Chamonix Cameras

[Dave Wooten]

Any info in Chamonix cameras....anyone used one, any reports....It is my understanding they make, all sizes up to 20 x 24...

Thanks

 

[Pinholemaster]

All I know is Chamonix is an excellent place to ski. Hadn't heard of a Chamonix camera before.

Are they made in France? Google doesn't have anything other than photo forum posting of people writing about owning one, but haven't found anything with details.

Look forward to learning more.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Chamonix are made in China. Kerry Thallmann over on LFInfo is their US Importer. I don't know that they're officially here yet.

 

[mjs]

There is a current thread on this subject at lfphoto.info, here: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=23580 To summarize, View Camera magazine has a review of these cameras coming up but there isn't any information on availability that anyone can find.

Well, they said that folks who use large format need patience...

mjs

 

[PBrooks]

Hello everyone been away for a while but..... anyway I read the article in View Camera and it had some urls for this Chamonix camera and an American site Reallybigcameras.com. I went there and was kinda shocked at what I found.
See what you think:
http://www.Reallybigcameras.com
So what does that mean Is the camera available anywhere else?

 

[JG Motamedi]

I am not sure of the details, but it seems that Chamonix is off to a rather ugly start: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=24171

 

[Jim Chinn]

By elimnating Kerry as the US distributor I assume the manufacturer is trying to increase how much they make on each camera. But there is a certain amount of confidence that a local (US) distributor instills in a customer. The distributor assumes responsibility for honoring warranty claims and stocking or ordering accessories and having stable prices in US dollars. Ordering directly from the factory in China and sending cash overseas might prove to be a bit to adventuresome for many.

 

[Nick Zentena]

By elimnating Kerry as the US distributor I assume the manufacturer is trying to increase how much they make on each camera. But there is a certain amount of confidence that a local (US) distributor instills in a customer. The distributor assumes responsibility for honoring warranty claims and stocking or ordering accessories and having stable prices in US dollars. Ordering directly from the factory in China and sending cash overseas might prove to be a bit to adventuresome for many.

None of that bothers me personally. I bought my Shen Hao that way. I assume we're talking about a wooden camera. I doubt anything would go wrong I couldn't put right. Assuming it was in good shape to begin with. It's not like I've got a factory backing up my Ansco. I assume prices would be set in US $ so currency isn't an issue.

What does bother me is it seems Kerry isn't happy with how he was treated. If he isn't happy what are the odds I would be?

So while it wouldn't scare me to buy direct from China it would scare me to buy from somebody that already as issues with somebody like Kerry.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

My position exactly, Nick.

 

[Rob_5419]

I don't have a position.

I also doubt whether arbitrating between two sides in a personal dispute spilling over to the public domain leads to any sensible decisions. At best, it will amount to prejudice against a new ULF camera maker as well as polarising those who don't know who Mr Thalmann is. Both parties may be happier without bystander crud-flinging.

 

[resummerfield]

I'll make my decision as to purchase when I see more reviews or comments by users. I thought Chamonix had been making cameras for several years. Is there a web-site?

 

[StreetShooter]

I don't have a position.

I also doubt whether arbitrating between two sides in a personal dispute spilling over to the public domain leads to any sensible decisions. At best, it will amount to prejudice against a new ULF camera maker as well as polarising those who don't know who Mr Thalmann is. Both parties may be happier without bystander crud-flinging.

Well said, Rob!

IMHO, whatever happened between Kerry and the manufacturer, and the manufacturer and the new distributor, is strictly a business situation. These things happen all the time and we certainly aren't going to be privy to the exact chain of events that lead to the dissolution of an agreement.

Secondly, part of the mud-slinging on the LF forum arose because one of the members took issue with the number of similarities between the new cameras and Dick Phillips' cameras. The humorous thing was that Dick Phillips said "he was flattered that his innovative ideas were being used in another camera and that he wasn't threatened by this new camera being brought in." And, he went on to give his blessing to the US distributor to bring the cameras in. So, it certainly wasn't an issue for him but it sure was for the forum member. I can only presume that GPS, the forum member, didn't even bother to read the article (a review by Michael Mutmansky) in the latest edition of View Camera before venting his negative comments.

