6×12 isn’t exactly a format you come across very often; it’s wide, but not so wide you’d call it panoramic, to put it into perspective, an Xpan has an aspect ratio of 2.4:1, 6×12 is 2:1. Still, to me, 6×12 is the perfect aspect ratio for landscapes.

Producing 6 shots from a roll of 120 film, the 6×12 format is not exactly economical as 120 cameras go, but when you consider that the 6×12 is meant for 4×5 cameras it is a very economical way to shoot, in fact the cheapest way to shoot on a 4×5 camera.

There are a few options out there for 6×12 film backs, I’ve been shooting the Alvandi 6×12 for over a year now and I love it.

It’s a great large format accessory and a substantially cheaper and more versatile way to shoot landscape photos than an XPan. Made by Mr. Alvandi in Iran, these backs aren’t something you see every day and they’re definitely worth checking out.


Compatibility and use

If you’re used to using a 4×5 camera the Alvandi 6×12 is a breeze to use. The biggest adjustment is ‘seeing’ in 6×12, it is quite different from a standard frame size, additionally when composing on the ground glass knowing where the edge of the frame is can be tricky, fortunately, a lot of cameras will have 6×9 and 6×12 grid lines on the ground glass which makes composing easier.

Once you’ve gotten the hang of it however it really lends itself to landscape scenes. Shooting it is easy, just compose on the ground glass, focus as normal, then attach the back and shoot, there’s no need to refocus or compensate.

The back fits on any 4×5 camera with a Graflok back. Simply compose and focus as normal (left, below), when ready to take your shot, remove the ground glass (center, below), attach the 6×12 back and shoot (right, below). There is no need to adjust or re-focus.


Build Quality

The main thing that springs to mind is Built.Like.A.Tank! The entire body is CNC’d aluminum, the feel is fantastic, everything just works and works well.


Compared to the Horseman 6×12

The Alvandi 6×12 costs $545 on lfcamerastore.com which is cheaper than a Horseman 6×12 will cost secondhand, but how does it compare to the horseman?

Build

Both are well made, but the Alvandi is SOLID, no plastic parts or cheap materials, additionally with no gears or levers there’s nothing to break on the Alvandi, just wind to the number and go.

Loading

Loading is a little fiddly with the Alvandi, firstly you need to unclip the two parts from one another, then much like an old 120 camera you need to move the old spool to the pick-up side and load the new spool, then pull the backing paper across the pressure plate to the old spool. Once that’s done you manually wind the film to #2 as per the instruction on the back.

Loading is a touch easier on the Horseman, you just open the back, load your film, crank the winding lever and shoot. It’s a process very similar to loading a modern 120 camera or even a 35mm camera. However, having said that, with no new Horseman backs available and the ones on the secondhand market aging, this convenience may prove problematic as parts begin to break.


Example shots with the the Alvandi 6×12


Conclusion

I personally love the 6×12 aspect ratio, and as someone who primarily shoots landscapes, I feel like the panoramic look works very well with my work. Aside from that, it’s the cheapest way to shoot 4×5, which matters with the ever-increasing price of film, and the cost of developing and scanning 4×5 film.

If you’re looking for something a bit different and want to expand your creative horizons I definitely think the Alvandi 6×12 deserves a place in your gear bag.

~ Eamon

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9 responses to “Gear review: The Alvandi 6×12 film back, a different perspective”

  1. You’re right John, I am a Corkman, although I’m in NYC now,

    The Da Yi and Shen Hao units definitely work, but they wouldn’t quite be the same build quality. My Alvandi has taken more than a few tumbles down the rocks in West Cork and it never given me an issue (I’m actually surprised I managed to hide most of the scratches on it for the article photos). I have heard there can be light leak issues with the Da Yi in particular, but having never used one I can’t comment first hand.

    The Alvandi comes with a 6×9 mask, and there are 6×6 and 6×4.5 masks available as well, however I didn’t buy any for stock as I figured if you’re shooting formats that small you might as well shoot a medium format camera, I can however order them if required.

    Also, have you posted the stereo images anywhere, I’ve never gotten in to stereo photography but it’s always interested me.

    1. How do you manage to distribute Iranian products from the US? I could be wrong but I thought it was not legal due to embargo sanctions and one of the reasons for instance why it is almost impossible to find real Iranian saffron in the US.

  2. Looks a solid piece of kit. I think 6×12 is a lovely format. Very cinematic. Beautiful shot of NYC.

  3. Isn’t LF Camera Store your store? Maybe you want to disclaim this clearly when publishing “gear reviews”.

    1. That’s on me. I’ll add a note to the article. Thanks for the eagle eyes!

  4. What was the process like ordering from https://www.lfcamerastore.com/?
    I sent them an email a while ago about this exact item, and I never heard back.

    How is the weight compared to Horseman 6×12? Is the darkslide light trap user replaceable?
    I’ve considered swapping from the Horseman 6×12 back to this just for longevity

    1. Hi Jonathan, sorry to hear your email didn’t get through, we have been having a few issues with the contact form on the site, if you want to contact me email directly send it to admin@lfcamerastore.com

  5. Lovely images Eamon – would I be right in thinking West Cork is your ‘home ground’?
    In many way the Alvandi back looks very similar to those made by Da Yi and Shen Hao. These two (probably a bit of ‘badge engineering’) also come with 6 x 4.5 and 6 x 9 masks and I note that frame numbers for those formats are absent from the Alvandi. I have the Da Yi ‘variant’ and have recently found it very useful in bringing back to life a Polaroid 253 passport portrait camera (Graflok back) for use as a stereo camera – the lens spacing is just about OK for getting decent stereo images.

    1. Hi John, you’d be correct, I’m a Cork man, living in NYC now though,

      As for the masks, the Alvandi comes with a 6×9 mask, there is a 6×4.5 mask option available as well, however I didn’t order any for stock as I felt shooting 6×4.5 on a large format camera was a bit pointless

 

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