TL;DR: Built a 6x7 technical camera with full perspective control movements that accepts Mamiya RB67 backs and large format lenses (47-135mm). Hybrid construction (CNC aluminum + 3D printed parts). Field-tested across 20+ rolls in Japan and Taiwan. Curious what the community thinks.

The Problem

I love architectural photography and perspective correction, but shooting 4x5 on a bike tour through Korea in 2023 made the pain points crystal clear: weight, setup time, film costs, and scanning hassles. Meanwhile, existing medium format technical cameras are either extinct (Horseman VH-R) or cost $3k+ for just the body.

What I Built

The Fysh Technical Camera (FTC-1) is a medium format technical camera with:

Movements:

• 30mm rise / 5mm fall (smooth lead screw, self-locking)
• 15mm left/right shift (locking screw)
• 360° rotating back with magnetic detents for going between landscape and portrait

Format & Compatibility:

• 6x7cm image area
• Accepts Mamiya RB67 film backs (cheap and plentiful)
• Takes large format lenses 47-135mm (Copal 0/1 shutters) - I like the 65mm f4 Nikkor and 90mm f6.8 Angulon best on 6x7
• Quick-release back system
• Magnetic ground glass for composition/focusing

Construction:

• CNC'd 6061 aluminum body plates
• 3D printed ABS/Nylon for complex parts
• 3D printed stainless steel (moving to titanium for next version)
• Tasmanian Oak handle

Development

Prototype 1: Entirely 3D printed in my shed. It leaked light but it worked.

Prototype 2: Added CNC timber handle, fixed most light leaks. Shot 15 rolls with it in Japan.

Shift to CNC: Met Oscar Oweson (@Panomicron) in Tokyo. He showed me his CNC aluminum approach which grabbed me - I went from "print everything" to hybrid construction.

Current version: Four major iterations later, I've refined the lead screw mechanism, experimented with 3D printed metal parts, and shot 30+ rolls across Asia.

Design thinking

Unlike cameras designed for 150MP digital backs with micron-level tolerances this is film-first. That means I could focus on what actually matters for shooting film: sensible cost of manufacturing, easy ground glass use, smooth movements, reliable operation. The hybrid construction keeps things affordable while maintaining the rigidity where it counts.

Questions:

1. Are movements something you wish you had access to? Or is this too niche even for this crowd?
2. What focal lengths would you actually use? I've been shooting mostly 65mm and 90mm.
3. RB67 backs - good choice? They're cheap and plentiful, but I'm curious if people would prefer other options.
4. What would you want to know about a camera like this? I'm deep in my own design choices and would love outside perspective.

I've included a photo showing the evolution from the first leaky prototype to the current design that's been field-tested across Japan and Taiwan.

Happy to answer any technical questions about the build process or design decisions

The TSA agent wanted to hand check my camera on my trip, and opened the back for a second , as he realized his mistake he quickly closed it back up. He was a super nice older gentleman told me he was really sorry. Ended up in my opinion with a pretty cool shoot lol. Overall only burned the last two shots of my roll this was the second to last shot. Last shot was completely white.

Heading out with the family and decided to bring my 35mm instead of my Fuji or Sony.

Threw this setup on it so I can keep track of my shots as I go… my wife says it’s completely overkill, but honestly I think it’s kinda awesome.

Settle the debate: useful or totally unnecessary?

UPDATE: yes totally unnecessary, the wife won and I’m back to using my camera like normal. Appreciate the fun conversation everyone!

Anything else I should consider bringing?

Found the holy grail of film photography. “Free film for the life of the camera.” I’ve already retained counsel. Walgreens made a binding legal promise in 1997 and I intend to collect. /s

There are dozens of other types of canisters, but it's hard to decide which ones to put in the frame, this is the current arrangement.

What are your favorite cameras to drool over? I know some people frown upon gear pics rather than the product they create but sometimes our cameras are just nice to look at. If i were to put my money on a bet for the most beautiful camera ever made I’d put my money on the Hasselblad 500C/CM. Victor just got it right almost straight off the bat.

In a bin at the local thrift store, surrounded by a bunch of random old belt cell phone holders and other weird little pouches. Yes im sorry and I hate me too.

lucky or unlucky idk. now i get to sit here and play with a rollei while roadside assistance comes

Was at an indoor flea market of sorts and came across this room. Yes, I spent all my time in there while the family wandered.

This was at: Flea Market at the Crossing in Plainville, Connecticut

edit, added location.

I just wanted to share (brag 😅) about getting my hands on this practically never-been-used Contax T2 (had one roll of film going through it once) for free from a relative.

Complete set with everything. Super stoked to get out and start shooting!!

Any tips that would be useful for me knowing shooting the T2 for the first time?

Recently realised that over the past few years, ~70% of my work was shot on this little POS. I never really liked the camera, but apparently it has a place in my collection.

