Buying my first 8x10

ndwgolf · May 25, 2017

Yesterday I was pretty much down to two 8x10 cameras and I was going to buy one of them.....the Svedovsky or the Chamonix.
Last night I messaged Tim Layton via FB asking him his thought on both the Chamonix and also the Svedovsky 8x10 (the Svedovsky has a 5 month lead time but the Chamonix is ready avaliible but also $1200 bucks more expensive. While waiting for Tim to reply another guy pops up and said to look at intrepid view cameras and there's is less than a $100 dollars new........ I did look at it, but it looks cheap when compared to the other two.
I'm only guessing but I would imagine anyone who has experienced LF photography has had the urge to get a 8x10.......I'm not getting any younger and seeing as I am still working and can afford to buy one I might as well take the plunge and get one now before I retire in 18 months time.
Anyway I'm in no hurry. I've been down the road of buying cheap before and regretting it later. I really like the look of the Svedovsky but don't want to wait 5 months so my impatience could end up costing me 1200 bucks

Thoughts and comments welcome

As always really appreciate any feedback

Neil

Sirius Glass · May 25, 2017

Good for you. I am so good at still making mistakes with 4"x5", that I will probably never be ready to go up to 8"x10".

pdeeh · May 25, 2017

I happen to have a Sved, although I believe they have had a bit of redesign work done on the latest model.

It's a perfectly competent camera. Mine doesn't have the movements of a chamonix and it's heavier than a chamonix.

You'll probably only know if either camera will suit you properly when you actually have your hands on one!

But $1200 buys a LOT of film ... And of course you'll need lenses and film holders and lens boards and a solid tripod and whatnot

ndwgolf · May 25, 2017

pdeeh said:
I happen to have a Sved, although I believe they have had a bit of redesign work done on the latest model.

It's a perfectly competent camera. Mine doesn't have the movements of a chamonix and it's heavier than a chamonix.

You'll probably only know if either camera will suit you properly when you actually have your hands on one!

But $1200 buys a LOT of film ... And of course you'll need lenses and film holders and lens boards and a solid tripod and whatnot

My head is saying wait and buy the Sved, but my heart is saying buy the Chamonix as I can get it NOW. I'm currently on an Oil Rig in Tenerife and will be back home at the end of next week so it would be lovely to have a new toy waiting for me when I get home............new kitchen might have to get put on hold though

Tripod I have got already, so initially I would need to get at least one lens plus board (I like landscape and portraiture) Also half a dozen film holders

Neil

Alan9940 · May 25, 2017

Neil,

You may also want to take a look at Richard Ritter's 8x10: http://www.lg4mat.net/LFcamera.html. No idea about lead time for delivery, etc, but at 6.4 pounds you can carry that sucker a LOT of places! Take it from a 64 year old that still packs his Deardorff 8x10 all over the place, you might appreciate the weight savings; no idea what the Sved weighs... IMO, if you make the effort to become really comfortable with this format, you'll never look back! And, 8x10 contact prints crafted on fine silver paper by an experienced worker are something to behold!!

Good luck and have fun!

Jim Jones · May 25, 2017

Buy a basic 8x10 now for a few hundred dollars or less and use it as a learning tool for determining the ideal camera for you. I've never felt a need for anything better than a Kodak 2D bought many decades ago.

pdeeh · May 25, 2017

I think it's important to understand that moving up to 8x10, while not without technical challenges (although I think these are rather overstated tbh) presents different and significant challenges.

Carrying a really big camera and a few loaded holders and a solid tripod plus lens/lenses plus any of the other accoutrements one might want is as different from carrying even a hefty mf camera (or indeed a 5x4) as night is from day.

You do have to think differently about what you're doing physically, and whether you're going to be able to get to the places you want to photograph.

This is not to put you off, BTW! Just to affirm that "big lf" is really different beyond the size of the negatives.

But beware my own experience, which was to buy what in any terms was an expensive camera and find that, by a pissy coincidence, my health deteriorated almost immediately in such a way that I've hardly been able to use it!

locutus · May 25, 2017

Another thing to take into consideration is about what is your output, will you be doing scans+digital prints, contact prints, enlarger prints?

ndwgolf · May 25, 2017

locutus said:
Another thing to take into consideration is about what is your output, will you be doing scans+digital prints, contact prints, enlarger prints?

