Shen Hoa 5x4 and polaroid 545

[gwatson]

Hi all

I'm looking for a low cost, light, small, wooden view camera that I can stick in a backpack with relative ease (compared to the monorail I've been lugging around) and have almost decided on the Shen Hoa 5x4. I understand it has a Graflock back, but can someone confirm that I can use a Polaroid back on this camera since I mainly shoot P55. I researched the web and have come across conflicting stories.

Many thanks.

Geoff

 

[Frank R]

Look for a Nagaoka or Ikeda Anba. I have heard that the Shen Hao is nice but that it is heavy.

Do you need a Graflok? A 545 holder will slip right under a standard ground glass with no modifications.

I just bought a Nagaoka. I replaced the original back with a piece of painted baltic birch to which I attached a scrounged Graflok. It turned out well. And I did not have to permanently alter the camera in any way. But I just tested my 545 holder with the original back and found the graflok was not needed.

 

[Curt]

Yes you can, I also have a Calumet roll film holder and it works in the back like a film holder and with the screen removed and used in the Graflock or International back, the slide clips. Everything fit fine and I have had mine for just a few weeks so it's a new model.
Curt

 

[SuzanneR]

Yes... I have a shen-hao 4x5 (or 5x4 depending on where you live ), and have used it with a polaroid 545 holder a lot. I love working with it that way!

 

[jmdavis]

Like Suzanne and Curt, I also use the Shen Hao with the 545 back. I generally prefer normal holders because they're lighter, I can taylor my loads to my subject, and I have 20 or so of them. But, it handles the 545 just fine (as well as the Toyoview G that I have).

Mike

 

[gwatson]

Thanks for your replies. very helpful.

Frank: Interesting suggestion. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Cheers

Geoff

 

[brimc76]

Yes you can, I also have a Calumet roll film holder and it works in the back like a film holder and with the screen removed and used in the Graflock or International back, the slide clips. Everything fit fine and I have had mine for just a few weeks so it's a new model.
Curt

I have had my Shen for a year now and have used Grafmatics, Polaroid 545, and a Grafic 23 6x9 roll film holder on it without any trouble. I bought it for the same reason, I wanted something I could pack into a small bag and take with me on a hike rather than lugging an Arca Swiss monorail around in it's box.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I've had my Shen Hao for about six years now, and been extremely pleased with it. It takes all modern holders, including the Polaroid and Quickload/Readyload holders.

Weightwise, yes, it is heavier than a Nagaoka, but we're talking about 2-3 # total difference. It isn't THAT much of an encumbrance, and it is a benefit when shooting in windy conditions.

 

[Curt]

I've had my Shen Hao for about six years now, and been extremely pleased with it. It takes all modern holders, including the Polaroid and Quickload/Readyload holders.

I didn't know that they were around that long, so far mine seems really nice and yes it's a bit on the heavy side but I don't have a problem with it. For the price I just couldn't pass it up.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I got mine in about 2001. The serial number is into the three digits (I think 000245 or thereabouts), so I'm pretty sure it is not first year production.

 

[gwatson]

Thanks again. Sounds like a good bet. Although here in the UK, the price is about $1100, not the $640 I see on US sites. Sadly, with import tax, shipping and tax collection fees, I wouldn't make much of a saving importing it.

There's usually a compromise between weight and rigidity, particularly at this end of the price range, but the Shen Hao sounds about right. Unless anybody has a S/H Ebony they want to get rid of

Cheers

Geoff