One camera in 9 forms: a 3D printed modular medium format film camera body | Hacker News Reader

One camera in 9 forms: a 3D printed modular medium format film camera body

petapixel.com

This is a great thing to be able to print a functioning camera, and especially excited to see the DIY Instax back there. Medium Format cameras are big and chunky, but there's just a sense of space (or technically just the shallower DoF) that you can't get from a 35mm.

It's not lighter or smaller than a TLR and it doesn't have a focusing device.

If there were some way to couple a rangefinder, I'd be interested. There's a reason, though, that medium-format rangefinder cameras cost $thousands.

Seeing some inexpensive Russian (Kiev, Moskva) medium-format rangefinder cameras on eBay (maybe these are no good?, never shot one). The Fuji GS and GW cameras can be found for <$1K and are pretty highly regarded.

I have a few medium format film cameras. I was also excited about the Instax back since Polaroid film stocks appear to be gone (I believe the remaining Polaroid stock are now hoarded in cold storage by people smart enough to grab the last of it).

I can only dream about a time when you could easily shoot B&W Polaroid in medium format or larger. They're practically giving away the Polaroid film backs on eBay. I should pick one up for each of my modulars in case some enterprising soul should decide to start up Polaroid film production again. (Reminds me of the older Hi-Fi vacuum tube variants ... they certainly have a longer shelf life though than film.)

I sold my Polaroid backs when I could still get a few bucks for them. But now I am waiting on a Lomo graflex Instax back!

I had an RB67 kit for a while. Awesome camera but beastly. I ended up trading it for a Hasselblad.

Gave my RB67 to my daughter. It is an anvil. Picked up a Bronica and that suits me better.

Fors anyone know if there are any digital sensor options available for the Goodman Zone? I like the idea of a 3D printed camera, but I really don't like the idea of having to go back yo analog film.

It looks like the camera uses a Mamiya RB67 back. You can get an adapter from various places (e.g. http://www.silvestricamera.com/assets/files/7006_7012_Mamiya...) to act as an interface between a Hasselblad V-compatible digital back and the camera.

Not gonna be cheap!

Direct link to retailer creating the "Goodman Zone" camera: https://doragoodman.com/goodlab-project/goodman-zone-medium-...

Oh Petapixel. This is an interesting article and a cool camera concept, and it's fine that the article is sponsored by the camera shop, but it is written like an ad in some places while more neutrally in other places. If it were one or the other it would be fine. The present version is a bit painful to read.

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