If you can buy ONE LF camera...

[df cardwell]

I'm thinking Ms. Jane wins hands down.

But I'm a little suspicious about those two banjo necks.

We gonna allow banjo players 'round here ?

 

[luvmydogs]

Well Kerry and Scott, I'll have to say that picking the Arca does seem a bit unfair since it is clearly "many cameras in one." But...since I didn't specify, I'd have to say it's fair game.

 

[mark]

Canham 5x12

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

Well Kerry and Scott, I'll have to say that picking the Arca does seem a bit unfair since it is clearly "many cameras in one." But...since I didn't specify, I'd have to say it's fair game.

Macy,

If you limit yourself to one configuration, the ARCA-SWISS F-Line is still an excellent camera. However, the REAL beauty of the system is the modular design that is easily re-configurable to almost any format or shooting situation. ARCA means All Round CAmera and the original ARCA-SWISS was designed from the start to be customizable and re-configurable. It would be a shame to go against the designer's intentions and limit yourself to a single configuration.

For those with more a modest camera buying budget, the older ARCA-SWISS models share the same modular design concept as the current F-Line. Some parts of the older system are compatible with the current products, but many are not (the bellows use different frames, for example). So, it's a bit difficult to find certain accessories for the older ARCA cameras, but the cameras themselves are quite affordable on the used market. The first iteration of my 4x10 project camera was based on an older ARCA-SWISS model, but was upgraded to an F-Line chassis when I replaced my Linhof Technikardan TK45S (wonderful camera, but not "modular") with my current ARCA-SWISS F-Line.

Kerry

 

[WarEaglemtn]

One can never own too many Deardorffs.

 

[Jeffrey]

This is one hell of a popularity contest!

I hope, that for me, it is the Ebony SV45U that I am about to take delivery of.

 

[blaze-on]

The one Gisele Bundchen posed with for the mag cover a while back.

It's gotta be the luckiest LF around...and luck ain't a bad thing.

 

[Scott-Tx]

wanna talk about flexibility... with my 4x5 arca swiss f-line i can shoot lenses from 60mm - 600mm with only one bellows - the felxibility of a canham without the, er, flexibility of a canham.

i can also convert the camera to an 8x10 in less time then it took me to type this sentance. i decided against an 8x10 camera w/4x5 reducing back becuse i'm reasonably certain that the majority of the time i'll still be shooting 4x5. i did not want to carry around an 8x10 camera 100% of the time to use on 5% of my shots. it's true that with an 8x10 camera you get more bellows, but my 4x5 arca swiss f-line now can shoot from 60mm - 600mm with onyl one bellows, so that bacame a non-issue. what made more sense than the 8x10 w/ 4x5 reducing back route was to buy an arca and the 8x10 format conversion. this way i can still shoot both formats with the same camera, but the camera is only as big as the format i'm choosing to work with.

good luck, macy! and don't loose too much sleep over this decision. more important is to get something and get started! try a thread asking how many people are still using the first camera they bought... the used market is healthy!

scott

 

[roteague]

wanna talk about flexibility... with my 4x5 arca swiss f-line i can shoot lenses from 60mm - 600mm with only one bellows - the felxibility of a canham without the, er, flexibility of a canham.

I know that Jack Dykinga uses the Arca Swiss line - see his book "Large Format Nature Photography" to see more about this camera.

 

[jimgalli]

The one Gisele Bundchen posed with for the mag cover a while back.

It's gotta be the luckiest LF around...and luck ain't a bad thing.

Another Deardorff vote

 

[Emile de Leon]

Probably a 14x17 with back dividers for 3 formats in one. 14x17/7x17/8.5x14.Emile/www.deleon-ulf.com.

 

[raucousimages]

I have no problem with one camera as long as it is ONE OF EVERYTHING. I have too many cameras, I want to open a catalog and say "Yes Please". I am glad that my children are learning to shoot.

