Chamonix 045N-2 compared to Wista 45DX

[PKM-25]

My 45N-2 EMS tracking says to be departing Hangzhou China, any ideas on how long it takes to get to the U.S. from that point?

 

[chuck94022]

No idea, but I'm pretty sure EMS will ship by air. They probably have to go from Hangzhou by truck to Shanghai (just a few hours), then probably LA or San Francisco. I'd give it 3 days, not sure about weekends.

 

[Leon]

Check sent, Woot!!!

Now, will any Linhoff board do? I need two Copal-0 and one Copal-1, should I get a recessed Copal-0 for my 90mm 6.8 Caltar?

Definitely no recessed board necessary. Here is a 65mm with a flat board on the 045n-2 (front standard in second hole from rear, back standard slid fully forward). - focus no issue whatsoever:

 

[PKM-25]

Leon, that is great to hear...

Now that bad news, I might be selling the 45N-2 before I even use it since I have just found out I can not shoot infrared film with it because of the fabric used in the bellows, a deal breaker that would have been great to know before I ordered it.

 

[Leon]

As far as I am aware, the bellows material has been changed since the reports on IR leakage. I'd email Hugo to see where they are at with it unless of course he gave you the information in the first place?

 

[PKM-25]

Leon, Hugo wrote back and confirmed that the 45N-2 bellows are not IR safe.

 

[chuck94022]

Leon, that is great to hear...

Now that bad news, I might be selling the 45N-2 before I even use it since I have just found out I can not shoot infrared film with it because of the fabric used in the bellows, a deal breaker that would have been great to know before I ordered it.

In the worst case, the bellows is removable. If Chamonix has not dealt with this, perhaps you can find a replacement bellows. I don't know how feasible that is but it might beat a wholesale swap of the camera.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Can't you just wrap the bellows with an infrared reflective cloth before shooting?

 

[Jon Butler]

Used a flat board on the n1 with the 47mm XL on problem but it's a bit tight with n2 so use a 15mm recessed one.
J.

 

[PKM-25]

I am certainly open to suggestions, but it has to be a lightweight, not bulky solution. For example, I have no interest in owning a dark cloth, because it only serves one purpose, can not be worn as a layer of clothing in an emergency at high altitude while a dark mid weight layer can be used as a dark cloth such as when I was shooting at just over 12,000 feet last night...

Can't you just wrap the bellows with an infrared reflective cloth before shooting?

What about a Mylar emergency blanket? Back in my amateur astronomy days we used to use it as material for solar filters. I have a few of those blankets lying around. What I might do is sacrifice one for an experiment. I would fold it twice to create four layers and the tape it into an easy to use form that I can wrap the bellows at the infinity setting of my longest lens.

Otherwise, I am looking for other solutions...

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I thought of a Mylar blanket too but wasn't sure if it was IR reflective. Then it hit me... of course it is.

 

[chuck94022]

My first (and hopefully my last) complaint about this camera: the leather wrap's glue does not appear sufficient to hold the wrap against the bottom underside of the bed. It pulls away from its own weight as the camera sits on the tripod. I tried a tiny bit of epoxy, but that didn't fix it. In fact, the epoxy was instantly absorbed by the leather, and provided absolutely no adhesion, so DON'T DO IT! I'll be contacting Hugo for assistance, but in the mean time, I'm finding that accessory to be unsatisfactory (though it looks great when wrapped and snapped shut).

Here is a shot from my first outing yesterday. This was taken at the Ancient Observatory in Beijing. I didn't get to finish my composition, because it started raining. I ended up having to take the shot I had, rather than doing the minor repositioning I really wanted to do - you can see the first fat drops of rain on the near dragon's body. But the day did serve my primary purpose of proving that the camera operated properly in the field, and most importantly, got the focus right.


(Chamonix 045N-2, Schneider 135mm f5.6, TMax 100)

 

[chuck94022]

Regarding "getting the focus right" on that dragon shot. This was shot at f/16, with swing to bring the two dragons and far window into focus. In my hurry I didn't notice that the swing was starting to vignette in right side corners.

