christiane_roh

Hi,

<p>

I've just got an Arca-Swiss 6x9 and about three-four weeks ago,

asked the same questions as you. The answer was that that the

better solution with the Arca-Swiss 6x9 is to take away the

groundglass, but that isn't a hassle at all, it is very easy to

achieve.

<p>

The Arca 4x5 is quite large.. and the gain in weight and volume is

higher with the Arca, than it is with the Technikardan for

instance.. Plus if I remember correctly, the Technikardan, unlike

the Arca doesn't have all the movements of the 4x5..

<p>

All in one, I'm very happy with my purchase..

<p>

Did you ever think to get a conical bellow and to change only the

front standard and lenseboard ? this way, you are diminishing

the total weight and volume of the camera, you have the

possibility of using the 6x7, 6x9 and even the 6x12 RFH.. plus

you can still put in a sheet film if you feel like it..

<p>

Arca has a kit allowing that change, however I'm not sure wether

the kit is for upgrade from 6x9 to 4x5 or the reverse..

Hi,

<p>

I'm not a specialist, but given that you didn't get any answer, here

is what I can say about the Master Technika.

<p>

I've been looking for an LF camera for all the summer and

almost bought a Classic MT with grip, optional viewfinder and

SuperAngulon 75mm for 5300.- German marks.. It makes a

difference wether the optical viewfinder is present or not.. and

also wether the model is a completely black model, or wether it

shows some chrome, like the classic models...

<p>

As for the camera itself, it is a sturdy and reliable German

camera.. the model isn't new : it was developped for the first time

in the thirties I believe... it has been slightly improved over the

years and the MT classic is allowing a lot of movements, even on

the back.. it has quite a long bellow and as such is a good

allround camera, which can be folded very compactly and which

can be set up very fast.. The advertisement says it can be

handholded (hence the grip and the optional finder..) but I haven't

heard of anybody using it that way, because it is quite heavy..

(and this is the reason why I didn't get it finally... I was afraid by

its weight) ..

<p>

As for the new price, BHVideo offers one black model (cheaper

than the classic), with anatomical grip, but without the optional

viewfinder, along with a 150mm Rodenstock lense for 4.900.-

US dollar.

<p>

I don't know how much a CAN $ is worth.. so I'll let you make your

own opinion.. I hope this helped..

Hi,

<p>

I'm new to view camera and finding your LF site has been of great

help. After many hesitation, I've bought an Arca-Swiss 6x9, so I'd

welcome more information concernig that format.. For me the dividing

line isn't between LF and MF but wether the camera allows movement or

not.. There are specific questions related to 6x9 format and I'd like

to see them treated, does it make a difference in the tripod choice

or loupe choice ? what about the best suited lenses for 6x9 ?

<p>

As for a critic section, my first reaction was positive, but reading

some sceptic comment about it, I'd say that it is a good idea, as

long as we can keep it focused on special LF themes : what kind of

movements were used, in order to correct perspective, or to increase

(or decrease) the depth of field..

<p>

I'm less interested by alternative process, since I'm mostly scanning

the negs.. as for digital printing, there are already a lot of other

sites/lists devoted to those topics.. (see the digitalsilver list at

http://www.topica.com or the Mitchel Leben lists at

http://www.leben.com/lists

<p>

Thank for all the helpfull information put on the LF pages.

<p>

Any way thanks for offering all those ressources.

I don't own the Bogen 410, but I've unscrewed the base plate on

my Gitzo, because it was bothering me while turning the knobs

of the head.. My tripod has a rapid column however and the

circular plate I took away was atop of the rapid column.. I've

never felt it necessary to replace that plate on the tripod..

Hi Mark,

<p>

From the catalogue I've in hands, the only difference between the

classic F-line models and the Compact F-line models is the

monorail, which can be folded for the Compact. The difference in

weight is only of 200 gr. in both cases. However the Arca system

is completely modular, so it would be easy to change just the

rear standard and the bellow in order to get what you describe..

<p>

Allways from the specifications : the difference between the

compact 6x9 and the compact 4x5 is of 1.0kg.. (3.2kg for the 4x5

against 2.2 kg for the 6x9).

<p>

Your statement makes me curious however : why would the 4x5

be easier to focuse than the 6x9 (assuming you are shooting

with a Roll film holder in both cases.. Shooting 4x5 sheets of

film, the conical bellow may limits movements ? However it

would be interesting to use it with a 6x12 RFH..

Many thanks to all of you,

<p>

what a rich set of experiences you shared ..

I'm glad to see there are other adepts of this format..

Howard Slavitt (info@naturelandscape.com) asked :

<p>

Christiane, would you take the time to weight your Arca Swiss so

that we (I) can know the actual weight, which sometimes differs

significantly from the manufacturers' specs?

