4x5 field camera that folds with a lens installed

[DirtCat]

In a never ending quest to make things compact and simple, I'm after a 4x5 field camera that folds WITH a lens installed.

I know a Toyo 45 CF does (obviously not with all lenses, but certain smaller lenses), and I've seen some others but forgot to make note of the model.

What else?

 

[tcolgate]

The MPP with a small 135 will fold. It makes it convenient to load into the forklift you need to carry it around. Presumably the linhof technical would too

 

[MARTIE]

Linhof Master Technika Classic. My folds with a Schneider 150mm f5.6 fitted and rangefinder cam.

 

[Franswa]

You should be able to with the metal Wista 45 models. Some lenses you might have to mount it backwards so that the rear elements are facing out.

 

[david schaller]

It depends which lens, of course. My Wisner folds up with a 150 mm and smaller lenses.

 

[blee1996]

Lots of field cameras can fold up with a small lens attached: e.g. Linhof Tech, Wista DX 45 wooden. However the Philips type (e.g. Chamonix F1) might not be able to do that.

 

[Paul Howell]

A Super Graphic, revolving back, some movement, not as much as true field camera, still enough to be useful, with cams can take wide angle and telephotos. Metal body, rugged.

 

[Besk]

Busch Pressman 4x5 with Rodenstock Serinar 135mm f/5.6 and several other small lenses including Kodak Ektar 203mm f/7.7. - Camera has front rise, shift and tilt with rangefinder calibrated for the 135mm lens.

 

[Vaughn]

Most likely not your cup of tea, but my Gowland PocketView folds flat with a Caltar IIN150mm/5.6 plasmat on it. I use it w/o the other 6" extension most of the time. Once folded, a piece of closed-cell foam slips in between the bail handle and the GG to keep the GG safe, and I wrap the camera up in a large lens-wrap.

Size comparison with my 2.8 Rolliecord (weighs 3 pounds w/ Rolliefix). The 4x5 weighs 2.5 pounds with the lens and QR. I bought the 4x5 camera and lens new from Calumet in 1982, the lens being about $20 more than the camera....$230 vs $210, I think...it's been awhile.

I was in Japan recently for 5 weeks with both cameras (but usually out with only one at a time). For walking around all day photographing with the 4x5, I would keep the camera on the tripod, lens on the camera, darkcloth over the camera. A waterproof stuff-sack over the darkcloth would keep the darkcloth secure and help protect the bellows from getting poked -- and keep it dry from rain. A shoulder bag for meter, film holders, etc. If needed, nothing but tripod legs had to hit the ground (also nothing to leave behind).

 

[Paul Howell]

Most likely not your cup of tea, but my Gowland PocketView folds flat with a Caltar IIN150mm/5.6 plasmat on it. I use it w/o the other 6" extension most of the time.

Size comparison with my 2.8 Rolliecord (weighs 3 pounds w/ Rolliefix). The 4x5 weighs 2.5 pounds with the lens and QR.

Great camera, just rare.

 

[Emily Cook]

I have two that I can vouch for - the Wista DX 2, as mentioned previously, can fold up with my 150mm Apo Symmar inside (I have to reverse the lens board), and my Chamonix 45H-1 doesn't fold but it collapses and can be packed away fairly comfortably with a lens as big as my 90mm Super Angulon. It's larger than the Wista but together with a dark cloth, loupe, shutter cables, etc, it ends up fitting into a bag almost exactly the same size.

 

[DirtCat]

Most likely not your cup of tea, but my Gowland PocketView folds flat with a Caltar IIN150mm/5.6 plasmat on it. I use it w/o the other 6" extension most of the time.

Size comparison with my 2.8 Rolliecord (weighs 3 pounds w/ Rolliefix). The 4x5 weighs 2.5 pounds with the lens and QR.

That's a cool camera for sure, and pretty light. But assembly adds a step I'm hoping to avoid. That's one of the main reasons I ditched my Intrepid for a Toyo 45A

I have two that I can vouch for - the Wista DX 2, as mentioned previously, can fold up with my 150mm Apo Symmar inside (I have to reverse the lens board), and my Chamonix 45H-1 doesn't fold but it collapses and can be packed away fairly comfortably with a lens as big as my 90mm Super Angulon. It's larger than the Wista but together with a dark cloth, loupe, shutter cables, etc, it ends up fitting into a bag almost exactly the same size.

I'll have to check out the DX then, I keep hearing about it being a good camera body.

 

[Emily Cook]

I'll have to check out the DX then, I keep hearing about it being a good camera body.

