Affoardable 4x5 setup, advice?

redwoodphotographic · Jul 11, 2012

Hello,

I used to own a Tachihara 4x5 folding field camera and a Nikkor 210.

I'd like to get back into using a 4x5 and was curious what people were using or would recommend. I'd like something affordable and wouldn't mind buying new, within reason.

I'm considering a chamonix 4x5 and have been looking at KEH for lenses. Does anyone have any other recommendations on a setup/systems? I'd like to be as portable as possible so I'm guessing a field camera would be best.

Thanks,

Mike

thegman · Jul 11, 2012

I don't shoot LF, but if I did, I'd be talking a good look at http://www.walkercameras.com, they seem similar in price new to Chamonix.

Shawn Dougherty · Jul 11, 2012

Toyo 45A, AII and AX series cameras are portable, tough and reasonable on the used market right now... Love mine. If I could only have one lens it would be my Nikkor 210. Good luck!
Shawn

paul_c5x4 · Jul 11, 2012

Love my Wista Field although it does have limitations. Nice and light, but not as rigid as say a monorail when stretched to it's limits. It will just about handle a 300mm lens, but can't get in close due to the lack of draw on the bellows. Both minor points as far as I'm concerned as the weight savings make up for it.

Lens wise, you would have to pry the Fujinon 135mm F/5.6 (Seiko shutter, lettering on the inside of the barrel) out of my cold dead hands with a pickaxe - A nice small lens that has plenty of room for movements and coupled with the Wista, does for much of what I currently shoot.

jadphoto · Jul 11, 2012

At least on this side of the pond, the Walkers are quite a bit more expensive than the Chamonix. Both are great cameras, you might also consider the Shen Hao.

I believe that Robert White is the UK distributor.

Any modern 210 will serve, the oft bandied about differences are "but a tempest in a teapot" to quote another Brit. I don't think he shot large format though.

JD

Mahler_one · Jul 11, 2012

HI Mike:

That auction site has any number of 4x5 cameras listed....many listed are the brands that have been mentioned here...and many have lenses included. Might be a really good place to start. The prices are surprisingly low.

Ed

graywolf · Jul 11, 2012

Well, there seems to be two ways of buying a large format camera, my friends way, and my way.

My friends way: He makes a low ball offer to the seller on eBay for a Toyo 45G, which is accepted. When he gets the cameras there are some things the seller did not mention. Like the lens that came with it, like the film holders, like the two boxes of film, nor was the included 8x10 conversion mentioned.

My way: I pay the BIN for a Toyo 45G on eBay. Here there are some things the seller did not mention as well. Like the fact the rise rack on the rear standard was stripped. Like the fact the rear focus was stripped. Like the fact the rise locks were worn out. (apparently the front and rear standard did not come from the same camera.) He did mention that the bellows was bad however. After replacing the rear standard with a used one, and getting a new bellows from a Chinese company, I had the same money in the camera my friend did.

I recommend doing it my friends way.

RichardH · Jul 11, 2012

Tom ( graywolf )
I live outside of Morganton and would like to get together with you sometime. I am also retired and anytime is possible.
If interested, send a PM and we'll get the photo interest to going.

Thanks
Richard

aterimagery · Jul 12, 2012

I've never owned a view camera before and am interested in buying one. I could also use recommendations on a "first view camera" setup. Ken Rockwell seems to think that Tachihara is the best deal but I figure I ought to get some additional opinions and I can't really find a good comprehensive survey of what's available just randomly searching the net.

I'm thinking it would be easiest to just buy a whole used setup from someone who's getting out of LF photography or something as that might be the best deal, but I'm not sure.

I'm pretty sure I want a field camera. I know I don't want a press camera, and I expect to do mostly location shooting so I doubt I want to carry around a monorail.

graywolf · Jul 12, 2012

Sure, alterimagery, the best deals are for complete outfits. Up there, if you do not know people into film photography, your best bet is probably going to be Craig's list.

I used to live in that area, by the way.

Jim Jones · Jul 12, 2012

Anyone just starting large format photography should first invest in a few books on the subject. This forum is a great place to ask for specific information when one knows the right question to ask, but good books can give a more thorough overview.

Ken Rockwell's Tachihara is one of many similar lightweight field cameras. Each has its strong points and perhaps shortcomings. My featherweight Inba Ikeda is almost too pretty for regular use. Sometimes a beat-up Burke & James flatbed or a monorail is more appropriate. One's first large format camera may be more of an educational venture than a lifetime investment. I learned enough from a Newton Vue many decades ago to make a wiser purchase the next time.

Mahler_one · Jul 12, 2012

Regarding that first 4x5 camera: You will likely get as many opinions as there are subscribers! It is important to keep in mind that almost every camera with positive recommendations will be capable of providing years of use and yielding excellent images. Let us know how you make out.

PhotoJim · Jul 12, 2012

If you want to buy a new, reasonably-priced camera, I can highly recommend the Shen Hao 4x5 field camera. I bought mine from Badger and shipping to Canada was reasonable. It's a beautifully-built camera. I was tempted to buy the Tachihara but it was unavailable when I was ready to purchase, but I have no regrets about getting the Shen Hao.

John Kasaian · Jul 13, 2012

aterimagery said:
I've never owned a view camera before and am interested in buying one. I could also use recommendations on a "first view camera" setup. Ken Rockwell seems to think that Tachihara is the best deal but I figure I ought to get some additional opinions and I can't really find a good comprehensive survey of what's available just randomly searching the net.

I'm thinking it would be easiest to just buy a whole used setup from someone who's getting out of LF photography or something as that might be the best deal, but I'm not sure.

I'm pretty sure I want a field camera. I know I don't want a press camera, and I expect to do mostly location shooting so I doubt I want to carry around a monorail.

Buying a whole used set up is probably the quickest, and often most economical way to et in the game.

John Kasaian · Jul 13, 2012

mike_murtaugh said:
Hello,

I used to own a Tachihara 4x5 folding field camera and a Nikkor 210.

I'd like to get back into using a 4x5 and was curious what people were using or would recommend. I'd like something affordable and wouldn't mind buying new, within reason.

I'm considering a chamonix 4x5 and have been looking at KEH for lenses. Does anyone have any other recommendations on a setup/systems? I'd like to be as portable as possible so I'm guessing a field camera would be best.

Thanks,

Mike

If you were "sympatico" with your tachi, why look elsewhere? OTOH if there were things you'd prefer to change on the tachi, see if other brands offer an improvement.

Alan Gales · Jul 13, 2012

aterimagery said:
I've never owned a view camera before and am interested in buying one. I could also use recommendations on a "first view camera" setup. Ken Rockwell seems to think that Tachihara is the best deal but I figure I ought to get some additional opinions and I can't really find a good comprehensive survey of what's available just randomly searching the net.

I'm thinking it would be easiest to just buy a whole used setup from someone who's getting out of LF photography or something as that might be the best deal, but I'm not sure.

I'm pretty sure I want a field camera. I know I don't want a press camera, and I expect to do mostly location shooting so I doubt I want to carry around a monorail.

I bought my Tachihara a few years ago after reading Ken's recommendation. Since then Shen Hao has come out with new models and Chaminix has appeared on the scene. Tachihara's have increased in price and the metal Toyo's have decreased in price on the used market. The Tachi is still a fine camera but there are many options available.

The best deal is to find a used camera with lenses and other extras that someone is selling. Buying your first View Camera is kind of like buying your first car. It probably won't be your last. After you shoot 4x5 for a while you will learn what you like and dislike in a camera. If you buy used at a good price then you can always sell later and get what you initially paid or close to it and then buy something you like better.

Leigh B · Jul 13, 2012

Put your money into the lenses. That's the only part of the system that the light sees. It can't read the name on the camera body.

- Leigh

TareqPhoto · Jul 14, 2012

Leigh B said:
Put your money into the lenses. That's the only part of the system that the light sees. It can't read the name on the camera body.

- Leigh

Maybe the quality of light is affected by the name on the body and the lens too

Leigh B · Jul 14, 2012

TareqPhoto said:
Maybe the quality of light is affected by the name on the body and the lens too

Several manufacturers would like you to think so.

- Leigh

TareqPhoto · Jul 14, 2012

Leigh B said:
Several manufacturers would like you to think so.

- Leigh

We should do more so we can keep them in industry, hahaha

Affoardable 4x5 setup, advice?

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