New Wanderlust 4x5 camera

Andrew K · Apr 17, 2013

Actually, I suspect we will be able to hack the camera easily enough to mount a 127 or 135mm lens on the camera. A home made extension tube of the right length is easy enough to make, and it will be easy enough to re-calibrate the focussing scale...

The more I think about it the more I'm tempted to order a second one...................

Dr Croubie · Apr 17, 2013

Andrew K said:
Actually, I suspect we will be able to hack the camera easily enough to mount a 127 or 135mm lens on the camera. A home made extension tube of the right length is easy enough to make, and it will be easy enough to re-calibrate the focussing scale...

The more I think about it the more I'm tempted to order a second one...................

That's what i was thinking. the 65mm is set at "hyperfocal", so I was pondering if I put a 75mm Fujinon on it if that would be set almost at infinity (or a few mm each way can be fixed with a drill and some hacking). Initially I've gone for the 65mm, but I'm tempted to get the 90 as well. Hell, $100 used to be what i'd blow on a weekend's drinking back at uni, now i barely go out and I've got a lot more income...

Roger Cole · Apr 17, 2013

didjiman said:
I bought a Crown with a matching RF, but then realized that what I really want is a "proper" view camera, and sold the camera within a couple hours. The person didn't even want the 135mm Nikkor since he already has a 135mm lens. Good deal for both of us.

I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed with the Wanderlust, when they realize they either have to pay a lot for development, or do their own.

p.s. and I love the Chamonix 4x5 F1 I got. I may pick up a "P&S" 4x5 soon, for more night exposure stuff...

I don't think anyone who buys this should be disappointed for those reasons. Anyone who buys this either already does 4x5 or has been looking into it enough to know that they have to do their own or pay through the nose to send it out.

I do my own of course, and I'd bet 90%+ of the people who shoot black and white in it will do as well, and probably 1/3 or more of the folks who use it for color.

Dr Croubie · Apr 17, 2013

Well, it's official, I need to buy the 90mm camera too. Just scored a 65mm SA and 90mm SA, both f/8 Linhof Technika versions, off fleabay last night, €400 shipped together to aus. Might ditch one or the other later on, or hoard them like the Vics...

munz6869 · Apr 17, 2013

They've passed $100,000! Wowee - astonishing for a new 5x4" camera!!

Marc!

Barry S · Apr 17, 2013

This is a really good sign for film. The interest in the Travelwide is impressive.

Patrick Robert James · Apr 17, 2013

Wow. By the time this thing is all said and done there will be something like a thousand people looking for lenses... I have a feeling there will be a crush of demand even though there were a lot of 90s made. It may be nearly impossible to get a decent price on a 65 since there aren't nearly as many out there.

I have been thinking about getting the 65 to use as a pinhole. Seems like a good idea. I have been shooting quite a bit with a heavily modified Holga 6x12 lately. Might be fun to do some 4x5.

Roger Cole · Apr 17, 2013

I'd imagine a goodly number of the orders are from people who already have a lens they plan to use with it. Far from all certainly, but a fair number.

winger · Apr 17, 2013

Roger Cole said:
I'd imagine a goodly number of the orders are from people who already have a lens they plan to use with it. Far from all certainly, but a fair number.

Or people who figure they can use the pinhole until they (I) can find one. And maybe wait until prices drop because there aren't 500 people looking for them.

Pioneer · Apr 18, 2013

munz6869 said:
They've passed $100,000! Wowee - astonishing for a new 5x4" camera!!

Marc!

Particularly astonishing for a 4x5 camera proposal. It only exists as a prototype. It has yet to even be manufactured.

Patrick Robert James · Apr 18, 2013

Let's not overlook the fact that it is likely that the 1000ish people who buy this might go looking for some film when they get it. If each of them buys a box of 50 sheets of film it will be a touch scarce for a bit...

I think all of this is great though. I wish he developers success and the purchasers a lot of fun.

Jesper · Apr 18, 2013

And here I am, not really knowing what to do with my Super Angulon 65/8 and Angulon 90/6.8...

pen s · Apr 19, 2013

As of now, 927 cameras with 12 days to go. I think they will get backers for 1000 cameras by the May 2nd ending date. This is going to cut into the 4X5 Harman Titan sales but Ilford will make it up in film and paper sales.

Now the 8 month wait. Better get busy searching for that 90mm lens.

JamesR · Apr 21, 2013

i have the Linhof branded Angulon 90 f/6.8 as well, so that helped with the decision to pledge for the travelwide.
i had been thinking of selling the lens too! lucky i didnt!

i found it a pain in the ass to use on my Crown Graphic, had to drop the bed and shift up slightly, and i dont have a recessed board for my Graphic View II, so cant use it on that.

Dr Croubie · Apr 21, 2013

For a cheap camera, this is turning out a bit expensive so far...
$189 - Travelwide 60 & 90
$60 - shipping
202 - 65/8 SA
161 - 90/8 SA
45 - shipping
$15 - 5x film backs
$35 - shipping

That's $800 so far, plus I need film, a light meter, and probably a MOD54 to develop stuff (I was already going to buy a Paterson 2-reel tank, now i'll get a 3-reel to fit the mod54 in).
(I'm not counting the $250 i also just spent on getting scanning fluid to Aus, nor the betterscanning mount or the v750 I already bought last year)

Still, for less than $1000 that's a damn nice setup, and would probably take a lot nicer images than $4000 worth of digital...

ChuckP · Apr 21, 2013

Do you also need to buy viewfinders?

Roger Cole · Apr 21, 2013

ChuckP said:
Do you also need to buy viewfinders?

