Chamonix 45F1 - Front Standard Lock

DavidClapp · Nov 20, 2016

It has caused me immense amount of frustration.

The front standard requires aligning by two dots, tightened with a 'screw'. Add filters or a polariser and you can easily knock the precision focusing required for 4x5 or in my case 6x12 out of alignment, often without noticing.

I am even considering a different 45, because I keep making mistakes, but I need one that takes Horseman 45 6x12 and 6x9 backs... Their new Chamonix 45 H1 looks as though it solves this issue, looking more precision than the F1, but that front standard lock looks better, but perhaps similar.

Does anyone have any other reasonably priced 45 camera ideas?

Ai Print · Nov 20, 2016

My 45N2 is pretty much the same, can be annoying for sure.

I avoid issues 99% of the time now by cranking down on the screw, being extra gentle when doing things like adding a filter, re-cocking the shutter and then making sure to check it before the exposure. I keep a piece of bright gaffer's tape stuck on the camera to mark it if I have used any front swing.

It's a trade off, super light but no hard / zero detents because of it. My main beef with the Chamonix is actually lack of focus lock. I use Horseman 6x12 backs too, it handles them good enough but I always feel like I have to lock everything down real good on the rear standard, especially spooky when I have rear tilt implied.

DavidClapp · Nov 21, 2016

Ai Print said:
It's a trade off, super light but no hard / zero detents because of it. My main beef with the Chamonix is actually lack of focus lock.

The amount of shots that come back with slight swing, left to right.... its becoming really irritating having to check things over and over again - I get paranoid, going round and round everything. When it's is correct, the camera is A1, but I lose a regular amount of images due to this movement. Its costly to run, even as a 6x12, but what annoys me the most is the fact that once the rear screen is taken off and the 6x12 back attached, you are working blind.

Do you think their new H1 addresses this? The front standard lock looks different for sure, and I do like the idea of being able to store the camera with the lens attached....

Richard Man · Nov 21, 2016

This is one of the reasons why I switched to Gibellini for my portrait work. For hiking field work, the Chamonix is still unmatched due to the lightweight and the rear base tilt.

John Koehrer · Nov 21, 2016

I don't think it would be too hard to make a detent in the bottom of the standard. what comes
to mind(?) is a thin metal plate with detent and a ball bearing and spring for tension.
The easiest way for me to visualize this would be a detent on a small cabinet.

DavidClapp · Nov 21, 2016

John Koehrer said:
I don't think it would be too hard to make a detent in the bottom of the standard. what comes
to mind(?) is a thin metal plate with detent and a ball bearing and spring for tension.
The easiest way for me to visualize this would be a detent on a small cabinet.

An interesting idea, but I have no idea what to do!

John Koehrer · Nov 22, 2016

David,
Here's a link to what I was thinking of. Obviously it's way too large for a camera.
The plate most likely could be thin brass with a hole for a detent, that's the easy bit.
I thought a hole 1-2mm diameter with a spring inserted then a ball of the proper size
atop that.

Got any friends that do woodworking or any sort of scale model building?
There is a certain precision needed to do this so as not to poke holes through the standard.

DavidClapp · Nov 23, 2016

John Koehrer said:
David,
Here's a link to what I was thinking of...

I see no link...?

Old-N-Feeble · Nov 23, 2016

It's a blind link.

John Koehrer · Nov 23, 2016

Criminy! I copied the link & spaced out.
These are called bullet catches in some circles.

http://www.rockler.com/bullet-catches-select-size

DavidClapp · Nov 24, 2016

John Koehrer said:
Criminy! I copied the link & spaced out.
These are called bullet catches in some circles.

http://www.rockler.com/bullet-catches-select-size

Ihave no idea how I would fit this into the Chamonix! I am going to go to a model shop tomorrow and see if anyone has an idea how I could clamp it. I was thinking a series of 1" mini clamps, or maybe a drilling a hole through the front standard frame and the base plate ... in dont know I am making it up - I need to get someone whith an engineering mind to have a look over it.

Old-N-Feeble · Nov 24, 2016

That device has far too coarse adjustment. It's good for kitchen cabinets but not for cameras.

John Koehrer · Nov 26, 2016

^^^That's what I said. The example given as a diagram for how it could work, nothing more.

ndwgolf · Jul 15, 2017

Has anyone resolved this yet. I'm having conversations with Hugo at Chamonix right now as I want to buy a traveling 4x5 from him, I bought there 8x10 a few months ago and just love it.....but traveling with a 8x10 would be a PITA so that why I now want a 4x5. Initially I was looking at the 45N-2 and the 45H-1 but the 45Hi doesn't have enough reach for my favourite 4x5 lens the Nikor 360mm f8, so Hugo recommended the 45F1
Comments??

Neil

dasBlute · Jul 15, 2017

I have the 045N2 and love it. I had a small 'jig' make by a machinist, basically a square piece of aluminum with a small lip squares it to the rail and thus squares up the front standard. I use everything gently, and do not overtighten the screw cause that's a one way street over time.

Chamonix 45F1 - Front Standard Lock

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency