OddCameras.com
Rittreck View 5x7 Camera
The Rittreck View 5x7 Cameras were made
from 1965 onwards by Musashino in Tokyo and seen the number of cameras still available second hand, they sold very well. In
1969 the company went bankrupt. The Wista company, a trading company,
obviously then sold Rittreck view cameras under their name, as I have a
Rittreck view with a Wista nameplate on the bed. In 1972 the Wista
company launched its own production of a 4x5 field camera, largely
inspired by the
Rittreck model.
The Rittreck View is a 5x7 technical field and studio camera with a metal body.
Via a rear adapter it can use 4x5 inch film, this adapter is even
revolving and it's the most common. As the camera folds very small,
it's not bigger or heavier than a Linhof Technika 4x5 and it has similar
ample movements. A whole plate (6½x8½ inch) and an 8x10 inch back were
available, as well as a rare sliding roll-film back for 6x9. I have one.
Lenses as short as 90mm can be used, the maximum bellows extension is
396mm (16 inches), 342mm (14 inches) forward bed extension and 54mm (2
inches) backward.
Movements, taken from Camera Wiki:
Front standard:
50mm rise
35mm fall
21 degrees swing, each way
25 degrees tilt, each way
Rear standard:
28mm shift, each way (actually more, but the scale only marks up to 28mm)
18 degrees swing, each way (again, this is what is marked)
25 degrees tilt, each way
1 degree 'micro tilt' backward
Dimensions: 27 x 24 x 9 cm, only 6.5 cm without back
Weight: 4.2 kg with revolving 4x5 back, body only 1 kg less
Some photos:
Camera folded, seen from the (4x5) back..
Camera closed, bed.
Seen from above. 2 accessory shoes. Opening button in the middle.
Unfolding, first step done. You then have to pull the front standard a bit forward, then lift it a littlle...
...and then grab the tabs, squeeze and pull the front standard forward to erect. On the bed: knob to block the rails.
Opposite side, knob towards the front moves the rails, the one towards the back moved the back out.
There is quite some rise...
...and fall.
Back taken off. Unblock via the 2 knobs on the top.
Revolving 4x5 back.
Portrait position.
Custom wooden 5x7 back, ground glass is missing. Weighs only 500gr. with glass.
5x7 portrait mode.
Ground glass holder taken off.
Sliding roll film back, picture taking position.
Viewing position via ground glass.
3 different backs.
Custom 8x10 back.
The setback is quite important, so camera movements are very limited. I used it for portraits on Polaroid film.
A rare, but very usefull accessory: an adapter for modern Linhof/Wista plates.
A secomd body, slightly different, already marked "Wista". The right
tab under the front standard has to be pushed down to unblock swing.
No major difference.
Hood open. The locking of the backs has changed.
Camera mounted on a Linhof ballhead tripod. Right side.
Front
Left side.
Back.
Front tilt and swing.
Back drawnn out.
Back swing. To block/unblock there are 2 knobs under the back. They unblock swing and shift.
Swung and shifted. This camera has back shift instead of front shift.
You can shift beyond the scale.
You mayalso swing beyond the scale. The thick knob is for a slight back tilt of 1°.
Front tilted forward.
Greetings from Mr. Scheimpflug.It's
a very nice camera, easy to use and very sturdy. The camera deals well
with wide angles. It's a
versatile workhorse for several formats. Seen its possibilities, it's
light and small. I think it is underrated indeed. Once I got it
working, I sold my Linhof Super Technika. If you don't need a
rangefinder, this camera is a very good choice.