It comes with a wire frame sports finder. You can use that. If you want an optical finder, this guy on eBay has homemade finders in several focal lengths:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/boriska_gr/...h=item2a2a343f58&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

Most buyers seem happy, a few complain, but he says up front that his $21 plus $11 shipping finders won't match a $200 Voigtlander, nor should the be expected to. They are proportioned for 35mm so won't exactly match the shape of 4x5, and so none of the ones available will match both vertical and horizontal dimensions. Here's a post on LFPF giving the coverage of the 90mm lens on 4x5 and the similar focal lengths for 35mm for comparison:

http://www.largeformatphotography.i...-4x5-P-amp-S&p=1013317&viewfull=1#post1013317

A 90mm lens for 96x120mm film (4x5 in most holders, some vary by a wee bit) has the following angles of view in degrees: horizontal: 67, vertical: 56, diagonal: 81
A 21mm lens for 24x36mm film has the following angles of view in degrees: horizontal: 81, vertical: 59, diagonal: 91
A 28mm lens for 24x36 gets you, in degrees: h: 65, v: 46, d: 75

Some are opting for 21mm for the closer match to vertically. I felt like that will show more in the viewfinder than I'll get on film horizontally and I'd rather have it show less since I can crop in printing if there's stuff I don't want on the film, so I opted for the 28mm.

Roger Cole · Apr 21, 2013

Dr Croubie said:
For a cheap camera, this is turning out a bit expensive so far...
$189 - Travelwide 60 & 90
$60 - shipping
€202 - 65/8 SA
€161 - 90/8 SA
€45 - shipping
$15 - 5x film backs
$35 - shipping

That's $800 so far, plus I need film, a light meter, and probably a MOD54 to develop stuff (I was already going to buy a Paterson 2-reel tank, now i'll get a 3-reel to fit the mod54 in).
(I'm not counting the $250 i also just spent on getting scanning fluid to Aus, nor the betterscanning mount or the v750 I already bought last year)

Still, for less than $1000 that's a damn nice setup, and would probably take a lot nicer images than $4000 worth of digital...

Of course there's nothing to be done about shipping when it's international and long distance.

I suspect many of us who are buying these already shoot 4x5 (or 5x4 if you prefer...) and so already have most of the items. I already have the lens, the film holders, 4x5 film in the fridge, light meters, both a Luna Pro SBC (which I'll use with this) and a spot meter, a Jobo set up for 4x5 etc. I will add a cheap Russian Blik rangerfinder for this camera too.

There's no getting around some of this stuff if you want to get into 4x5 but if that is your only object something like a Graphic camera or something like my old Tech III (which are bargains when they come up) might be a better, more versatile investment. This is for small and light easily carried and quickly used handheld 4x5. A Graphic or technical camera with rangerfinder can be used handheld but is far larger and heavier (though a lot more versatile) than the Wanderlust and depending on your strength and determination maybe not all that practical handheld, and certainly not unobtrusive or anything you'll just sling in a shoulder bag when off to do something else.

pdeeh · Apr 21, 2013

Dr Croubie said:
$15 - 5x film backs

gosh i wish I could find 5 backs for $15 (about £12) in the UK ! (for my Zero45) ...

I've dealt with Wanderlust on one of their previous projects, by the way, and I've no doubt they'll deliver; However, just because they have the money now, don't hold your breath waiting for the camera to arrive: there's plenty of work to do yet and it would not surprise me if final manufacture doesn't get going for another 8 or 9 months.

I wish I had seen this a bit earlier and been able to get on the bandwagon sooner, despite the hassle of tracking down an affordable lens

pen s · Apr 23, 2013

I was fortunate with 4X5 film holders, 6 holders at a garage sale for $5, that in fact was what got me into LF. I have a home made plywood camera that sports a 130mm f7.7 Kodak lens from about 1930. The lens was free. For testing, alignment and initial workout I use paper negatives, I'll buy some film later. So I haven't spent much yet, just the $99 pledge and about $30 for plywood and glue. The lens, well that is going to take a bit more. I'm looking for the regular Schneider Angulon 90 f6.8 and have set aside $200 for that. I figure the camera won't be here for 8 months so I plan to shop carefully.

Did I mention I'm cheap?

mgb74 · Apr 23, 2013

pdeeh said:
gosh i wish I could find 5 backs for $15 (about £12) in the UK ! (for my Zero45) ...

I've dealt with Wanderlust on one of their previous projects, by the way, and I've no doubt they'll deliver; However, just because they have the money now, don't hold your breath waiting for the camera to arrive: there's plenty of work to do yet and it would not surprise me if final manufacture doesn't get going for another 8 or 9 months.

I wish I had seen this a bit earlier and been able to get on the bandwagon sooner, despite the hassle of tracking down an affordable lens

Wanderlust estimates delivery for Dec 2013, so if it's 8-9 months it will be on schedule. And if it takes a bit longer to iron out the kinks, I'm OK with that (as long as we're not left in the dark as to what's happening).

outwest · Apr 29, 2013

Wow. Over $115,000 raised with 63 hours left to go. Get 'em while they're hot!

meisburger · May 6, 2013

Actually, this comes with a pinhole, so if you have one holder (they typically go for $7 used), sunny 16, and some paper or film, you can shoot from day one....

Shootar401 · May 7, 2013

Sounds like a good idea. I'd love a 90mm 4x5 point and shoot, but I'm going to wait to buy one till I see they are actually making a physical product and are actually being shipped and received.

In the meantime I'm VERY happy with my Speed

Barry S · May 7, 2013

Shootar401 said:
... I'm going to wait to buy one till I see they are actually making a physical product and are actually being shipped and received...

That would be your only option at this point, since the Kickstarter campaign is over.

New Wanderlust 4x5 camera

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