- Joined
- Aug 11, 2005
- Messages
- 12
- Format
- 4x5 Format
I received my Shen Hao 5x7 yesterday and just wanted to post my first impressions with the camera.
I wanted to jump to 5x7 but still wanted to shoot 4x5 so I wanted one camera to serve double duty as both. I also wanted to use my 90 and that eliminated the old tech III and the Burke James / Ansco deals. After a lot of reading, internal debating I decided on the Canham wood but I would have settled for the MQC. But since the cost of both those of those new was more than I could spend I had to wait for a used one to show up, while I waited I started reading about this weird Chinese camera the Shen Hao. So I read everything I could find on it and then read it all again the more I read the more I liked it. Asked a few questions, (thanks Sandy and others) got good responses and decided that the Shen would work for what I wanted to do.
The driving force behind the decision was $$$, a used Canham with a 4x5 reducing back was going to be around $2000, and any accessories are equally expensive. All said and done the Shen cost me $1546, thats bag bellows, reducing back, a surprisingly nice hard case, technika adapter board, #0 tech board, and international shipping. A savings of almost $500 was too much to resist. But that comes with a certain amount of risk involved, first of all you have to buy the camera right from China by wiring the money to a total stranger, which was really scary for me. Second if something goes wrong parts break etc you can't just pick up the phone like with the Canham. Third what is the quality of this camera, for that money can it be any good at all?
Wiring the money was no big deal Zhang Fuming was very fast to respond to my emails telling me the exact cost of everything and informing me of what was happening like when he received the money when the camera would be shipped etc. As to the quality of the camera I have yet to shoot with it so I can only talk about how it looks, and feels. It is beautiful, the teak with titanium hardware are very handsome together. Setup was little tricky at first but very straight forward once you understand it. The movements are all very accessible and easy to use (lots and lots of front rise and front shift my personal favorites). The focus is not as smooth as the Toyo AII I had, but I think I can live with that. Everything locks down tight and the camera is rock solid, just how I like 'em. I was really impressed with the quality of the accessories as well. The bag bellows are made of sheep skin and are wonderfully soft but not overly floppy, so they stay out of the way. The hard case that cost me an extra $35 is actually really nice although a little tight for the camera. The lens board that came with it, is also very nice, making me wish I had ordered more.
Other people have reported that it took almost two months to get their camera, something must have changed because I got mine 2 weeks and 2 days from when I wired the money. If you email Zhang Fuming remember there is a bit of a language barrier, so be simple and direct.
In conclusion if you are considering a 5x7 and cost is a major concern the Shen Hao is IMHO a very nice option.
Josh
I wanted to jump to 5x7 but still wanted to shoot 4x5 so I wanted one camera to serve double duty as both. I also wanted to use my 90 and that eliminated the old tech III and the Burke James / Ansco deals. After a lot of reading, internal debating I decided on the Canham wood but I would have settled for the MQC. But since the cost of both those of those new was more than I could spend I had to wait for a used one to show up, while I waited I started reading about this weird Chinese camera the Shen Hao. So I read everything I could find on it and then read it all again the more I read the more I liked it. Asked a few questions, (thanks Sandy and others) got good responses and decided that the Shen would work for what I wanted to do.
The driving force behind the decision was $$$, a used Canham with a 4x5 reducing back was going to be around $2000, and any accessories are equally expensive. All said and done the Shen cost me $1546, thats bag bellows, reducing back, a surprisingly nice hard case, technika adapter board, #0 tech board, and international shipping. A savings of almost $500 was too much to resist. But that comes with a certain amount of risk involved, first of all you have to buy the camera right from China by wiring the money to a total stranger, which was really scary for me. Second if something goes wrong parts break etc you can't just pick up the phone like with the Canham. Third what is the quality of this camera, for that money can it be any good at all?
Wiring the money was no big deal Zhang Fuming was very fast to respond to my emails telling me the exact cost of everything and informing me of what was happening like when he received the money when the camera would be shipped etc. As to the quality of the camera I have yet to shoot with it so I can only talk about how it looks, and feels. It is beautiful, the teak with titanium hardware are very handsome together. Setup was little tricky at first but very straight forward once you understand it. The movements are all very accessible and easy to use (lots and lots of front rise and front shift my personal favorites). The focus is not as smooth as the Toyo AII I had, but I think I can live with that. Everything locks down tight and the camera is rock solid, just how I like 'em. I was really impressed with the quality of the accessories as well. The bag bellows are made of sheep skin and are wonderfully soft but not overly floppy, so they stay out of the way. The hard case that cost me an extra $35 is actually really nice although a little tight for the camera. The lens board that came with it, is also very nice, making me wish I had ordered more.
Other people have reported that it took almost two months to get their camera, something must have changed because I got mine 2 weeks and 2 days from when I wired the money. If you email Zhang Fuming remember there is a bit of a language barrier, so be simple and direct.
In conclusion if you are considering a 5x7 and cost is a major concern the Shen Hao is IMHO a very nice option.
Josh
