Why doesn't everyone have one of these...

Curt · Apr 12, 2007

...and I don't take Paypal but money orders or cash will be fine...

After reading what I posted it looked like I was spending too much time on eBay. It's not for sale because I made it and there is personal value there. Of course I could make them better today with more experience and a great shop to do it. I am going to make a couple of 5x7's like the Hardin cameras. I have the hardware already and a new 5x7 Canham bellows .

I remember when they were called Clamshell cameras!

ragc · Apr 12, 2007

WWII vintage Asanuma & Co. King I w/ 4x5 and 5x7 backs (originally 1/2 plate) and Schneider-Krauznach Symmar 1:5.6 210mm/ 1:12 370mm on tripod plate w/ dual spirit levels. Bellows by Mark Kapono.

David A. Goldfarb · Apr 12, 2007

Here's me and the 11x14" American Optical, courtesy of Don Ciccone from the LF gathering in Central Park a couple of months ago. And those tripod legs (not the head) now belong to Kerik Kouklis.

Curt · Apr 12, 2007

Anyone notice the design of the front standard? Some have the support in front like I did and some have the support in back like the Tachi. I noticed the Titan has the support in front and the AO of David's is in back as are the Deardorf cameras. The drawback of the front support is it puts the lens plane back further but it folds without turning the lens holder of the standard. Mine doesn't have lens tilt, only front base tilt. I could have designed lens tilt though. The Tachi. and the Shen have these two different designs. It probably doesn't make much difference but it's there for some reason, I could never find anyone who could clearly define it. With a larger camera the "support" of the front support make a lot of sense, that is, having it in back. The front support can pull up on the front plate if the front plate is made thin but with a lens it is balanced out with the weight on the support. Any ideas on the design of the front of these cameras?

David A. Goldfarb · Apr 12, 2007

The American Optical has front axis tilts, which it needs to fold with the bracket behind the standard, but then it's nice to have axis tilts. It also has front rise/fall, geared rear swing, and rear base tilts, geared front focus, and the back slides forward for wide lenses.

I think the bellows was originally 24", and the last owner put a longer bellows on--about 28", and that one fell apart (it seemed like someone's bad experiment in bellowsmaking), so I ordered a new one from Camera Bellows UK that's 38", so it can use the full extension of the camera and still have some room for movements.

The camera is quite light--15 lbs, as compared with 30 lbs for a Wisner 11x14"--but this is at the expense of rigidity. The base is really too thin, but I've been thinking about ways to strengthen it.

Robert Hall · Apr 12, 2007

Ok, just happened to have a new one...

Curt · Apr 12, 2007

In the US where is the best place to buy a ShenHao camera? Anyone take one to Italy and really use it and what lenses did you take and how many film holders?
Thanks, Curt

David A. Goldfarb · Apr 13, 2007

Badger Graphic and The View Camera Store carry Shen-Hao.

Curt · Apr 13, 2007

Which one? Does Badger Graphic advertise here, I know the View Camera store does. I suppose it doesn't make much difference. The Tachihara is really a beautiful camera by the way. It has come a long long way since the first ones. It's tempting because of the weight but the features of the Shen Hao and the stability have an edge. I was giving some thought to making a 5x7 extension back for the Shen Hao also and because it is a bit heavier it might be better suited to the addition. I also like the sliding roll addition that is shown on their web site. There are some very nice possibilities with these cameras for traveling.

snaggs · Apr 15, 2007

walter23 said:
PS, snaggs, did you provide badger with their photo on the intro kit page? I mean, is that first shot your actual camera, or a stock shot of the tachi? That's a good price for a brand new intro kit.

Yeh I did, the old photo was so knaff and did not do the camera justice. I took that photo of mine and sent it to them.

Daniel.

snaggs · Apr 15, 2007

Curt said:
Which one? Does Badger Graphic advertise here, I know the View Camera store does. I suppose it doesn't make much difference. The Tachihara is really a beautiful camera by the way. It has come a long long way since the first ones. It's tempting because of the weight but the features of the Shen Hao and the stability have an edge. I was giving some thought to making a 5x7 extension back for the Shen Hao also and because it is a bit heavier it might be better suited to the addition. I also like the sliding roll addition that is shown on their web site. There are some very nice possibilities with these cameras for traveling.

The Tachi is really light.. and made in Japan.. Shen Hao is made in China. BTW : There is a 5x7 back for the Tachi as well.

Daniel.

Curt · Apr 17, 2007

OK, what's the count? ShenHao or Tachihara? I am on the edge of my chair, ready to order one. I got a note back from Badger and they answer questions very well and complete. I have decided to order one the cameras, it will be the first new camera I have purchased in years. By new I mean, not used. If I had the money I would have a Canham, I also like solid look of the Titan. But in the end it's all about $$$$.
Let me know which one you would pick, I know one person that ordered a Tachihara and likes it, I may or may not be a second person.

Stalker · Apr 17, 2007

I have almost the same, just bought it a short while ago.

Dead Link Removed

Curt · Apr 17, 2007

That's it only one vote?

