Horseman Convertible - My Forever Camera
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ม.ค. 2024
- Part 1of 2 - is a detailed look at the features, operation, and numerous accessories of this smallest member of Horseman line of cameras.
In Part 2 - we take this "convertible" camera into the field to briefly review operations and show the use of the many accessories. Topics included are: film/format selection, loading roll-film holders, best focusing options, tips on obtaining the sharpest images, my basic filters and specialty filters. A generous selection of images taken during these outings illustrate the capabilities of this professional camera.
Nice video, lots of good info. To many tubers seem to be too much in love with their own voices.
Thank you for taking the time to comment...much appreciated.
I have found the coolest person on the internet. No one else will ever be cooler. I am blessed!
Well, thank you for the very kind words...much appreciated!
@@richardmasseyphotography I have been blessed by a reply from the coolest person on the internet!
@@Iced_Tea200😂
What a great video. I am a rather advanced analogue photographer in spite of only being 18 and I often find that I know more than other people my age or slightly older and I’m rarely able to learn new stuff from other people, but it’s always a treat when I can learn from or talk to photographers that lived through the era analogue photography, back when that’s just what photography was. You can read and read all day but nothing comes close to the decades of wisdom and experience of somebody who’s lived through all of it and truly knows what they’re talking about
I apologize for not responding earlier. Don't know how I missed your comment. Thank you for taking the time. I appreciate your kind words and I hope we can keep in touch. Are there certain topics, equipment, or techniques you would like me to cover?
Hi Richard thanks for the video ,as has been said before not much info on this camera.I thank you for the the information ,I have this camera and followed your advice on the viewfinder .Thanks again and I have subscribed .Rgds Jeff NYC
Thank you for taking the time to comment and for subscribing...much appreciated. I love this little gem of a camera. It is so basic yet produces fantastic images.
Very informative and straight to the point. Great video.
Thank you...much appreciated. Nice to hear from you.
The one final thing that would make this camera infinite would be a digital back. Especially with the swings and roundabouts of film across the modern day. What an amazing system.
It would be quite easy to fit digital backs to fit this camera. Just look at any of the mounts that let you use a digital camera body on a Horseman VHR or convertible. I have such a back that lets me use any of my Canon digital cameras on a Horseman Convertible or VHR, etc. I can see how removing the Canon mount would let you fit any of the digital backs such as the Hasselblad or...www.homedepot.com/cart
What a great explanation of this camera- thank you. You seem like the type of person who’d be great to talk cameras with over Sunday morning coffee. I just subscribed!
Thank you for the kind words and for subscribing...much appreciated. Talking photography is one of my favorite pastimes. You can contact me anytime on Facebook. facebook.com/richard.massey.1426/
Contact me and we can share experiences. facebook.com/richard.massey.1426/
Nice video, Richard. I was unfamiliar with this camera. Learn something new every time I watch your vids.
Hi, Jim. Thanks for watching and commenting. I love the simplicity of this versatile camera. Being able to use several (and change mid-roll) different formats is pretty special. The thing that really sold me on it was the ease of using that large ground glass for critical focusing and composing.
Great and informative video! Thanks for sharing. It's rare I come across a new camera I've never heard of, this was interesting.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting...much appreciated.
Great instrument and a very nice presentation. I think I feel what you mean. All the best!
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment...much appreciated.
Richard, thanks for showing this camera.
What a gem as if I didn't know!, I've had one for bushscapes for many years, (here in Aust.) I have the 6x9 & 6x7 back, was unaware there is a 6x6 back as well. Have never been able to locate a g/g screen or the reflex viewer. The lens is best @ f8 to f16. The Mamiya 65mm viewfinder is also excellent for more accurate framing, (the first item I hunted down). Many thanks. Keep using film!!
Today may be your lucky day! I didn't find the standard g/g but I did find the very rare reflex back! You hardly ever see these for sale. Review my video where I talk about it. The item is on eBay. The item is in Japan and I found it listed in the U.S. I highly recommend getting this. I love mine and will include using it in a video in the near future. The 6x6 roll-film back you want is the Graflex RH-12 or the older version Graphic "22." Horseman never made a 6x6.
