NOW I've done it...

Toffle · Apr 19, 2016

Well, after years of using old, heavy, wobbly (and sometimes leaky) LF gear, I just placed an order with Hugo for a Chamonix 045-N2. I really do love my "legacy" gear, but it's much too cumbersome to ever take on a plane, and it pained me to have to leave my most creative gear at home when I traveled.

I know a number of you have had great experiences with this camera. I am looking forward to sharing my mistakes and successes with you. Expected arrival is two to three weeks; not sure I can go that long without sleep.

Wish me fun!

Cheers,
Tom

HiHoSilver · Apr 19, 2016

'Not an LF'r, but you've gotta be excited. 'Hope you have obscene amounts of fun.

Alan Gales · Apr 19, 2016

Congratulations, Tom.

I've never shot a Chamonix but everyone talks about how light but rigid those cameras are. Owners cpmpare the rigidity to that of metal Wista and Toyo cameras. I own an 8x10 Wehman but if I ever decided to buy another 4x5 it would be a Chamonix.

TheToadMen · Apr 19, 2016

Enjoy your new camera!! Please let us jealous people know how you're doing.

And DO have FUN!

Old-N-Feeble · Apr 19, 2016

When she arrives, gently coax her open and position her as you please. Then lovingly let her do your will. She's sure to satisfy all your taking desires. Treat her with love and respect and don't rush that special moment when you press that button and she'll never let you down.

John Koehrer · Apr 19, 2016

Hey! Sounds as though you're describing a Dominatrix of some sort. Maybe a sub though.

winger · Apr 19, 2016

I was using my Chamonix F1 today and thinking about how much easier it was to haul it 1/2 mile than it would have been with my first 4x5. You'll love yours, I bet!

Toffle · Apr 19, 2016

Thanks for the encouragement, folks! Bethe, I considered the F1, as it would shorten the wait time by a week, but I'm not sure that I have a grasp on the asymmetrical movements and what that would mean for my shooting process.

This is my first "new" camera purchase in over 15 years, if you don't count the $20 I spent on a Holga in '05. To be perfectly honest, I've felt more than a little guilt over the fact that I have not been supporting the hardware side of the analogue photography industry. In the back of my mind, it's always been "if nobody's buying new, pretty soon, nobody's going to be manufacturing new." (In the front of my mind, though, it has too often been, "I can't believe the great deal I just got on this Rollei!")

Cheers,
Tom

michaelorr · Apr 19, 2016

That camera is just the most wonderful piece of art... equipment to hold and and use. I get more joy from it than any other camera i have operated. It is my preferred camera, except that i take my 8x10 deardorff anywhere i can, just so i can get big negatives. But nowhere near the simple pleasure of the chamonix. Hugo was great to work with. It will be worth every excruciating, waiting moment. You will like too the universal bellows. I will give you the stuff that i have to watch for. First, putting the front standard in place is a bit fiddly (but there is no trading what it enables) so i am especially careful. Second, I have to keep an eye on the front standard, particularly swing, after getting the composition, focus all set up for shutter release. There is no zero detent. It is easily bumped without being recognized while adjusting shutter, cocking or other such stuff. I believe that has cost me some images i wish i had better, due to lack of attention. Third, i am not really happy with using the linhof-like lensboards. Hugo's are much better fit and just nicer anyway. i have problems with seating linhof, and when trying to put the other edge down, i have problems with aperture lever interfering, unless i mount shutter a bit off TDC. On the F1 choice, i corresponded with Michael Gordon who does photography in Death Valley. He put me off the F1 in favor of the 45N, and in his workshops he stresses and demonstrates using Scheimpflug principles. the F1 asymmetrical movements were supposed to make that easier but he says not really and there are other compromises made that favor the 45N choice. Congratulations, Tom!

Alan Gales · Apr 19, 2016

Old-N-Feeble said:
When she arrives, gently coax her open and position her as you please. Then lovingly let her do your will. She's sure to satisfy all your taking desires. Treat her with love and respect and don't rush that special moment when you press that button and she'll never let you down.

Sounds like you have a lucrative writing career ahead of you. Women ate up that 50 Shades of Grey novel!

Soeren · Apr 19, 2016

Have fun with your new Domme The 45F1 was/is my first 4x5" and it won't be replaced. My first LF was the Sinar Norma 5x7" and I wish i had gone for something lighter back then. The 45F1 + 2 lenses and a handfull of DD's fit in a F-stop Guru backpack.

Old-N-Feeble · Apr 19, 2016

Alan Gales said:
Sounds like you have a lucrative writing career ahead of you. Women ate up that 50 Shades of Grey novel!

Nah... I'm just a dirty old man.

Ai Print · Apr 19, 2016

John Koehrer said:
Hey! Sounds as though you're describing a Dominatrix of some sort. Maybe a sub though.

You mean, "Chaminatrix"...

I have had my 45N2 4 years and love it. I have a bunch of goodies for it like the reflex viewer, spare bellows, spare GG, etc. If you ever have the chance to try their film holders, they are wonderful! I own about two dozen Toyo holders which are great but the Chamonix are just soooo light and well made, I own a dozen of them.

It's a simple camera, you get very used to the workflow if you use it enough & yes, it is nice and rigid. I use it all the time with a Copal-1 mounted Schneider 350mm F11 Apo-Tele-Xenar and it handles it with aplomb. One FYI is that there is a small allen screw on the rear focus support that you can adjust the tension with which I do in going from really cold to really warm climates. My only beef with the camera is a lack of focus lock which I may try to improve. It's really only an issue with heavier lenses pointed at more steep up or down angles, otherwise, not a huge deal.

