First 4x5 View Camera... Best Value Award:)

Takizawa · Nov 18, 2011

Assuming a new (not used) camera:
Which 4x5 view camera do you think provides greatest value per dollar and why? Assume the main purpose is for Landscape photography.

Note: Even if this question was posed before I value your current-day opinions! Thanks!!

Rick A · Nov 18, 2011

I dont think I would spend on a brand new view camera, the used ones are usually in excellent condition, and sell for pennies on the dollar. Same with lenses, incredable glass for cheap, or expensive, depending on what you want. Accessories are another story, even those sundry items such as film holders, light meters, and focusing cloths are dirt cheap in nearly new condition but used. You can buy an entire kit ready to shoot and have money left over to stock plenty of film for less than the cost of some new cameras.
But then, I'm a penny pinching cheapskate.

Mainecoonmaniac · Nov 18, 2011

I bought a Burke and James 5x7 recently for $150 on eBay.

tim k · Nov 18, 2011

I dont think a new camera would win this award.

Takizawa · Nov 18, 2011

If Used?

If used what would be your advice? It doesn't seem like there is tremendous selection on Ebay? Is it more a matter of waiting a few weeks and taking the best of what comes out? Thanks!

2F/2F · Nov 18, 2011

Beater Crown Graphic or similar. Cheap, well built, light, reasonably capable in terms of features, and located everywhere.

Jon Shiu · Nov 18, 2011

For new, there is a camera called "Shen Hao".

Jon

Rick A · Nov 18, 2011

Almost any Calumet or Cambo, Omega, Toyo View can be had very cheaply, and all are very capable. There are many more models, decide if you want monorail or field camera.

Mark Fisher · Nov 18, 2011

If you are shooting landscape, you probably value portability and don't need a ton of movements. When I went through the same decision, I bought a new Tachihara although I considered a Shen Hao also. A press camera like the Crown Graphic may be enough, but I would feel pretty limited. I have an old Speed Graphic that I use for playing with homemade lenses and I wouldn't like it for general shooting. If you want inexpensive and still easy to use and don't care about portability, I'd probably get an older Sinar. They are a bit more than the Calumet or Cambo, but they are really a work of art.

Ottrdaemmerung · Nov 18, 2011

I have two 4x5 cameras at present:

1. Graflex Crown Graphic. Excellent press camera and works well as a view camera -- which mine must, since I inadvertently busted the rangefinder mechanism not long after buying it. But no worries, since I would rarely shoot it handheld, anyway. It's built like a tank and relatively light, and folds up into a little package that can be stuffed into a rather small bag. It sets up quickly: just put it on a tripod, pop the front open and the back unfurls with a metal hood covering the ground glass, making a focusing cloth almost unnecessary. Its main disadvantage is lack of rear movements. So it's not that great for shooting architecture, but excellent for portraits and other situations where you would want front movements but not rear.

2. Calumet 540 monorail. This gives you full movements in every direction, but it doesn't come off its rail easily, so it can be a pain to lug around. Some people carry it intact in a huge case; I flatten the standards parallel to the rail and stuff it into a large hiking backpack. Other minor disadvantages are that it doesn't set up as quickly (when stored flattened) as the Crown, and it doesn't have an integral hood, so I have to use a jacket or focusing cloth to see what I'm doing.

2F/2F · Nov 18, 2011

I mentioned the Crown Graphic due to it's price, but I should have mentioned the Super Graphic. A little bulkier, but a more capable camera. Maybe not as cheap as a Crown, but worth the extra money IMO. They have more movement, a better distance/DOF scale, a revolving back, and they use cams for the rangefinder, so you can use a variety of lenses without recalibrating the RF.

Rick A · Nov 19, 2011

I think what we are all getting at here is, decide what features you want in a LF camera. What will its primary use be, how portable does it have to be, etc. Then do a bunch of homework, study as many types and brands, and configurations, as to what will possibly do most of what you desire. There is never one camera that does it all[conveniently], then ask your question as to which is the "best bang for the buck". You will still get more answeres than you need, and possibly more confusion.

sly · Nov 19, 2011

Well said Rick.

You did state you are interested in landscapes - so presumably portability is a prime factor for you. There are people who hike with 11x14's. And one guy who mounts his camera on the roll bar of his 4x4 truck, so it's not important for everyone.
I've got a bulky Calumet 4x5, that's seldom been out of the box since I got my beater Crown Graphic. I can get a good distance into the woods (or up the beach) with the CG - really only limited by how many film holders I'm willing to carry. If I'm carrying food and water - then I can't manage as many film holders, so all day hikes are out for me. How strong you are is definately part of the equation.

ic-racer · Nov 19, 2011

For a new camera you probably won't beat the Shen-Hao in terms of utility and low price. I know one can get a new Shen-Hao 8x10 for less than a used USA-brand 8x10 camera because I have done that. I suspect the 4x5 cameras would be similar.

