Best Options for Medium Format Tilt/Shift

Rossjukes

Rossjukes

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Hi All,

I'm looking for a bit of advice...

I'm trying to satisfy an urge to add tilt/shift to my current medium format shooting. My current camera of choice is a Bronica GS-1 with a preference for 6x7 format.

I shoot a lot of architecture and would love something that can either utilise a tilt/shift lens or has movements. I know I could use a 4x5 camera with a 6x7 back (or a camera system such as Alvandi etc) but it's a bit more clunky than I would like (composing, focussing, adding the film back etc.)

So I was wondering if there are any medium format systems with good tilt/shift options? I believe that the Mamiya RZ67 has an adapter and I'm sure there will be Hassleblad options but they're either too heavy or too expensive (I know, you live by the medium format sword, you die by it... and die poor!)...

Just wondered if I'd missed any glaringly obvious options?

Thanks in advance :)
 
There is a tilt shift adaptor for the RZ67, but because it also acts as an extension tube, it can only be used with a couple of special "short barrel" lenses. If a lens is to be able to tilt and shift, it needs to have a greater image circle than one that doesn't need to do that.

I moved to LF in the first place to have a lighter tilt/shift setup than my RZ67 allowed.

You'll need to use a tripod in any case, and may well find that achieving sharp focus when applying tilts is easier with a powerful lupe on the ground glass (which you can still do with MF if you remove the waist level finder or prism to gain access to the ground glass).

If you check the weight of a medium format SLR and tilt/shift lens against that of an Intrepid 5x4 plus light lens, you may find that size and weight favour 5x4.
 
Almost everyone on here knows what route I would suggest! :naughty: :LOL:

The OP has already voiced the option in his opening post and Stephen has emphasized reasons to consider it.

Nuff said :)
 
Hasselblad flex

Or

Get yourself a 4x5 field camera with a universal back and you can add 6x6, 6x7 or 6x9 roll film backs. Probably markedly cheaper than most tilt shift medium format options.
 
Karl.t1965 said:
Hasselblad flex

Or

Get yourself a 4x5 field camera with a universal back and you can add 6x6, 6x7 or 6x9 roll film backs. Probably markedly cheaper than most tilt shift medium format options.
Click to expand...
Actually the LF option could turn out to be no more ‘clunky’ than a MF set up.

Thinking along the lines of a handheld press camera with roll film back .
Without searching specs I can’t specify a model but tilt is possible with most if not all of them and shift will be available with some I’m sure.
 
Hi All,

Thank you for the greta recommendations.

I never knew about the Hasselblad Flxbody - really interesting camera but probably doesn't save me any 'hassle' (ignore the pun!) over using a LF kit with a roll film back...


I guess my dream scenario would be pan/tilt lenses for the Bronica but seeing as they don't exist - I guess roll film back on the Intrepid is the best option (or explore the Press camera route, thanks @Asha )

Thanks again for the comments though, much appreciated.

Cheers,

Ross
 
I think that someone makes adaptors to allow LF lenses to be used on MF cameras (as LF lenses have no extension built in, the presence of the adapter doesn't affect infinity focus, provided the focal length is long enough. I have a recollection of Tim Layton showing one at the Photography Show (or Focus) years ago. This does mean only longer than normal lenses could be used, which for many types of architectural photograph may not be ideal.

Overall, I think an inexpensive and light LF camera (thinking Intrepid) is going to cost less, weigh less, and be smaller than the MF equivalent.
 
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