Shen-Hao Complaints? (HZX45)

[celluloidpropaganda]

I've been going through the APUG and lfphoto.info archives reading comments on the Shen-Hao, and noticed that criticism and complaints have been minimal. There have only been a couple of posts voicing concerns and complaints (the back looks a little weak, difficulty using rear swing), even fewer than other boutique manufacturers (Canham, Wisner).

I'm getting close to ordering one from MPEX (over the entry-level Ebony, which I can stretch for but can't see a reason to spend the extra $1000, which would pay for a lot of gas and film), so I thought I'd see if any 4x5 Shen-Hao owners had any complaints or issues with their cameras that hadn't been voiced, anything to look for or even reasons to look elsewhere.


Thanks,
MP

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I don't have one myself, but by all accounts I've read, it's a pretty good deal.

Usual criticisms are--

--It's a little heavy for a wooden camera. On the other hand it's teak, which holds up well to moisture and has more movements than any wooden camera in its price range or probably even at twice the price.

--The bag bellows is kind of stiff.

--I did read of one account, I think on the LF forum, maybe of an 8x10" camera that developed a crack, and since the camera was purchased in China, it was difficult to arrange for factory repair. I think if you are buying from MPEX, Badger, or The View Camera Store, that is not likely to be a problem.

 

[Digidurst]

I just got back from a trip wear I was hauling my Horseman LE around, shooting stuff in the Smokies. It was a bit much for me so when I got home, I started looking at folders. I just ordered (yesterday) a Shen-Hao from MPEX based on reviews, what the camera offered, etc. I expect I'll be happy with it and I'll bet you will be too. Give Jim a call

 

[noseoil]

Had mine a few years now. No problems. tim

 

[Nick Zentena]

I have the 5x7. Any issues I have aren't with the manufacturer of the camera. The camera is well made. It's like anything else when you don't make it yourself the choices might not be the choices you'd make. If I was redesigning the camera I'd change a few things but then somebody else might want to leave them alone. I hope that makes sense.

 

[sanking]

I don't have one myself, but by all accounts I've read, it's a pretty good deal.

Usual criticisms are--

--It's a little heavy for a wooden camera. On the other hand it's teak, which holds up well to moisture and has more movements than any wooden camera in its price range or probably even at twice the price.

--The bag bellows is kind of stiff.

--I did read of one account, I think on the LF forum, maybe of an 8x10" camera that developed a crack, and since the camera was purchased in China, it was difficult to arrange for factory repair. I think if you are buying from MPEX, Badger, or The View Camera Store, that is not likely to be a problem.

I have a 5X7 Shen-Hao (with 4X5 back) and it is an exceptional camera for the price. Lots of movement, long bellows draw and rock solid. I wish it were a bit lighter, but then I have a very light Nagaoka 5X7 for the times when I really need light.

BTW, there was a thread on the large format forum a couple of months back about someone who experienced a light leak with the 8X10 Shen-Hao. Well, he sent it back to China for repair and it turned out that he himself caused the light leak by improprely putting the bellows back on the camera.

Sandy

 

[Mongo]

I've had my Shen-Hao 4x5 for a couple of years now. I've not been exactly gentle with it, and it's held up fine.

I did have one problem: One of the springs on the back developed a crack. I assume, since the crack started in the middle of the metal and not on an edge, that this was a problem with the metal and not with the manufacturing. I emailed the company through their web site, and they mailed me out a new set of springs for the back the next day, no questions asked. I had the springs in about ten days. (Replacing them is a five minute job.)

I have to say that I'm very pleased with the camera. Given the movements it has and the fact that it has a Grafloc back, I think the weight is reasonable (though the Tachihara is lighter...but also lacks some of the movements and doesn't have the Grafloc back).

If I was doing it again, I'd go with the Shen-Hao again. Affording the Ebony isn't a problem for me, but I figure there's no reason to spend that kind of money if I don't have to.

 

[bennoj]

The only complaint I have with my Shen-Hao 4x5 is with the compendium hood, although all problems have been worked out and around. To install the mount, you need to drill a hole in the front standard, and the filter slot (which Badger will tell you is not a filter slot) is an odd 4.5" size. So I just tape some cardboard onto 4" mounted gel filters to extend them out to 4.5" and everything works fine.

No other problems, although I did just receive and mount my Satin Snow ground glass and haven't yet had a chance to compare it to the original gg.

 

[Dave Parker]

No other problems, although I did just receive and mount my Satin Snow ground glass and haven't yet had a chance to compare it to the original gg.

Hi Benno,

Glad to hear it arrived okay, please let us know how it compares, I have got reports back that Shen has improved their glass as of late, and am real interested as I have shipped over 75 screens to China over the last 3 months, so would be interested to see if perhaps....

Dave Parker
Satin Snow Ground Glass

 

[Digidurst]

Hi Benno,

Glad to hear it arrived okay, please let us know how it compares, I have got reports back that Shen has improved their glass as of late, and am real interested as I have shipped over 75 screens to China over the last 3 months, so would be interested to see if perhaps....

Dave Parker
Satin Snow Ground Glass

Well, that would just be the bomb

 

[bennoj]

...and am real interested as I have shipped over 75 screens to China over the last 3 months, so would be interested to see if perhaps....

Dave -

I got my Shen about 2 years ago, so I'd bet it has the old ground glass...

I've already planned a 5x7 & 8x10 shoot for this weekend but I'll try to at least get the 4x5 out to take a look at the glass.

Thanks!

