Belair X 6-12

The Belair X 6-12 is a camera for medium format film. The Belair was introduced by Lomography in October 2012.

Three editions were presented at the launch. It was not available for purchase at launch, but could only be pre-ordered with an early bird discount. It was not until two months later that the first cameras were delivered. There are different editions with different designs of the camera.

There are three formats available with the Belair, a panoramic format (6×12), a normal format (6×9) and a square format (6×6). However, the Belair does not fully expose 6×12, but 104x52mm, and for the other formats, 78x52mm (6×9) and 52mmx52mm (6×6).

When a film is inserted, the selected format cannot be changed. Only without film can a corresponding mask for the formats be inserted. In addition, a slider must be set on the back of the camera so that the correct numbers, are visible through the red window.

If you use the panorama format, you have to make sure that you always leave out one number in the film window and start at two. This prevents overlapping of the images. In short, you wind to “2”, take a picture, wind to “4”, take a picture, and so on.

On a normal 120 medium format film you can take 6 (6×12), 8 (6×9) or 12 (6×6) pictures.

The lenses of the Belair are interchangeable, it has a 3 bayonet type (a special mount for the Belair). The medium format camera normally comes with two plastic lenses, 90mm and 58mm. On a 35mm camera, this corresponds to 32 mm (6×12), 40 mm (6×9) and 52 mm (6×6) on the 90 mm lens and 21 mm (6×12), 26 mm (6×9) and 35 mm (6×6) on the 58 mm wide angle lens. The largest aperture of the two lenses is f8, the smallest f16.

The Belair X 6-12 is focused manually. For this, it has a zone focus with four stops (1m, 1.5m, 3m and infinity). However, the distance has to be estimated.

The masks for 6x9 and 6x6

Double and multiple exposures are made simply by pressing the shutter button multiple times. If one does not want to have overexposed images, one should increase the ISO wheel by one per exposure. If you have an ISO 100 film in the camera and want to make a multiple exposure with three releases, you should set the camera to ISO 400. With four releases, you should set the exposure meter to ISO 800.

A flash can be connected via hot shoe. The Belair also has a connection for a tripod (¼”).

Sample photos

6x6 shot with the Belair

The classic 6x9 format with the Belair

The 114 mm lens

Belairgon 114mm f/8

The 114mm lens is also made of Russian glass. It has a viewing angle at 6×12 format of 54 degrees. Like the standard Belair lenses, it also has a zone focus and a maximum aperture of f/8. The equivalent on a 35mm camera of the 114mm lens would be a 42mm (6×12), 52mm (6×9) or 67mm in square format.

Like the 90mm in glass, the 114mm was introduced by Lomography in late 2012. Both glass lenses are manufactured by Zenit.

Belair X 6-12 35mm Back

This accessory allows easy use of 35mm film in the Belair. It exposes about 12 frames of 104 x 33 mm each on standard 35mm film. The back is simply replaced with the normal one. A frame counter is built into the Belair X 6-12 35mm back, just like the hot shoe.

In principle, any type of 35mm film can be used, the only restriction is of course the light meter.

Belair Instant Back

The Belair Instant Back was introduced in January 2013. It and the Belair can be used to take instant pictures. The Instax Wide Film* is used for this purpose.

There are thin black lines at the top and bottom of the image, as the Belair cannot fill the entire film. Batteries are not needed for the Instant Back, film transport is via a crank on the side.