The SMARTFLEX 810 is an 8×10 single-lens reflex (SLR) camera specialized in large-format lenses for portrait photography. Developed to target a relatively untapped market niche, it directly addresses the core needs of typical scenarios in 8×10 portrait photography. What’s more, the SMARTFLEX 8×10 is set to become the second 8×10 large-format SLR camera in the world (The first is a Graflex 810 made in 1901).
Core Feature 1 – Rapid Viewing & Shooting
This is the key point that SLR systems are designed to resolve, a principle also applied in the previous SMARTFLEX 4×5. To tackle inefficiencies caused by viewfinding, focusing, and film holder loading, Smartflex adopts a combination of SLR viewfinding and a focal-plane focal shutter. However, compared with the 4×5 format, the 8×10 format—with four times the surface area—presents a host of new challenges, such as the rigidity of the reflex mirror, the mirror’s movement range and force, mirror braking and vibration suppression, and the fabrication of large-size focal-plane shutters. These changes have created obstacles entirely distinct from those of the 4×5 system. Fortunately, breakthroughs have been made on all fronts, with every issue successfully resolved, enabling precise SLR viewfinding and shooting. Additionally, in specific scenarios—such as high-angle shooting or when using short-focal-length lenses—the reflex mirror can be locked in the stowed position, allowing the SMARTFLEX 8×10 to function as a conventional large-format camera equipped with a focal-plane shutter.
Core Feature 2 – Superior Compatibility with Heavy, Large-Aperture Lenses
In certain applications—including wet-plate photography, portraiture with extreme bokeh using large-aperture lenses, and shooting with large telephoto lenses—most traditional 8×10 cameras fall short due to limitations in body strength, lens board size, and shutter mechanism. It is common to see photographers using lens caps as makeshift shutters for large lenses, which only work with flash or extremely slow shutter speeds. Even when large lenses are mounted on conventional 8×10 cameras (e.g., Sinar models), size constraints often lead to vignetting and peripheral aperture loss, hindering the lens from delivering its full performance and degrading image quality.
To solve these issues, the SMARTFLEX 8×10 was engineered with targeted optimizations. First, it features an oversized lens board and front standard with a diameter exceeding 200mm. Throughout the development process, rigorous real-world testing was conducted using the renowned Nanjing 340mm f/2.4 lens—a heavyweight optic weighing nearly 8kg. Thanks to its multi-rail supported focusing front standard and sliding rear standard design, this large lens can be operated effortlessly on the SMARTFLEX 8×10, enabling smooth focusing and secure locking. With its full-size 10-inch focal-plane shutter, users can start shooting immediately after mounting the lens.
The large front standard and wide focusing bellows completely eliminate the risk of vignetting when using large-format lenses, ensuring uniform illumination across the entire frame and perfectly showcasing the lens’s optical characteristics. Even bulky lenses like the Dallmeyer 5A and 6A can be handled with ease on this camera body. Moreover, through a hybrid material design and strengthened baseplate, the SMARTFLEX 810 achieves both lightweight construction and exceptional stability. Outdoor shooting with the Nanjing 340mm lens can be accomplished using a single tripod, with no need for additional support.
The focal-plane shutter also offers independent control, eliminating the need for lens caps or dark cloths to manage exposure. Boasting a maximum speed of over 1/600s and a T-mode for manual long exposures, this robust shutter system makes shooting significantly more convenient.
By overcoming these two core challenges, we can easily envision the excitement of using this camera paired with large-aperture vintage lenses for portrait photography. It excels not only in outdoor shooting scenarios but also serves as an indispensable tool for studio portraiture. It works as well that it is basically a giant Mamiya RB67.
