Help from any Toyo 45A/AII users out there?

[trev2401]

hi all..

i'm relatively new to posting in Apug, but have been trolling around here for information for quite a while. (love this site.) I've been shooting on my beat up crown grphic, and am contemplating the move to a Toyo field, mainly the 45 A or the AII.

I've been searching almost everywhere online, but cant seem to find any possible differences between the A and the AII, apart from maybe the knob colours/materials?

perhaps any users out there could shed some light? Even better if you had either of them for sale. (toyo 45A/AII)

thanks for reading.

trev

 

[david b]

the 45A has not been made in a long time.

the has a rotating back.

the newer 45AII has the revolving back, meaning you do not have to remove it to turn it.

don't forget the 45AX which is the same as the 45AII, minus the back.

 

[trev2401]

Hi david, thanks for the post.

i read somewhere that the 45A has the same revolving back as the 45AII no?

*confused.*

=(

 

[david b]

No.....

the 45a and 45ax have rotating backs. this means you have to remove it, rotate it and then put it back on the camera.

the 45aii has a revolving back. there is a little lever that "spins" the back without removing it.

 

[bfurner]

the comment about the 45a's back is untrue. the 45a HAS a revolving back too. i have had one for years (purchased used from Midwest Photo Exchange) and i have never removed the back to switch from landscape to portrait orientation.

i believe the only difference is the knobs.

 

[bfurner]

An apt post from the Large Format Forum:

"Glenn Kroeger, Mar 09, 2005; 11:51 p.m.

Actually, original 45A's went through several iterations. Some of the first had a removable back that was not Graflok compatible, the gg frame was mounted on permanent leaf springs. Later, one could buy the 45A with removable back or the 45AR with revolving back. There were also some versions sold without fresnel and with a gg with painted rather than etched lines."

I cannot verify this information. Just posting it here for your info.

 

[david b]

I had a 45A with the rotating back.

 

[trev2401]

Hi guys,

thanks for the info. Wow.. If it's really just the knobs that are different, I'll jump for the 45A then. =)

Anyone have one for sale, or perhaps a 45AII for a good price? (hope this doesnt violate the forum rules.)

=)