New Large Format Camera is Handheld..?

Smartflex is developing a new large format camera that is going to be primarily used without a tripod. Despite its huge size, the company is aiming to make the camera ergonomic enough to walk around and shoot. From their Instagram page, there are a handful of photos and videos of people using it, and photos from the camera itself. This camera is an attempt to make a modernized version of the Graflex SLR, and they even had a 8x10 version as the original prototype. I'm interested to see where this goes, as I think this seems a bit out there in my opinion.

Smartflex:

Keaton:

My Go-to Lab:

#35mm #filmphotography #photography

[stevelouiephotos]

cool, hope they make a point and shoot version

[McQuayPhoto]

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

[Robert_Gonzales]

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.

[michaelsherck]

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!

[jeromemckenna]

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.

[lIllllIllllllIl]

I have a footlocker from summer camp, but never thought about converting it into a camera

[areallyrealisticguyd]

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

[chunkiestatom]

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!

[qtsrgsdfgergrqerg]

This looks amazing thanks for the news

[josephawatson]

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.

[朱思远-qh]

Retail price is around 4000 usd if you purchase it in China, comes with built in lens(I think they claim to be self designed), 45 film back and lomo 45 polaroid back, my friend has one but not gonna lie the surface finish and details are kinda rough, but still its a decent camera. I would definitely get one if its around 2000, with 4000 I could get a really decent set of Hasselblad 203/205 kit.

[deez]

😭 damn that thing is massive but I love the idea. I just hope it’s not too expensive.

[Jesustimes]

Like your moustache though :-) removed mine..to much maintenance. Good channel..keep it up

[no.]

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!

[nelsonclub]

As someone who actually uses a Fuji GX680III handheld - I find this absolutley the next thing to have

[mcnorah]

not to out you but your dishwasher was open the entire video

[richardvallonjr.]

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....

[photomonkey]

@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!

[sneakingelephant]

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

[robbiemer]

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!