6x17

As with many film photographers who shoot 6x17, I was introduced to the format by Nick Carver. When I first came across his videos around 2022, I was only just starting out shooting 35mm with my Nikkormat, so taking the leap to medium format was way out of the picture, let alone 6x17. I should probably try 645 or 6x7 first if I want to get into medium format.

When I got my 3D printer I said, fuck it, let's print a goddamn 6x17 camera.

I got the files from Velvia's 6x17 design, and I modified the model a bit to use different screws and to fit my lens. After watching a lot of Nick Carver's videos, I had a requirement that I wanted to be able to focus and compose using ground glass. Velvia's v8 design of camera had a removable darkslide, but didn't have a back for the ground glass so I modelled one myself. Fits onto the lens cone the same.

Speaking of, after some research I decided to purchase a Fujinon W 135mm f5.6 with the Copal shutter. I would've liked to have had the nicer Nikkor 135mm instead, but those cost about $200 more. However, the Fujinon I got is still beautiful and mechanically excellent. I bought a shitty Schneider 90mm f6.8 that had a barely functioning Compur shutter a couple months back, and the difference between the two lenses is night and day. In fact, the Compur shutter has since stopped working altogether. Winding the shutter on the Copal just feels so nice.

I chose 135mm because I figured that since my ideal focal length for everyday photography is 28mm, it would be easier to compose in a 28mm-equivalent focal length on the wide end, which is what 135mm on 6x17 is. Also, wider angle lenses appear much dimmer on the ground glass compared to longer ones, which was a major contributing factor in my decision. For the most part, I'm quite happy with my decision but there are a lot of times where I wished I had gotten a 115mm or even a 90mm. The vertical focal length becomes about 70mm (in full frame) which is quite tight.

TODO: Write about how I dropped this camera on the concrete when I tried shooting it for the first time, and the overall disaster from that night.

Here are some more photos: