8x10 Field Camera: opinions?!

JLMoore3 · Feb 4, 2006

I've picked up a very clean Kodak 2D, and like the basic usefulness of the camera for the field (not too heavy, long bellows, nifty 4x10 sliding board in the back, etc)... But- I am dissapointed with the lack of any front movements, other than rise/fall. I also have a Burke & James monorail 8x10, which has all the movents I want- but isn't as "field-worthy" (short bellow, PITA hex rail, goofy tripod mount, etc)...

Which leads me to ask: which field camera, under $2000, would you pick?

I'm leaning towards a Wehman or a Deardorff, and maybe a Tachihara.

Kerik · Feb 4, 2006

Kodak Masterview. There are no substitutes.

Ole · Feb 4, 2006

Now that I've started using old German plate cameras, I find I miss the front swings and tilts less and less.

That much being said I'm looking forward to the day when I get the 8x10" Gandolfi Traditional restored. A new one costs rather a bit more than $2000, but on the other hand they've been in production for about a century

removed account4 · Feb 4, 2006

a szabad -- if you can find one of the 2 others that exist

Frank Petronio · Feb 4, 2006

Skip the dorf and wait patiently for an older Arca to show up. They are light, expandable, have full movements, etc. and far less than $2000.

Use the savings to start saving up for a Phillips.

I also liked the Kodak MV I tired, great for the money.

Troy Ammons · Feb 4, 2006

I went over and over all the 8x10's a while back and ended up with a cambo 8x10 which was just okay. Cheap and better and stiffer then your cameras.

Also had a B+J and it was just plain old wobbly.

In the end my 8x10 shortlist in order of quality (my deductions)..

Phillips
Kodak masterview
Wehman
Toho (short rail model weighs less than 7#)
Canham (since I was told it was a bit wobbly)
Tacharia

There are a few others too

I sold my cambo. just to heavy to heave around. Now I am toying with the idea of building a light purpose built LS 8x10 camera.

If I were shopping right now I think it would be the top three. I like folding cameras.

Bill Mitchell · Feb 4, 2006

There is no such thing as an 8x10 Field camera.

Jeremy · Feb 4, 2006

To go against the grain, I am a big fan of my V8 'dorff. No frills and gets the job done.

sattler123 · Feb 4, 2006

Wehman! It is built like a rock, yet very light. It is a sturdy camera and has all the movements you'd ever want in a field camera.

resummerfield · Feb 4, 2006

Frank Petronio said:
Skip the dorf and wait patiently for an older Arca to show up. They are light, expandable, have full movements, etc. and far less than $2000.

I agree!

jonw · Feb 4, 2006

John, I used my Korona 8x10, but sold it to get more movements and since have truly enjoyed my dorf v8. I have not taken it in the field yet, but will at some point. Send me a pm given you are a local (Boise) and I can show you my rig if you are interested. At present it is set up in the "studio" which Jay DeFehr and I use. (I tend to use it more, because Jay is too busy making wonderful portraits with his 35mm....lololo and now that he has his Verito back in a wonderful working studio shutter...he has no excuses...to avoid the "studio," except the typical demands of life, work, family, etc.)

jimgalli · Feb 4, 2006

I enjoy owning both a 2D and a Deardorff. If I counted negs made last year, the 2D is getting used more than the 'dorff simply because I'm enjoying the antique lenses in barrel and the 2D is a great platform for that. But the Deardorff is elegant in it's simplicity and strength. It's no secret around here that my weakness is glass. If I had to pay $56 for each lensboard for a Masterview for all of the lenses I've cobbled together for the 'dorff it would = a decent second hand car. That to me at least is the achilles heal of an otherwise attractive design.

Flauvius · Feb 4, 2006

In reply to Jim Galli's claim of KM's lens board "Achilles heal" argument:

With an universal lens "vice/board" virtually any lens can be used on the same "lens board". Although rare, lens "vice/lens boards" do occasionally appear at auction; more so in Germany than in US ***.bay.

Flauvius

Tom Hoskinson · Feb 4, 2006

sattler123 said:
Wehman! It is built like a rock, yet very light. It is a sturdy camera and has all the movements you'd ever want in a field camera.

I agree! Love my Wehman!

MattCarey · Feb 4, 2006

jimgalli said:
If I had to pay $56 for each lensboard for a Masterview for all of the lenses I've cobbled together for the 'dorff it would = a decent second hand car. That to me at least is the achilles heal of an otherwise attractive design.

But Jim,

What, in your opinion, is a good second hand car? Somehow, I feel that it would be Team Cheapskate® approved!

Matt

raucousimages · Feb 4, 2006

Toyo 810M. Great camera. Will do almost everything I want. Uses my other Toyo accessories. Built like a tank but almost as heavy. I backpack with 4x5, the 8x10 stays within a mile of the truck. It was worse, I did backpack with a 810G broken down.

Shawn Dougherty · Feb 4, 2006

Have you considered the Calumet C-1? It's big, pretty heavy and kinda ugly but it has movement and bellows draw out the ass. You can use it to beat up a would be attacker. You really can't be too rough with it. It comes in lime green(heavy) and black(heavier). Brett used one(kinda cool but no real value). I think the best feature is the ability to center balance the camera. Did I mention it was heavy? All the best. doc

John Kasaian · Feb 5, 2006

If you can get a good 'dorff with front swings for $1200 or so, that, IMHO would be the best deal going. It'll take some patience though. The MKV is a great camera, but getting lensboards, as Jim Galli says, is tough going. Michael Smith had some made up that he was selling, so if you want to go with the KMV check out the AZO forum for info re KMV lensboards.
Good Luck!

k_jupiter · Feb 5, 2006

MattCarey said:
But Jim,

What, in your opinion, is a good second hand car? Somehow, I feel that it would be Team Cheapskate® approved!

Matt

Early 90's Toyota Pickup. With a 2.4 litre 4 banger. Will never die and if you put a shell on it, you'll have more room for your equipment than you'll know what to do with. The best car I ever owned (till some damned drunk hit and totalled it at 2 in the morning in front of my house)

tim in san jose

Kerik · Feb 5, 2006

jimgalli said:
If I had to pay $56 for each lensboard for a Masterview for all of the lenses I've cobbled together

I've never bought a MV lensboard. You can make them from flat aluminum or sheet metal and some stick-on velcro strips aligned with the embossed part of the from standard. Easy and cheap.

Ole · Feb 5, 2006

Flauvius said:
In reply to Jim Galli's claim of KM's lens board "Achilles heal" argument:

With an universal lens "vice/board" virtually any lens can be used on the same "lens board". Although rare, lens "vice/lens boards" do occasionally appear at auction; more so in Germany than in US ***.bay.

Flauvius

Shhhh!

I've been trying to buy them all up, then create a market in the USA and make a LOT of money by buing old trash in Germany and selling it on ebay!

User Removed · Feb 5, 2006

I suggest a Kodak Masterview 8x10.

The Calumet C-1's are way to heavy and bulky to use frequently in the field. An Arca-Swiss is a monorail camera and I'm not sure that is what your looking for. Deardorffs are nice cameras, but its hard to find one where everything works perfect and is sturdy.

Ryan McIntosh

JLMoore3 · Feb 5, 2006

Thanks for all the feedback...

I'm leaning towards the Wehman, particularly because I like the clamshell design... I was considering building something like it using the B&J, but I'm not sure I want to spend the time on the design phase- I'd rather be out making photogaphs.

rbarker · Feb 5, 2006

FWIW, I went through the specs comparison exercise a couple of years ago. Although there were several makes/models that provided more in terms of features, I ended up buying a new Tachihara double-extension Wood Field. For me, that was the optimum balance between cost, features, and weight. There have been only a couple of times that I've missed having the additional bellows length, and a couple of times that I wished I could swap the pleated bellows for a bag bellows for architectural shots with the 150mm SS XL. The double-extension Tachi is nicely built, and has ample movements - with the exception of rear swing.

matt miller · Feb 5, 2006

I've was recently faced with the same decision John. I have chosen to purchase a Wehman for a number of reasons. First, it's a new camera with a lifetime warranty. Second is it's reputation for rigidity and "bomb-proofness". Third is it's low weight and fairly long bellows. I was very tempted by a Master View, a Canham, and a Deardorff, but I think the Wehman will be a better fit for me.

8x10 Field Camera: opinions?!

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8x10 Field Camera: opinions?!

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