I Live in Asia between Thailand and Malaysia. My home in Thailand has a spare outside area of about 400 sq/ft that I plan to make into a darkroom. From that I am hoping to do contact prints and larger wall prints using either 6x6 or 4x5 negs..........
I aso have a Epson V850 scanner so I would also digitise the negs and digitally print those as well. My goal is that in 18 months time when I retire I will open a small gallery and try and sell some of my prints .............hopefully something nice to look forward to in retirement

ndwgolf · May 25, 2017

pdeeh said:
I think it's important to understand that moving up to 8x10, while not without technical challenges (although I think these are rather overstated tbh) presents different and significant challenges.

Carrying a really big camera and a few loaded holders and a solid tripod plus lens/lenses plus any of the other accoutrements one might want is as different from carrying even a hefty mf camera (or indeed a 5x4) as night is from day.

You do have to think differently about what you're doing physically, and whether you're going to be able to get to the places you want to photograph.

This is not to put you off, BTW! Just to affirm that "big lf" is really different beyond the size of the negatives.

But beware my own experience, which was to buy what in any terms was an expensive camera and find that, by a pissy coincidence, my health deteriorated almost immediately in such a way that I've hardly been able to use it!

The kind of Photography that I enjoy doing is drive, find a picture, take the picture and drive some more, so 90% of the time the camera will be sitting in the back of the car........i've never been one of those guys that like hiking (I wish I did as the photo opportunities must be amazing). So to answer to your reply, yes I am aware of the extra weight and I guess I will just have to deal with it like everyone else
I'm sorry to hear about your health, fingers crossed you will soon be on the mend and be able to get back to taking pictures

Neil

BHuij · May 25, 2017

Haven't tried the Intrepid 8x10 yet of course, but I do have their 4x5 and it's fantastic. It is certainly going to be clunkier than either of the options you discussed, but it will be far lighter and comes in at only $500. I carry my 4x5 all over the place, so the light weight (not to mention the pricetag) is absolutely worth sacrificing some buttery smoothness in the movements and focusing. I will say I have no trouble getting the movements and focus dialed in exactly where I want them, so my final results don't look any different than the Toyo View monorail my dad uses, even though he has much nicer geared movements, etc.

If you're going to be in a studio where weight is basically a nonissue, and/or if the absolute precision and luxury feel of the camera is important to your experience using it, the Intrepid might not be a good fit. Otherwise IMO that's the best 8x10 out there, particularly for the price.

I realize I sound like an Intrepid commercial... haha. I'm not affiliated with them, just astoundingly happy with my 4x5.

ic-racer · May 25, 2017

You might be interested in the Shen-Hao also. Price is comparable with the Chamonix and the Shen-Hao has both base and axis tilt on the front standard. Folds without removing the front standard.

tedr1 · May 25, 2017

Ebay.com listings for 8 x 10 currently show some VERY expensive cameras. The most "affordable" seems to be a Rittreck 8x10 in Japan (ships to Asia) with a bunch of backs for US$1300.

I too was happy using an inexpensive KODAK 8x10 model, but I wasn't an oil-field worker! perhaps you should treat yourself and go for the Chamonix

ndwgolf · May 25, 2017

I'm looking at buying this lens "Kowa Graphic 360mm" as a starter lens just to get me going on a new Chamonix.
Does anyone have experience with this lens??

Neil

ndwgolf · May 25, 2017

I guess looking at my last thread you can see I have just about made my mind up on the Chamonix..............I want to buy once, if I go for a second hand camera or a cheep model I will end up loosing in the long run..........

Mike Bates · May 25, 2017

I owned a Chamonix 8x10 camera for a couple of years. While there may be feature differences and operating differences with other 8x10 field cameras, the quality of workmanship, fit, and finish of my Chamonix was second to none. It was a work of art unto itself.

I was never the least bit bothered by unscrewing the front standard for folding the camera. It takes no more effort to do that than releasing the rise/fall and tilt knobs of cameras that fold with the front standard in place.

