VPan LF cameras

[Dr David Hall]

Recently saw a panoramic view type camera called a V Pan on Ebay. Don't know this brand but it had front movements. Anyone know of this camera and it's reliability. Uses Linhof lensboards. ?????????

[mark]

I know it is a 6x17 camera. Supposedly really good build.

[Dr David Hall]

Thanks Mark, Looks interesting as a panoramic option but ....wanted a second opinion.

[Donsta]

I owned a V-Pan for a couple of years. It's a very nice solution for a dedicated 6X17 - all front movements but no rear movements. I think that a 5X7 with a Canham back may be a better all round solution - the V-Pan is a monorail which makes it a little cumbersome for the field, and after all, the field is where you want a 6X17...

[Dr David Hall]

Thank you, All information is truly appreciated. I admit I don't know what a Canham back is but the 5X7 idea does sound reasonable and you are right that the field is where you use 6X17.

[David A. Goldfarb]

The Canham 6x17 back will fit 5x7" cameras that have Graflok-type slides (Canham, Wista, and increasingly others). It has motorized film advance, gets very good reviews, and costs about $1000.

I've been using one of the Chinese-made 6x17 backs that fits on a 4x5" camera (Da Yi). These cost around $550, and are a nice addition if you already have a 4x5" camera with a Graflok-type back, but are more limited than the Canham back in that they only work with lenses from 75mm to 150mm. Shorter lenses won't focus, due to the built-in extension of the back, and longer lenses vignette, though that may be acceptible (i.e., you could shoot, say, 6x15 with a 360mm lens).