I used it twice this past week on a magazine assignment and fine art commission, one in a marble quarry..that was a blast. Attached is a shot inside the quarry on Tmax 100 with a Nikkor SW 75mm 4.5....

Toffle · Apr 20, 2016

That is a lovely print, AI! The light is fantastic! I'm not sure if I could have stood under those millions of tons of rock to make the shot myself. (one of those irrational fear things, like being afraid of balloons, but in this case, not so irrational.)

Cheers,
Tom

Old-N-Feeble · Apr 20, 2016

I agree... gorgeous image, AIP. I'd have been fearful too but I'd swallow my fear to capture an image like that.

Ai Print · Apr 20, 2016

Thanks folks, my wife helped out with blasting the closer rock with a few pops of bare bulb 1200 watt battery powered strobe.

I have to say, as much as I love my 45N-2, this young man's cameras are becoming hard as heck to resist, just spectacular design. If this works out for him, I will suggest he make hybrid enlargers....

Toffle · Apr 28, 2016

Update: I got a message from Hugo that my N2 shipped yesterday. I'm praying for minimal issues with Canada Customs and a speedy delivery.
In the meantime, have been keeping myself busy with other photographic adventures, and finding new joys in my older gear. Just the prospect of my new camera has inspired me to up my game; here's hoping I don't let myself down when I actually have it in my hands.

Cheers,
Tom

StoneNYC · Apr 28, 2016

Hey Tom,

Congrats! I own an 8x10 and my only advice is pay attention to how it's folded when you first open it.

One thing people don't realize is that the front standard when folded is placed upside down, which prevents the bellows from having pressure marks from the metal arms of the top of the front standard and ALSO prevents the rear standard joints from unwanted strain.

This might be confusing until you see it, I had pictures somewhere, I should make a YouTube video. Anyway basically when you put it away you pull the front standard all the way to the top of the "goal arms" and then swing it 180 degrees so it's upside down, then fold it all down as normal. You'll notice that the base of the front standard now acts as a perfect spacer between the rear standard and the base.

Previous to figuring this out, myself and other users were making home made spacers to prevent the standard/base joint from bending because there was no "stop" so we made wedges, then one day I figured it out. Felt silly ever since.

If this didn't make sense PM me and I'll try to put together a short video or something to help explain what I mean.

Enjoy, I love my Chamonix.

Toffle · Apr 29, 2016

Thanks, Stone. I've seen a couple of Youtube videos on setup and storage of the Chamonix. That doesn't guarantee that I won't end up twisting the bellows like a pretzel first time out of the box, though.

removed account4 · Apr 29, 2016

hi tom

i fully expect you to take your new camera to the recitles and parties you took your last camera to
to make those beautiful photographs you have shared with us over the years.
have fun with your new camera !
john

Soeren · Apr 29, 2016

Hmm mine(45F1) wasn't folded that way when I got it. It was almost like plug and play, unfold, screw front standard into desired thread etc.

https://www.google.dk/url?sa=t&sour...IINDAH&usg=AFQjCNFEHvrDjppIvffZiZRCAcULx5JXAw

Toffle · Apr 29, 2016

jnanian said:
hi tom

i fully expect you to take your new camera to the recitles and parties you took your last camera to
to make those beautiful photographs you have shared with us over the years.
have fun with your new camera !
john

Thanks, John. I plan on taking this one everywhere I can manage.

StoneNYC · Apr 29, 2016

Toffle said:
Thanks, Stone. I've seen a couple of Youtube videos on setup and storage of the Chamonix. That doesn't guarantee that I won't end up twisting the bellows like a pretzel first time out of the box, though.

You motivated me today, so thanks to you as well. It's not a great video, but it does the job.

UPDATE/EDIT: OK the video has finished uploading/processing, here it is!

You can also check out my other videos, they are BAD, I'm slowly learning how to do them, but I'm busy so most of them are shaky and poorly put together, but hey, they work for what they are I think.

I think this link will work, and "don't forget to subscribe to my channel" shameless self promotion

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM4oG4P_KN4NDE8RTJ0aCUg

Soeren said:
Hmm mine(45F1) wasn't folded that way when I got it. It was almost like plug and play, unfold, screw front standard into desired thread etc.

https://www.google.dk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MEJ0GMWJk-Y&ved=0ahUKEwjVuY2libTMAhUHSJoKHWjAD24QtwIINDAH&usg=AFQjCNFEHvrDjppIvffZiZRCAcULx5JXAw

Yea I've seen that video, I don't know if my way is the "correct" way, just the way I've found seems to protect the camera joints from damage better. It's entirely possible that the 4x5 version is different. But with the 8x10 (something I forgot to mention in the video) the base of the rear standard is wood and it was also getting scratched by the focus knob in the back, which I can't see them leaving as a design flaw, so I really think the way I do it works better. You'll see what I mean when the video is finished uploading.

Be warned, you'll have to see my ugly mug...

Soeren · Apr 30, 2016

Nice video.
Just played around with my chamonix 45F1 and to me it looks like it's designed not to have the front standard turned up side down prior to folding the base of it won't fit between rear standard and baseplate. Relative to the size of the 4x5" the locks and pins in the rear are pretty rigid too. On your 8x10" it seems like it was designed to fold the way you do it.

Ashfaque · Apr 30, 2016

Many congratulations, Tom.

Stone: Very useful video. Thanks a lot. I'm planning to get into 4x5 around late 2017. So this helps as I'm considering buying a Chamonix.

NOW I've done it...

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency