Information on Shen Hao 8x10 field camera...

[User Removed]

I'm in the market for a new 8x10 and saw this guy on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Shenhao-8x1...ryZ15248QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
Anyone that owns the cameras, can you please give some feedback on it please.

The design looks quite similar to the Phillips 8x10 camera, which is what I was planning on getting, but this Shen Hao caught my eye.

Thanks,

Ryan McIntosh
www.RyanMcIntosh.net

 

[Paul Sorensen]

I'm in the market for a new 8x10 and saw this guy on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Shenhao-8x1...ryZ15248QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
Anyone that owns the cameras, can you please give some feedback on it please.

The design looks quite similar to the Phillips 8x10 camera, which is what I was planning on getting, but this Shen Hao caught my eye.

Thanks,

Ryan McIntosh
www.RyanMcIntosh.net

Don't know anything about the camera, but is this the same? http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=925

It looks like the same thing in a different color. Anyway, it is about the same price, but shipping from Wisconsin should be quicker and cheaper than Hong Kong.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Yes, the Ebay and the Badger cameras are the same, except for the color of the wood in the photos. I haven't used that particular model, but I have shot with one of their 4x5 cameras. You should be quite happy with it, as long as you can live with the limited bellows draw (its only a double-extension model). If I recall earlier, Ryan, you said that you prefer shooting longer lenses on 8x10 now. This may be a problem for you with this camera, so I'd check and see if they'll work for you at the focusing range you normally use.

 

[jovo]

The guy offering the 8x10 is also offering, in another auction, a new (2 of them actually) Shen Hao 4x5 at a very good price...$550 plus shipping of $45. He's including a #0 lensboard and the aluminum case. That would be $ 625 from Badger (where I bought mine) plus whatever the shipping costs from Wisconsin are. If this seller is reputable, it seems like a great deal!

 

[User Removed]

Yes, that is the same camera being sold by Badger Graphics. If I were to purchase this camera, it would be from them and not Hong Kong. That auction was just used as a reference.

I also noticed the Hong Kong camera comes with the case, where the one from Badger is an extra $60.00.

The longest lenses I use on 8x10 is a 24" Artar, so I would need at least 26-28" bellows.

All the best,

Ryan McIntosh

 

[Daniel Grenier]

Ryan.

I cannot comment on the camera itself but I can comment on Shen Hao's blatant design rip off from both Ebony and Philips (and others). They spend nothing on R&D, "steal" proven designs and make lots of $$$ in the process. I don't know about you but there is no way I can encourage this behaviour by buying their product. I'd rather pay the extra $ and buy the genuine article.

 

[Nick Zentena]

Yawn. I'll consider Ebony when they stop ripping off Graflex et all.

Why is it okay for somebody like Ebony to copy others?

 

[Terence]

I can understand the hesitancy to support someone who "takes" someone elses design. However, the history of camera design is one of copying others designs. I'm guessing somewhere there is probably even an example of "previous art" similar to the Phillips sliders. And I think people looking at the Shen Hao are probably not the same folks looking at the Phillips.

The Phillips is/was innovative and is quite lightweight. The Shen Hao is heavier and probably a notch or two down on quality. However, I do think their hardware, especially the rear hinges, look much more substantial (and thus heavier) than the Phillips. Being an engineer, the sturdy hardware appeals to me. I've only seen the Phillips once, and that rear hinge was the ONLY thing I didn't like. Seemed like it might aquire "slop" with age.

If I had the money, I'd get a Phillips. If I had the money for the Shen Hao I'd get a Wehman. Not as pretty, but more suits my needs for weight and packability (sp?). If I was looking for a 5x7 however . . .

 

[User Removed]

Ryan.

I cannot comment on the camera itself but I can comment on Shen Hao's blatant design rip off from both Ebony and Philips (and others). They spend nothing on R&D, "steal" proven designs and make lots of $$$ in the process. I don't know about you but there is no way I can encourage this behaviour by buying their product. I'd rather pay the extra $ and buy the genuine article.

Alot of companies do this, and sometimes they will make a few small changes that are actually improvments on the original. However, most of the time, it is just made cheeper quality.

I was comparing the Shen Hao to the Ebony, and I do not think they are alike whatsoever. The Ebony seems to be more like the Deardorff design. However, I do think the Shen Hao is quite similar to Phillips camera.

Someone offered me a nearly mint Phillips Compact II for 2600.00, and before going for the sale, I've been looking around for other similar cameras that are the same or cheeper in price.

All the best,

Ryan McIntosh
www.RyanMcIntosh.net

 

[Markus Albertz]

I would suggest considering a Wehman 8x10. I cannot say enough good things about it.

http://www.wehmancamera.com/camera.html

It is a pretty leight-weight, sturdy rig and folds up very nicely so that the extension bed also functions as a lid to cover the ground glass. I own one, so please feel free to ask any specific questions. Best, Markus

 

[JLP]

Sure glad some companies copy others inventions, how else would we be rolling around in our cars?
Thanks for doing this Shen Hao.

jan

 

[Amund]

Ryan, I have the 5x7 version, and wrote a little about it here It`s identical, only smaller

 

[Terence]

Ryan, I have the 5x7 version, and wrote a little about it here It`s identical, only smaller

I've lusted after it since you posted those photos. I recently threw some cold water on myself with a reasonably cheap, user 5x7 Deardorff that lingered on KEH due to a weak description.

 

[User Removed]

The only thing that scares me about the SH 8x10 is the metal sliding arms that support the rear standard seem somewhat thin and skinny. I recently had a friend that purchased a Canham, where the back design was the same, and it had lots of flex and wobble.

