The thing youre missing about large format is the huge demand for focal plane shutter 4x5 cameras. almost all of the 4x5 cameras in the market all use leaf shutters which limits the speed of the lens. The hugely coveted aero ektar lens that every 4x5 photographer wants will only work on a 4x5 that has a focal plane shutter and considering pretty much all the focal plane shutter 4x5's nearly 100 years old now, the fact that a company is making new ones is a blessing.
Many years ago I took photos of bars for liquor licenses in Newark NJ. I used a Crown Graphic and Extapan film (which I think was asa 200). The crown graphic was a news photographers camera in the 1950's. You can handhold it with a little practice.
For graflex slr cameras the shortest lens you could typically mount on 3x4 bodies is 150mm and 180mm on the 4x5 bodies. The Smartflex still has the internal guts of a Graflex SLR so the top speed is limited to 1/800ish but they're also looking into manufacturing new parts for their project. It's important to note that IT WILL NOT BE CHEAP. From everything I've seen so far a rough estimate will be around $2000 for just the body and not considering their lenses or Instax back Their current lineup of lenses include 178mm f2.5 (Same specs as Aero Ektar), 200mm f2.5, and 240mm f2.5. For large format f2.5 is equivalent to like f0.8 in 35mm so the DoF is extremely shallow
I know a guy who shoots a graflex SLR in my area. the press cameras are a good alternative basically a large format rangefinger camera. they were setup with an external rangefinder coupled to the focus. I have one I stopped using in place of a proper rail 4x5.
I’ve been following them for a while now, about a year, and what they’ve accomplished in this time frame is short of amazing! While it is far too expensive for me, I hope to see one in action one day!
Yeah I've seen a fair amount of posts about this camera on the japanese side of instagram (Insta has figured out I'm a japanese learner) and had assumed that it was just a purpose built one of a kind camera. Always thought they looked really goofy with the fuji 680 prism on them lol. Super cool to find out they are making these for production. Idk if I will ever get into large format since medium format is already cost prohibitive for me, but it's awesome seeing new film cameras coming out!
@Drpftnst covered most of the reasons for this camera but I thought it might be helpful to restate the reasoning in a different way than they did. I believe the camera is in service to the lenses in this instance. If you wanted to shoot 4X5 naturalistic portraiture with fast lenses then you need to overcome the restrictions of leaf shutters[small opening and or slow speeds] and at the same time create a viewing system to be able to see your subject framing as well as focusing so that your subject doesn't have to be held fast by a posing aid. I shoot graflex RB's only because they allow me to use the beautiful, fast Pentac, Zeiss, AeroEktar, etc.lenses that are perfectly suited to portrait style photography!
Handheld 4x5 is not really a new idea. That said, the camera looks interesting. Possibly a bit clunky to use but lightweight is good. I will wager this camera will be more expensive than the Intrepid 4x5. I hope the camera sells well and even though I don't feel any need for a 4x5 SLR, a new, well made 4x5 camera is a good thing. Good luck to them!
It will be several times more expensive than an Intrepid, they are re-engineering the Graflex shutter mechanism from the ground up. If it is 10x more expensive than the Intrepid 4x5 I will not be surprised.
I think a camera with just the DOF part would be dope. I already have 2 4x5 cameras and do not need one more. With th eprice of film- I'm always going to use a tripod in my 4x5 works....
I’d love to buy this. I love shooting medium format on trips and would love to shoot large format but it’s hard to make space for some and I don’t want to slow down too much when travelling with one because usually I only have a few min tops to take a shot
So this is just an add on for your cell phone? why not make a cell phone with a camera in it? I can see some amateur photographer trying to make a phone call on this box camera. LOL.
