Sell or not: Chamonix/ Wista

Darryl Roberts · Jan 29, 2025

Hi,

I’m seeking your opinion. Should I sell my Chamonix 45 H1 for a Wista 45N. Why?

I like the H1 but wood wobbles especially with longer lenses.

The money difference could buy film and a 75mm lens I’m eyeing.

Thank you.

blee1996 · Jan 29, 2025

Is the difference in weight concerns you in your type of photography? I have both Chamonix 45-F and Linhof Tech V, and I would much prefer to go out with the Chamonix plus two small lenses.

At home or near car, Linhof is great. It is rigid, and all movements are precise.

Taylor Nankervis · Jan 29, 2025

Keep the Wista — for its long established pedigree. What 'togs do in LF is buy the camera, and build it up to a big and comprehensive system. In Australia, that camera is still very widely used in the landscape and scenic genre. Some users have 4-5 lenses, so they're not exactly travelling light!

The Chamonix... sell. I cannot remember the last time I noticed one of these among photographers. Dominantly it is quite a few Tachiharas, lots of Wistas, Toyo etc.

xkaes · Jan 29, 2025

Sell both. There are lots of light wooden 4x5 field cameras that don't wobble or cost a fortune.

John Wiegerink · Jan 29, 2025

Darryl Roberts said:
Hi,

I’m seeking your opinion. Should I sell my Chamonix 45 H1 for a Wista 45N. Why?

I like the H1 but wood wobbles especially with longer lenses.

The money difference could buy film and a 75mm lens I’m eyeing.

Thank you.

What kind of lenses are you hanging on the front of your Chamonix? I have some pretty big lenses, like the 210mm Symmar-S and even a big 90mm wide angle. These do not go on my Chamonix camera. I use them on my Toyo, the older grey/silver version. I have a lighter 210mm, 203mm Ektar, great 135mm Symmar-S and smaller wide angles for the Chamonix camera. That makes a lighter travel outfit, and it's much easier on the camera itself. Just me, of course.

Darryl Roberts · Jan 30, 2025

xkaes said:
Sell both. There are lots of light wooden 4x5 field cameras that don't wobble or cost a fortune.

Can you recommend one/some? Thank you.

GregY · Jan 30, 2025

xkaes said:
Sell both. There are lots of light wooden 4x5 field cameras that don't wobble or cost a fortune.

I read it as "i have the Chamonix....do i sell it & buy a Wista" ..... "Should I sell my Chamonix 45 H1 for a Wista 45N"
I've had a number of wood field cameras. Chamonix 4x5 & 5x7, Ebony 4x5, Deardorff 5x7 & 8x10, Canham 5x7 & 8x10.
You can make them wobble....but i never had any issues with the negatives produced.
If you want a heavy metal camera.... there are many to choose from.

MTGseattle · Jan 30, 2025

If you're interested in 75mm start reading up on which cameras can handle a 75 well. For landscape work, the restrictions are obviously not as bad, but if you want to use some movements occasionally it's nice to know for sure whether one needs a bag bellows or other accessories as the view becomes wider. I like the metal field cameras myself, but I dislike the weight.

xkaes · Jan 30, 2025

Darryl Roberts said:
Can you recommend one/some? Thank you.

That's a whole 'nother thread -- but covered many, many time on this Forum.

Doremus Scudder · Jan 30, 2025

The whole point of wooden folding cameras is to save weight and be more portable. Using monster lenses with these cameras is kind of defeating the purpose.

I have, and have had, lots of wooden folding camras; Wistas, Tachis, Woodman, Zone VI, etc. (no Chamonix yet, though). wouldn't even like to use a large 90mm lens on any of them (e.g., f/5.6 or f/4 90mm SW, Grandagon, Super Angulon lenses); they are just too heavy. A 210 Plasmat on most wooden folders is overkill, not to mention trying to use a 240mm or 300mm Plasmat, which have image circles way to generous for 4x5 folders.

There are lots of lenses that are smaller and lighter and perform superbly and won't stress the camera at both ends of the focal length spectrum.

Maybe your problem with the Chamonix is simply overburdening it?

Best,

Doremus

xkaes · Jan 30, 2025

Heavy lens can be "stressful" for lots of field cameras, but 4x5s don't usually need these lenses anyway -- as pointed out. That's why I have a 90mm f8 instead of it's bigger brother, the monster 90mm f5.6. Fortunately, heavy short lenses -- like my 90mm f8 -- don't use much bellows at all, which improves stability. My Mamiya 37mm f4.5 fisheye weighs in at almost three pounds, and my wooden folder handles it fine.

maruti660 · Feb 1, 2025

The Chamonix series is lightweight for carrying around. However, I would recommend a light lens. I also found the camera to be wobbly when using a Nikkor 90mm f4.5 or a Wollensak lens on a Betax No4. I think the Wista is a sturdy piece of equipment, but I don't feel any attachment to it. So I think it's better to sell both. I recommend Arca Swiss! It's expensive, but it's really compact and easy to handle outdoors.

