chamonix is 4X5 N1/N2 or Toyo 4X5 CF

John Wiegerink · Mar 16, 2022

When I was younger I liked heavy photo gear, since it offered a little more stability. I just turned 72 and now feel entirely different about the weight of my photo gear. I have lighten up on my small format gear and now I’m wanting to do the same for 4X5 as well. I have a fairly light monorail 4X5, but my field 4X5 is an older Toyo and it ain’t light. I’ve narrowed my selection down to the Toyo 45CF and the Chamonix 4X5 N1. They both weigh just about exactly the same, which is about 3 1/2lbs. One is wood and metal and the other is carbon fiber. I could easily get along with either, but am leaning toward the Toyo 45CF in carbon fiber. Does anyone have any “pros or cons” on one over the other? I just want something that’s light, easy to setup/use and has good build quality/durability As for movements? I’m sure each has enough for me. Any negatives or positive's? JohnW

Huub · Mar 17, 2022

Hard choice to be honest. To my opinion the slightly larger lensboards of the Toyo are preferable over the smaller Linhof style ones the Chamonix uses, especially when it comes to recessed lensboards. And as you already have a Toyo you wouldn't even need to swap lensboards. At the other hand: i can enjoy the beauty of a wooden camera and the Chamonix will have more movements and a lot more bellows draw, which can be handy when using long lenses or focussing on close distances.

DonW · Mar 17, 2022

Jokingly I call the CF a 4x5 Holga. I have a good friend who had one, he liked it but found it limiting. He sold it to another friend of mine who loves it. So nothing definitive there except really asking yourself if the CF will do everything you need to do now and into the future.

GregY · Mar 17, 2022

John, When the Toyo CF came out, I borrowed one for the weekend. It has really short bellow draw. Yes it's light, but while the metal Toyo 45 are smooth operating, I found the CF stiff and uncomfortable to work with & the bellows draw was a deal-breaker. I returned it. The CF had caught my attention, but as Don W humorously said "45 Holga." I currently use a Chamonix 45, having downsized from 5x7 Deardorff. In my comparison of use, the Chamonix wins hands down. Another consideration is that the wood camera can withstand the bumps and bruises over time (and be repaired)...the same cannot be said of the CF Toyo.

John Wiegerink · Mar 17, 2022

Huub said:
Hard choice to be honest. To my opinion the slightly larger lensboards of the Toyo are preferable over the smaller Linhof style ones the Chamonix uses, especially when it comes to recessed lensboards. And as you already have a Toyo you wouldn't even need to swap lensboards. At the other hand: i can enjoy the beauty of a wooden camera and the Chamonix will have more movements and a lot more bellows draw, which can be handy when using long lenses or focussing on close distances.

Yes, looks wise, the Chamonix wins hands down. Movement wise I could get b fine with the Toyo, but more bellows draw might be nice.

John Wiegerink · Mar 17, 2022

GregY said:
John, When the Toyo CF came out, I borrowed one for the weekend. It has really short bellow draw. Yes it's light, but while the metal Toyo 45 are smooth operating, I found the CF stiff and uncomfortable to work with & the bellows draw was a deal-breaker. I returned it. The CF had caught my attention, but as Don W humorously said "45 Holga." I currently use a Chamonix 45, having downsized from 5x7 Deardorff. In my comparison of use, the Chamonix wins hands down. Another consideration is that the wood camera can withstand the bumps and bruises over time (and be repaired)...the same cannot be said of the CF Toyo.

Greg,
That’s what I was wondering, which one would hold up better to say, a little fall. Where I live, I know of nobody who has either. Well, thanks to you folks I will place my order for the pretty little wood camera. Now, I just have to decide which model to get. Leaning toward the older N1. JohnW

beemermark · Mar 17, 2022

Being almost your age I never found the weight of a field camera to matter much. Now the film holders, dark cloth, tripod, loupe, light meter, etc. is a different story.

GregY · Mar 17, 2022

John, I did hear of those Toyo CFs cracking too. I'd use a Toyo metal field in a heartbeat. BTW I've had several (now one) & dealing with Hugo Zang in California has been a pleasure......advised rather than using Ebay.....
https://www.buzzfile.com/business/Chamonix-View-Cameras,-Inc.-909-576-1199.
hugoz_2000@yahoo.com.

grat · Mar 17, 2022

Chamonix 45N-1 (classic) here. Note that the body is mostly carbon fibre composite and aluminum, with teak standards. Lots of movements, and it's a really nice camera to use. It's not what I would call "precision" (no gearing, minimal markings), and having to raise/lower the front standard for setup and closing is a bit fiddly. But otherwise, it's a spectacular example of solid minimalist engineering-- everything you need, nothing you don't.

Craig · Mar 22, 2022

I've had a CF for about 15 years and I'm quite happy with it. I really like that I can leave a 150mm NIkkor on the camera when it's folded. That makes it fast and easy to setup, as the lens is already mounted. The movements are limited, but I've never found them limiting for a field camera.

Can't say as I've found the bellows to be a limiting factor, 350mm is about as good as it gets on an 4x5 field camera. With a slight tophat lensboard I have used a Fuji 600mm Tele on the camera - that was pushing it in terms of the weight hanging off the front of the camera, but the photos were sharp.

DonW · Mar 22, 2022

Well John, what ya gonna buy?

John Wiegerink · Mar 22, 2022

DonW said:
Well John, what ya gonna buy?

