Digital Backs for View Cameras

c.cloudwalker · Sep 13, 2011

I picked up the gear from an old portrait studio and I got a few view cameras. I'd like to get a digital back for either a 4x5 or an 8x10 (that's the preferred way) but I have absolutely no idea what I'm looking for so any tips to get me started in my research would be much appreciated.

Also, is there any back that could be used on both formats?

Thanks.

ann · Sep 13, 2011

I would start looking on Calumet to get some ideas,
be preparing for a serious hit to the wallet.

Helen B · Sep 13, 2011

The nearest thing to a 4x5 is a Betterlight scanning back. Those start at $15,000 new, and they aren't quite as big as 4x5. They are scanning backs, not instantaneous. They will fit into most spring backs that will accept a Polaroid holder.

Most people use medium format backs like the Phase Ones (simply called a 'Phase back' in the business).

There is also this 10 Mp back for 8x10. It may well be made from tile-able x-ray sensors.

DIY scanning backs have been made, so you could try Googling for them.

Good luck,
Helen

c.cloudwalker · Sep 13, 2011

ann said:
...be preparing for a serious hit to the wallet.

:lmao: No kidding. I have found an article from last month talking about a custom 8x10 back that costs "as much as a good-sized house" before the market crash... But I'm still hoping someone will know of something, although it looks like it will most probably be a 4x5 back.

I did look there. I find it interesting to see the Sinar backs cheaper than those of brands I've never heard of. Unless Sinar is not as good as I think it is which is possible since I've not much knowledge in view cameras. Or could it be just their digital backs?

Anyway, that's kind of why I left this question pretty open ended. Trying to see what knowledgeable folks bring to my table for me to chew on

Helen B · Sep 13, 2011

The 8x10 back you are referring to is the one I gave the link to.

The price for backs depends a lot on their age. Older backs can be relative bargains, like the Dicomed scan backs that are still supported by Betterlight, as far as I know.

Best,
Helen

c.cloudwalker · Sep 13, 2011

Thanks Helen, I was hoping you would see my question.

The 8x10 back you link to is the one I found although not the same article. Very expensive for something that is used to replace the Polaroid back...

Correct me if I'm wrong but the scanning back can only be used on something that will hold the pose, right? Anything with potential movement would not work, right?

c.cloudwalker · Sep 13, 2011

Also, another question. Because of the actual size of the sensors in those backs, it seems the ones that are being used on 4x5 cameras are used so for the camera movements. Is that correct?

Helen B · Sep 13, 2011

Yes, the main reason to use the medium format digital backs on a 4x5 camera is because of the movements, although it is better to use a smaller-than-4x5 technical camera because of the smaller standards and hence greater movements with short lenses, if you need to use them. It's also common to use 'digital' lenses with those backs because many large format lenses don't have the resolution to make the most of the back.

Erie (epatsellis) has Dicomed and Magnavision backs and can answer this question much better than I can. I still use film with 4x5, along with either a Nikon adapter back for my Sinar P2 or simply the D3 with the three PC-E lenses available for it.

c.cloudwalker · Sep 13, 2011

Helen B said:
Erie (epatsellis) has ...

I was trying to remember his name

Thanks for the info. This got my brain going and is what I needed. Now I can do more serious research. Plus I'll shoot a PM to epatsellis.

ann · Sep 13, 2011

Thank goodness for Helen!

Sw1tchFX · Sep 13, 2011

Why not just shoot film in them?

Paul Ron · Sep 13, 2011

Back when scanners first hit teh streets for PCs, I had an idea of mounint one to the back of a view camera. I never got to doing it and wonder if anyone has tried it? It still haunts me and I still have some issues in my head I can't seem to resolve.

Would I need to scan a GG or can I just have it scan a focused image at the film plane with nothing between the lens n scanner?

Any thoughts?

c.cloudwalker · Sep 13, 2011

ann said:
Thank goodness for Helen!

Yes!

But I did appreciate your taking time to respond.

c.cloudwalker · Sep 13, 2011

Sw1tchFX said:
Why not just shoot film in them?

It may very well be what ends up being done. But (there is always a but) film is expensive, there is no more polaroid to shoot tests (and learn with), scans are expensive, etc, etc. So I have to study the different possiblities and see if the investment in the back is not cheaper in the long run.

Film will definitly get shot though as one of the pieces of equipment I got in this deal is an 8x10 enlarger

An old dream of mine. But for personal work only.

Paul Ron said:
Back when scanners first hit teh streets for PCs, I had an idea of mounint one to the back of a view camera. I never got to doing it and wonder if anyone has tried it? It still haunts me and I still have some issues in my head I can't seem to resolve.

Would I need to scan a GG or can I just have it scan a focused image at the film plane with nothing between the lens n scanner?

Any thoughts?

While looking up backs I found a few articles that talked of using a scanner. Didn't sound very promising for me so I didn't keep track of them but it is being done. Or, at the very least, it has been tried. Look it up.

What's a GG by the way?

Derrel · Sep 13, 2011

I would check out Columbus Camera Group here in the USA in Columbus, Ohio; at times they buy out entire studios and liquidate the stuff through their e-Bay store. As mentioned above, some of the slightly older backs do not command the uber-high prices of the newer ones. Good luck. I hope you can find something that suits you for a fair price.