richard_reddy

I invented my own Fuji 617 camera, at

low cost. It's really a Kodak #1 5x7 view

camera, using Fujinon 90mm, 150mm and 210mm

view camera lenses (nearly identical to optics

Fujinon puts in a helical mount). Fujinon

optics can be had at Badger Graphics online

store--they import view camera lenses.

I bought my lenses on eBay and checked the

shutters for accuracy. Also got the old Kodak

on eBay, but had Turner Bellows in NY make a

replacement bellows.

The 7" dimension, is 17.8 cm, and height would

be 12.7 cm. It's a simple matter to mask the

negative or the print with an aspect ratio of

1:2.8 (6x17) and viola! Panoramic prints.

Since most panoramic cameras are going to require

a level tripod for shooting anyway, what's wrong

with using a view camera? We get the added benefit

of perspective control, and each sheet of 5x7 film

can be processed alone. I can also focus within the

macro world--who said Panoramas must be vast?

I print panoramas using

an Omega Chromega E and 180mm Schneider Componon.

I won't go into it here, but 4x5 format is certainly

suitable for panoramas (6x12cm graflock backs are

widely available), and so is 8x10 format. Even if you

don't have a darkroom, large format prints can be

scanned--and are suitable for large murals.

Last suggestion... for quality approaching a scanned

2+1/4 negative, I would not rule-out a Canon 8MP

Powershot camera. The new top-of-the-line Powershot

has "L" glass, makes a huge digital image, and has

specific provisions for shooting panoramas.

I'm going to stick with My Kodak #1.<div></div>