Gary Tarbert · Nov 19, 2011

Hi , Getting back to your original question New!! the best value is Chamonix 45n-2 for landscape why ?? lightweight , ease of use build quality, I have owned Shen hao , Tachihara and used all the under $850 USD varients and this one is the king!!!I have one , And no it's not for sale , Good luck with your search Cheers Gary

M.A.Longmore · Nov 19, 2011

.
There are so many old, used, neglected cameras looking for a good home.
The Omega View { Toyo } 45F, It does so much, for so little cost.
Or any of the Omega Monorail cameras, I also have a 45D, that cost $55.00.
I'm sure as I get older, and wiser I'll probably get a field type camera.

Ron
.

mikebarger · Nov 19, 2011

The original Sinar F, can be had for 150 off Ebay pretty regularly. Nice camera for the money.

Mike

Gary Tarbert · Nov 19, 2011

Hi , if you are looking for cheap and lightweight i have a Linhof Karden monorail which i planned to list for around $150 USD just havn't got around to it , Bought it as a job lot really just wanted the lens but the guy would not seperate, have used this camera for landscape actually lighter than most field cameras but just more awkward to fit in backpack . Regards Gary

Wayne · Nov 19, 2011

cambo

Takizawa said:
If used what would be your advice? It doesn't seem like there is tremendous selection on Ebay? Is it more a matter of waiting a few weeks and taking the best of what comes out? Thanks!

I would also vote for the Cambo 45 SCII-R, or 45NX. You get full movements, revolving back, and solid well built cameras. And yes, I also happen to have one for sale.

Wayne

Two23 · Nov 19, 2011

Shen Hao. Can often be found used if you are patient.

Kent in SD

Martin Aislabie · Nov 19, 2011

Takizawa said:
Assuming a new (not used) camera:
Which 4x5 view camera do you think provides greatest value per dollar and why? Assume the main purpose is for Landscape photography.

Note: Even if this question was posed before I value your current-day opinions! Thanks!!

The question is really impossible to answer - the things you will need from a LF camera will be different from mine or indeed anyone elses - because what you shoot and how you shoot it, you will have unique requirements from your camera.

Having said all that, for a solid, well made landscape camera it is hard to beat the Walker Titan SF - http://www.walkercameras.com/SF.html

It will take just about every focal length you might want to shoot landscapes with.

It has enough movements to satisfy almost all landscape applications

However, its biggest selling point is its rock solid stability - which is a major factor in LF Cameras.

Being made out of ABS Plastic and Stainless Steel it isn't affected by the atmospheric conditions the way wooden field cameras are - so shooting in the deserts of the south west isn't going to cause it to go loose and wobbly plus the wet conditions east of Seattle isn't going to made it stiff and difficult to adjust.

They are more money than something like a Shen Hao - but it will last you a life time and be just as usable as the day you bought it

If you don't want to buy internationally (which is very easy) - try talking to Jeff at Badger - he will probably be able to get one for you

Good luck

Martin

EASmithV · Nov 19, 2011

throw in another vote for the graflex

Jim Jones · Nov 20, 2011

Rick A said:
I think what we are all getting at here is, decide what features you want in a LF camera. What will its primary use be, how portable does it have to be, etc. Then do a bunch of homework, study as many types and brands, and configurations, as to what will possibly do most of what you desire. There is never one camera that does it all[conveniently], then ask your question as to which is the "best bang for the buck". You will still get more answeres than you need, and possibly more confusion.

These are the most important considerations. Do your homework! Understand any camera, especially used a one, that you intend to buy before spending money. Sometimes used cameras are missing significant parts such as tripod mounts. Many cameras use lens boards that are readily available or easy to fabricate. Others use esoteric boards that are scarce and expensive. Having the money to always buy new equipment lets one acquire much needed knowledge after purchasing the camera, but that can be an expensive, time consuming, and frustrating education. Having the perfect camera is not nearly as important as being the perfect photographer. In most circumstances, a new $4000 camera will produce no better photos than some well-used $100 models. It may be more convenient to use, but that saves only a small part of the effort that goes into producing most fine photographs. Consider the photographs you intend to make. If they will be huge prints hung in major galleries and museums, top quality lenses might be important and fine camera bodies nice. However, the most expensive prints on the market were sometimes photographed with mediocre equipment.

If owning the newest, most expensive, and best equipment is more important than justifying it with great photos, I apologize for wasting your time.

Rick A · Nov 20, 2011

Sage advice, Mr. Jones.

mjs · Nov 22, 2011

In my case it would undoubtedly have been the Calumet CC-400 monorail I bought from Ebay for the princely sum of $27 ($36 including shipping) a number of years ago. There was nothing wrong with it. I coupled it with a Fujinon 150mm f/6.3 lens in Supermatic shutter that cost me $63 and was in business. I was going through a period of very little spare money at the time, so this was a welcome find for me.

From the perspective of a new camera, I would have say that the answer for the vast majority of us would be 'whatever camera you have or can get.' I don't think there's really all that much difference between them, to be honest. You need a camera in order to take the picture; beyond that, whatever you can afford and are pleased to use is likely to be the 'best' one for you.

Mike

First 4x5 View Camera... Best Value Award:)

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