New Chamonix

Hello All,
I just received a shiney new Chamonix and am wondering if any past owners have any tips or hints to help me on my way. Also any design flaws that may cause trouble.
Thanks
Arthur

No design flaws. It's an amazing camera.

Make sure you find the little slide out locks on the rear standard. These will help you "zero" the rear.

No design issues, but make sure you figure out exactly how to attach the carbon fiber GG protector, so you don't have to fumble in the field. You can also memorize which bed hole to fit the front standard to for each of your lenses. Practice in your house until you can set up and fold down quickly and the camera will be a joy in the field. Have fun!

A friend of mine wrote an article on it, you may find it helpful...
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I really love this camera but make sure you check the fresnel screen to make sure it is absolutely secure. Mine dropped into the bellows in the middle of a portrait shoot when I was exposing multiple holders ruining some of the shots.

So where are folks getting their Linhof lens boards. Mine arrived yesterday at noon.

Donbga, I started to make my own linhof boards out of quarter sawn walnut... Will go well with my walnut Chamonix which is on its way Or just buy a generic one from Badger graphic

donbga said:

So where are folks getting their Linhof lens boards. Mine arrived yesterday at noon.

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Ebay, from China. I think I paid $10 or so for one. Got a bunch. Took about 8-10 days.

I bought some of the generic lens boards from Badger. They sent me Shen Hao boards and the quality is very good. They also come up for sale regularly on the forums.

I think I would like to go with Linhof boards. I'll look around for them.

Thanks!

You mean the original Linhof Technika boards with the crest? Those are pretty expensive--even used, and I'm not sure of the benefit, other then a natty crest. Wista boards are nice, and they've also got the crests. Ebony boards have (what else, but) ebony veneer over the metal plate. I've got a variety and they all look good and work well. if you're going to splash out, Chamonix sells carbon fiber lens boards. I prefer the boards with the center drilled holes, so I don't get cheated out of any front rise.

KEH sells the Linhof boards. Just picked up 2 yesterday for about 17$ each. I think in the future i will also make my own boards.
Looks like 3 or 4mm model plywood should work great and the cost would be only 1 or 2$ each.

Barry S said:

You mean the original Linhof Technika boards with the crest? Those are pretty expensive--even used, and I'm not sure of the benefit, other then a natty crest. Wista boards are nice, and they've also got the crests. Ebony boards have (what else, but) ebony veneer over the metal plate. I've got a variety and they all look good and work well. if you're going to splash out, Chamonix sells carbon fiber lens boards. I prefer the boards with the center drilled holes, so I don't get cheated out of any front rise.

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I simply meant Linhof style, I really want to avoid wooden lens boards. The carbon fiber boards sound nice but how long would it take to get them?

Thanks,

You can PM Hugo and see what he says about the carbon fiber boards, but if they're in stock, they're very quick about shipping stuff out. All the other boards that have been mentioned are metal.

Just got mine too and it is truly an amazing piece of work.

Question for whomever - Mine doesn't have any markings on the ground glass indicating the size of the various formats (ie there are markings for say 6x9, but it doesn't say 6x9). Does anyone have a photo showing what the sizes are?

Does someone have contact information
for Chamonix? Is there a list online of
cameras, formats and pricing?

Rolleiflexible said:

Does someone have contact information
for Chamonix? Is there a list online of
cameras, formats and pricing?

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The 4x5 was around $850 shipped. You need to contact Hugo Zhang and he can give you all the details.

design flaws? I don't know if I would call them flaws, but the way the camera works is a little bit different than most other field cameras.

One thing i've found handy, is when adjusting front swing, I don't loosen the front standard all the way, I make it just loose enough so that I can nudge it to rotate the standard with my thumb (using a bit of pressure), but not loose enough so that it is easily moved by accident. This makes adjusting swing for very fine adjustments quite easy, without adjusting shift in the process. I usually set my front shift (if needed) with the standard loose, then tighten down the standard until it's starting to get snug, then I can nudge the standard with my thumbs to adjust swing. Sometimes I tighten the standard down farther after I've made my adjustments, but usually I just leave it like it is, cocking the shutter never moves the standard when it's lightly snug, at least it hasn't for me.

Rear standard adjustment (for swing/shift) is a little tricky (or different, maybe is a more accurate description) compared to other camera designs. I don't have any tips on using this, once you've used it a few times, you'll get a feel for how it moves.

I've also found that when switching from a wide lens to a longer lens, you don't always need to re-position the front standard into a screw hole farther out. The focusing knob can move the standard out a good ways, this may save you some time when switching lenses, if you know you don't need to un-screw and re-position the front standard when switching between certain lenses. Depends on how much of a jump in focal length you're making.

Also, I keep a small allen wrench with me (1.5mm I believe?) incase some of the small allen nuts get to loose or are to tight. Particularly on the thumb latches that stop the rear standard's tilting to 90 degrees, and the front standard's tilting. When I first got the camera those thumb latches were to tight to move comfortably, but then after making them more loose, they were to loose after a while. So I found a happy medium later on. But I keep that allen wrench with me, just in case they get to loose again (they haven't so far). I always try to keep at least a small allen wrench, small phillips & flathead screwdrivers with me when shooting though (with any camera), you never know what might need some tightening

Good luck, enjoy! It's a great camera!

jbannow said:

Just got mine too and it is truly an amazing piece of work.

Question for whomever - Mine doesn't have any markings on the ground glass indicating the size of the various formats (ie there are markings for say 6x9, but it doesn't say 6x9). Does anyone have a photo showing what the sizes are?

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I am pretty sure they are 6x12, 6x9, 6x7 and 6x6.
But you can simply measure it with a centimeter ruler to be 100% sure

I'm okay with the 6xVarious, but am more confused by the other marks in the top corners. I will see if I can take a decent shot of the ground glass to show what I am speaking of.