Our most popular, light, and compact camera. Nearly endless exchangeable back options. Nearly endless lens options.
This camera accepts scores of interchangeable backs, from medium format 120 film to 35mm panoramic backs, to Instax, to digital. For a guide to all of its back options, take a look at this. It can be configured as a very thin camera for ultrawide, non-retrofocal lenses, or longer for portraiture.
This bundle includes a standard Mercury Front Panel integrated with a Graflok 23 back adapter (you can change back adapters later if you wish; all Mercury back adapters are compatible), and a standard focus unit. You will need to supply your own lens, film back (in most cases, though we offer some film backs), and range finder (if desired). To better understand your configuration options, we highly recommend that you read Chapter 1 of the Mercury User Guide (download here).
This bundle is $150.
What else do I need?
One or more lens kits:
Lens kits each have a number listed in the “Lens Kit” column of the Mercury View Lens Database, found here. When you add a lens kit to your cart, be sure to specify the RS-value of your camera+back!
Non-Standard Focus Unit?
Double check (in the “Focus Unit” column of the Mercury View Lens Database) that the lens you select utilizes the Standard Focus Unit. If it doesn’t, you may need to add one of the following focus units to your order:
Ultrawide Helical Lensboard ($25)
XL Focus Unit ($105)
XL-S Focus Unit ($100)
XL-SF Focus Unit ($100)
Front Mounting Spacer?
Some longer lenses may also call for an “FMS” or Front Mounting Spacer, which is basically a front extension to your camera. You can order it here:
Ground Glass back:
This is highly recommended to calibrate your lens, and for ultra-precise focusing, and sometimes composing, depending on your style. You can get just the budget GG back if you will only be using this to test and calibrate lenses (and possibly to check focus); it covers only the central area of the frame, so isn’t very useful for composing. The 6×9 ground glass covers the full frame, but is more expensive due to difficult to source glass. By default this comes with a 6×9 mask, including 6×7 marking tabs. If you would prefer a different mask (6×8, 6×7, 6×6, 645), include that note when you add this to your cart.
Graflok 23 Budget Ground Glass ($25)
Graflok 23 6×9 Full Ground Glass ($55)
Viewfinder:
If you wish to use your camera handheld, without a ground glass back (though you should still purchase a ground glass back to accurately calibrate your lens for handheld use), you’ll need a viewfinder. You can purchase a Mercury viewfinder (recommended), or use any third party viewfinder that mounts on a cold shoe. All of our non-optical viewfinders come standard with a removable rubber eyecup and a removable front cap that allows you to insert custom masks. Our optical viewfinders (for wider angles) also accept custom masks. You can download mask templates, or you can make your own. This is very helpful to perfectly match your lens or to mask for particular formats (panoramic, square, etc.). If you also order the Color Highlights option (below), then your viewfinder cap will come in that color! See our viewfinder guide for help determining which viewfinder you need for your particular lens/format combination.
Range Finder:
If you wish to shoot handheld, and want complete control over focus distance, you will need a vintage range finder to make focus easier. Note that some users simply mark hyperfocal distances or other desired distances that they can estimate on their focus scales, and thus don’t need a range finder. Some users use a laser distance finder instead.
You can use any vintage range finder. For options and reviews, see our Range Finder Roundup. Some of those range finders require special adapters to mount on a standard cold shoe foot. If so, the proper Mercury adapters can be ordered from that page.
What else might I want?
Color Highlights:
To personalize your camera and add a touch of color, purchase this add-on. We will configure your camera with colored front washers, back sliders, and viewfinder cap (if you ordered a viewfinder), all for $15. You can choose from these colors:
QR Plate:
This is a tripod mounting plate. Order one if you want to use your camera on a tripod. It is compatible with any QR mount, and also has a standard ¼-20 tripod thread for other tripods or plates. Most tripods and plates cannot mount to the Mercury 4×5 without this. $18
Instax Film Back:
Mercury makes two Instax backs that mount on this camera: an Instax Mini back and an Instax Wide back. Both are motorized for automatic film processing/ejection.