Kerry Thalmann is a great fellow and is highly respected by the LF community. However, I'm sure that even Kerry took a step back and looked at the situation as one of a "business" nature. S**t happens!

Patent laws should be respected regardless of where they're held. That said, it's up to the patent holder and the law to go after those companies that steal patent-protected innovations.

So, if the camera is well-built, has the backings of a good distributor, and fits the needs of the photographer - for them NOT to buy the camera because of the negativity of a forum posting is certainly cutting off their nose to spite their face!

 

[Roger Hicks]

I will do business with anyone whom I trust.

Several factors will influence whether I trust them or not.

I am prepared to pay a premium for dealing with those I regard as likeliest to stand by their products -- and a still higher premium to those whose products I can inspect before buying, ideally with return privileges.

Whom you deal with at this point is a simple tussle between the desire for a low price and your assessment of trustworthiness.

I like Gandolfis...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Rob_5419]

Jolly good Roger. I like Marks & Spencers.

But they aren't going to be releasing ultra large format cameras any time soon.

Gandolfis are great too btw.

 

[naturephoto1]

Though I have no expectations of purchasing any Chamonix cameras, I have a lot of respect for Kerry; additionally I have had quite a number of PMs etc. back and forth with Kerry and I think that he is most honest, considerate, and helpful. If I were in the market for a wooden camera at this point I would have to think long and hard before purchasing a Chamonix.

Rich

 

[Emile de Leon]

Well said Nick and Roger. Emile

 

[mammolo]

I like this thread, let's keep it this way, please.

The Chamonix thread on LF Photography was really quite sad. Far too much anger for my taste. Which is too bad coming from THE forum that has been instrumental in making me become an LF lunatic

Before ordering my 14x17 camera I did look into Chamonix quite seriously, but two things prevented me from proceeding: (1) my ULF camera (and I assume most others) is a one-off, fully custom design, i.e., once I have to wait months I might as well have exactly the camera I think I need (movements, bellows length, lensboard size, material, etc etc); (2) this kind of ULF camera is not an 8x10 on steroids, quite a lot of design parameters shall be reconsidered and simply do not grow linearly from an 8x10, i.e., I prefer to rely on a manufacturer who does have a track record. (Had I been looking for a 7x17 all of the above would not have mattered much.)

Anyway, all this seemed to be a little bit at odds with establishing a relationship with an unknown entity in China. Living four hour drive from a well-known manufacturer in Europe with a track record of ULF camera building made the choice even easier. So I went for the latter.

I wish Chamonix good luck, I certainly welcome competition and one more ULF manufacturer will only help. As for me, I am sure I paid much more for the camera than if I had purchased a Chamonix but if anything goes wrong or my specs are not followed the way I want I can just DRIVE to the "guy in charge" and chat in person. For this peace of mind and for "buying" a track record I have been willing to pay a premium, but once you spread it over the expected 20 years or more of operation of the camera it is not such a big deal.

This is just my experience, many others may see it differently.

Cheers

 

[Scott Peters]

You may want to check pricing before getting too worked up. The film holders arent' inexpensive....I was hoping to get a much better deal on 7 x 17 holders....

 

[Dave Wooten]

Canham, Lotus, Wisner, Ritter have more than a modicum of satisfied customers....from this customer base comes an abundance of support info...
i.e. solving special problems, custom options and after market add ons etc.

The cost of working in Large format is greatly compounded with equipment that is finicky or lacks soundness. Money spent on a good camera with a proven work record pays many times in the joy of use and working with the finest tools available....In ULF it is the process that is much of the joy....you don t need added frustration often brought about by saving a hundred - or thousand.