<p>

Thanks for giving me reason to play with that new jewels :-))

Momentarily, I've just the naked second hand camera, no RFH,

no RFH adapter, no lenses, no lenseboards. When they come,

I'll weight them again, but it may last two weeks more. I have the

6x9 F-line compact model (with folding rail of 30cm and

universal soft leather bellow of 25 cm), note that from the

specifications, the metric model is a little heavier than mine.

<p>

Wth the Arca-swiss quick release rail clamping on the tripod

head and with the groundglass and fresnel, it is weighting

approximately like quoted in the specifications : I didn't have a

precision tool, but got between 2.150 kg and 2.200 kg; when I

take the quick release rail going on the tripod off, it weight 2.050

kg.. (sorry, but I don't have the conversion in pounds.. and

onces). But if you have them : they are correct..

Hi,

<p>

I've received my second hand 6x9 Arca-Swiss yesterday .. and

wow.. what a nice camera !! I'm impatient to try it now.. However I

don't have any lenses yet and was wondering whether there are

any 6x9 format users here and what their ideal lenses combo

would be

<p>

1) if you were allowed three

2) the bellow was accepting lenses from 55mm up to 150mm

3) you wanted to shoot mainly in the field, architecture and

cityscapes, plus may be some portraits from time to time (also

on location).

<p>

I've visited the main sites devoted to lenses for LF, but most of

them are considering larger format than 6x9.. So any input

concerning the best adapted lense for that smaller format would

be welcome (not only the film format, but the whole camera is

6x9)

<p>

In 35mm, my main lenses are 28mm 45-50mm and 90mm ..

I was thinking to 65mm (but would be 55mm better ?) and

150mm .. but what kind of lenses should come in the middle as

standard ?

<p>

Sorry to ask so many question in a few days, but when taking the

plunge into the view camera world there are so many new things

and so big money investments to do, that one does really need

help.. So thanks in advance for all suggestions

<p>

Christiane

Many thanks for your usefull answers. I see the standard solution it

the best one and will go with it.

Sorry, I forgot to add, in case of question, you can ask

Arca-Swiss directly by Email at arca-swiss@swissonline.ch

They are answering very quickly. They did even answer privately

to one of the question I had asked on the LF.equipment news

group.

I've recently been in contact with the Arca-Swiss reseller and he

told me that the Arca-Swiss discovery had been especially

designed for young aspirant professional photographers, so that

the system can evolve with the carreer of the photographer. Every

thing is modular in the Arca system, so you'll be able to buy

extension without problem.. Like already said, the rails are

compatible between all models.. you can have various type of

them : a folding one for compact model, one with extension ..

many kinds, many sizes all fitting with all model and which you

can add.. The down size of this modular concept is that you have

to buy a lot of stuff..

Now that my question concerning lenses and bellow has been

so nicely answered, I have another one about rollfilm holders.

Are slide-in rollfilm holders which can be slipped under the

groundglass compatible with the Arca 6x9 backs ? (and if yes,

which ones ?) Or do you need to buy the expansive Arca rollfilm

back & adapter ? I'd prefer the solution of slide-in to the other :

from what I understand, you have to take the groundglass away

in order to catch the picture.. Is that correct ?

I will see the Arca reseller on monday, but fear that he won't

draw my attention to products which they don't sell, so any of your

experience with rollfilm holders and Arca 6x9 is welcome.

Thanks in advance for yours answers : this forum is really a

great ressource

Many thanks for all the answers sent concerning the lenses

supported by the 20cm bellow. From your answers and from

others gathered on the news groups dedicated to LF equipment,

I get the impression that the specifications of Arca-Swiss

concerning their bellows are rather conservative.. This is a good

news..

I'd like to buy a 55mm or a 58mm for my coming Arca-Swiss 6x9

which has the 20cm soft leather bellow (the universal bellow).

The specifications says that it can accept lenses from 55m up to

150mm : but will I get enough movements for this lense with that

bellow ? I will use it mainly for architecture and urban

landscape..

I'd also like to get a 150mm lense, both for portrait and

architecture.. but here again : will I get to many limitations from

the bellow ?

Is there anyone using one of these lenses with that bellow ?

Should I rather order a 65 and a 135 or 120 in order to get better

movements : those would be my first and only lenses for a while,

may be with a 75mm, so it is important for me to be able to use

enough movements.

<p>

TIA for your answer.

Hi,

<p>

I fear that I've no answer for the 47mm, but I've a somewhat

similar question concerning the use of 55/58mm lense and the

150mm

<p>

I'm in the process of getting one on the second hand market.. It

will come with the universal bellow (soft learther and 20cm long).

The spec. sheet says that this bellow accept lenses from 55mm

to 150mm.

<p>

I'd like to aquire both a 55mm or 58mm lense and a 150mm

then, may be later, a 75mm . or something in the middle range..

<p>

My question is : would I get enough movements with those

extrem focals for that bellow ?? does it make sense, or should I

rather go with a 65mm and a 135mm instead?

<p>

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience