Best used 4x5 for field work?

4oto.m8 · Oct 12, 2002

I would like to approach this from an other angle. NZ like Aus has a rather spasmodic offering. One year this or that is gleeming in the window, the next it's forgotten mysteriously reappearing some years later even so a differnt brand. The intention being an immediate $'s rather than a long term commitment to the cause. US folk are quite lucky with their choices. Sinars commitment to digital (spit,spit) ensures a more resellable outfit should the unthinkable eventuate.

To that end I have ended up with an F2. Initially it was picked because of the back up service offered by the Sinar dealers. Looking back I am more than happy with the choice. One advantage of a monorail is the ability to do what you want. I extend the rail and carry a third standard to use as a compendium support. Prices may be high but then so are some of the other marques. Sinars great win is the ability to retro fit just about any old superseded item to the current camera. Some thirty years plus. This is a great help when sourcing used stuff. Some one mentioned earlier his way of packing. I use a 6" rail and squeeze up tight folding the tripod mount up out of the way. The finished mass is not too much more than any other.

As for too much in the field? Too much?? Never too much

By the way, Sinars dont need a 3D tripod head. Only a tilt head. Chech out what models you can hire/try and after stressing over the flop and drop wonders available the smooth non slip controles and focusing aids you'll find a blessing.

It's your call in the end, but do consider well. It may well be a lifetime commitment which with the right purchases will keep you going for years. (30+) and once you're bagged up with accessories you don't want to be changing marques.

Steve Hamley · Oct 13, 2002

Folks,

I'll add a post agreeing with Paul Owen. The Ebony is a great camera, and there's a moderately priced RW45Mk4 and RW45E, available from Robert White, and maybe Midwest Photo. The mahogany camera is cheaper, lighter than the ebony model, but I do like those levels on the standards. Some of the RW45 series now have the universal bellows. I do know Midwest had a 9+ camera w/universal bellows advertised at $1,349 in the box (gone now). This camera uses lenses from 65mm to 340mm - 410 with rise and tilt, (500 tele), although 75mm to 300mm would be more like it with movements.

http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/ebony.htm#LabelRW45

I have the triple draw SV45U (can use the nice small Fuji 450 C f/12.5), and if you can possibly get one, you'll love the asymmetrical rear movements. Really makes short work of setup.

Thanks!

Steve

David Vickery · Oct 14, 2002

You need to think about what type of subjects you are wanting to photograph. If you think that you may what to do some architectural work then you will need a camera with more extensive movements and lenses with more coverage. If you have no interest in photographing buildings as a subject then you don't need as much coverage or movements. But if money is not an issue then I would go with the best quality that you can get rather than just getting something cheap to start with.

Thilo Schmid · Oct 15, 2002

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Steve Hamley @ Oct 14 2002, 01:02 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>I have the triple draw SV45U (can use the nice small Fuji 450 C f/12.5), and if you can possibly get one, you'll love the asymmetrical rear movements. Really makes short work of setup.
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Steve,

I do own a SV45U2 and I love it. But in my opinion, the implementation of the asymmetrical tilt and swing feature is not yet perfect. Since applying tilt or swing to the rear standard does change perspective, it would be desirable to transfer the adjustments to the front standard. For me, perspective control is an important feature of a view camera. However, the Ebony does not have the required degree scales to do this easily. You will have to apply a protractor, which sometimes is difficult to do.

fhovie · Jun 10, 2006

I have had my Tachihara for years - I just mounted a 47mm XL on it - WHHHHOOOOYYAAA! That is a good trick - and a trick it is. I have backpacked with it. It goes with my on business tripss all over the US and Mexico. It is my first choice for non hand held work. Weight is always a bigger factor than you realize.

roteague · Jun 10, 2006

Another 4 year old thread lives.... lol .... Sean has an 8x10 now, he didn't wan't to play with us guys using little cameras.

jeroldharter · Jun 10, 2006

Were I in the same situation I would look at a Toyo 45 field camera or a Canham.

Ole · Jun 10, 2006

I thought I had the best in the Linhof Color, despite limited movements.

But then I heard about the Carbon Infinity.

So I got one.

leeturner · Jun 11, 2006

I went the opposite way and rebuilt an old MPP MKIII for field use. I added a MKVII front standard, a side mounted tripod mount, stripped of the rangefinder and made a carbon fibre ground glass protector to replace the old leather hood. Total cost has been around £120 and it works like a dream.

jimgalli · Jun 11, 2006

Baby Deardorff with both 4X5 and 5X7 backs. With an original 'dorff 6X6 - 4X4 lensboard reducer it becomes a system. Boards mounted for the smaller camera that will also work on the bigger one go right into the adapter.

Campbell · Jun 11, 2006

I'd suggest that you go to www.largeformatphotography.info and read the user reviews of any 4x5 cameras that interest you. There you'll find good detailed reviews by actual owners of the cameras (not paid magazine reviewers). Then when you've narrowed the field camera field ( get it . . . "field camera field" : - )) down a little, come back here with questions about specific cameras that seem like they would fill your needs. Just asking for the "best" system is like asking about the "best" car, i.e. you'll get as many different answers as there are people answering and after reading them all you'll remain no more enlightened than you were before you asked the question.

roteague · Jun 11, 2006

Once again... this is a 4 year old thread. Sean has an 8x10 camera....

rossb · Jun 11, 2006

4x5 for field use

I started out using a Sinar F2, which was a great camera to learn "the art" of using a view camera. I still use this camera, but as the years progress, I carry an Ebony RW45E in the field. Very happy with both systems.
While it takes a little time to get around the quirks of an LF camera, the destination is well worth the journey. Good shooting

BradS · Jun 13, 2006

Ecclesiastes 1:4-11.

Campbell · Jun 13, 2006

How come everyone is responding to a question asked in 2002? If he hasn't bought his camera by now, some 4 years after he posted the question, he's probably not going to buy it at all.

Willie Jan · Jun 14, 2006

Hi,

i bought a 4x5 shen hao field camera last year. I wanted a camera that i could take with me into the field. But i did not want to pay $3000 for a camera. Sure the linhof (i had a tech iii) is smoother with operating but it is 1 kilo heavier and had much les movements (the V has more..)

So i bought the shen hao, which has a lot of movements for a very cheap price. besides that you know only after some time if it fits you, so when buying a 3k equipment and finding out after a year that it is not what you want, you will be pulling your hairs out...

Besides when you buy a cheaper camera, you have more left for the lenses, which are the most important after all.

Enjoy!

Robert Budding · Jun 14, 2006

Campbell said:
How come everyone is responding to a question asked in 2002? If he hasn't bought his camera by now, some 4 years after he posted the question, he's probably not going to buy it at all.

Nothing wrong with replying to old threads. New folks come along with the same questions.

Best used 4x5 for field work?

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