Magnesium view camera.

[Joe Kashi]

To try to put things into perspective, I just individually weighed each of the components of my lightest complete camera outfit, a 4x5 Toho FC-45X, generally considered one of the lightest full-featured 4x5 cameras. I'll list each item by ounces and then convert the complete outfit into pounds/ounces. Everything, including the CF tripod, fits easily into a small backpack. All of this was carefully chosen for good quality with minimum possible weight while still being useful and reasonably protected against damage.


47 oz - Toho view camera, both components, without protective cases ( Wooden Nagaoka field camera is almost exactly the same weight )
4 oz - protective cases for above parts
41 oz - Amazon compact CF tripod with Arca-Swiss mount and level and stone bag for stability
5 oz - nylon tripod case and shoulder strap for tripod
29 oz - ballistic nylon backpack
20 oz - three double-sided 4x5 film holders, Lisco or Grafmatic 6 shot film magazine 17 oz
8 oz - LunaPro light meter, Pentax digital spot meter a bit heavier
8 oz - nylon ground cloth to protect gear while working
5 oz - filters with nylon case
8 oz - focus aid, lens hoods, cable releases, small level
12 oz - Fujitsu 125mm/f 5.6 NWS lens, with lens board and protective neoprene case
9 oz - Kodak 203/7.7 Ektar lens with lens board and neoprene case
14 oz - Georz 270mm/f 9 Red Dot Artar with lens board and protective case
14 oz - Fujitsu 75mm/f8 NSW wide angle lens

______

224 ounces = 14 pounds


The light backpack and the various protective cases for the camera components and lenses weigh nearly 48 ounces/3 pounds along and it would be foolish not to use them to protect your gear.

The lightest feasible tripod for this very light rig weighs just under 3 pounds with its case and fits inside the backpack along with the camera and lenses.

Three film holder weight 20 ounces / 1.25 pounds

Four very small lenses carefully chosen for low weight but good image quality clock in at 49 ounces, just over 3 pounds, with their lens boards and minimal protective cases.

Basic accessories such as one of the lightest classic light meters, a few filters, a protective ground cloth, a cable release, and two light aluminum lens hoods weigh 29 ounces, a bit under two pounds.

My point is that even the lightest feasible large format rig has significant weight, certainly more so than a decent but light digital camera outfit such as an Olympus Pen-F with a few small prime lenses and Domke bag ( about 5.5 pounds including shoulder bag.).

Saving a few ounces on a lightweight 4x5 outfit by using super-light or exotic metals for the camera hardware makes very little difference.

You could save more weight by leaving out one or two lenses, which might be limiting in the field, or omitting some protective cases, which would be foolish.

As a practical matter, a useful large format outfit will not be so light that saving a few ounces on the camera will make a perceptible difference.

 

[DREW WILEY]

That's about the same weight as my complete lighter weight 4X5 backpacking kit with a little Ebony mahogany folder in it. It's only about half a pound more weight than the "ultralights" - so the camera itself is only a minor variable. The number of film holders or optional roll film holders is the biggest issue.

I don't include pack weight because my main usage of a lightwt system has been for long-haul backpacking, where both a seriously built pack and typically about 60-70 extra lbs of non-photo backpacking gear and supplies were also involved.

I don't use cases. Ordinary bubble wrapping, plastic bags, work fine in an external frame backpacks with side pouches.
I can even carry an 8x10 system in the same pack.

 

[MattKing]

To try to put things in perspective, I just individually weighed each of the components of my lightest complete camera outfit,

Clearly, you have the right mindset for LF work

 

[DREW WILEY]

Nobody seems to get it. They have it all backwards. The BIGGER the camera, the lighter it is, at least if you're willing to invest in my helium-filled bellows kickstarter patent. I think Goodyear might be interested. They might need a new advertising blimp.

 

[Roger Thoms]

Nobody seems to get it. They have it all backwards. The BIGGER the camera, the lighter it is, at least if you're willing to invest in my helium-filled bellows kickstarter patent. I think Goodyear might be interested. They might need a new advertising blimp.

Personally I’d be more interested in hydrogen-filled bellows, certainly more bang for your buck.

Roger

 

[Joe Kashi]

Clearly, you have the right mindset for LF work

40+ years as a trial lawyer dealing with construction claims and other technically-based cases, before that training in experimental physics among other disciplines at MIT late 60s/early 70s, including some work with Minor White.

Facts are king. Opinions not based upon verified facts and personal experience are just hearsay, so to speak.

 

[reddesert]

Joe's weight breakdown is useful, and to me a little reminiscent of trying to figure out how much everything in my backpacking kit, not including a camera, weighs. People often overestimate the contribution of the biggest items to the total. Reducing weight by shaving weight off individual items often is an expensive or inconvenient way to save a little weight, versus saving weight by bringing fewer items. (For ex, going to lengths to make the camera 0.5-1 pound lighter, versus bringing one fewer lens.)

 

[Chuck1]

It's amazing how Heavy a roll film back is (never-mind 2)

 

[MattKing]

40+ years as a trial lawyer dealing with construction claims and other technically-based cases, before that training in experimental physics among other disciplines at MIT late 60s/early 70s

In my case, 25 years doing a mixed practice with some barrister's work but mostly solicitor's work, with law school preceded by a BSc with a major in math and physics.
But oddly enough, no sheet film in my history .

 

[Joe Kashi]

Hi, Matt

My wife and I were just through your area last week traveling between the airport and the South Gulf Islands. In addition to a rather similar background and occupation, as well as LF, in common, we may have a friend in common, Dave B., who used to be with the LSBC. He and I often presented on tech topics together, including the Pacific Legal Tech conferences in Vancouver 2011-2017.

 

[MattKing]

Hi Joe,
I got the first degree from UBC, but law school was at the University of Victoria, so I don't know Dave B.
Hope you enjoyed your visit.