 

[Leon]

Chuck - re the leather wrap. Mine was exactly the same. And, it dangled down like a sail in the wind, obscuring the tripod controls. Not very practical really. I've come up with a solution for the dangling (see here, about half way down). As for the adhesive. I took the leather wrap off, and re-covered the adhesive surface with 3M™ Adhesive Transfer Tape 467MP. It has done the trick perfectly.

 

[chuck94022]

Nice post, Leon. Sorry to read about your other problems. Mine didn't come with scratches or alignment issues. Luck of the draw, I guess. I'll look for the 3M tape. But I'm in China, it may be impossible to find here...

 

[Steve Smith]

I'll look for the 3M tape. But I'm in China, it may be impossible to find here...

I have a lot of 3M467 at work. If you can't find any, I can post some to you (and anyone else who might want some).


Steve.

 

[chuck94022]

Wow, thanks Steve! But that's a loooong way away... Let me look around Beijing first, there must be a source here (heck, they probably make it here, they make everything else here...)

 

[Steve Smith]

Wow, thanks Steve! But that's a loooong way away... Let me look around Beijing first, there must be a source here (heck, they probably make it here, they make everything else here...)

Our factory in China uses a similar locally made material so you should be able to find something.


Steve.

 

[PKM-25]

Leon, nice post on the 45N-2 on your blog, some of the tips will be helpful. I'll be on the lookout for the cosmetic and alignment issues soon as mine shows to be in customs in San Francisco now...

I am already designing the bellows coat, will probably have it ready to go the day I get the camera.

 

[chuck94022]

Our factory in China uses a similar locally made material so you should be able to find something.


Steve.

I don't suppose you would have the name of the Chinese product, would you? I tried an online search for the 3M product, nothing showed up on the usual shop online sites (360buy.com and taobao.com).

 

[Steve Smith]

I don't suppose you would have the name of the Chinese product, would you?

I will try to find out. The people who could tell me are not at work today so it might take a couple of days.


Steve.

 

[Roger Cole]

I am certainly open to suggestions, but it has to be a lightweight, not bulky solution. For example, I have no interest in owning a dark cloth, because it only serves one purpose, can not be worn as a layer of clothing in an emergency at high altitude while a dark mid weight layer can be used as a dark cloth such as when I was shooting at just over 12,000 feet last night...

Won''t the Shen Hao bellows fit and isn't it IR safe? Contact Badger Graphics about a Shen Hao bellows.

 

[PKM-25]

Roger,

They do fit but are something like $200. Vinny said they seemed to work fine on some tests with Konica film but when he left the dark slide out for a minute or more, he still got a little base fog. I would prefer to have none at all so...

I figure I already have the mylar and can make some nifty wrap that even has aluminum foil inside of the folds of the mylar. I like fabricating custom goodies so I bet this infrared drama quickly becomes non-drama...

Won''t the Shen Hao bellows fit and isn't it IR safe? Contact Badger Graphics about a Shen Hao bellows.

 

[PKM-25]

I went out and shot with my new 45N-2 this evening....wow, it's like getting a custom camera for every shot. I even tried some funky off kilter stuff with a fair amount of swings and tilts and the whole operation just flowed.

If my FM3a or 501C/M is a stick, than the 45N-2 is a "Sticks". For the workmanship and engineering alone, this camera is a flat out bargain.

 

[chuck94022]

I went out and shot with my new 45N-2 this evening....wow, it's like getting a custom camera for every shot. I even tried some funky off kilter stuff with a fair amount of swings and tilts and the whole operation just flowed.

If my FM3a or 501C/M is a stick, than the 45N-2 is a "Sticks". For the workmanship and engineering alone, this camera is a flat out bargain.

Agreed.

Hugo replied regarding my leather wrap issue. He said the factory had no other solution and offered to give me a full refund. I declined that gracious offer, but instead will find a fix for it.

Question: I was in a shop today and saw some 3M 76 spray adhesive. I've used that stuff (or similar) for mounting and seem to recall that it is quite sticky. Does anyone know if it would permanently bind leather to carbon fiber (the Chamonix base material)? I'd hate to spray it on only to discover that it doesn't work, leaving me with a sticky camera.