What a lovely camera thanks for sharing
Thank you for taking the time to comment...much appreciated.
This is a well made video, you deserve more recognition!
Thank you for the kind words. I'm fairly new to TH-cam and will start increasing my output. This past year has been full of setbacks due to health issues.
Awesome camera!
Thanks for stopping by...much appreciated.
That's a really cool camera
Thank you for stopping by and commenting...much appreciated!
That is one sweet ride Daddyo!👍👍👍
Thanks Scott. I couldn't agree more. In addition to being very versatile (convertible), it has a high fun factor...a dream to use!
Great camera and options, thanks for posting this information for us.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Nice to hear from you.
What a great review, most interesting!!
Thank you for the kind words...much appreciated. Always nice hearing from you.
I just discovered the wideness of Horseman products and was ashamed to not see a video about the VH that I really fancy. A few weeks later, there you are, promising a next video about it ! Amazing !
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment...much appreciated. I'll be posting the VH video in a few days. It is such an amazing system and provides all the features of the 4x5 technical/field cameras but in a smaller package and with a much larger fun-factor!
I just uploaded the Horseman VH video. It is quite detailed. I hope you enjoy it.
@@richardmasseyphotography
Thanks a lot for letting me know, I loved it !
Always nice to hear from you. @@lucassaintier1324
Excellent video. A fascinating camera, with a well thought out design
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I love the simplicity and versatility of this camera.
I wish I would have known you a few years ago. I gave 3 of these cameras to the Salvation Army. They were great, the cost of film and processing was excruciating.
Oh no! I hate to think of where they ended up. I hope you enjoyed them back in the day before film costs skyrocketed? Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment...much appreciated.
was unaware of this camera. thanks
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the video.
I found one of these mid last year. Pretty happy with the purchase and I'm really happy with the images I can get from it. One of my reasons for getting it was the size anf weight, i do a lot of bushwalking and hikes for my photos so something like this is excellent .
There's so few videos about them so thank you for sharing!
Nice to hear from you and thanks for taking the time to share your experience. I'm delighted you are achieving such success with this amazing (convertible) camera. I hope you keep in touch. I would enjoy seeing some of your pictures taken with it. Have you posted any?
Hey Rich, my mother and I watched the video this afternoon. She says hello and “You look good!” I enjoyed the video too, and am excited for all the looks you are getting! I look forward to Part 2 and would love to see some images you have made with this interesting camera!
Thanks for watching and for the kind words from your mom. Part 2 will be out in two weeks. I have taken a few images with it around town... should bring back some good memories.
I’ve mostly been shooting 5x7, 8x10 and 11x14 in the past few years, but I really like pocketable high quality medium format. If I didn’t already have a Plaubel Makina IIIR (The last of the German made version with interchangeable backs and lenses) this is a camera I would seriously consider. The horseman film backs are really well made and easy to use.
Thanks for visiting my channel...much appreciated. You certainly have great taste in cameras.
The whole system of compact Horseman cameras look quite awesome. Great video Richard!
Thanks for the kind words. Always nice to hear from you. I have been enjoying your very informative videos as well as the images on your website. We both enjoy photographing ghost towns. When the weather is more stable please consider joining me an a photo outing to several of my favorite areas in central Nevada. I live 1.5 hours southeast of Reno. Chico is just over the hill! Lol.
@@richardmasseyphotography I will have to remember that! I would love to photograph some more in Northern Nevada, as I rarely go beyond Reno most times that I go over the hump
The invitation is always there. I am semi-retired and during the spring and early summer I am frequently on the road. We should try to meet some time. Keep in touch.@@ExpiredBren
I did that conversion with a Graflex SLW, a compact 'pancake' camera. The flaw in the Graflex was the older 47mm Super Angulon and the problematic focus mechanism. I upgraded the Super Angulon to a more modern version attached with a German helical focus.
It was supposed to be a hiking landscape camera, but I ended up exporting it to an interested buyer in China . . . for over $1000 . . . back around 2000.
Love it. Would also enjoy seeing some of the negatives and end result shots you've produced with this.
Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. In a few weeks I will be posting part 2 that involves extensive shooting with this amazing camera. I will be using both slide film and black and white.
Great informational video! I have a Horseman VH-R that I love but this might be something I’m also interested in. Love the form factor
If you love the form factor you are sure to love the fun factor! Thanks for stopping by and making a comment...much appreciated. Your VH-R is such an outstanding technical field camera.
this dude competed in the hemingway lookalike competition 37 times
And I won 35 of them! Thanks for the compliment.
I just bought one, i'm stoked.
Congratulations. I'm sure you will love it. Did it come with any accessories? I hope you will share some of the images you take with it. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
@@richardmasseyphotography 6x9 back and a mamiya 65mm viewfinder.
Perfect! What films do you like to use and do you have any filters?@@coreyriggle
@@richardmasseyphotography I'm not a filter guy, I always liked Ilford HP5 and fuji NPH. I've been contemplating Kodak Gold, although I've never liked it, but I'm wondering if I can get something good after scanning.
Thank you for posting an informative video of this somewhat rare camera. I believe about 6000 were made. I bought one about five years ago when I moved to Japan, because as an engineer I was attracted to it’s simplicity. I designed and 3D printed an adapter that would allow other lenses to be mounted, but never followed through with getting the 50mm lens I would like to use. BTW, my camera only has one flash sync port. The manual only shows one, too. There is a switch on the lens for X or M sync. You may have a rare variation. I have the ground glass and even a couple of sheet / plate holders. Your video has inspired me to load some film and try it out again.
Thank you for your very interesting post. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I hope you start using it again. We need more people shooting film! Like you, I appreciate the beauty and simplicity of this remarkable camera. When I purchased it I thought they all came with the two PC outlets. In all these years, I have never seen one like it. More research is needed! Because of my enthusiasm over this camera, folks have suggested that I start a blog/web site devoted exclusively to it. Such a site could act as a sort of clearing house for shared information, experiences, and images. Might you be interested in becoming part of something like this?
I like these analogue cameras, because often with digital cameras we are in haste to take some images, because it is so easy and it doesn't cost anything. So we take way too many photographs, often of the same object, because it is free. While with slide film you don't want to waste film, so you make sure you take the right image the very first time. And what was better than waiting in anticipation for the developed slide film to arrive? I loved it.
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment...much appreciated. We seem to share the same philosophy. I always tell my students that with digital you think very little and shoot a lot. With film you think a lot and shoot very little.
very interesting system, very informative content, thanks for showing us the unique components with such details
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment...much appreciated.
@@richardmasseyphotography Thank you Richard, I appreciate your reply. I did study photography at the school back then and shot some 4x5s, I shot street photography (documentary style) most of the time and paired with a Leica M3 😂, but I’ve to admit 4x5 is my choice for outdoor sceneries. Good day!
I’ve just gotten a Bessa ii to try out 6x9.
This is such a great (little) beast of a modular system. Not a criticism here, but it seems a bit of a shame that it wasn’t designed for interchangeable lens cones.
Great presentation, thank you very much!
I believe the intent was to have additional lenses/ cones but they opted to up their game and developed the 6x12 model. Much of the experience they gained in developing this prototype (as it is often referred to) was incorporated into the 612. A few other manufacturers also followed suit. This explains, in part, why so few were made.
Great Video! How much was the Horseman 82066 in 1972?
Thanks! I have been curious about this camera for some time. I have had a Horseman 980 for several years and am impressed with its build quality and versatility. The 6x9 back is definitely my favorite, but I would like to find a 6x6 as well.
@@richardmasseyphotography I'll take a look, thanks!
I made a mistake. You don't want one for 4x5. There are two listed that will fit your 980. One is a beautiful late-model Singer Graflex listed for $95. It is listed as a 2-1/4 x 3- 1/4. Look close and you will see that it is the RH12 6x6 back...has a green advance lever. The other one is older and has a knob advance.@@philipdahl9001
@@richardmasseyphotography I found the listing! Yesterday I ordered a fujinon 75mm lens for my 4x5, so I will have to figure out how to keep it under my wife's radar. I've using the Horseman most recently as a rangefinder on my walks so the extra four frames would help a bit.
