Shen Hao folding camera

[DJGainer]

Just a thought: do the back rails have detents that the pins slide into to lock the back at vertical? If so, that is the reason the back is not moving.

 

[Colin Corneau]

Bobwsywig: Absolutely.

It's really not that bad once you do it.

 

[Nick Zentena]

It's just something you need to do. Once you've set it up taken it down it'll become easy to do in your sleeep.

 

[Antje]

In the not too distant future, I hope to be looking for a folding field cam and this seemed like an attractive one, including cost. However, from all these posts, it sounds like a bit of a pain to set-up/take down. Are most folders this bad? Despite what seems like a pain, most posters have not said they regretted getting one. If I might ask, is this because they are worth the effort, or is it a case of, "Well I bought it, now I'm stuck with it?" In other words, would you purchase it again knowing what you now know?

No, it's an awesome camera. You just have to figure this out once, and that's it. I'm able to set it up in a few seconds now - setting it to infinity, of course.

Antje

 

[Bob F.]

Yes, I would buy my Shen again if I lost it. I've never had a problem folding it (or my Gandolfi).

It's probably one of those things: some people can pick up a guitar and be playing well in a few hours, but after 20 years I still sound like I'd be more productive using it as a shovel...

 

[bobwysiwyg]

Thanks all for the feedback, it's encouraging.

 

[Curt]

Like most people say was price is right, I got one too, it's easy to set up and take down. Just go over the controls and locks and after a couple of goes at it you'll be able to do it with your eyes closed. The camera doesn't seem to have any bad points, I would like more bellows but that's an age old request.

If you are looking for a 4x5 to start out with you can go new with one of these, I bought mine from Badger which is an excellent choice, they are first class.

Curt

 

[optique]

Woop! Woop! Woop!

Thank you Westerly! A photographer, scholar and gentleman, plus many interesting stories to tell. Westerly and I met nearby and in two seconds he demonstrated the procedure.

I will write the procedure up soon, after a little research on the proper names for the camera parts, since maybe I can help someone else solve this aggravating but simple problem.

Now, what is "Diafine"?

Steve.

 

[redrockcoulee]

In the not too distant future, I hope to be looking for a folding field cam and this seemed like an attractive one, including cost. However, from all these posts, it sounds like a bit of a pain to set-up/take down. Are most folders this bad? Despite what seems like a pain, most posters have not said they regretted getting one. If I might ask, is this because they are worth the effort, or is it a case of, "Well I bought it, now I'm stuck with it?" In other words, would you purchase it again knowing what you now know?

I find the Shen a bit difficult to set up if and only if I have not used it for a while. I think of that as serving me right for not using it. I had a Tachihara previously and it was simpler as are my older Seneca Improves from the 1920s but the Shen is not that difficult and when you are using it regularly it is relatively simple. I would seriously consider another one if I lost this one but I would also look at the others in a similar price range including the Tachihara (only reason I got rid of mine was it was in worse shape than I wanted). There are advantages and disadvantages to all but the setting up is a very minor consideration in my mind. I would never consider a monorail as a replacement.

 

[Curt]

One problem I have is the focus, it's stiff, I'll have to take it apart and see what is binding, no rack and pinion is supposed to be that hard to use. And the left hand lock down knob is backed all the way off. In fact I backed it off to the point it is tight against the nut and use it to assist the focus on knob on the right. It might not be the shaft it might turn out to be the wood slide. It's not like making your own, that way you know it will work.