Mick Fagan · Apr 17, 2007

I myself have been deciding since the last year as to what I would acquire.

Finally I have decided on the Shen Hao, with one provisio, I wish to see one first.

Fortunately there is one relatively close and I hope in the near future, to actually check it out.

If what I have gleaned from this forum and other places checks out, then I'll get one.

I have used in the past Toyo 4x5 & 8x10 monorails as well as a 4x5 Sinar, all in an industrial studio environment.

Currently I have a mid sixties Calumet monorail, this has firmed my desire to expand in the 4x5 format, but I wish for something smallish for carting around.

The Shen appears to be the best bang for your buck for my current aim. As long as the body is able to be configured to the kind of work I wish to do, then that will suffice.

Mick.

Curt · Apr 17, 2007

I haven't seen one but from a lot of research I decided to just order one. I put in an order about an hour ago and should have it by the end of the week. I built a field camera and when you consider that a set of brass rack and pinons costs around a hundred dollars and a bellows anywhere from two to three hundred with the machined stainless steel, wood, design, finish and completed and sent out and the seller making a cut; I can't see how anyone could make much on one. I couldn't make a camera of this quality level and sell it for that price and make it worthwhile. It simply wouldn't pay. So I decided to own one and enjoy photography and traveling more and work on my 5x7 in my spare time. I have a restored Kodak 2D 5x7 and 8x10 so this is the short cut to portability. I have one the the Calumet 4x5 also but it doesn't go outside.

25asa · Apr 17, 2007

A What's it.

I don't know what it is.
Probably one of those before Kodak absorbed them.
It works. Someone has modified it.
It has a 170mm f/7.7 Kodak Anastigmat.
Takes modern 5x7 Holders.
I've got a 240mm f/6.3 modern multicoated lens in a board for it if I have to get down and nasty sharp or use an 'X' sync.
Has front rise/fall, tilt and swivel along with rear tilt.

RoBBo · Apr 17, 2007

I'll nab an actual picture of it when I go to shoot with it again on Thursday.
30" Artar on it.

Curt · Apr 19, 2007

That's a very nice camera, not a Tachihara or Shen Hao, but too big to take out to the beach or hills let alone travel.

Why doesn't everyone have one of these... :confused:

...because I am getting the Shen Hao... not because I don't like the Tachihara, it's a great deal with the starter kit, lens and all. I just like the quiet look of the Shen and the changeable bellows and max. ext.. I don't need lenses so the Shen was the way to go. I guess I'll have to look for a case at Walmart. Go Go Go Shen Hao!!!!

It's on the way, I'll let you know what it is like when it gets here on Friday. It's going to be my grab the camera and go camera. Or grab the camera and go on an airplane camera.

Raphael · Apr 19, 2007

Hello Curt,

Curt said:
...because I am getting the Shen Hao... not because I don't like the Tachihara, it's a great deal with the starter kit, lens and all. I just like the quiet look of the Shen and the changeable bellows and max. ext.. I don't need lenses so the Shen was the way to go. I guess I'll have to look for a case at Walmart. Go Go Go Shen Hao!!!!

The Badger site says the Tachihara Kit is out of stock, can you kindly tell me what Badger said to you about that, when you contacted them, please ?

Regards,

Raphael

Curt · Apr 19, 2007

Raphael, I can't speak for the Tachihara because I bought a Shen Hao model camera. Perhaps the Tachihara is more in demand, I know that the camera and lens "intro" set is a very good deal.
Curt

Curt · Apr 20, 2007

I had just poured my cup of coffee when the UPS truck drove up and the driver sprang out with a small box. I put down the cup and and went to the door. He handed me the package and was off again. I saw the big brown truck through the window.

I opened the box and in the popcorn packing was a bubble wrapped brown camera with black hardware. I opened it and inspected every inch looking for the flaw that would allow me to say, no wonder it was so cheap, but I couldn't. It was "fit and finished". The bellows is impeccable and the wood is warm and silky to the touch. The hardware is machined very nicely and works great. I bought a Satin Snow ground glass also and a Linhof cable release. It comes with a #0 lens board so I fitted my Schneider 150mm lens to it and believe it or not the camera can close with the lens attached and the lens cap on it. I was really surprised, the bellows compacts well and there is no forcing to it. All of the movements work as specified and the image is as expected on the ground glass, which is ruled in a kind of dot line pattern. It takes international accessories so I can use my roll backs just fine.

I have a Susan Hayward movie on the TV, an old black and white, and I noted that SH, Shen Hao, was initialed on one set of the knobs. I think I will call my camera "Susan" as in SH, Susan Hayward.

Bottom line: it's all that I expected it to be and will provide years of use traveling.

Curt

razzledog · Apr 21, 2007

Walker Titan?

Robbo, I sure like the looks of this camera.......Kinda Carbon Fibre/stainless steel looking?
I checked out the XL wide 4x5 and 5x7... WOW! is that a trick looking unit:

http://www.walkercameras.com/titan-xl-wide-4x5-01.html

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~razzle/

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