Congratulations. Sounds like you are building a very nice kit. What 4x5 do you have? I no longer use my VH because I have a very compact 4x5 and use roll film backs. If you might be interested in a "like new" Cambo 6x9 roll film holder for your 4x5 (takes 120 and 220) one of my students is selling his. I love mine and it is so nice because it just slips in under the ground glass like a 4x5 film holder. The Cambo 6x9 back is usually quite hard to find. 6x7 is fairly common. You might like to check out the video I made about mine.@@philipdahl9001
@@richardmasseyphotography About four years ago I bought an Intrepid 4x5. The best thing about it is the light weight. It has had a couple of couple of glitches but overall I am happy with it. I did learn that I should have gotten into 4x5 years ago, I really enjoy using it. I have been using the Horseman recently because I have had some shoulder injuries and can't carry much, so I have been just slapping a back on and using it as a rangefinder.
We want to see some of your images from the 1970s.😎
Really amazing camera.
Any thoughts on the old Plaubel Makina Cameras? I think the Makina III R is an absolutely stunning camera and fairly compact.
Thanks for stopping by...much appreciated. Yes, the Convertible is quite exceptional. It is so versatile (convertible!) and I love the ground-glass focusing option. I too have admired the Makina 3. I've heard nothing but good things about it. Isn't it a 6x7 format?
@@richardmasseyphotography The Makina 3 has 6x9 format, but it also has different backs which originally ranged from 6x9 way back to 35mm.
It came with a compur shutter but also had a Focal Plane Shutter attachment for faster sports shots.
It has a range finder, sports finder and adjustment for parallax. Additionally also has a ground-glass back just like the Horseman :)
Thanks for the information. @@SnowmansApartment
Maybe move your video camera further away so we can see more of the camera operations? Too often the camera was below the frame as you were talking about how to manipulate it.
I first learned about the Horseman medium format cameras with movements a few months ago and spent some time digging, but ultimately couldn’t decide whether I’d rather go 4x5 or stick with medium format, so of course I did neither. Most of my favorite cameras have no effective viewfinder or focusing (other than zone), so I would enjoy ground glass.
Thanks for your comments. All great points. It was the ground glass feature that sold me on this camera. This is the smallest 6x9 medium format you will find. As you can tell, it is as basic as it gets and it is such fun to shoot with! Please be sure to watch out for part 2 where we put it through its paces.
@@richardmasseyphotography Hmm, pretty sure my Voigtländer Bessa would have a strong claim to smallest 6x9.
I’m looking forward to your video. Thanks for sharing.
hallo and thank you. One little question: do you ever use a hood on the lens for flares?
Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to comment...much appreciated. Although I don't use a conventional lens shade, I am always careful to shade the lens/filter from any direct sunlight from hitting the front of the lens. I usually use my hat or hand for this. Since I use a tripod most of the time, this process is very easy. On the occasions I'm hand-holding the camera, I am careful to make sure I'm not shooting in the direction of the sun. I hope this helps you? Always nice hearing from you.
Great video - it seems like you can only zone focus with this camera. I currently own a 1951 Voightlander Bessa II with the 105mm f3.5Color Skopar lens. It shoots only 6x9 (Which I'm fine with) but I was looking for an upgraded alternative (Not the Bessa III) I really like the rangefinder experience, especially when using a magnified focus window like I have on my Leica IIIf. 62mm lens seems like it may be too wide for 6x9. Is zone focus the only way to focus this camera? - maybe I missed it in the video. also - you now have a new subscriber
Thank you for the kind words. This camera has an amazingly easy to focus ground glass (for very accurate composing and focusing). It even has the ability to attach a reflex viewer...just like changing a roll film back. Please watch the video again as I explain it and show how it works. Another great feature about this camera is that you can use different roll film backs and have several different formats. Let me know if this helps and if you have any additional questions.
@@richardmasseyphotography ahhh right. I remember now. Thanks again.
Quick question, about zone focusing, if you’re always shooting f/11 or f/16 on film with street photography, wouldn’t that mean you’d be almost always having to shoot on a slow shutter speed like 1/4s and lower giving that most filmspeeds range from 100 and 800?