I seen your video on this Smartflex, and in my Opinion is "NO" for Three Grand that I can pick a Decent 4x5 camera like a Cambo, or Arca Swiss - Sinar Too Pricey But that I do have a 4x5 camera - A 1956 Graflex Speed Graphic with 12 holders, flash gun(In which I can still get Flashbulbs) a ^ Film Grafmatic holder, Filters, and Leather Camera Case for under $500. as I was working at a Camera Store for 33 years, and that this camera was completely refurbish as the shutters were working fine both rear, and front shutters, and I also got the Lomo back to shoot Instax film, as in the past I had a Polaroid 545 back in which i did alot of Image transfers with Type 59 color film. So This Smartflex as I see that the camera body has some recycle parts, and why would you want to Pay Three Thousand for this Kodak Box Camera with all the Bells & Whistles, as this camera is not going to make you a Professional Portrait Hand Held Photographer as I heard Photographer David Burnett use a Graflex 4x5 Model D SLR during the Senate Hearing against Rudy Giuliani in which the Press Photographers were using Digital Camera, and Burnett decided to use an 70 Year old camera with Film, as the Press Media wrote him up in using a Classic Camera. And lets not forget another photographer that use a 4x5 Press Camera - Weegee as he started Street photography then. So I say A Negative NO WAY in getting as a Three Grand paper weight as a Wanna Be shooters will get it, but their is a better way to get a affordable view camera under 500 dollars as Three Grand can pay your Rent, and Bills than this Kodak Box Camera, And that is my Opinion
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
cool, hope they make a point and shoot version
It is, you point it at what you want to take a photo of, and shoot it XD /s
THAT'S DOPE!! It's cool as hell to see companies trying to push photography out to more people/making it more accessible. Thanks for sharing this
The thing youre missing about large format is the huge demand for focal plane shutter 4x5 cameras. almost all of the 4x5 cameras in the market all use leaf shutters which limits the speed of the lens. The hugely coveted aero ektar lens that every 4x5 photographer wants will only work on a 4x5 that has a focal plane shutter and considering pretty much all the focal plane shutter 4x5's nearly 100 years old now, the fact that a company is making new ones is a blessing.
Many years ago I took photos of bars for liquor licenses in Newark NJ. I used a Crown Graphic and Extapan film (which I think was asa 200). The crown graphic was a news photographers camera in the 1950's. You can handhold it with a little practice.
WANT!!! Been shooting large format for more than 30 years. This looks like fun!
I'm retired and probably can't afford it but it looks very cool!
For graflex slr cameras the shortest lens you could typically mount on 3x4 bodies is 150mm and 180mm on the 4x5 bodies.
The Smartflex still has the internal guts of a Graflex SLR so the top speed is limited to 1/800ish but they're also looking into manufacturing new parts for their project. It's important to note that IT WILL NOT BE CHEAP. From everything I've seen so far a rough estimate will be around $2000 for just the body and not considering their lenses or Instax back
Their current lineup of lenses include 178mm f2.5 (Same specs as Aero Ektar), 200mm f2.5, and 240mm f2.5. For large format f2.5 is equivalent to like f0.8 in 35mm so the DoF is extremely shallow
$2000 is about right, though. It's cheaper than an Aero Liberator for sure
This looks amazing thanks for the news
I have a footlocker from summer camp, but never thought about converting it into a camera
I know a guy who shoots a graflex SLR in my area. the press cameras are a good alternative basically a large format rangefinger camera. they were setup with an external rangefinder coupled to the focus. I have one I stopped using in place of a proper rail 4x5.
I’ve been following them for a while now, about a year, and what they’ve accomplished in this time frame is short of amazing!
While it is far too expensive for me, I hope to see one in action one day!
Yeah I've seen a fair amount of posts about this camera on the japanese side of instagram (Insta has figured out I'm a japanese learner) and had assumed that it was just a purpose built one of a kind camera. Always thought they looked really goofy with the fuji 680 prism on them lol. Super cool to find out they are making these for production. Idk if I will ever get into large format since medium format is already cost prohibitive for me, but it's awesome seeing new film cameras coming out!
😭 damn that thing is massive but I love the idea. I just hope it’s not too expensive.
@Drpftnst covered most of the reasons for this camera but I thought it might be helpful to restate the reasoning in a different way than they did. I believe the camera is in service to the lenses in this instance.
If you wanted to shoot 4X5 naturalistic portraiture with fast lenses then you need to overcome the restrictions of leaf shutters[small opening and or slow speeds] and at the same time create a viewing system to be able to see your subject framing as well as focusing so that your subject doesn't have to be held fast by a posing aid.
I shoot graflex RB's only because they allow me to use the beautiful, fast Pentac, Zeiss, AeroEktar, etc.lenses that are perfectly suited to portrait style photography!
As someone who actually uses a Fuji GX680III handheld - I find this absolutley the next thing to have
Handheld 4x5 is not really a new idea. That said, the camera looks interesting. Possibly a bit clunky to use but lightweight is good.
I will wager this camera will be more expensive than the Intrepid 4x5.
I hope the camera sells well and even though I don't feel any need for a 4x5 SLR, a new, well made 4x5 camera is a good thing.
Good luck to them!
It will be several times more expensive than an Intrepid, they are re-engineering the Graflex shutter mechanism from the ground up. If it is 10x more expensive than the Intrepid 4x5 I will not be surprised.
Didn't Peter Gowland make a twin lens 4x5 in the '70s ?
Yes but the lenses available were still limited by the in lens shutters. Nothing fast and nothing dreamy...
I think a camera with just the DOF part would be dope. I already have 2 4x5 cameras and do not need one more. With th eprice of film- I'm always going to use a tripod in my 4x5 works....
I’d love to buy this. I love shooting medium format on trips and would love to shoot large format but it’s hard to make space for some and I don’t want to slow down too much when travelling with one because usually I only have a few min tops to take a shot
Awesome to see this, thank you! Subbed!
Like your moustache though :-) removed mine..to much maintenance. Good channel..keep it up
not to out you but your dishwasher was open the entire video
Might be interesting for people that does not need the typical movements of a field or studiocamera…
Yooo I wan't this! 😍
That's going to be $5000 or more.
Interesting. Very interesting.
I want one.
It's very interesting, but I agree it needs to be very affordable.
It will not be - I guarantee you it will be at least $2000, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was double that.
The camera looks like it would come out on those iPhone/playstation/ Xbox leak videos from the 2010s😂
LMAO
me in 2009 looking up "xbox 720" on RUclips
日本人ですが初めて聞きました。一応インスタグラムの動画は確認しましたが日本にしては景色に違和感があります。製造している方は中国の方の人ではないでしょうか？
So this is just an add on for your cell phone? why not make a cell phone with a camera in it? I can see some amateur photographer trying to make a phone call on this box camera. LOL.
It's a regular 4x5 camera, it can shoot anything compatible with a Graflok back. The phone thing is a separate accessory.
Smartflex is a Chinese company
I seen your video on this Smartflex, and in my Opinion is "NO" for Three Grand that I can pick a Decent 4x5 camera like a Cambo, or Arca Swiss - Sinar Too Pricey But that I do have a 4x5 camera - A 1956 Graflex Speed Graphic with 12 holders, flash gun(In which I can still get Flashbulbs) a ^ Film Grafmatic holder, Filters, and Leather Camera Case for under $500. as I was working at a Camera Store for 33 years, and that this camera was completely refurbish as the shutters were working fine both rear, and front shutters, and I also got the Lomo back to shoot Instax film, as in the past I had a Polaroid 545 back in which i did alot of Image transfers with Type 59 color film. So This Smartflex as I see that the camera body has some recycle parts, and why would you want to Pay Three Thousand for this Kodak Box Camera with all the Bells & Whistles, as this camera is not going to make you a Professional Portrait Hand Held Photographer as I heard Photographer David Burnett use a Graflex 4x5 Model D SLR during the Senate Hearing against Rudy Giuliani in which the Press Photographers were using Digital Camera, and Burnett decided to use an 70 Year old camera with Film, as the Press Media wrote him up in using a Classic Camera. And lets not forget another photographer that use a 4x5 Press Camera - Weegee as he started Street photography then. So I say A Negative NO WAY in getting as a Three Grand paper weight as a Wanna Be shooters will get it, but their is a better way to get a affordable view camera under 500 dollars as Three Grand can pay your Rent, and Bills than this Kodak Box Camera, And that is my Opinion
that looks like a gowlandflex. but there are only so many ways to make a 4x5
Sure does! Peter Gowland also in his camera lineup also made a 8x10 camera that was pretty cool in it’s time
It looks like a Graflex SLR, which is what it's based off of, not a Gowlandflex.
Darn 😮I sold my donkey 🫏, 🥹