Help! Please break my assumptions about choosing 4×5 camera!

[Abraham Jason]

Hello everyone,

I’m new here. In fact, there are very few places in Asia where large format photography is actively discussed, so I’m very happy to have found this forum.

To keep it brief: I am currently working in Korea on a documentary project about church thought and history. In order to produce larger prints while retaining good detail, I decided to move from medium format to a 4×5 camera.

Up to now, I have been using a friend’s Chamonix 45F2, with lenses from 90 mm to 210 mm. The main issues I’ve encountered are:

1. although the camera is lightweight, it is not stable enough;
2. after making my movements and locking everything down, the front standard can sometimes shift if it is accidentally touched (even when it is supposedly locked);
3. the precision is limited — most adjustments rely on feel, and fine, repeatable movements are difficult.

Because of this, my friend recommended the Arca-Swiss F M series. However, there seem to be no dealers for Arca-Swiss where I live. As a result, I am considering purchasing a Linhof Master Technika or a Linhof Technika V. I’m not sure whether this is a good idea. I have also heard of Wista cameras, but faced with the appeal of Linhof, I find myself hesitating.

I understand that the camera body itself is only a tool and does not directly affect image quality, but I am unsure whether I should continue with another Chamonix model (such as the 45H1) or switch to a Linhof. I would really appreciate your opinions, including thoughts on Wista or other cameras that I may not be very familiar with.

As a side note, weight is not a major concern for me — I often hike with an 8×10 Sinar camera (and I’m not entirely sure how I manage that).

Thank you very much in advance for your advice.

 

[epatsellis]

I would also look at Wista and Rittreck, they often show up used for reasonable prices and lock securely

 

[btaylor]

The Technika is one solid piece of gear. And plenty of them around. Just go for it, you won’t be disappointed!

 

[GregY]

If i were primarily doing architectural photography in 4x5.... i'd look at the Technikardan

 

[Chuck1]

Technica are great but if you see a 47mm-75mm in your future the iv and v's are limited, the 2000 has a built-in short range focusing device

 

[Alan9940]

Geared movements on any 4x5 would probably provide the most precision, but I agree with @GregY regarding the Technikardan.

 

[Peter Schrager]

Personally I would source a mint condition Kodak/Calumet all metal 4x5 off ebay and put the rest of the money into film etc. .great cameras and rock steady

 

[xkaes]

I'm not a Chamonix user, but from what little I know, I don't think a Wista 45II would be any more stable. Perhaps some Chamonix users could explain your problem with stability. I find it hard to image that "the front standard can sometimes shift if it is accidentally touched (even when it is supposedly locked)". That does not seem plausible.

 

[GregY]

I'm not a Chamonix user, but from what little I know, I don't think a Wista 45II would be any more stable. Perhaps some Chamonix users could explain your problem with stability. I find it hard to image that "the front standard can sometimes shift if it is accidentally touched (even when it is supposedly locked)". That does not seem plausible.

I've had 3 Chamonix, an Ebony, 3 Canhams, & 2 Deardorffs...(4x5, 5x7, 8x10).....None of them are Ford pickups and it's possible to knock any field camera out of adjustment. At the same time I got perfect photos with every single one of them. Either you live with a field camera or buy Arca, Sinar, or Technikardan.

 

[Paul Howell]

I would go with the Linhof Technika V, rugged, good movement, easy to carry will take a wide range of lens. But, with Kodak Tmax 100 at 200LPM I think a MF tech camera such as a Horseman will provide as much detail as you can print up to 16X20.

 

[Taylor K Nankervis]

Surprising to read the Chamonix has a stability issue as there are a great many of these cameras in 4x5 used in Australia, along with the evergreen Wista cameras — in rosewood with shiny brass fittings.

Meanwhile, the Linhof Master Technika — still commanding serious cash so very many decades later, is a beast; heavy, metal, rugged, pretty much antique but indisputably reliable and with all the movements you will need. The bellows are the only issue and these would require scrutiny for pinholes. Of colleagues who own and actively use this camera, each have a reflex viewer attached for landscape work. My early dabblings in 4x5 were with a Horseman 45FA — of similar bulk and weight to the Linhof and worth looking at too if asking prices for a Linhof bring on the wobbles.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Hello everyone,

. In order to produce larger prints while retaining good detail, I decided to move from medium format to a 4×5 camera.

What do you mean by larger print?

 

[MARTIE]

A Toyo VX 125

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hello everyone,

I’m new here. In fact, there are very few places in Asia where large format photography is actively discussed, so I’m very happy to have found this forum.

To keep it brief: I am currently working in Korea on a documentary project about church thought and history. In order to produce larger prints while retaining good detail, I decided to move from medium format to a 4×5 camera.

Up to now, I have been using a friend’s Chamonix 45F2, with lenses from 90 mm to 210 mm. The main issues I’ve encountered are:

1. although the camera is lightweight, it is not stable enough;
2. after making my movements and locking everything down, the front standard can sometimes shift if it is accidentally touched (even when it is supposedly locked);
3. the precision is limited — most adjustments rely on feel, and fine, repeatable movements are difficult.

Because of this, my friend recommended the Arca-Swiss F M series. However, there seem to be no dealers for Arca-Swiss where I live. As a result, I am considering purchasing a Linhof Master Technika or a Linhof Technika V. I’m not sure whether this is a good idea. I have also heard of Wista cameras, but faced with the appeal of Linhof, I find myself hesitating.

I understand that the camera body itself is only a tool and does not directly affect image quality, but I am unsure whether I should continue with another Chamonix model (such as the 45H1) or switch to a Linhof. I would really appreciate your opinions, including thoughts on Wista or other cameras that I may not be very familiar with.

As a side note, weight is not a major concern for me — I often hike with an 8×10 Sinar camera (and I’m not entirely sure how I manage that).

Thank you very much in advance for your advice.

the Linhof is a very fine camera;at first looks sensible but when locked down, it's rock solid. thinking about your issues, Iwould support your switch to Linhof.

 

[abruzzi]

The biggest challenge with the Technikas is wide angle lenses. It can be done, and later ones are better. I wouldn't try wides with a Technika V, or even a Master Technika. The Technikardan is a beautiful camera, and is the one that really got me into LF. Only focus is greared (and only rear focus) so if you need geared movements, its not the best.

The Arca F Metric gets you geared rise/fall/shift on both standards, but you don't get geared swing, and you only get geared tilt on the front if it includes the Orbix option. The Arca Monolith or M2 gets geared everything at the cost of some weight.

If weight doesn't doesn't bother you, get a Sinar P2. They weigh a ton, but are really amazing machines, with lots of great design ideas. Everything is geared and they are pretty cheap because most people these days want a light field camera. (note--they don't fold up compact in any way, so in addition to being heavy, they are hard to fit in a back pack.)

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I have a Chamonix 45H-1. Like the 45F2 its a field camera. It;s very stable for me, but I do use a heavy Gitzo. The issue with the 45F2 is that it is an assembled model to make backpacking easier. The front standard has to be assembled and screwed down each time you set it up. With the 45H-1, both standards are fixed to its base. I also keep my 45H-1 in my backpack but you need more depth than for the 45F2 because the front standard is fixed.

I also use both the 1/4" and 3/8" holes on the base of my 45H-1 to stabilize the camera better on the tripod. Having two screws also prevents the camera from rotating on the tripod, which can happen with one screw. (You could add self-stick cork strips to reduce movement).

 

[xkaes]

What do you mean by larger print?

I was wondering the same thing. What size "print" would a "documentary" use???

 

[GregY]

The subject is "church thought & history".....
So i deduce lots of architectural photos..... i've always used a field camera...so i'm not averse to them, but i wouldn't choose one for this project.
At the same time, I'm confident i could do a project like this in medium format. I'd choose 2 Hasselblads ....one of which would be the Superwide C.... & Tmax 100 & 400

 

[xkaes]

I've had 3 Chamonix, an Ebony, 3 Canhams, & 2 Deardorffs...(4x5, 5x7, 8x10).....None of them are Ford pickups and it's possible to knock any field camera out of adjustment.

I guess I've just been lucky with my 4x5 field cameras. I've bumped into them several times over the decades, but it's usually the tripod or the ball head that gets out of whack, not the front standard. They've never gotten out of place if it's "touched", as he says his does -- "the front standard can sometimes shift if it is accidentally touched".

 

[GregY]

I guess I've just been lucky with my 4x5 field cameras. I've bumped into them several times over the decades, but it's usually the tripod or the ball head that gets out of whack, not the front standard. They've never gotten out of place if it's "touched", as he says his does -- "the front standard can sometimes shift if it is accidentally touched".

How big/heavy a lens? & Was the front standard properly tightened?

 

[Tom Taylor]

Toyo-View 45GII or Toyo 57GII are solid budget friendly alternatives. The latter is not easy to find but if you find one you can get a 4x5 reducing back and have the best of both formats with minimal weight penalty.

 

[blee1996]

after making my movements and locking everything down, the front standard can sometimes shift if it is accidentally touched (even when it is supposedly locked);

I have Chamonix F1, and kinda guess what the OP's problem might be. The front standard is metal, and the bed is Carbon Fiber. So it is a bit slippery where the two meet, even when the screw is tightened. I have a simple solution that cost less than $0.02: just add strips of rough surface gaffer tape right on the bed and along each slot that front standard will be in contact. And now once the front standard is locked, it will not shift in any direction. Better explain with a photo below.

 

[Abraham Jason]

Thank you all very much for your replies and suggestions. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences — it’s been extremely helpful.

 

[Abraham Jason]

I would also look at Wista and Rittreck, they often show up used for reasonable prices and lock securely

I spent today visiting several places to try out different large‑format cameras in person, including Linhof, Toyo, and even Wista. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), based on my hands‑on experience, the Linhof really suited me best — it just felt right for the way I work.

 

[Abraham Jason]

The Technika is one solid piece of gear. And plenty of them around. Just go for it, you won’t be disappointed!

Yes, that’s exactly how I felt after trying it as well