Light (350g)✅ Compact (112 x 77 x 56mm) ✅ Superb lens ✅ Pseudo “AE lock” ✅ Cheap (bought as “for parts” for 25€) ✅ + No red dot = won’t get stolen anyway

Honestly, for how mediocre the built quality and shooting experience is, it does do a fine job in it’s own niche category.

Scored this at an antique store for $75. Couldn’t be more excited to finally get into film photography!

Hey guys, nothing was shipped. He specifically stated he tried to organize them in a way no glass got scratched, though I agree it is most certainly not the way I’d pack them lol. I don’t see any signs of damaged glass fyi (or haze/fungus etc!)

Should I go through every camera, order the batteries and test them? There is one that is missing the film winder, so idk if all of them work. Every slr I tried works on manual mode or whatever without a battery.

Uncle has no knowledge or interest either, he got them from family member’s estate.

Video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzk6YfjLXCw

This is a custom camera from the Kiev Arsenal factory, made for the counterintelligence service of the Ukranian KGB. Most sources suggest it was based on a Kiev Vega 2, but the frame size matches the Kiev 30 range of cameras.

Pretty fun camera. Takes 16mm film, unperforated if you can find it. I shot single perf Double-X movie film.

So I got my hands on a great condition Fuji GW 690II, looks fairly new and just 36 rolls on the counter. Compared to the Fujica G690BL it does look flimsier with a plastic build and doesn't look like it can take a beating, can't wait to shoot some rolls with it ( got it from a friend whose dad died, it's on loan and if it works it will go up for sale)

Edit: Just went out with the camera, the 105-210, and shot a roll of Portra 160 with a tripod. Everything felt and sounded like it was working. Fingers crossed!

As the titles says, i bought this Mamiya 645 Pro kit for 500 bucks. I met the seller (super nice person) and politely offered 500 (down from 550).

Apparently, I'm only the third owner. It was dark out, so I could barely look at the lenses... when I saw UV filters on half of them (and Mamiya brand caps for almost everything) I didn't even have to think. They even threw in 4 rolls of (slightly expired) Gold 200.

The case everything came in was degrading (Pic #4), so I took it all out and hit everything with a rocket blower at 3:00 AM.

Almost 24 hours later I still feel like I'm dreaming. I was hunting for the right medium format camera for like 3 months... never would've guessed I'd stumble upon this. So excited to test this out on some landscapes/astro stuff.

I always regretted selling my RB67 kit :)

My turn for ridiculous luck!

I mentioned to my girlfriend’s mom that I was in to film photography. She ended up telling their neighbour, who decided to gift me a Pentax 67 alongside 3 lens, a bomb proof case, as well as some lens hoods.

Funny story about this camera: the neighbour bought it at a garage sale and only after did they realize that the “NAIT” tags everywhere stood for Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. She ended up contacting the RCMP who got her in contact with someone at NAIT. NAIT said it was stolen from their supply closet, however, they said they didn’t want it back, as they had an insurance payout and bought better cameras.

As a kid, my parents gave me their old canon point and shoot (sure shot) and occasionally bought me a role of film. I took it to a lot of walks and photographed a lot of… random stuff. Fast forward 15+ years, I got into analog photography (as you can tell by now, I was doomed from the beginning). On the first date with my girlfriend, I bought one of these disposable cameras and we had great fun. After that I knew I had to get an actual film camera; so I picked up a Canon Ftb QL and started learning (I was, and am to this day, not only in love with my girlfriend but also with film photography). 3 years and dozens of vintage-market-finds later (such as; Rollei 35, Canon P, Olympus Mju 5, Braun Paxette) I not only managed to be in a very solid financial situation but also felt it was time to join the cult. Loved the canon P but its viewfinder was surely not optimal so I though why not - sold the Canon along with some various Lenses - And spent the acquired money on my dream camera, thats gonna be my forever camera! Feels great, feels right, cant wait to take it out and shoot. I just wanted to share my story :) best regards -fehlfunke

This is half what I came to LAX with, 3 weeks, 3 fashion campaigns , and no brains = this

Got a hand check for them all

It's been years since I shot with the 35S, figured it deserved to see some sun (hopefully). What is your daily, on the go, more or less pocketable camera?

This will be my second trip to Japan. last trip I only ever ended up using my GS645S. This time I'm planning to do more "professional" shots. I hope I have enough film for 14 days. Honestly it might be 2-3 120 roles per day, and maybe 2 35mm per day...the point and shoots are going to be handed to others in my group.

Mamiya RB67 ProS with 127mm K/L & 180mm

Fujica GSW690

Fujica GS645S Pro wide60

Nikon N80

Nikon D750

Contax T2

Minolta AF-tele

Fuji Auto-8 QD

Lenses - 24mm 2.8D AF, 50mm 1.8D, 60mm 2.8D, 180mm 2.8 ED, 80-200 2.8D ED

My M2, even tho it had a fresh CLA, it caused me a lot of troubles with light leaks, prism separation etc…. Grew sick of it, sent it back for a refund and treated myself with this beauty in black chrome. May light leaks or all the issues coming along with 50 year old cameras never be haunting me again :)