The only lens I had for mine was a 14" Commercial Ektar. I can't say enough good things about that lens for the kind of shooting I liked to do.

While I was fully prepared to step up to 8x10 in terms of lenses, film, film holders, sturdier tripod/heads, and such, in the end I wasn't satisfied with the output options I could afford. I felt size-limited by contact printing since I often print even my medium format negatives at 11x14. An 8x10 enlarger wasn't practical for my budget or space. I have a very good 4x5 dedicated film scanner that produces better scans than I can get from a flatbed scan of my 8x10 negative.

I eventually sold the Chamonix, but I miss it. It was a pleasure to look at and operate every time I opened it up. The 8x10 format just wasn't a practical "using" camera for me.

ndwgolf · May 25, 2017

Okay so I decided on the 8x10 Chamonix. They have stock and it will be waiting for me when I get home next week. I'm still in negotiations with Omar for a Kowa Graphic 360mm F9 lens and film holders.
I will now need to go to B&H and get some accessories, so need some help on what I need to get me going with 8x10 and contact prints;
1/. Film holders.......coming
2/. Film... thinking TRI-X
3/. Contact paper for 8x10 contact prints......need advice on that
4/. Chemicals....got already
5/. Lens Board .....coming
6/. xxxxxxx
7/. xxxxxx

Please add as necessary ?

ndwgolf · May 25, 2017

ndwgolf said:
Okay so I decided on the 8x10 Chamonix. They have stock and it will be waiting for me when I get home next week. I'm still in negotiations with Omar for a Kowa Graphic 360mm F9 lens and film holders.
I will now need to go to B&H and get some accessories, so need some help on what I need to get me going with 8x10 and contact prints;
1/. Film holders.......coming
2/. Film... thinking TRI-X
3/. Contact paper for 8x10 contact prints......need advice on that
4/. Chemicals....got already
5/. Lens Board .....coming
6/. xxxxxxx
7/. xxxxxx

Please add as necessary ?

Ilford Multigrade filter set
Safe light

vdonovan · May 25, 2017

In case you don't know about them already, CatLabs is a great source for large format gear.
http://www.catlabs.info/

I've bought plenty from them over the last few years, friendly and dependable.

Mike Bates · May 25, 2017

dark cloth (can be DIY in a pinch)
focusing loupe
Some type of carrying/storage case (I used a Lightware Multiformat case)

ndwgolf · May 25, 2017

vdonovan said:
In case you don't know about them already, CatLabs is a great source for large format gear.
http://www.catlabs.info/

I've bought plenty from them over the last few years, friendly and dependable.

Yes I bought my 4x5 from them, and I am currently in negotiation with him for the Kowa Graphic 360mm f9 plus the film holders. If I can't make the deal for that lens then I will buy a Schneider Large Format Lens 360mm F/6.8 Symmar-S that I can get on Ebay for $800

Neil

ndwgolf · May 25, 2017

Mike Bates said:
dark cloth (can be DIY in a pinch)
focusing loupe
Some type of carrying/storage case (I used a Lightware Multiformat case)

Dark cloth I have already
Loupe I have
Yea I never thought about the case...any ideas for that??
Neil

vdonovan · May 25, 2017

Cable release.

Any printing paper will work as a contact paper. Good to start off with something nice like Ilford Fiber Warmtone.

Again, I recommend X-ray film as a great way to get started. Develops like any other film. Very cheap and fun to work with, it'll help you get your technique down without draining your bank account: Dead Link Removed

pdeeh · May 25, 2017

vdonovan said:
recommend X-ray film as a great way to get started

OP lives in Thailand, might not be so easy for him

ndwgolf · May 25, 2017

vdonovan said:
Cable release.

Any printing paper will work as a contact paper. Good to start off with something nice like Ilford Fiber Warmtone.

Again, I recommend X-ray film as a great way to get started. Develops like any other film. Very cheap and fun to work with, it'll help you get your technique down without draining your bank account: Dead Link Removed

Cable release have already
They have two options
Green and Blue
Which should I go for??

Buying my first 8x10

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