New Wisner 4x5 Expedition Practical Review

For those that may be interested I wrote a new review titled:

"Five Years of Practical Use with the Wisner Expedition Technical Field Camera"

It is posted at the following link:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/cameras/wisner-expedition-technical/

I wrote the review to share my experiances with this camera and your comments would be appreciated, especially if you spot any technical errors!

It is 98% complete and the only changes expected will be reformating for easier reading online.

Thanks in advance, Terrance

Terrance Hounsell said:

For those that may be interested I wrote a new review titled:

"Five Years of Practical Use with the Wisner Expedition Technical Field Camera"

It is posted at the following link:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/cameras/wisner-expedition-technical/

I wrote the review to share my experiances with this camera and your comments would be appreciated, especially if you spot any technical errors!

It is 98% complete and the only changes expected will be reformating for easier reading online.

Thanks in advance, Terrance

Click to expand...

"Occasionally when using long lenses the focusing rails reach the end of their travel and if uneven pressure is applied when re-engaged the rails a small misalignment may occur."

My only comment relates to the sentence above. I would re-word it so it reads as follows, "Occasionally, when using long lenses, the focusing rails reach the end of their travel. If uneven pressure is applied to the rails when being re-engaged, a small misalignment may occur."

Or alternatively, "Occasionally, when using long lenses, the focusing rails reach the end of their travel; if uneven pressure is applied when the rails are re-engaged, a small misalignment may occur."

Other than that, it looks good to me.

Diane

Terrance Hounsell said:

For those that may be interested I wrote a new review titled:

"Five Years of Practical Use with the Wisner Expedition Technical Field Camera"

It is posted at the following link:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/cameras/wisner-expedition-technical/

I wrote the review to share my experiances with this camera and your comments would be appreciated, especially if you spot any technical errors!

It is 98% complete and the only changes expected will be reformating for easier reading online.

Thanks in advance, Terrance

Click to expand...

I clicked the link and the article appeared without the pictures. I need pictures to read so I didn't read it yet. I'll try again later.

Even if I probably never will come even close to be able to afford buying a Wisner Expedition, I found the review worthwhile to read.

It is good to see a review of something you have gotten used to and have worked with for a long time. It gives some perspective on what quirks you have accepted in the longer run, and what works or not in a real life situation for you.

I've been toying with the idea of replacing my 6+ pound Master Technika with an Expedition or Pocket Expedition, the weight of LF has become more bothersome since I've started doing some day-trip hiking in the mountains, so I read the review with a lot of interest (I had no problem seeing the pictures). I thought it was a good, thorough, objective review. Thanks for posting it. I wasn't entirely sure how well you actually liked the camera. While you certainly never said that you hated it, you certainly pointed out what seemed to be a lot of bothersome, niggling little problems.

Terrance, I have the big brother 8x10 Expedition - for over eight years now - and I find your critique absolutely on the money.

My main bed has run out past the gears a couple of times while focusing close up and I quickly learned to watch out. Remeshing the bed back into the mainframe gears the first time was a bugger but no big deal from then on. Switching the back from horizontal to vertical is a snap but like you say, be sure to force the two side-slide-locks good and tight. I had to work with the lock positioning screws and file one of the indents a tad to get a good reliable lock, but ever since I still always check to see they're not backing off their pins ... after a day in the field I usually find one lock or the other slightly eased-off from film holders sliding in and out. Never been conscious of any 'friction' problems but my negative output is trivial compared to yours.

I think every camera out there - Wisner Expedition included - has a niggling quirk or two but once you accept it's trade-offs, say in this case light weight and more compact carry versus state-of-the-art fittings, the problems you mention simply move below the radar into a routine - that particular camera's Karma.

So, thanks for the very objective overview and yes, alas, if only Ron Wisner would run his business as well as his field cameras are made!!

Bruce

Campbell said:

I thought it was a good, thorough, objective review. Thanks for posting it. I wasn't entirely sure how well you actually liked the camera. While you certainly never said that you hated it, you certainly pointed out what seemed to be a lot of bothersome, niggling little problems.

Click to expand...

IMHO the Wisner Expedition has far fewer problems than any other 4x5 that I have used and I like it a lot. In other camera reviews I felt that owners tended to defend or justify their expensive purchases so I have endevoured to be entirely objective. As beautiful as the Expedition is it is still a tool and as such I expect it to be effective not frustrating. The art and craft of photography is not wholly dependant on having good tools as many a pinholer or Holga user will attest (I use both), however with large format photography having a good tool is much more important. Commercial architectural photography springs to mind here. As I previously stated in my review I don't believe that there is a perfect camera or we would all be using it. Give me any other 4x5 in the world and let me put plenty of film through it and I will discover problems with them as well. Once you are aware of the little problems you can decide to accept them and adjust or move on. The 4x5 Expedition is definately a keeper.

"In other camera reviews I felt that owners tended to defend or justify their expensive purchases so I have endevoured to be entirely objective"

You're right and you were. Again, thanks for posting the review. Now I have to decide (1) do I want to get rid of a camera I really like a lot (Master Technika) for a 2 lb weight saving, and (2) if a few pounds is worth doing that, should I go a little further and opt for the 3 lb saving of the Pocket Expedition? I'd welcome any thoughts you or anyone else may have on the latter point.

Campbell, I can't give you any answer to your question, but my thought goes something like this:

I am not sure if chasing a couple of lbs is worth the hassle of changing from one camera to another. You seem to like your Linhof and be well acquainted with it, so why bother? If you want to change for the sake of change, you could very likely end up with another Technika again in the long run. That's my own experience anyway.

Many times I think to myself: it's not the camera that's heavy, it's me being lazy!

I would advise caution before proceeding. While somewhat similar on the surface the (Linhof) Master and the (Wisner) Expedition are different cameras. IMHO the Wisner is much less precise but far more user friendly, has better ergonomics and is easier to use. I feel that the Linhof is more precise and methodical to use. Its sturdiness inspires confidence but comes at price in terms of weight and range of movements.

The importance of the weight factor depends on how far you intend to carry your gear, what the terrain is like and what shape you are in. Last year I can remember losing over 7 pounds off my body weight in a single day hike at the end of which the 4.5 pound Expedition felt more like 45 pounds.

I think it is important to know what you really want and above all be honest with yourself about your needs. When considering a purchase I felt that that the Linhof was too restrictive to be a good all around camera for me.I am sure others will beg to differ (no hate mail please). I find the Expedition a comfortable camera for me and you'll have to find your own comfort zone.

Do you know anyone nearby who has an Expedition, it is a worthwhile exercise to shoot with someone and swap cameras mid-day. Trial will be better than words. Good Luck.