Thanks for your comments. Consider the "sunny 16 rule" that states that on a sunny day, with the sun behind you set your shutter speed at the ISO of your film, then set your f-stop to 16. For street photography I always use a 400 speed films (Portra 400 for color or a 400 speed black and white). This means that my shutter speed is at 1/250 second at f/16. This is my basic starting point and I adjust on changing conditions. I know this is slightly overexposing but with color negative film you can overexpose a bit and not even notice it. Overexpose even more and you will have that dreamy 50s pastel look. The last thing you want to do is underexpose color negative film! If you do, the blacks turn to mud with no detail. Because my black and white negatives are slightly overexposed, I reduce the developing time by 10% to protect the highlights. This process renders a negative with slightly less contrast but when scanned, it produces beautiful results. If you have negatives with good tonal range and detail you can give the images about any look you want in post. I hope this helps.
The camera is a great idea. My only question is that you must estimate the focus. How accurate is this on the camera. Also what is thew cost for the camera.
This is mainly for landscape photography so it's pretty easy to guess focus. Also he demonstrated the reflex finder that's another attachment, except you need to take it off if you want to shoot. It's just for setting up critical focus if you need to.
This is quite an exceptional camera that can be had with a film back for about $500. Accurate focusing has never been an issue. Remember this is like having a 24mm lens on a 35. With the help of the depth-of -field scale on the lens, zone focusing is very easy and accurate. I seldom shoot with the lens wide open. The sweet spot is about 11-16. At f/16 you can't miss. The reflex-finder I show is a very handy tool that makes ground-glass focusing very easy. To be honest, I hardly ever us it for focusing. Instead, I use it when I need to make very precise compositions. For years I did quite a bit of street photography (several hundred frames) with this camera and never had an out of focus image. I am planning a future video about street photography with this camera.
Great camera!
Do you have a 6x12 format favourite?
I use a 6x12 roll film back on my 4x5. I also have a DaYi 6x17 that I can shoot 6x17, 6x14, or 6x12. This amazing camera also has interchangeable roll film backs as well as a 90mm lens that has up and down movements. Check out my two videos about the camera and roll film back.
@@richardmasseyphotographythanks, I'll check your other video's.
Thank you. Are there certain topics you would like me to cover?@@letmebereal
Pardon me.. what was the Japanese made model you took out in the beginning? ‘Graphics 23’.. ?!
So theoretically a LomoGraflok 4x5 Instant Back would fit as well?
Is there a dark slide lock exposure lock?
It doesn't have a dark slide lock. Part of the beauty of this camera is that everything is manual. You need to be careful and keep track of if the last frame was exposed. I have a small pocket notebook that I use to keep track of each frame. When doing street photography and when I'm shooting pretty fast (very rare!) I don't take time to document everything. This process becomes increasingly important when you find yourself using multiple backs! I always look forward to hearing from you.
Do you know if it is possible to mount a digital back?
I haven't seen it done but I believe it would be quite easy to do. I have an adapter that allows me to use a digital camera with it. I think it would be easy to modify this adapter to hold a digital back. Here is what it looks like. You can find one for about any digital camera. Just remove the digital camera mount and attach a mount for the digital back. I hope this helps. www.ebay.com/itm/204664103166?itmmeta=01HQE17TFM6WRACC5K1DSYT4JK&hash=item2fa6ee60fe:g:iBsAAOSwQLBl1nMD&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAABABt4QFco0DwLohBXltiqa%2Bugh73labWN35up2ExpWRoNDsWt0rDZr7VARYIHzXomId74LzouC6MO6nZ6EzwNldUAKxmZP7HWMgzlDRFoiEkXauVfA3S161P9mkTZftp4dc14nfexm9JQQ%2BFCVJnkBgdFhCjl2yS%2BMmW7FcWsAASweIeDqmj98XVQmc1Qp%2BzcHj5V0ZLOiyPqo8IZppdZGzHAYA6RkxGvHztPMLmzqUwfvBAaKJkeFampWWUg7RrIwu1VXJyKO1upCbtHMbOZO8O%2Bu7S8zv%2FWYwBvbII2F2IUSLC4gKqyvigpbVZj0QsO0yC3a5fXYL9XCMPjVeyd86M%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_Snn8G7Yw
Funnily enough my preference is the right type of bulkines 😅
Thank you for commenting. I couldn't have said it better.
