinese copy of the Silvestri, for less than 1/2 the price) has anyone heard of that? maybe should start another thread!!

Thanks once again Will..hope i can lay my hands on a proshift!!

Also a 6x9 with full controls is the little Arca-Swiss monorail view camera. It can be used with a rollfilm back, or with its cute little 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 cut film holders. A dealer told me that it's hard to find anything besides tri-x for the little film holders, though. As this is a view camera, it needs to go on a tripod and will be slower to use, I am sure, than the Plaubel. Still, the Plaubel might need a tripod for best results with its controls. And I believe the Arca, being a view camera, probably has fuller control than the Plaubel.

 

So, it's another option . . .

I like to sell my Plaubel Proshift. It is in a very good condition, because it was only Nr. 2 of 2 same cameras. Comes with Center Filter, Manual and more. Please have a look at www.foto-flohmarkt.de for a picture.