It probably holds the 5x7 just fine, but it looks like the same thickness on the 8x10...only longer. I would like to hear from someone with the camera if this is a problem.

Thanks.

 

[Amund]

Those arms are 3mm thick and very sturdy. There was a tiny, tiny wobble at first, but thightening a screw solved that, and it`s now rock solid, not even the slightest hint of flex or wobble. It stays where you set it. Maybe you should arrange something with Badger, so you could try the 8x10 out...

Any particular reason you`re not considering the Wehman?

 

[Scott Peters]

Ryan, I own the Phillips 7 x 17 - fantastic design. IF I could get my hands on a phillips 8 x 10 I probably would.....except....I went with the Wehman and really like it for the most part. The rear tilt is not as smooth as I would like...I like the rear swing a lot. Sliding the front out on the rail isn't as smooth as I would like either, but it travels like no other and is light AND rigid AND bullet proof (more bellows extension than Phillips, but I rarely use THAT much...). A) I couldn't find a Phillips and B) The Wehman was a lot less money. I was also looking at the Shen Hao as Jeff at Badger really likes it and it has the features of a Phillips....so....BUT, I went with the Wehman for travel basically. If I could have held/compared the Wehman and Shen Hao side by side.....who knows...I really like the 'Phillips' design.... ahhh good artists copy great artists steal.....designs get copied all the time....the question is....is the copy of greater or equal quality? Again, I hear the Shen is really nice....

 

[User Removed]

With not having much money (budget around 2500), I need to make sure that the camera I purchase will last me most of my lifetime. With that in mind, I'm really looking into what camera will last the longest, but still has everything I'm looking for.

I've narrowed it down to these few...
Phillips Compact II, Wehman, Canham Metal field, Kodak Masterview and ShenHao.

My first choice is the Phillips, but at 2,600 dollars, I wanted to find something possibly abit cheeper. I've used a Phillips for a short time and loved everything about it.

The Masterview is a great camera, but I would prefer something newer and not so heavy.

The Canham is the same price as the Phillips, but I've not heard or seen much about it. I've had friends who purchased the woodfield and were not satified because the camera was not sturdy enough for them.

I was originally going to get a Wehman, but I seem to be drifting away from it now for a few reasons. Probably the first is aesthetics. Bruce has a fantastic designed camera, but I feel it's still in the development process and he is still working on making it better each year. Looks are not that important, but I feel the camera is not very attractive looking. It seems that he has the framework of the camera nearly perfected, but now it's just to improve the aesthetics and small details of the camera, such as making things abit more smooth.

Shen Hao is still an option, but for some reason...just looking at the camera, I cannot see it still being good 10-20 years from now. Maybe its just all the little tiny screws, small moving wooden parts, ect...they seem they would not be functioning so well awhile down the road. I can seem to vision stuff starting to come loose on the camera and needing lots of attention as it gets older.

Anymore comments are welcome. I'm going to keep thinking about this. I got a couple weeks before it's time to make the purchase.

All the best,

Ryan McIntosh
www.RyanMcIntosh.net

 

[bherg]

You should really check out the Gandolfi Variant 8x10 wich should be something like 2500usd. I think i saw that price somewhere, so second hand it should be even better.

http://www.gandolficameras.com/


or what about the toyo 8x10m2. i havent used it, but it looks nice and black.



Cheers Johannes

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Ryan- as someone who has used his Shen Hao 4x5 heavily, I can say it holds up extremely well. Stuff doesn't wiggle loose or fall off. I've had mine at least six years now, and taken it some pretty exotic places. Don't let their Q/C be an obstacle to picking the camera. Get one from Jeff at Badger and give it a two-week whirl. If you don't like it, you're out the shipping cost to send it back.

 

[Amund]

And the 4x5 Scott talks about is the HZX-45(wich I used before the FCL), and it`s a nice little camera, but the FCL is a step up in both design and craftmanship IMO. With the $700 you save you can buy a bunch of film and paper..

But, wouldn`t 26 1/2 inches of extenition be a tad short for use with the 24" R.D.Artar at anything but infinity? (applies to both Phillips and Shen-Hao)

 

[User Removed]

I took a peak at the Gandolfi 8x10 and it's not really what I'm looking for. Beautiful camera, but it's a shame it cannot be folded up from the bed.

Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't the Shen Hao 4x5 and completely different design from the 8x10?

 

[Amund]

Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't the Shen Hao 4x5 and completely different design from the 8x10?

Yes, I mentioned that in my previous post by saying the FCL-series is of a better design and craftmanship.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Ryan- my point was not saying that the HZX is the same as the FCL you are looking at, but smaller. My point was that if the build quality of the one I have is anything to judge by, don't let preconceived notions about build quality stop you from considering the camera. Perhaps, instead of the FCL, you should look at the HZX 810 II instead. Although it is more money than the FCL, it will give you everything you need in a field 8x10. It has triple extension, more movements, and all metal hardware on it is titanium. I'm pretty sure it would also keep within your budget.

 

[noseoil]

"and all metal hardware on it is titanium".... fc

According to the marketing hype, this is also true of the Shen Hao in 4x5, mine is black painted brass. Mine is certainly a good camera in 4x5 and I have no complaints about it in fit and finish. The short bellows draw seems to be the only drawback with the Shen Hao 8x10. I would ask Jeff to place one on a scale, to make sure the weight is as advertised.
best, tim

 

[Robert Hall]

As for the Canham, I've used them for 6 years now and they are as stable as any I've seen once tightened down except for maybe the Ebony.

I have a couple of the metal as well and I can tell you, the wood is more stable than the metal.