New 4x5 Kit - Comparison Help

glassbox · Aug 29, 2014

I just acquired a new set of 4x5 gear. I'm pretty new when it comes to LF cameras. My only other experience is with this Calumet set up HERE

It had a Caltar II-N 150mm /5.6 and a Schneider-Kreuznach Symmar-S 210mm /5.6

The new Set-Up I just picked up is a Toyo-G and I was wondering if you can tell me how the new kit compares to the Calumet one I used to have.

Here's what's in the new kit

Camera body, Compendium Lens Shade, Bag Bellows,
90mm Fujinon SW with Recessed Board
135mm Schneider Symmar-S w/Board and Polarizer
210mm Rodenstock Sionar-N w/Board

Regular Rod · Aug 29, 2014

You are surely the best judge of how they compare. Go and make some photographs with the new stuff and compare the experience with what you had before.

RR

glassbox · Aug 29, 2014

Regular Rod said:
You are surely the best judge of how they compare. Go and make some photographs with the new stuff and compare the experience with what you had before.

RR

Yes of course

I was just wondering if the items such as lenses and camera were better quality than what I was playing with before. Or at least comparable.

BradS · Aug 29, 2014

The biggest difference I see i that one kit includes a 90mm lens and the other does not. Other than that, the two kits are virtually interchangeable. Each camera system has its adherents and detractors. These are both fairly high quality and very capable monorail systems. The lenses are about equivalent.

Ari · Aug 30, 2014

I think you will notice an improvement in stability; the Cambo is no slouch, but the Toyo G series is very sturdy, the most rigid I've used in 4x5, the trade-off being an increase in weight.
Having three lenses is nice, and they are nicely spaced in terms of focal length.

Old-N-Feeble · Aug 30, 2014

Ari said:
I think you will notice an improvement in stability; the Cambo is no slouch, but the Toyo G series is very sturdy, the most rigid I've used in 4x5, the trade-off being an increase in weight.
Having three lenses is nice, and they are nicely spaced in terms of focal length.

This is a very good summation.

E. von Hoegh · Aug 30, 2014

90 - 135 - 210 is a very nice spacing of focal lengths. That's the biggest difference. As for overall quality, if you live another 1000 years and photograph every day, you might begin to approach the limits of your gear.

Ian Grant · Aug 30, 2014

It's a good kit, the major difference is the 135 Symmar has a smaller image circle than your old 150mm. I have the same lenses although my 135mm Symmar is re-badged as a Caltar.

Ian

Vaughn · Aug 30, 2014

My main 4x5 set up has a Caltar II-N 150mm /5.6...wonderful little lens as you probably experienced. But the 135mm will do nicely, as Ian suggested, more care will be needed using movement, esp for landscapes. The shade is a nice addition.

Ian Grant · Aug 31, 2014

Vaughn said:
My main 4x5 set up has a Caltar II-N 150mm /5.6...wonderful little lens as you probably experienced. But the 135mm will do nicely, as Ian suggested, more care will be needed using movement, esp for landscapes. The shade is a nice addition.

I've found the Multi-coated Symmars & Sironars (and rebadged Caltar versions) to be remarkably flare resistant even in conditions where the lenses on my Canon are unusable due to flare, and actually my pre-multicoating Schneider lnses are OK as well.

Ian

glassbox · Aug 31, 2014

Thanks for all the input!

I just received the new Toyo today and I'm immediately impressed with how much better this kit is than my previous set. The Calumet was a nice camera to learn all about movements and and how to operate a 4x5 system. But there is a sturdiness and precision on the Toyo that is exactly what I was hoping for.

Can't wait to shoot some samples tomorrow.

Ari · Sep 1, 2014

And you'll certainly appreciate that some of the movements (rise and shift) are geared, and that there is a very nice fine-focusing knob.
Heavier than your Cambo, but rock-solid.

Texsport · Sep 4, 2014

I use lens which are specialized for my personal uses of 4X5.

My primary lens choices, on a Pacemaker Speed Graphic 4X5 are:

Rodenstock APO Renar 240/9 - The sharpest portraits possible with wonderful skin tones.

Kodak Aero Ektar 178/2.5 - Longer range and bokeh.

Texsport

RalphLambrecht · Sep 4, 2014

glassbox said:
Thanks for all the input!

I just received the new Toyo today and I'm immediately impressed with how much better this kit is than my previous set. The Calumet was a nice camera to learn all about movements and and how to operate a 4x5 system. But there is a sturdiness and precision on the Toyo that is exactly what I was hoping for.

Can't wait to shoot some samples tomorrow.

glad to hear it. I got myself a new Toyo metal- field camerahoping to replace a Linhof Technikardan and a Cambomonorailanawas impressed by the sturdyness of the Toyobut the Linhof is still my favorit.It just leaks mechanical perfection

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