10 x 8 Field camera recommendations.

[Danny Treacy]

Hi,

I'm working on a project and have been using a 5 x 4 Linhof field camera, I love it but would like to shoot some 10 x 8 as well.

I have a 10 x 8 Cambo Legend monorail but I think it will be too cumbersome to use in the forest, besides I definitely won't need to utilise the movements it has to offer.

I've been doing a bit of research on 10 x 8 and I think the Calumet C1 seems like it might suit me, basic, sturdy and not overly expensive.

I would like to hear any feedback from you guys on recommendations for 10 x 8 field cameras, ease of use, build quality etc. Being lightweight isn't an issue with me as I carry a load of gear with me on shoots (lighting on location).

Thanks,
Danny.

 

[photog_ed]

I had a C-1 and found it to be cumbersome. It's best feature was the price. I sold mine and bought a Toyo 810MII. It's a bit pricey, but very sturdy and behaves better with shorter lenses. The design of the Calumet makes it impossible to use with lenses shorter than about 250mm. This is not due to the bellows, but due to the focusing rail, which is not there for short bellows extensions.

 

[Jesper]

I've been using a Wista 8x10 filed camera for the last 15 years and never regretted it.

 

[Alan9940]

If you're not sure about the format and you plan to move the camera over any distances, you may want to wait for the Intrepid 8x10 to start shipping. Brand new it probably won't cost much more than just about any used 8x10 and, if you don't get along with the format, you could probably sell the Intrepid easily.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I had a C-1 and found it to be cumbersome. It's best feature was the price. I sold mine and bought a Toyo 810MII. It's a bit pricey, but very sturdy and behaves better with shorter lenses. The design of the Calumet makes it impossible to use with lenses shorter than about 250mm. This is not due to the bellows, but due to the focusing rail, which is not there for short bellows extensions.

Are you sure?

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/calumet/calumetc8x10.html

 

[Ian Grant]

I've been using a couple of Agfa Ansco 10x8 cameras for about 12 years now. One's a Universal and has no front tilt, the other's a Commercial which has front tilt and swing (the front swing is quite rare) and an extension rail giving 36" bellows draw, it'll focus with my Ross 141mm f16 EWA (Protar). I've hiked over the North York Moors with my Commercial View.

I find you often need some movements, there's not quite enough on my Universal but that came from the daughter of a New York portrait photographer. I had to import both mine but it was still worth-while.

Ian

 

[lecarp]

I have owned the Calumet green monster, used it for architectural work/Habs documentation. All you need for wide work is a recessed lens board, the drawback being having to lean over the rear rail when focusing.
Very versatile and sturdy and great for long lenses.
I sold the Calumet and now have a small herd of 8x10 cameras. A Toyo 810m, Agfa/Ansco with full movements and a Century Universal (I'm a wood lover at heart).
If a camera is in good repair, success or failure more often than not depends on the skill and determination of the user.
If your on a budget, for the money you will be hard pressed to find a more versatile and sturdy field camera than the Calumet.

 

[tessar]

I have a post-WW2 Ansco Universal 8x10, like the simpler one of Ian Grant's. I was lucky to find an original case for it, which holds the camera, two lenses and the usual odds & ends. It's heavy for a wooden field camera, but very sturdy. I've always been happy with it.
Anscos and Agfa-Anscos used to be relatively common and surprisingly low-priced (heavy weight), but that was on this side of the Atlantic.

 

[Luis-F-S]

Probably 40 threads asking the same question, you might want to read them

 

[Danny Treacy]

Thanks for the info about the Intrepid, I wasn't aware of it. They're just down the road from me, relatively speaking.

I'd be happy to support a new business and their 5x4 seems like it's getting good feedback, my concerns would be that in a few years the company could fold and I'd be left without customer service and very few spare parts.

If you're not sure about the format and you plan to move the camera over any distances, you may want to wait for the Intrepid 8x10 to start shipping. Brand new it probably won't cost much more than just about any used 8x10 and, if you don't get along with the format, you could probably sell the Intrepid easily.