It also has a magnificently bright and clear focusing screen. I use the Chamonix more because it's got offset axis tilt and I can pack it with a bigger lens, which helps me set up and focus more quickly, but I really love the Wista too.

 

[Steve Goldstein]

Definitely not a Nagaoka or Ikeda.

 

[Vaughn]

That's a cool camera for sure, and pretty light. But assembly adds a step I'm hoping to avoid. That's one of the main reasons I ditched my Intrepid for a Toyo 45A



I'll have to check out the DX then, I keep hearing about it being a good camera body.

The Gowland would drive you nuts. But set-up is quick...and was even quicker this last trip. Only about 2 to 3 times as long as a standard wood field 4x5, but faster set-up and easier to carry if kept on the tripod.

I do like the non-folding wood field cameras. Normally, lens can be kept on, and they have the fastest set-ups. Their shape makes carrying on a tripod easier, also. Traditional folding field cameras with their large square base and tripod hole in the center makes for too many corners sticking out when being carried over the shoulder.

 

[MARTIE]

There are also 4x5 fixed bodied cameras, such as the Cambo wide, Sinar handy, Linhof Technar, Fotoman, Gaoersi, Alvandi Panoral, Custom Camera Building...

These are without doubt the most compact and fastest LF cameras out there complete with helical focus mounts but at the expense of movements and $$$.

 

[DirtCat]

There are also 4x5 fixed bodied cameras, such as the Cambo wide, Sinar handy, Linhof Technar, Fotoman, Gaoersi, Alvandi Panoral, Custom Camera Building...

These are without doubt the most compact and fastest LF cameras out there complete with helical focus mounts but at the expense of movements and $$$.

I've strongly considered something like these, not gonna lie.

I do love the movements on a field camera though.

 

[MTGseattle]

I think everyone has supplied pretty good answers. Which lens is going to be the caveat. I have a Rodenstock 75mm (can't remember which model), but it folds up inside a crown Graphic.

A couple of you have me wondering if it's worth potential damage to figure out how to leave a lens "safely" attached to a Chamonix 45N1

 

[Valmidira]

Linhof Technikas all of them including pre-WWII models. Anything of size of roughly 150/5,6 Plasmat in 0 shutter fits.
I have to say I really like pre war models - much more smaller and lighter than any III, IV and up Technikas.

 

[grahamp]

Wista-type lensboards lend themselves to reversing lenses for storage inside the camera. One advantage (other than slightly better fit) is that you can cap both ends and remove the caps when setting up. Not when you look through the camera and realise the rear ca is still there

I have 150mm on the Wista DX and the MPP VII, and they fold.

 

[djdister]

I think everyone has supplied pretty good answers. Which lens is going to be the caveat. I have a Rodenstock 75mm (can't remember which model), but it folds up inside a crown Graphic.

A couple of you have me wondering if it's worth potential damage to figure out how to leave a lens "safely" attached to a Chamonix 45N1

I leave a lens on my Chamonix 45H-1, usually the 180mm Fujinon W but sometimes the 90mm f/5.6 Super Angulon.

 

[Doremus Scudder]

Wista DX. All mine will fold up with a 135/150 Plasmat attached. Any lenses smaller than that as well, of course, including 203 Ektar, 180mm Fujinon A, etc.

If you get an older model with the old-style tripod plate that only attaches directly under the rear standard (newer ones have a hole in the middle and no recess), even larger lenses are possible.

Doremus

 

[xya]

Linhof Technikas all of them including pre-WWII models. Anything of size of roughly 150/5,6 Plasmat in 0 shutter fits.
I have to say I really like pre war models - much more smaller and lighter than any III, IV and up Technikas.

Good point. I have a pre WWII Linhof Standard and had a Graflok back adapted to it. Folds easily with a 150mm Xenar. See https://www.oddcameras.com/linhof_standaed_graflok.htm

 

[Dr. no]

I've strongly considered something like these, not gonna lie.

I do love the movements on a field camera though.

How often, and how extremely, do you use movements?
My Linhof (Technika 4) has a couple of cm of rear, rise, and front angle. My Bush Pressman has similar in front but no rear movements. I almost never use them in nature, rarely for squaring buildings or such. The technical and press cameras fold so nicely with the normal or similar lens, it's as if they were designed to be carried all day . Additional, with the normal lens you can use the rangefinder to focus (and maybe even hand hold it) --unless that removes the manly separation from the crowd that using the ground glass engenders. There are a variety of viewfinders, too.

(I didn't say it was lightweight, though. Press cameras, especially, have to be ready to use for self protection also)

 

[Laurent]

Wista 45 sp folds with a Fujinon 125 5.6 NW

My Tachihara folded with a 120/6.8 Angulon attached .