Horseman 45fa?

Hi,

Can anyone, preferably that has used it, share experience with the Horseman 45fa? I'm considering buying one.

Thank you.

• Nice, well-made camera
• A bit smaller/lighter than a Wista or Technika
• Controls a bit small and cramped
• Not well suited to ultrawide lenses; Master Technika 2000/3000 is better if you want to shoot ultrawide with a metal-bodied field camera
• Not well suited to very long lenses
• Limited movement range, especially front rise; rear movements use clumsy four-post system (like the Technika)
• Small lensboard and small front standard opening limit the range of lenses that can be used compared to a Wista or Technika: http://www.kenko-pi.co.jp/horseman/e/lens_list.html
• Camera is out of production and at least some parts are no longer available

Don't mean to sound negative overall. Especially if you like working with compact lenses in the semi-wide to long-normal range, the 45FA (and its simpler and lighter sibling, the 45HD), can be an excellent choice.

Oren Grad said:

• Nice, well-made camera
• A bit smaller/lighter than a Wista or Technika
• Controls a bit small and cramped
• Not well suited to ultrawide lenses; Master Technika 2000/3000 is better if you want to shoot ultrawide with a metal-bodied field camera
• Not well suited to very long lenses
• Limited movement range, especially front rise; rear movements use clumsy four-post system (like the Technika)
• Small lensboard and small front standard opening limit the range of lenses that can be used compared to a Wista or Technika: http://www.kenko-pi.co.jp/horseman/e/lens_list.html
• Camera is out of production and at least some parts are no longer available

Don't mean to sound negative overall. Especially if you like working with compact lenses in the semi-wide to long-normal range, the 45FA (and its simpler and lighter sibling, the 45HD), can be an excellent choice.

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Thank you. Great information.

I've got the FA's still-more-compact sibling, the HF ("Handy Field") which differs from the FA and HD only in that it lacks a rotating back. Oren's précis is of course spot-on, but I will also mention that the GG is nice and bright and that many Toyo accessories (e.g. reflex finders, etc.) also fit the Horseman technical cameras.

Otherwise, I think the Horseman's are the perfect run-and-gun camera, especially if you're using a lens like the Sironar N 135/5.6 which can remain mounted while the camera is folded...a great way to leverage the possibilities of a 4x5 negative or serve as a platform for a 120 RFB.

CreationBear said:

I've got the FA's still-more-compact sibling, the HF ("Handy Field") which differs from the FA and HD only in that it lacks a rotating back. Oren's précis is of course spot-on, but I will also mention that the GG is nice and bright and that many Toyo accessories (e.g. reflex finders, etc.) also fit the Horseman technical cameras.

Otherwise, I think the Horseman's are the perfect run-and-gun camera, especially if you're using a lens like the Sironar N 135/5.6 which can remain mounted while the camera is folded...a great way to leverage the possibilities of a 4x5 negative or serve as a platform for a 120 RFB.

Click to expand...

Thank you. I'm on the fence between this and a 4x5 Chamonix.

Darryl Roberts said:

Hi,
Can anyone, preferably that has used it, share experience with the Horseman 45fa? I'm considering buying one.
Thank you.

Click to expand...

Let me add some considerations. The Linhof Technika (2000 model for example) allows 20º tilt/swing in the rear. (http://linhof.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/MasterTechnika_classic_2000_e.pdf) while the Horseman allows 10º. Linhof has a revolving back and IMO it also sports quite a refined/precise mechanics, operating one it's pure joy. I had both in my hands but I have only used the Technika, my view the Horseman is a totally decent camera, but the Technika is a solid block of precision sporting (IMO) superior handling, manufacturing and finishings, still being rugged for the field, I've no doubt I would prefer the Linhof if the additional 700gr can be allowed. John Sexton in particular has been an well known user of the Technika, it has been his workhorse for decades...

Still today I would prefer a Chamonix to hike with, a bit following these thoughts mentioned by Alex Burke: https://www.alexburkephoto.com/blog/2018/2/13/choosing-a-4x5-camera-and-lenses

Presently what I love is the Norma and what I want to use is the Norma, the Norma forever ! ...but I'm considering an Intrepid for the cases in what the car lays too far. The Intrepid 4 is cheap and it weights 1,2kg only, with +/- 30º real tilt... By far not as refined as a Chamonix, but personally I find the Intrepit an ideal complement for the Norma, just for those times when going lightweight counts. All depends on how many times we need to go lightweight in a year, in my case prehaps it can be 3 or 4 times in a year, so I feel the Intrepid would be more than enough to feel the gap. If I had the need to go lightweight (say) 20 times per year perhaps I would consider the Chamonix.

Can you tell us a bit about what kind of photography you would like to do with a 4x5 camera and which lenses you hope to use?

For myself, my Horseman kit has turned into a kind of a niche system--especially since the Sinar Norma in 5x7 and now 8x10 came along. (Fits a lot better in the top lid of my backpack, though.) Otherwise, I guess my question is whether you're looking for an "all around" 4x5 camera, in which case I'd say the Chamonix's longer bellows probably makes it more versatile. Of course, if you're just looking for something to handle the format, you could pick up a 4x5 format change kit for your Sinar--or just a 5x7 to 4x5 reducing back if you need the bellows length.

CreationBear said:

For myself, my Horseman kit has turned into a kind of a niche system--especially since the Sinar Norma in 5x7 and now 8x10 came along. (Fits a lot better in the top lid of my backpack, though.) Otherwise, I guess my question is whether you're looking for an "all around" 4x5 camera, in which case I'd say the Chamonix's longer bellows probably makes it more versatile. Of course, if you're just looking for something to handle the format, you could pick up a 4x5 format change kit for your Sinar--or just a 5x7 to 4x5 reducing back if you need the bellows length.

Click to expand...

Thank you. It started as 4x5… I still have that back and the 5x7

I got my Horseman FA instead of getting the 4x5 extension back for my Horseman VH-R 6x9cm camera. The front standard on both cameras is the same, so I did not need to learn anything new moving to the FA. Over ten years later the FA is still my main and only 4x5 camera. It works best within the imitation of its own lenses. For example the Topcor 90 might be the only f5.6 90mm that will fit the camera. And the 210 takes the special "C-1" lensboard. And the 150 mounts with a special retaining ring that accepts the 300mm Converter.
I did manage to acquire all the lenses for it over the years:
90mm 5.6 Topcor
150mm 5.6 Topcor
180 5.6 Topcor
210 5.6 Topcor
300mm Converter for the 150mm

They're wonderfully made technical cameras, but have limited bellows draw which restricts the range of focal length lenses which can be conveniently used. The pros and cons have already been spelled out on previous threads. I seriously looked at these; but they aren't versatile enough for my personal needs.