 

[Alan9940]

I'd be happy to support a new business and their 5x4 seems like it's getting good feedback, my concerns would be that in a few years the company could fold and I'd be left without customer service and very few spare parts.

Yes, their latest generation 5x4 has received good reviews. I wouldn't worry much about "down the road" and the availability of spare parts. It's such a simple camera made from plywood and a few extruded metal fittings that you could probably repair it yourself. You could probably buy the metal parts from mcmaster.com, if needed.

 

[Danny Treacy]

Yes, their latest generation 5x4 has received good reviews. I wouldn't worry much about "down the road" and the availability of spare parts. It's such a simple camera made from plywood and a few extruded metal fittings that you could probably repair it yourself. You could probably buy the metal parts from mcmaster.com, if needed.

I'm sure you're right, I've spotted a Kodak 2D at a pretty good price and seems like it's a good all rounder, I'll have to think about going for something new and fairly untested or something very old but proven.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Just how much do you plan to use this thing? What can you afford? You say, "field camera" - in what sense? Do you really need 8x10? How much weight are you comfortable carrying? 8x10 photograhy isn't for everyone, but it certainly can be addicting.

 

[btaylor]

Two classics would be the Deardorff (obviously) and Kodak Master View. I like my Calumet C1. Simple and robust, it also takes Deardorff boards, so recessed
boards, mounted Packard shutters, etc are all readily available. Something to think about.

 

[Danny Treacy]

Just how much do you plan to use this thing? What can you afford? You say, "field camera" - in what sense? Do you really need 8x10? How much weight are you comfortable carrying? 8x10 photograhy isn't for everyone, but it certainly can be addicting.

I'll be using it lots, it's my profession! As I said in my first post I already have 10 x 8 so I know the characteristics of it. I thought field camera was a pretty understood term i.e. not a studio camera, which I already have.

I also explained that weight isn't an issue.

I think that the budget is the main issue as I don't want to spend thousands on a camera that can do everything my studio camera does and I don't need many movements in the field.

I also think that the big name view cameras are massively overpriced. I want a workhorse not a work of art. I'd take a pickup over a Porsche any day so in terms of 10 x 8 field cameras I'm steering towards the Calumet C1, Kodak 2D or maybe the new Intrepid.

 

[btaylor]

If you're doing landscape remember that the Kodak 2D does not have front tilt, only rise/fall unless the front standard has been modified.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Right now people are putting a premium on high-quality portable gear (including lightweight lenses) instead of big old clunkers. You still need to add serious tripod wt and filmholders. I happen to use a very early (ser no.9) classic Phillips folder. It's fast to set up and quite wind resistant for its modest wt. Now there are several brands of Chinese cameras which attempt to copy that design at reasonable pricing, with the best probably being the Chamonix. How far do you like to get from the car? - yards, miles, days, or weeks? What kind of weather? And how many decades of wear n tear on both your gear and yourself factor in? How much bellows ext do you need? Given basic criteris like this, and I 'd recommend the best you can afford that's truly precise yet also sturdy and lightweight (hint: some people age faster than there cameras, and it's a known law of physiological physics that gravity increases over time!).

 

[dodphotography]

The problem with this question boils down to your network.

Blindly buying without a hands on run leads to many experiments and buying and selling.

If you have friends with rigs it cuts out a lot of lost time.

No matter how you cut it, 810 and cheap don't mix.

 

[Doc W]

Have you considered the Kodak Master 8x10? It is relatively light (about 12 lbs) and very strong (aluminum and magnesium). It will have all the movements you need and it folds up easily into a compact package. They can be found for 1-2K USD

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/kodak/masterview.html

 

[Danny Treacy]

Just as an update I found an aluminium C1 for a great price, the seller was cool with posting it to me in the uk.

Absolutely love the camera, very sturdy, precise and a pleasure to use in its simplicity. It even came with a reducing back so I'm considering getting rid of my Linhof technika field camera, ok so maybe I'll keep hold of that for a while!