Shen Hao or Chamonix

JoeyB243 · May 29, 2022

Hello,

I was wanting to ask y'all to see what your opinions are on these two cameras. I had a Intrepid and was not always happy with eying zero. I have a lens range of 90 , 135 , 180 , 240 and 300. I know with Chamonix I would be able to use my 450mm lens.

xkaes · May 29, 2022

It sounds like you've already made up your mind. Are those the only two you are considering?

JoeyB243 · May 29, 2022

Defiantly open to any suggestions. I just really like how the wood field cameras look.

Marcelo Paniagua · May 29, 2022

Not answering your question since I own a Tachihara but I think you will get better feedback with the LF guys

Large Format Photography Forum

A discussion forum on large format phtography http://largeformatphotography.info

www.largeformatphotography.info

Lots of helping and LF savy guys

AFIK the Chamonix has better build quality. If you can afford it and you like it go ahead

Edit: updated link

Regards

winger · May 29, 2022

I think there's already a thread about the two cameras on LFPF in fact. But I don't know if there's a definitive answer for this question. You might be able to find photographers near you that use one or the other (possibly both).
I have a Chamonix 045F1 and love it. I wish it had detents for some of the zero points for movements, but it isn't that hard to line it all up.

abruzzi · May 29, 2022

I have a Shen Hao HZX-IIA that I'm getting rid of, eventually. This may be common with all wooden field cameras, but it annoyed me that everything needed to be locked on both sides--want some front tilt, loosen two knobs, adjust, tighten two knobs. I'd frequently forget to lock something and ruin a shot. It wasn't a bad camera, just not for me. BTW, the Shen Hao won't work with a 450mm lens, unless its a telephoto lens, it only has 360mm of bellows.

Marcelo Paniagua · May 30, 2022

abruzzi said:
I have a Shen Hao HZX-IIA that I'm getting rid of, eventually. This may be common with all wooden field cameras, but it annoyed me that everything needed to be locked on both sides--want some front tilt, loosen two knobs, adjust, tighten two knobs. I'd frequently forget to lock something and ruin a shot. It wasn't a bad camera, just not for me. BTW, the Shen Hao won't work with a 450mm lens, unless its a telephoto lens, it only has 360mm of bellows.

Just curious, are you moving to another camera? I think some technical cameras dont need to tighten knobs. Not sure but I think the Linhof tech IV didnt. Had that camera that needed repair but sold it before repair/use so not sure if I remember corretly. My Horseman 970 dont them tighten.

otto.f · May 30, 2022

abruzzi said:
getting rid of, eventually. This may be common with all wooden field cameras,

That doesn’t count for me, owning a Chamonix f2, never felt the need to step over to another system. For an outdoor camera to hike or bike with, there is no better alternative system I think

250swb · May 30, 2022

I think having to lock knobs on both sides of a wooden field camera is the trade off with the weight of a technical camera such as a Linhof. It's about making a choice and not having your cake and eat it. It doesn't make field cameras 'bad'. As for extreme bellows extensions I've always thought of it as an ambition and not an entitlement, when you are already looking at long exposures made even longer the longer the lens a waft of gentle breeze can scupper even the most well planned shot. So if it's possible to use a tele fine, but I think managing expectations in large format landscape photography gets you even better pictures.

I have a Shen Hao, it works, lens on one end of the bellows and film on the other, other cameras are more refined but Shen Hao have a clean simplicity.

ic-racer · May 30, 2022

I went with Shen-Hao 8x10, because when they first came out it was about $1000 less expensive than the Chamonix, and it offers both front base AND axis tilt on the front standard.
Presently I see they cost about the same, and the Shen-Hao still offers more flexibility in exchange for slight increase weight.

grat · May 30, 2022

In general, the Shen Hao seems to have more knobs and features, at a cost of a bit more weight. Pricing seems roughly equal, although Chamonix was slightly cheaper two years ago.

Personal opinion (I own a Chamonix 45N-1 (classic)), the Chamonix is lighter, a bit nicer build, better looking, and most importantly, Hugo Zhang is a fantastic guy, and a really good representative for Chamonix. I have no idea who you contact for Shen-Hao.

Marcelo Paniagua · May 30, 2022

Seems like a win-win situation to me Whichever camera you get you will end up with a great one!

Tachihara fills my current needs (and probably near future ones) so I don't see myself moving/buying another camera, but I think I would go the Chamonix route if I ever want to get another camera, although I think it may be more possible I move to a 8x10 instead.

Regards

GregY · May 30, 2022

Likewise, I'd go with Chamonix (I've had both a 5x7 & a 4x5). Fine quality. Yes Hugo Zhang is the man.... most helpful.
Having lugged an 8x10 Deardorff for miles, i'd seriously consider the Chamonix Alpinist 8x10 if i were going 8x10.

810 Alpinist — Chamonix View Camera

The 810 Alpinist In response to customer requests and user feedback, Chamonix has designed the 810 Alpinist, an ultralight, horizontal-only view camera. By "ultralight" Chamonix means that the Alpinist is only 57% the weight of the 810V model. The 810 Alpinist is for the photographer th

www.chamonixviewcamera.com

abruzzi · May 30, 2022

Marcelo Paniagua said:
Just curious, are you moving to another camera? I think some technical cameras dont need to tighten knobs. Not sure but I think the Linhof tech IV didnt. Had that camera that needed repair but sold it before repair/use so not sure if I remember corretly. My Horseman 970 dont them tighten.

Well, I haven’t use the Shen Hao in several years having moved to other cameras—first to a Master Technika hat I found more precise than the SH, but I’ll be selling that one too since I then moved to a Technikardan which I love more than the SH or the MT. I’ve found that I much prefer using monorails, so that’s what I’m sticking with. I’ll keep the TK, but I’ve also been using a Sinar Norma, mostly for larger sizes, but there is some benefit to using one system—4x5, 5x7, and 8x10.

Shen Hao or Chamonix

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