 

[dtomasula]

I would (and always do) highly recommend the Shen-Hao on this and other forums. Of course, whenever I do this I get yelled at for being partial.

The SH is a great field camera, period. Sure you could spend three times as much for an Ebony, but why? To get a few extra movements you'll never use? For bragging rights?

It's a bit heavier than some other field cameras, but it's also pretty darn stable. For me the weight is not an issue. I only do limited hiking with it in a backpack, so it's not a problem. Sure, it would be nice if it weighed 2 pounds instead of 6, but then it would probably be made of balsa wood!

The SH will do nearly everything you want it to do, and do it well. The only thing I changed on mine was the ground glass. I replaced the stock one with a Satin Snow from Dave. It makes a tremendous difference.

Don't be put off by all the naysayers who put down the SH. Most of them don't own one and have never used one. It's perfectly capable of taking great photos. I guarantee if you put a negative shot on an Ebony (or Wisner, Canham, Wista, etc.) alongside one shot by a Shen-Hao, you will not be able to identify which camera made which negative.

If you can afford to spend between $3,000 and $5,000 for a field camera, by all means go for an Ebony or a Canham. You won't be disappointed in them. But if you want to spend a bit less and still get a useable, quality (and not to mention pretty cool-looking) camera to take pictures, go for the Shen-Hao. It'll serve you well for years to come.

 

[slewis]

I'll have to add to the chorus. I've had mine for a little over two years and I still love it.

 

[doughowk]

Have had my Shen-Hao 4X5 for only a few months, but seems like a great camera especially for the price. Bought a compendium hood & it works fine except for the odd-sized filter. Hard for me to believe that they would make such a mistake on filter size. Ordered 2 mos ago a Satin Snow screen - long wait but that's the figurative price one has to pay for a good product at low price.

 

[Dave Parker]

Have had my Shen-Hao 4X5 for only a few months, but seems like a great camera especially for the price. Bought a compendium hood & it works fine except for the odd-sized filter. Hard for me to believe that they would make such a mistake on filter size. Ordered 2 mos ago a Satin Snow screen - long wait but that's the figurative price one has to pay for a good product at low price.

Doug,

I have you down for a 8 x 10 that was ordered on March 5th, if there was a previous order on Feb 20th, I don't have record of it, please let me know if my records are in line with your records.


Dave

 

[Amund]

I`ve had my SH 4x5 for a couple of months now, and I`m very happy with it. It has earned me some $ too! I was approached by a guy running a magazine here, and he thought by the look of the SH that I was a pro. He has given me a couple of jobs and the camera paid for itselt twice in less than six days!

 

[Thomassauerwein]

I've trucked around with a horseman for 15 years or so, finally got tired of the weight. Bought a Shen Hao about a year ago. Love it! It's movements are kind of a pain but thats compared to the horseman so not really fair. Have travelled with it both on a plane and hiking. still love it!. Also bought the 6x12 back for it so I could shoot 120 film. Works really well. The only problems I've had I've caused myself.

 

[herb]

shen Hao 5x7

I just got a 5x7- it seems a lot better built than a 4x5 I had several years ago-that one had the black hardware, and the rear standard was a touch wiggly- I also have an Ebony RW 45, hard to compare them since the SH has the huge amount of movements.

I can say the Ebony is a tad better fit and finish, but not anywhere near justifying a 3 or 4x price differential

More later

 

[ChrisC]

Although I've only had mine for a couple of months, I'm totally wrapped with it. The build quality so far feels very top notch. It locks down nice and solid, and generally it's just been a joy to use. I couldn't sing higher praises for it.

 

[celluloidpropaganda]

Thanks to everyone for their responses, it's reassuring to hear that the lack of complaints and malfunctions is exactly that.

 

[paul owen]

Get yourself a Shen Hao - it will do exactly what its meant to - make photographs! But secretly you'll always wish you'd bought an Ebony!

 

[herb]

ShenHao complaints

I had a 4x5, with the black hardware, and it was a bit floppy. I had a reflex viewer on the back which caused the film holder to gap open due to the viewer's weight. I was also not happy with the rear standard's rigidity. I sold it. That was a few years ago.

Lately I got a new 5x7, with the titanium hardware, and it is a vast improvement. Much tighter, and compared to Ebony, close. I have an Ebony Rw45, and the fit/finish is a tad better than the SH, but not 3x price wise better.

We will all be speaking Chinese before you know it.

 

[wbryant]

I received my 4x5 SH a few months back, and it was a great looking camera, and I cannot imagine paying for an ebony when they are similar cameras. I did order a Satin Snow for it because it seems they are all the rage. I got it in the mail a few days ago, but have yet to use it. It does look great. I really don't mind the weight. I have never used a tachihara or others so I can't compare it. get the Shen Hao. Order it from the View Camera store. they are an APUG sponsor. you will not be dissapointed. spend the rest of the money on film

 

[Baxter Bradford]

Hi Benno,

Glad to hear it arrived okay, please let us know how it compares, I have got reports back that Shen has improved their glass as of late, and am real interested as I have shipped over 75 screens to China over the last 3 months, so would be interested to see if perhaps....

Dave Parker
Satin Snow Ground Glass

I hope not Dave. Recent UK debacle over Rover cars springs to mind. Innovation vs replication. Fingers crossed......

 

[JG Motamedi]

I had an early Shen-Hao, which had a number of problems which haven't been reported by others. The black paint on the metal parts scratched off very easily, the varnish on the teak was soft. It seems however that they have resolved these problems.