Digital Backs for View Cameras

[c.cloudwalker]

Thanks for your post Derrel. Your intense dislike of the french made me realize I need to check the actual size (formats) of these cameras.

I'm so used to SLRs and MFs to be in cm and view cameras to be in inches that a quick translation in my head of the formats the seller was telling me about meant 4x5 and 8x10 but the paper sizes are different here... So, maybe the camera formats are too.

If it turns out to be inches here too, I'll look at Columbus. Thanks.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

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.

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?

Have you even seen the price of digital backs? Film is chump change in comparison. And even though Polaroid doesn't exist anymore, you can still use Fuji instant film to replace it, or use a light meter and your better judgment.

Film is expensive, yes, but it's nowhere close to as expensive as a scanning back, even if it's something you use every day for most of your photography, which for most people, a view camera doesn't fit the bill.


Shoot some slide film like Provia or E100 and get it drum scanned. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. And if that's not enough resolution, than i'd really like to know what you're shooting. You could even get an Epson V750 and bricks and bricks and bricks of transparency, CN, and B&W films and still not even be remotely close to the price of a digital back, medium format or scanning.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Ok, it's been a few days and I thought I would update this thread as I am quite happy with the way things are going.

So, first, let me say that after crunching the numbers we did decide that what is available in terms of digital backs at this time for the format I am talking about is 1/ extremely expensive and 2/ not very good at all (at least not for what I want if for anything) and that in spite of having a potential customer for the end result, it makes no sense financially.

So #2, being a strong believer that a few brains together will come up with better solutions than one brain alone, I gathered a few friends for some serious brainstorming. Of course I had a basic idea on my mind...

A couple software writers, a couple engineers, a couple other photogs, and the man to make it all happen, a guy who will make the parts out of metal and what-not (I know there is an actual term for him but I just can't think of it right now) and I sat down and discussed the possibility of using a Hasselblad back (because Hassy is what I shoot) mounted to a frame that will allow it to travel across the picture area and capture it all. Those images would then get stitched together with the specially created software resulting in a mega size image worthy of an 8x10 neg.

Now, one of the photogs that I invited is the best selling french photog today. He creates humongous images out of hundreds of single shots and was therefore very interested in what I was thinking about, lol. I've mentioned him before but if you don't remember I'll be happy to post another link. Anyway, he was not happy because what I want to do will not work for him very well.

Too darn slow. My idea will only work with subjects that will not move at all for a few minutes

Still, for what I want to do with it, it could be incredible. And one of the reasons I'm telling you about it is: brainstorming. Yes, money could be made from the idea (if it works) but I would rather get some input from people in the field and let everyone have a go at it. Kind of like open source software (or whatever it is called.)

Yes, if we come up with a design that does work, we will try and sell it but, investors beware, the buying base for that product is extremely limited. Just a few nuts like me.

Anyway, let me know what you guys think. Ask for details or what not if I didn't express myself crearly enough, etc.

Thanks.

 

[Josh66]

(I know there is an actual term for him but I just can't think of it right now)

Machinist?

It sounds interesting. Keep us posted... Other than 'making stuff', I don't really have the technical knowledge to contribute in any way...

 

[Helen B]

Stitching backs already exist. There are a few manufacturers at different price points. I have an anonymous Chinese one to mount my D3 on the back of my Sinar P2. Here's a better one.

 

[ann]

You are now out of my "league"

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Machinist?

It sounds interesting. Keep us posted... Other than 'making stuff', I don't really have the technical knowledge to contribute in any way...

Yes, machinist. Thanks Josh. I knew someone had more brains left than me.

You are now out of my "league"

Now, now, just a bit more crazy :lmao:

Stitching backs already exist. There are a few manufacturers at different price points. I have an anonymous Chinese one to mount my D3 on the back of my Sinar P2. Here's a better one.

This is for a 4x5 and I have found similar things if not that one. Did I miss the 8x10 version? Or am I not reading things correctly?

 

[Crollo]

film is expensive

Oh please, you're honestly asking about a 8x10 digital back and you have the denseness to complain about film costing money? A good 35mm sensor camera can run you up to 6 thousand, and you're talking about large format.