I'm just curious to know who has had experience with the "build-it-yourself" Bender Photographic 4x5 cameras.
I had initially bought mine when I got into LF because of financial reasons. I couldn't afford the commercial monorails or flat-beds (I had my eye on a Toyo-Field AX). Used cameras in my price range were worn down and heavily restricted in movement potential.
When I came across the Bender ads and the website I thought it was too good to be true. Here was a full movement monorail camera, weighing only 3lbs for just $325.00 USD (Price is now $329.50).
Naturally I was still skeptical. What might sound great on paper will undoubtedtly be revealed as troublesome in areas. I thought that if I get it, it will at least give me the experience I need to shoot and use LF, then I can upgrade to a commercial model in the future.
Well let me tell you, I have been using the Bender camera "professionally" for 5 years now and have had no desire to change. I love it! Most of the fine-art work that I sell is made by this camera. I'm sure my 4x5 discipline has something to do with it also, but the camera "technically" perfroms admirably. Plus it is a real beaut' that turns heads whenever I go in the field. I even put it on display at my art shows. People are excited to learn that I still use it and it's not just an antique destined to the dust mites!
Here is my current system for those that are interested:
Bender 4x5 view camera
6 Fidelity holders
90mm Caltar f/6.8 with bag bellows accessory
150mm Sinaron S f/5.6
210mm Rodenstock f/5.6
300mm Fujinon T f/8
Cambo 6x12 film back (slide in type)
Cambo 6x7 film back (slide in type)
the usual filters (pola, ND grads, warm-up, ND's)
This all fits in a Lowepro Super Trekker backpack. I use a Manfrotto 055C tripod with a 468RC2 Proball head. Meter readings are taken with a Sekonic 558 in spot and/or incident modes.
After all my pro-Bender talk there are sure to be negative points, as with any camera, but these negative points do not draw me away from the camera enough to consider getting another one. You must discover what those are for yourself since each of us have different needs and wants. I'm just letting you know that it works. Noted nature photographer John Shaw said it best:
"Used haphazardly, the very best equipment will produce sloppy photographs; yet mediocre equipment, weilded with fanatical attention to technique, is capable of producing exquisite images."
If you have used the Bender I would like to hear your thoughts and experiences.
Here is the link to Bender Photographic's website: www.benderphoto.com
Cheers,
David
David S. Nardi Photography
www.davidnardi.com
I had initially bought mine when I got into LF because of financial reasons. I couldn't afford the commercial monorails or flat-beds (I had my eye on a Toyo-Field AX). Used cameras in my price range were worn down and heavily restricted in movement potential.
When I came across the Bender ads and the website I thought it was too good to be true. Here was a full movement monorail camera, weighing only 3lbs for just $325.00 USD (Price is now $329.50).
Naturally I was still skeptical. What might sound great on paper will undoubtedtly be revealed as troublesome in areas. I thought that if I get it, it will at least give me the experience I need to shoot and use LF, then I can upgrade to a commercial model in the future.
Well let me tell you, I have been using the Bender camera "professionally" for 5 years now and have had no desire to change. I love it! Most of the fine-art work that I sell is made by this camera. I'm sure my 4x5 discipline has something to do with it also, but the camera "technically" perfroms admirably. Plus it is a real beaut' that turns heads whenever I go in the field. I even put it on display at my art shows. People are excited to learn that I still use it and it's not just an antique destined to the dust mites!
Here is my current system for those that are interested:
Bender 4x5 view camera
6 Fidelity holders
90mm Caltar f/6.8 with bag bellows accessory
150mm Sinaron S f/5.6
210mm Rodenstock f/5.6
300mm Fujinon T f/8
Cambo 6x12 film back (slide in type)
Cambo 6x7 film back (slide in type)
the usual filters (pola, ND grads, warm-up, ND's)
This all fits in a Lowepro Super Trekker backpack. I use a Manfrotto 055C tripod with a 468RC2 Proball head. Meter readings are taken with a Sekonic 558 in spot and/or incident modes.
After all my pro-Bender talk there are sure to be negative points, as with any camera, but these negative points do not draw me away from the camera enough to consider getting another one. You must discover what those are for yourself since each of us have different needs and wants. I'm just letting you know that it works. Noted nature photographer John Shaw said it best:
"Used haphazardly, the very best equipment will produce sloppy photographs; yet mediocre equipment, weilded with fanatical attention to technique, is capable of producing exquisite images."
If you have used the Bender I would like to hear your thoughts and experiences.
Here is the link to Bender Photographic's website: www.benderphoto.com
Cheers,
David
David S. Nardi Photography
www.davidnardi.com