Well Don, as soon as the funds get here that you are sending to cover this purchase, I’m ordering the Chamonix 45 N1. Actually, I have already started liquidation of my camera gear collection to fund the purchase so as not to have to dip into the wallet. I wrestled with the decision between the N1 and N2 and figured the N1 would be just fine for my use and save a couple of buck to boot. I’m listing more items on the big auction site today and those sales will put me over the top money wise.
JohnW

John Wiegerink · Mar 24, 2022

Well, I contacted Hugo and he has me on the list for a 45n1. Now is when my patience is tested. At least I already have a couple of 4X5 cameras and can use those in the meantime. The big wait is on! JohnW

Alan Edward Klein · Mar 24, 2022

John I started 4x5 photography for the first time 2 years ago and bought a Chamonix 45H-1. Since I don't hike, I didn't need a foldable Chamonix. The fixed 45H-1 makes it easier to set up and store in my case. It also allows me to store it with the lens still mounted unlike the foldable models. The Chamonix looks very nice with the fine wood, aluminum. I think there some carbon fiber in there too. I know their film holders which I have are carbon fiber. In any case, good luck with your new camera.

John Wiegerink · Mar 24, 2022

Alan Edward Klein said:
John I started 4x5 photography for the first time 2 years ago and bought a Chamonix 45H-1. Since I don't hike, I didn't need a foldable Chamonix. The fixed 45H-1 makes it easier to set up and store in my case. It also allows me to store it with the lens still mounted unlike the foldable models. The Chamonix looks very nice with the fine wood, aluminum. I think there some carbon fiber in there too. I know their film holders which I have are carbon fiber. In any case, good luck with your new camera.

Thanks Al! I thought about the other models also but narrowed it down to either the N1 or N2. I wanted small, light weight and easy to handle. It would be nice to be able to fold the camera with something like a 150mm Fuji W or similar, but I can live with swapping lens board mount lenses. Also, it would have been nice not to have to screw in the front standard every time you setup, but I can live with that to I guess. There are almost always trade-off and I'll take them for what I get in return with the 45N1. Oh, and like you said Al, it looks nice too. JohnW

Sirius Glass · Mar 24, 2022

While you can get a lighter camera, even using carbon fiber tripods reducing the tripod weight is limited.

John Wiegerink · Mar 24, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
While you can get a lighter camera, even using carbon fiber tripods reducing the tripod weight is limited.

Yes, there may be lighter folding wood 4X5 cameras I question whether they would be a strong as the Chamonix is with the combo of wood, carbon fiber and metal. I had a good friend that bought a Tachihara 4X5 new many years ago and it took a tumble on his tripod. It didn't fair too well. It hit on the front bottom corner of the standard and things were pretty ski-hawed after that. If I have to carry extra weight I would much rather it be in the tripod itself. JohnW

Alan Edward Klein · Mar 25, 2022

John I suppose you reviewed the differences between the N1 and more advanced N2. In any case, Chamonix has a comparison on this page here.
https://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/cameras/45n2

John Wiegerink · Mar 25, 2022

Al,
I did read that and figured the 45N1 was just fine. Maybe I’ll think different after I get it, but I don’t think so. I have a large Kaiser ball head that I think will work fine with the 45N1. It’s the same as the large Kirk ball head I used to have. It didn’t work well with my older Toyo 4X5 and I had to use my Bogen/Monfrotto 3029 head with that camera. This should make for a very compact and light weight setup. Yes, I still do a little woods hiking so lighter is better for that. Now for the waiting game. JohnW

Alan Edward Klein · Mar 25, 2022

John Wiegerink said:
Al,
I did read that and figured the 45N1 was just fine. Maybe I’ll think different after I get it, but I don’t think so. I have a large Kaiser ball head that I think will work fine with the 45N1. It’s the same as the large Kirk ball head I used to have. It didn’t work well with my older Toyo 4X5 and I had to use my Bogen/Monfrotto 3029 head with that camera. This should make for a very compact and light weight setup. Yes, I still do a little woods hiking so lighter is better for that. Now for the waiting game. JohnW

That's great. Good luck with the new camera.

John Wiegerink · Mar 25, 2022

Alan Edward Klein said:
That's great. Good luck with the new camera.

Thanks Al!

5150Bronco · Mar 27, 2022

Thanks everyone! Great to read the thoughts. I am on the waitlist now for 45f-2. Is the linhof board a big limiting factor?

I decided on the F vs N since I hike.

I am also debating about the 8x10 now too.....

Alan Edward Klein · Mar 27, 2022

5150Bronco said:
Thanks everyone! Great to read the thoughts. I am on the waitlist now for 45f-2. Is the linhof board a big limiting factor?

I decided on the F vs N since I hike.

I am also debating about the 8x10 now too.....

This was John's thread. Funny how those things work. Two birds with one stone.

Craig · Mar 27, 2022

I have a 45 F2 on order, supposed to ship April 5. I already have the Toyo CF, so I'll be in a position to compare.

The only reason I am adding the Chamioux is I picked up a Fujinon 600T, and the 45F2 is the only field camera I have seem where I can infinity focus the 600 without a tophat lens board.

John Wiegerink · Mar 27, 2022

Craig said:
I have a 45 F2 on order, supposed to ship April 5. I already have the Toyo CF, so I'll be in a position to compare.

The only reason I am adding the Chamioux is I picked up a Fujinon 600T, and the 45F2 is the only field camera I have seem where I can infinity focus the 600 without a tophat lens board.

Yes,
I'm curious as to what you think of the two. I might be making a mistake in not ordering the 45N2 instead of the 45N1???? Time will tell I guess. JohnW

chamonix is 4X5 N1/N2 or Toyo 4X5 CF

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