 

[BradS]

I'm with Jim. One, very understanding woman and many, many cameras. I'm kinda risk adverse so, if I were forced to choose just one, I think I would have to choose one with which I have some familiarity. I think I'd go with the Sinar F2. Lightweight, packable, easy to set up, easy to use, pecision swiss engineering, strong, tight, rigid, good looking and smooth! What more can I ask for?

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I'd take the ebony 8x10.....

 

[Ole]

I'd take the ebony 8x10.....

After having fondled an Ebony and used a Gandolfi, I'll keep my Gandolfi.

 

[RichSBV]

You (plural) can keep them all... I'll keep my 8x10 Century Universal, be very happy and not want for anything else, ever...

 

[barryjyoung]

That is an easy choice. I would go for a Deardorff V8 8x10. Yes, I would also have to add a Weston Master V meter too. And a Kodak Model B bullet safelight. Some classic things just never go out of style like platform shoes and starched collars. Hey, wait a minute, those ARE out of style. But I still choose the Dorff.

 

[Peter Schrager]

one camera

I'm going to put in for a Wista 4x5 here. I've owned one for over 20 years. The camera is light; only 12 inch bellows but you can live with that; fits in a zoneVI carry bag with 3 lenses;lightmeter; filters; and whatever. It's been like the energizer bunny-just keeps going and going.....fit and finish have held up incredibly well-looks and operates as brand new. (did replace bellows once)
Best, Peter

 

[laz]

Hmmmm, how does one know if one hasn't tried 'em all? That's what I better do.

(I tend to stick with things forever (change can be hazardous to your health!) I still have and use my first SLR a Nikkormat FT2 I purchased in 1972. So my answer is the Korona 8x10 that just entered my life)

 

[vet173]

My 8X10 Dorff

 

[Charles Webb]

I am late as usual getting into this "One Lg Format camera thing" but I will add my thoughts. I am pretty much out of the 8x10 format due to health reasons, so have to think practical. I barely can handle (perhaps manhandle
is a better way to put it.) My 5x7 Korona, so it seems I am doing more and more with 4x5. I have Arca Swiss, Graflex View II and Linhoff, I seldom use them as I hate with a passion any mono rail camera. For many years I used Linhoff & Sinar and their lines, but finally in a fit of anger sold the whole kit and kaboodle. They are wonderful if you like to "play with your camera" but I don't so they went elsewhere. I replaced them with what has become my favorite 4x5.

Most will scoff at my choice and perhaps shake their heads, so be it! Unless a Deardorff Special comes into my life unexpectadly I am inclined to enjoy and stay with my near new 1905 Sears Roebuck Marvel View Camera with a (Jim Galli) Symmar lens hanging on it. I needed a wood field camera for a workshop I was doing. Perusing local dealers, I found my little gem living in a camera store window in down town Colorado Springs. It was love at first sight. It moved that day from C Spgs. to Canon City and has wormed it's way into my heart like a new puppy. It dosn't do anything any other view camera dosen't do and it won't do anything more than any other camera does, but it is mine! One thing I have learned over the past fifty years in photography, The "box" ain't near as important as that shiney thingy on the front. The onliest thing that likely will upset my tranquility is if that elusive Deardorff Special shows it's pretty little head and my meager funds allows me to, I'll have two gems!

 

[waynecrider]

Juat in case, there's an 8x10 V8 on sale at Photnet, $1500 if it's still there.

 

[kjsphoto]

Canham all the way. I had a Shen and I prefer the Canham much more. The shen is nice but the bellows limits you on long lenses. On the 4x5 a 240 is just about maxed out. But the shen is well built and a great camera but if you can afford it I would get a 5x7 Canham with 4x5 back. Just awesome!

 

[ddolde]

I have to agree on the Arca Swiss. Even though I have the original Field model it will take up to a 300mm tele lens with the standard leather bellows. Very smooth, precise and rigid. Come with a great focusing screen and so many accessories. A very modular and intelligent system.

 

[Nick Zentena]

Shen Hao 5x7 with an added 4x5 back. I don't have much interest in really wide lenses so the combination does it all for me. Could be lighter of course.