Ebony RW45, I'd like your opinion

Hello, I'm considering buying an Ebony RW45 mahogany. I mostly use 57, but need a 45 for those times when I don't feel like taking Dear Dorff for a walk. I have used several 4x5s in the last 25 years, a Speed, Ikeda, 2 home mades, Canham metal, and 2 Tokos (yes, with a K). There were things I liked and disliked about all of them. I still have the Canham and the Toyo. The Canham can do everything, but is a bit heavy and not the friendliest, while the Toyo is too flimsy, but has taken many a fine pic.

So, I'm interested in what the users of an RW45 think. What's the longest lens you use, the shortest, what do you like about the camera, and what not? Anything else I should know?

Thanks so much for you help.

-LG-

Here's a review from the LFphoto forum..
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ebony-rw45.html

Or you can see the same review on my webpage at www.desmidt.net under the articles section. Kerry Thalmann also wrote up some comments. A Google search might turn them up. They might have been made on the large format newsgroup. If so, a Google News search should turn them up.

All-in-all I like the RW45 a lot. As long as it has enough extension for your uses, it's a good choice.

Thanks so far. I have read everything I can find on the web. I have communicated with the US rep. I'm looking for more and different ideas and opinions.

As far as lenses go, I have them all from 58 to 800, but as I said, I have a 5x7 for most work. The factory says the 58 will play, albeit with some contortion. On the long side, 300mm is fine. I mostly use 72 to 210. If someone has used the 58mm SA XL with this camera, I'd be interested. I know it's not the best, but that is okay.

How's the ground glass? I'll be getting rid of the fresnel or ordering without.

The ground glass in the Ebony is good, I have replaced quite a few of them for various individuals, but the two examples of their glass I have seen was good, their markings on their glass is great for the various movements that camera has.

Dave

I've owned a couple of Ebonys including an RW45. For what it is, it's an excellent field camera. If you go with one, make sure it is equipped with the universal bellows - the bellows are not interchangable on this model and if you want to use a 90mm or wider, the universal bellows are highly recommended. Bellows extension is somewhat limited - if you want to shoot with long non-tele lenses or do a lot of close up work, you'd be better served by a different model. However, every field camera I have owned has inherent compromises and I think the RW45 is an excellent set of compromises. The sample I owned was beautifully made and when I sold it, I discovered that they hold there value extremely well...

I've got an RW45. the shortest lens I've used was a 65mm, you need to use movements to get this to focus. Longwise, I'm just able to use 1/2 of a G claron 210 (I assume that makes it a 420), likewise with movements. I've got a heavy 300mm lens (weighs about 1.5 Kg), the camera is rock solid when I use that. For some reason, they don't come with levels, but I use a small handheld one on the base. Sometimes I wish it had shift, but I've been able to turn the camera 90 degrees and use rise/fall. To be honest, I really can't find anything to fault on the camera.