Darryl Roberts · Feb 1, 2025

maruti660 said:
The Chamonix series is lightweight for carrying around. However, I would recommend a light lens. I also found the camera to be wobbly when using a Nikkor 90mm f4.5 or a Wollensak lens on a Betax No4. I think the Wista is a sturdy piece of equipment, but I don't feel any attachment to it. So I think it's better to sell both. I recommend Arca Swiss! It's expensive, but it's really compact and easy to handle outdoors.

Which Arca Swiss do you have?

maruti660 · Feb 1, 2025

Darryl Roberts said:
Which Arca Swiss do you have?

Yes, it was a type called Discovery. I disassembled it, put it in a backpack with a small tripod, and went out to shoot on my bike. I think the final model name was called the F-Line.

Darryl Roberts · Feb 1, 2025

maruti660 said:
Yes, it was a type called Discovery. I disassembled it, put it in a backpack with a small tripod, and went out to shoot on my bike. I think the final model name was called the F-Line.

Yeah the basic one is about $3500

Kino · Feb 1, 2025

Doremus Scudder said:
The whole point of wooden folding cameras is to save weight and be more portable. Using monster lenses with these cameras is kind of defeating the purpose.

I have, and have had, lots of wooden folding camras; Wistas, Tachis, Woodman, Zone VI, etc. (no Chamonix yet, though). wouldn't even like to use a large 90mm lens on any of them (e.g., f/5.6 or f/4 90mm SW, Grandagon, Super Angulon lenses); they are just too heavy.

I shot this interior with a Zone VI 4x5 camera with 90mm Nikon f4.5 lens (which is a considerable chunk of glass) and it was a struggle to lock the front lens board and to not have a bag bellows.

I have since moved this lens to my Calumet 45N, which does have a bag bellows and bought myself a Fujinon W 125mm, f5.6 for the Zone IV. Much smaller coverage, but much more suited to the Zone camera.

maruti660 · Feb 1, 2025

Darryl Roberts said:
Yeah the basic one is about $3500

I had it about 10 years ago and it was a nice piece of gear but I eventually went back to the Chamonix N1 ;P

abruzzi · Feb 2, 2025

Darryl Roberts said:
Yeah the basic one is about $3500

You can get Arca Swiss cameras cheaper than that used, but they are more expensive than a lot of other cameras. I love my F-Metric 4x5 (141mm standards.) they are like Sinar in that they are very modular, but they are a bit smaller and lighter than a Sinar. The discovery was an intro model, but compared to the F-Classic, I don’t think they were lacking much if anything. (I don’t think they had the pinch lock for front and rear shift. They had a tightening knob instead. )

Darryl Roberts · Feb 2, 2025

Kino said:
I shot this interior with a Zone VI 4x5 camera with 90mm Nikon f4.5 lens (which is a considerable chunk of glass) and it was a struggle to lock the front lens board and to not have a bag bellows.

I have since moved this lens to my Calumet 45N, which does have a bag bellows and bought myself a Fujinon W 125mm, f5.6 for the Zone IV. Much smaller coverage, but much more suited to the Zone camera.

Excellent.

Darryl Roberts · Feb 2, 2025

abruzzi said:
You can get Arca Swiss cameras cheaper than that used, but they are more expensive than a lot of other cameras. I love my F-Metric 4x5 (141mm standards.) they are like Sinar in that they are very modular, but they are a bit smaller and lighter than a Sinar. The discovery was an intro model, but compared to the F-Classic, I don’t think they were lacking much if anything. (I don’t think they had the pinch lock for front and rear shift. They had a tightening knob instead. )

I'm highly tempted to get an F-Metric 4x5. Some men love cars, not me, so an expensive camera is much cheaper than a new car.

John Wiegerink · Feb 2, 2025

Darryl Roberts said:
I'm highly tempted to get an F-Metric 4x5. Some men love cars, not me, so an expensive camera is much cheaper than a new car.

abruzzi · Feb 2, 2025

I got my 4x5 from Igor Camera. I checked and he doesn’t have any F-Metrics, but he does have two Discovery cameras for sale, for a pretty reasonable price:

https://igorcamera.com/arca-swiss_film_digital.htm

Darryl Roberts · Feb 2, 2025

I decided to consolidate my Sinar F2 and Chamonix and get an Arca Swiss F Classic C, 2.4kg. 85mm front rise, $4k

John Wiegerink · Feb 3, 2025

Darryl Roberts said:
I decided to consolidate my Sinar F2 and Chamonix and get an Arca Swiss F Classic C, 2.4kg. 85mm front rise, $4k

Very nice camera indeed. I'm curious to know just how small/compact you can make these cameras for backpacking and hiking? I'd like to see it at its smallest.

Darryl Roberts · Feb 3, 2025

John Wiegerink said:
Very nice camera indeed. I'm curious to know just how small/compact you can make these cameras for backpacking and hiking? I'd like to see it at its smallest.

With the collapsing rail it folds small

Sell or not: Chamonix/ Wista

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