How much does your view/field camera weigh?

As I thought, the Cal is definetely on the heavy side compared to others. I got this camera for a song so I want to work with what I've got and not buy something lighter, and I just can't afford another camera right now. I don't think I'll be able to shave much off the weight of the Calumet either. If it weighs ten pounds now, I doubt I could even get it down to eight pounds without comprimising rigidity and that's still on the heavy side. I'll just concentrate on redesigning the rail so I can pack it in something other than a steamer trunk. Also, getting punched in the throat by that rail is rather unpleasant. All in all, it is a great camera. I believe I can make it more field-worthy. Thanks for the responses and I'm certainly open to suggesstions.

Light Weight Monorail

I'm (mostly) an Arca-Swiss man when it comes to LF. My lightest 4x5 camera is an Arca 'field' model: this is the older style one, old enough to have natty red bellows, not the current 'F-field'. With a back, 16" rail, GG, but no lens or film holder it weighs 4lb 10oz - of which a whole 1lb 1oz is the back and GG (this is using a screen with a fresnel, which adds a little weight, and the lightest type back, which saves some.)

I think that's pretty good for a monorail. This model doesn't have axis tilts and none of the movements are geared (I have those things on other cameras, and they all add weight) but it is very rigidly built, has interchangeable bellows, and a very wide range of movement.

Don't ask what my studio 4x5 weighs: I don't have scales that go that far...


Peter

My entry into LF a few years ago was by way of an Omega View monorail. I schlepped it around on a 3021 'pod with a 3047 head. Ultimately, I decided I'd just plain had it with the weight of that outfit...climbing a hill gasping takes a bunch of fun out of the hike!... so I bought a Shen-Hao field camera. But the pod and head were still too much, so I started using my 3001 pod and bought a used 3029 head (in Ex+ condition from KEH for very little money).

I think many people would consider that pairing too lightweight and insubstantial for the camera, but I've found it...based on the negs produced...to be excellent. True, I'd choose the larger kit for a windy day, but, with no big honkin mirror slap, or bull whip FP shutter to have to dampen (as I'd get with my P67), it's just fine for hiking and gets the job done well!

With the change in cameras and support the weight saving is in the neighborhood of nine...count 'em...nine pounds! Now if only I could find somewhere to buy a lighter version of myself to change into as easily, I'd be a very happy hiker!

jovo said:

Now if only I could find somewhere to buy a lighter version of myself to change into as easily, I'd be a very happy hiker!

Click to expand...

Good point, John! If I would lose 20 pounds off the middle, then carrying 60 pounds of 8x10 equipment would be a lot easier! But then if I photographed every other day (which for me usually means hiking several miles), perhaps the weight problem would be self-correcting!

Vaughn

My Linhof Technikardan 45S with 2 Arca Swiss QR plates and no lensboard and lens weighs 127oz while my modified Toho Shimo FC-45X with a Really Right Stuff Arca Swiss type QR plate weighs 44oz.

Rich

I don't like heavy cameras. I hike with a very ugly modified century 8x10 that is about 5 pounds and use a very light tripod with it. This super light kit takes alot of patience to make work and wind is a serious problem. I doubt most people would find it sufficient but I've never had a soft neg with it and its great if you know how to handle it. Of course its only for wide angle use 240mm and shorter but that is what I use most. For wind I switch to a heavier 10 pound 8x10 wista which isn't exactly a heavy beast either. For 4x5 I also use a wista which is really light and the model copied (basically) by all those china camera makers.

Quick correction, My Calumet is a CC400 not a CC401. I pulled out the manual to see if there was a stated weight, there was not but the specs indicated I have the shorter (16" bellows) version. So the CC400 is 10#'s.

Harrigan said:

I don't like heavy cameras. I hike with a very ugly modified century 8x10 that is about 5 pounds and use a very light tripod with it. This super light kit takes alot of patience to make work and wind is a serious problem. I doubt most people would find it sufficient but I've never had a soft neg with it and its great if you know how to handle it. Of course its only for wide angle use 240mm and shorter but that is what I use most. For wind I switch to a heavier 10 pound 8x10 wista which isn't exactly a heavy beast either. For 4x5 I also use a wista which is really light and the model copied (basically) by all those china camera makers.

Click to expand...

This subject has been "around the block" several times at APUG

See: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Here is my personal 8x10 kit:

Gregory G Pack 2.875 lb.
Pentax Spotmeter 1.1 lb.
300mm Apo Germinar lens in Copal Shutter 0.8 lb
110mm SA XLS lens 1.4 lb.
150mm SA XLS lens 2 lb
8x10 filmholder 1.3 lb
8x10 filmholder 1.3 lb
8x10 filmholder 1.3 lb
8x10 filmholder 1.3 lb
Blackjacket 0.4 lb.
Wehman 8x10 Field Camera 8.7 lb.
Gitzo Carbon Composite Tripod , Arca Swiss BallHead & Tripod bag 6 lb.
Total Weight 28.475 lb
minus 150mm lens 26.475 lb.
minus 110mm lens 25.075 lb.
__________________
Tom Hoskinson (73 yrs old and counting)

My Cambo SCX outweighs my B&J 4x5, 5x7, & 8x10 Commercial Views all together . . . I wonder if that X-rail is lead filled?

EuGene

(All 4x5, without lens): 1)Nagaoka 2.5#, 2)TR Crown Graphic 4.25#, 3) Busch Pressman D 4.5#, 4) Super Graphic 5.0#, 6) TR Speed Graphic and Technika IV about 6#.

My new Richard Ritter 8x10, with its carbon fiber rails and 32" of bellows, weighs 6 and a quarter pounds without a lens. Yum.