Lithuanian 8 x 10 Field Camera. Anybody Have Knowledge of It?

[F4U]

I just happened upon this ebay listing. Looks like a pretty neat camera. Is somebody making these new? If so, price is competitive with the Intrepid, but it seems nicer. What's the story? Thank you.

8x10" "Compact" camera | eBay

Tripod thread 1/4 ". Lightweight (3.25kg), compact (body, without screw heads 31x32x7cm). Slight differences from the photo are possible.

www.ebay.com

 

[Kino]

Yes, there is a thread on the LPF Forum here:

Got me a new version of Vist 8x10

I had written a review of the Vist 8x10 when it first appeared a couple of years ago. I purchased the latest version (version 3 I believe) since the new features appealed to me. Plus given that the cost (< $600) was less than a couple of 4x5's I have owned, I wanted to give it a shot. I have no...

www.largeformatphotography.info

I fully intended to purchase one when more came back into stock, but they sold out before I could scrape the money together. He listed 5 of them last time; hopefully more are on the way. He makes them by hand and releases them in small batches.

Looks like he has just the one for sale now.

I really need to sell my Calumet C2 "black beast" to fund the purchase, so I will probably miss this one as well.

EDIT: Interesting; he's also offering a 4x5 folding pinhole camera.

 

[F4U]

How does it focus? Is there a knob of some kind, or does it just slide and lock down like pulling out the front standard of a speed graphic? Wonder what it weighs. I don't have facebook and don't want it.

 

[Kino]

The focus is usually the make/brake feature (lack of feature?) of this camera.

It relies on pushing/pulling the slide back and forth; locking on the side with the chrome strip and knurled knob. Others have claimed a "friend" made a fine focus modification to the camera, but never responded with pictures when asked to show it.

Did you read the Large Format Photography thread? Do so; a lot of details in there...

As for weight it weighs 3.25kg or 7.16 pounds.

 

[F4U]

The focus is usually the make/brake feature (lack of feature?) of this camera.

It relies on pushing/pulling the slide back and forth; locking on the side with the chrome strip and knurled knob. Others have claimed a "friend" made a fine focus modification to the camera, but never responded with pictures when asked to show it.

Did you read the Large Format Photography thread? Do so; a lot of details in there...

As for weight it weighs 3.25kg or 7.16 pounds.

Yes I read all of it. Heck. I thought I might have happened on a nice alternative to the Intrepid. But with no focus mechanism I guess it's a deal killer. Problem is, I finally got he Intrepid people to return my inquiry. They're wanting AT LEAST 2 months, and most likely a lot more. I'm not going to pay a sum of money like that and sit on my hands for 2-3 months or more. I do have my Horseman anvil, at least. Although it's mihty limiting to try to go out in the field hauling an anvil and all the other stuff.

 

[Kino]

Been comparing the two myself; still leaning toward the Vist, though. The focus "issue" is concerning, but a lot of other issues reported with the Intrepid have cooled my ardor somewhat, so it's almost a draw.

Anyway, it's a moot point at the moment until I get my C2 sold. Talk about an anvil; the C2 is a fabulous studio camera or field camera for strapping young photographers, but this old man struggles with it and I need a lighter camera.

Oh and here's another thread I started on LFP, asking someone who bought the current "upgraded" version:

feedback on 8x10 camera from Vist camera in Vilnius?

Has anyone here purchased or used a 8x10 camera from Vist camera? I would love to get a feedback. I see it on eBay and it seems there is a facebook page as well: https://www.facebook.com/vistkamera The camera has limited movements (front rise and tilt only) and lacks fine focusing. It...

www.largeformatphotography.info

This thread probably has a lot more of the details I was thinking were in the first...

 

[F4U]

I guess I'll just muddle through with this Horseman, which should have been named an Elephantman. I had already done he modification to get rid of the rear L-arm. I bet that took off 8 pounds. But it's still a beast. I can't believe there's only the 2 choices that don't cost the national debt, just to shoot an 8x10 negative. Of course I could get a negative scanner and a nice printer, probably for less than one of these cameras, and just photoshop up a negative to contact print. Goodness knows i can do photoshop like a champ. But it's just not photography Not at all.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I don't think that slide-focus would be terribly hard. I do wonder about the thinner laminate base more than focusing problems.

 

[F4U]

Well it's already gone, anyway.

 

[blee1996]

I'm saving money for an ultra compact and lightweight 8x10 camera. I'm willing to pay a bit more money for quality (compared to Intrepid), but not the kind of money for Canham or Chamonix.

Vist is definitely one strong candidate, as well as Stenopeika Airforce (Pro). I asked Vist recently and he said that a new batch should come this spring. The Stenopeika guy on youtube sounds too much like a salesman though.

 

[xya]

You may consider a Rittreck View 5x7 with 8x10 back as well. The ample movements of the 5x7 are restricted with 8x10, but as a field or a portrait camera it works well https://www.oddcameras.com/rittreck_view.htm. I'm out of 8x10, so I'm selling mine. As I'm in Europe, it's not for you...

 

[Kino]

I'm saving money for an ultra compact and lightweight 8x10 camera. I'm willing to pay a bit more money for quality (compared to Intrepid), but not the kind of money for Canham or Chamonix.

Vist is definitely one strong candidate, as well as Stenopeika Airforce (Pro). I asked Vist recently and he said that a new batch should come this spring. The Stenopeika guy on youtube sounds too much like a salesman though.

You just missed your chance for this month; there were two Vist 8x10 cameras on Ebay, but both have sold.

 

[blee1996]

You just missed your chance for this month; there were two Vist 8x10 cameras on Ebay, but both have sold.

Actually I saw the Vist and did not go for it. In the end, I bought an Intrepid 8x10 Mk III all black version from B&H. So far it works well enough for my purpose: basic, simple, and lightweight. There are a few quirks, most manageable except that insert/retrieve film holders can be super tight. I will live with the Intrepid for now, and joined the waitlist for Keith Canham's next wooden camera production run (12-14 months from now).

 

[Kino]

Actually I saw the Vist and did not go for it. In the end, I bought an Intrepid 8x10 Mk III all black version from B&H. So far it works well enough for my purpose: basic, simple, and lightweight. There are a few quirks, most manageable except that insert/retrieve film holders can be super tight. I will live with the Intrepid for now, and joined the waitlist for Keith Canham's next wooden camera production run (12-14 months from now).

I went ahead and purchased one of the two. We can compare notes once it arrives...

 

[Kino]

Quite happy with the Vist. Very sturdy for a field camera; obviously not as stout as the Calmet C1, but I'll take the tradeoff for the weight reduction. The lack of fine focus knob appears to be less of an issue once I mounted a lens, but in the field it may be a different story when trying to do front standard tilts and swings. Handles my 360mm Nikkor f6.5 easily and that's no light weight lens!

Click on image to enlarge.

 

[blee1996]

Thanks for the update and photos, looking handsome! I suppose these are cherry wood? How is the screen brightness?

 

[Kino]

I am not sure what type of wood of which this camera is constructed. I wrote and inquired as to its type and proper care tips, but he didn't mention anything beyond using a good beeswax or silicon wax to treat the wood. Smells exotic; think it may be some form of mahogany.

The screen brightness is quite good. The GG lines are hand marked, but cleanly made. It's a very good ground glass in my opinion.

 

[Kino]

Oh yes; the improvements I forgot to show. The maker, Virgis Steponaltis, seems to be monitoring how the camera is being received by people who post online and is making incremental improvements. He has added a detent for the folding rear standard and a leather hoop for extracting the front standard from the folded position.