Thank you very much .
I normally use celular phone and tablet .
Why ? Of its weight .
The day before yesterday
Ai Nikkor 24mm f.2.8 , not S type
was delivered from Amazon .
6,000 Yen .
Very very excellent one .
I set it for my Nikon D700 .
Its weight is very heavy .
I love to shoot by it in my room .
Carrying it to the outdoor is very tough for me .
I love to shoot with films .
But I can’t , from my monetary reason .
I had been loving to shoot with ILFORD PAN F .
But now , celular , not only for TH-cam .
I love to take a photograph .
Using by what ? is not the matter .
But , If I had enough money , with films , monochrome .
69 , an old man .
From yesterday ,
I began to shoot with Nikon D700 again .
Feb. 1st 2024 Thu. 11:06 am
from Yokohama City Japan
So nice to hear from you and thank you for sharing your story. Sounds like you have an excellent system. I have many wonderful memories of my time in your beautiful country.
1770s ?
Not quite that old!
Looks like my VHR without an optical viewfinder......
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Your VHR without the rangefinder would be the Horseman VH. I have one and love it...such a quality technical camera. I almost got the VHR, but opted for the smaller compact version. Other than the viewfinder they are the exact same camera. This convertible is a much simpler camera. It is much smaller, lighter and has a much higher fun-factor!
@@richardmasseyphotography -Here’s a bit of trivia for ya........do you know who made these cameras????
Hint. Extend out the focusing rack (on VH, VHR) a bit and look at the bottom (normally hidden) side of it. Mine has a little silver sticker giving away the secret!
You have an opinion on the lenses? I’ve had three or four of them.......at best, a yawn. The 105mm f5.6 Super (multi coated) is just OK. 65 and 180 not very good. Oh well......
My VH has the same little silver sticker. I never noticed it before...had no idea! Did they assemble the complete cameras or did they make all/some of the parts? How interesting. Thanks for sharing. As for the lenses...they never received any great reviews and although I have never done any critical tests (I'm usually stopped down to f/16) I've never had any real problems. Most of my work has been for publications (covers, calendars, and editorial) and rarely do I make large prints. Another, and probably more relevant point is that I do 99% of my shooting with a little Nikkor-W 105 1:5.6. Love that compact little gem! @@martyzielinski1442
@@richardmasseyphotography -The 105 Nikkor is one of the few I haven’t used. (Have 65SW, 90SW, 150W, 150SW, 210W, 300W, 300M and 450M). All great except for the 210 which was only fair.
Actually, there’s nothing really “wrong” with the Topcor lenses. They were good enough stopped down. Just not as good as the latest Nikkors, Rodenstock, and Schneider APOS. Maybe about as good as those old chrome Schneiders made in the 1960’s.
You have quite a nice collection. It is nice to hear from someone with your experience. I mentioned the Nikkor-W 105 because it is not just an excellent lens, it is also very compact...the perfect match for the small lens boards used on the VHR. @@martyzielinski1442
Yeah but its not digital is it
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
My voigtlander bessa iii is more compact than your camera. And it shoots 6x9 too.
That is one wonderful camera you have. I was under the impression that the Bessa 3 was a multi-format folding camera that makes either 6x6 or 6x7 but not 6x9? The 1 and 2 are 6x9s and use the 105mm lens (?) and the bellows extends out quite a ways. This makes them a bit larger than the Convertibe Horseman with the roll film attached. But when folded up, the Bessas are so compact that they easily fit in most pockets. I wish I still had my Bessa 2. so I could do a video about it. They are outstanding cameras.
I have a Bessa L. Different beast but still a gorgeous camera even with cheap Industar glass.
Hi. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. No doubt about it, the Bessa is an AWESOME camera.@@garmit61
Not as sharp or versatile
LOL, how old are you? This is a “My dad can beat your dad” type of comment. Jesus 😂