Advice needed on a Cambo 4x5 purchase

J Rollinger · Dec 28, 2010

I'm looking to buy a 4x5 setup and was wondering what my fellow Apugers thought about the deal. The seller states that its in mint condition but i have only seen photos of it. Its about 1 hour drive from me to him and i dont want to waste all that time if the camera is not up to par.

Camera Cambo SF 4x5

Lens Apo-Symmar-MC-150mm

Tripod -Bogen/Manfrotto 3051

Head -Manfrotto 3047

The price that we have agreed to is $400

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks Jim

Dan Fromm · Dec 28, 2010

KEH wants $325 for the lens in their BGN condition. They want $200 +/- for Cambo SCXs, depending on condition. If the SF will do what you want its worth a look.

mfratt · Dec 28, 2010

Haven't used a Cambo myself, but $400 for any outfit like that seems like a steal.

Jerevan · Dec 28, 2010

Sounds like a good deal to me, but I am used to other (higher) price levels. It's good solid equipment.

J Rollinger · Dec 28, 2010

Thanks! I have been doing some research on the camera and the only con i can find is that the back is not revolving, you have to remove it , turn it and put it back on.

mfratt · Dec 28, 2010

J Rollinger said:
Thanks! I have been doing some research on the camera and the only con i can find is that the back is not revolving, you have to remove it , turn it and put it back on.

AFAIK, there are only a handful of cameras with a revolving back, and even fewer (if any) in the price range of the Cambo. Taking it off is not a big deal. Takes all of about five seconds. Just be careful not to drop it, and make sure its securely locked back into place before you take your hands off of it (especially easy to bollocks up when you're wearing gloves, at least with the design of my Linhof). I dropped mine only once, but I was lucky since the camera was only about 18" off the ground and it fell into fresh snow.

I'd say go for it. Its dirt cheap, and even if you decide you don't like the Cambo or you want a field camera instead, you've already got your tripod and lens.

J Rollinger · Dec 28, 2010

Here are the spec i found for it.

Monorail length 14"
Bellows extension 1" to 9 1/4"
Rise/fall 83mm
Shift 70mm
Swings +30 deg -30 deg
Base tilts +60 -60
Fine focus geared 40mm
Back Reversible International Standard Graflock-Type

mfratt · Dec 28, 2010

You may find the length of the bellows limiting, especially if you plan on using any longer lenses or any close-up work. I still think its a good deal, especially being your first 4x5.

Paul Sorensen · Dec 28, 2010

I had a Cambo, the back comes off really easily so I didn't find the lack of a rotating back to be that big of a deal.

I sold it to buy a field camera, but I found it to be a very nice to use monorail.

J Rollinger · Dec 28, 2010

mfratt said:
AFAIK, there are only a handful of cameras with a revolving back, and even fewer (if any) in the price range of the Cambo. Taking it off is not a big deal. Takes all of about five seconds. Just be careful not to drop it, and make sure its securely locked back into place before you take your hands off of it (especially easy to bollocks up when you're wearing gloves, at least with the design of my Linhof). I dropped mine only once, but I was lucky since the camera was only about 18" off the ground and it fell into fresh snow.

I'd say go for it. Its dirt cheap, and even if you decide you don't like the Cambo or you want a field camera instead, you've already got your tripod and lens.

Thanks! That is exactly what i was thinking, the body isnt that important to me. Also included is a Calumet hard case, film expired, paper expired, shutter release, loupe, 4x5 holders and a caring bag for the tripod. I think i'm going to pull the trigger on this one as long as the glass and shutter are mint as he states.

Advice needed on a Cambo 4x5 purchase

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