ALVANDI Panoral 612, Panoramic Technical Camera

(Last update: Aug 23,2024)

ALVANDI Panoral 612, 6x12cm Panoramic Shift Camera

Panoral 612 is a new product of Alvandi Camera Systems. This camera is designed based on the standard format of 6x12 cm. Although the 6x17 format is more popular, many photographers still prefer the 1:2 aspect ratio of the 6x12 format.

Like all Panoral system cameras, modularity, ease of use, portability, low weight and dimensions are the features of this camera.

Introduction to the Panoral 612 Camera

The Panoral 612 camera is a 6x12cm medium format technical camera with vertical and horizontal shift capabilities. This camera has a modern design for medium format 6x12cm panoramic photography.

Because shooting in 6x17 format is very attractive, but shooting many subjects in this format is a serious challenge. It’s very wide angle makes it difficult to find the right subject. For this reason, some photographers use lenses with a long focal length in the 6x17 format.

Many subjects look good in the 6x12 format. Urban, architectural and landscape subjects fit easily and beautifully in the 6x12 format. On the other hand, usually 6x12 cameras have much smaller dimensions and weight than 6x17. This makes it easier to carry it on long distances and in the mountains.

The camera is designed to be simple enough for the photographer to use for most shooting situations. All parts are made of Aluminum alloy 6061 T6 by CNC machine. All aluminum parts are coated by black anodized and all steel parts coated by Copper-Nickel-Chromium.

Introducing camera components from front to back

Similar to other Panoral system cameras, there is a lens board on the front of the camera. This is a basic system for all technical cameras. Each lens board includes a helical focus mount and a special cone that is designed and manufactured based on the focal length of the lens. Each helical focus mount must be calibrated by the consumer for first use. The size of the lens board is 125.5x115.5 mm.

For the Panoral 612 camera, a small grip is provided on the left side of the body so that it can be easily taken on the hand.

**ALVANDI Panoral 612 Helical focus mount**

When choosing a lens for a 6x12 medium format camera, you need to consider the image circle of that lens. Accordingly, you can choose a variety of large format lenses from 35 mm to 180 mm. For wide lenses with a focal flange distance shorter than 70 mm, a special recessed lens board is placed instead of the cone.

ALVANDI Panoral 612 Movements

The Panoral 612 camera has the ability to shift vertically and horizontally. The shift movements in the Panoral 612 camera are the same as the Panoral 617-IIM camera.

Thanks to the modern design, the Panoral 612 camera has a vertical and horizontal shift inside the camera body.

These movements are completely independent of each other and their value is ±15mm for rise/fall and ±15mm left/right. These movements are performed by two hand screws knob located on the right and bottom of the camera.

When the camera is placed on a tripod, you can easily shift using two knobs.

**ALVANDI Panoral 612 horizontal shift**

The image below shows the ratio of vertical and horizontal movement in the Panoral 612 camera. You can see the position of the lens relative to the back part of the camera in this image.

The table below shows the shift capability in Panoral 612 in terms of lens, format position and movements. Note that this table is measured by the software, so it may be a bit different in practice.

**ALVANDI Panoral 612 lenses, formats and movements ability**

ALVANDI Panoral 612 Back Part System

On the back of the Panoral 612 camera body, you can install a 6x12 back roll or a ground glass part with a folding focusing hood. In the Panoral 612 camera, you can compose and focus on the ground glass, then replace the ground glass with a back roll before shooting. This makes it possible to frame and focus for each format separately.

ALVANDI Panoral 612 Back Roll

The Panoral 612 camera has a 6x12 cm back roll and three masks for 6x9, 6x6, and 6x4.5 formats.

Since frame switching is based on the number on the back of the film, 6x9, 6x6 and 6x4.5 formats can be managed according to the number on the back of the film.

ALVANDI Panoral 612 Back Roll masks — **ALVANDI Panoral 612 Back Roll Masks**

Comparison of Panoral 45 Ver.III and Panoral 612

There is a big challenge in choosing a 4x5 camera with a 6x12 roll back compared to a 6x12 cm camera.

Many photographers tell me that a 6x12 camera is a limited performance camera. In response to them I have to say. Yes, a 6x12 camera has more limitations than a 4x5 camera with a 6x12 back roll. But some features make it a unique camera.

Choosing a 6x12 camera versus a 4x5 inch camera with a 6x12 roll back depends on the performance requirements of the camera.

If you shoot mostly 4x5 and occasionally need 6x12, it makes sense to buy a 4x5 camera with a 6x12 roll back. In this system, you can use all camera movements to shoot 6x12. In this case, the size and weight of the camera can reduce your mobility for many subjects.

On the other hand, a 6x12 camera is suitable for many urban, social and architectural subjects because it has very little weight and volume. A 6x12 panoramic camera can be easily used on hand. On the other hand, you will only use roll film and you will not have the problems of transporting film holder and flat film 4x5 inches.

In the image below, you can compare the dimensions of a Panoral 612 camera and a Panoral 45-III camera.