Gandolfi Variant or Arca F Compact or ShenHao 4x5. User opnions needed!

[Frank Petronio]

Evan - why the heck do you have five Arcas? I thought the whole point of having system cameras was that you didn't have to buy entire cameras but could assemble a different size from available parts, thus saving room and money. I mean I could see it if you were an old school multi-camera still life shooter but that's rather passe now...

 

[marko_trebusak]

Here is another satisfied Arca Swiss F-line user. Only thing that I would change on my gear, would be a telescopic rail. That 40 cm stick is sometimes hard to pack. But otherwise it's an excellent camera.

Marko

 

[eclarke]

Evan - why the heck do you have five Arcas? I thought the whole point of having system cameras was that you didn't have to buy entire cameras but could assemble a different size from available parts, thus saving room and money. I mean I could see it if you were an old school multi-camera still life shooter but that's rather passe now...

HaHa, I am nuts, first because I just like them and don't like switching the parts around, second because we have no kids and the house and business are paid for so there is no one to leave any money to and third because I just like to know first hand how things work. I have now 18 view cameras and it is starting to become a collection ..Evan

 

[Ole]

Thank you Evan, for reinstating my belief in my own sanity. I was beginning to think that 11 LF cameras might be slightly over the top - now I can buy another one with a clear conscience!

 

[eclarke]

Hi Ole,
I encourage you!! My cameras are almost all modern using cameras but now I am looking for press cameras and I think they might become a non functioning collection!!..Evan

 

[Ole]

Evan - my camera may be up to a century old, but they are all fuctioning - and in use!

There is a certain pleasure to using a 100 years old lens on a 100 years old camera - and getting good pictures!

 

[Ole]

Oh no - there's a very old 24x30cm "Reisekamera" on ebay now!

 

[eclarke]

Hi Ole,
I may be getting into that mode, I just bought a Crown Graphic on eBay and it is functioning. I will have to try to play WW2 press photographer and hand hold 4x5!!..Evan