Wista 45N W/Monocular Reflex Viewer VS Toyo Super Graphic

[bigdog]

I looking at purchasing Wista 45N with monocular reflex viewer.

Can anyone tell me their experience using a monocular reflex viewer in 4x5 and how they work?

Does the viewer have a mirror and fresnel lens to magnify the ground glass image?

Will I still need a loupe for focusing? Will it require always removing the viewer?

How is it for vertical composition, does the viewer rotate and you view at 90 degrees to either side?

My current set up is a Toyo Super Graphic with light leaks that is other wise in great shape, new bellows replacement will cost me about $200. I have a Caltar 90mm 6.3, Fujinon 150mm 5.6 and Fujinon 240mm 5.6.

I have two barrel lenses, an 10" (256mm) Kodak projection lens and 8 inch (210mm) Wollensak mounted to lens boards for Super Graphic so I may keep the Toyo Super Graphic just to shoot those lenses.

How does the Wista 45N compare to the Toyo Super Graphic?
Would you consider the Wista 45N with reflex viewer an upgrade to the Super Graphic?
I understand there is no swing on the front standard on the 45N. I read the maximum bellows draw is about the same as the Super Graphic at 12 inches? Anything else I am missing in comparing these two?

 

[btaylor]

I didn't know there was a monocular that would fit a Super Graphic. Might be handy. I have a monocular reflex viewer for my Linhof Technika IV which looks somewhat similar to the Wista. I set it up, and it looked nice, but I have never actually used it. It's a bit of a hassle. When I tried it out it basically was like looking through a 35mm SLR viewfinder, except the image was reversed like looking down at a TLR. It was pretty easy to focus, but critical focusing away from the center you would probably need a loupe which would require removal of the assembly. Movements are limited on the Super Graphic, check the specs but I would guess the Wista has more movements.

 

[bigdog]

I didn't know there was a monocular that would fit a Super Graphic. Might be handy. I have a monocular reflex viewer for my Linhof Technika IV which looks somewhat similar to the Wista. I set it up, and it looked nice, but I have never actually used it. It's a bit of a hassle. When I tried it out it basically was like looking through a 35mm SLR viewfinder, except the image was reversed like looking down at a TLR. It was pretty easy to focus, but critical focusing away from the center you would probably need a loupe which would require removal of the assembly. Movements are limited on the Super Graphic, check the specs but I would guess the Wista has more movements.

The reflex viewer is just referring to the Wista. Yeah, I am not sure if the reflex viewer is hinged to swing out of the way or if it just snaps off for critical focus. Hard to find stats on the Wista N model but I think I read no swing on front standard and limited bellows extension.

 

[B.S.Kumar]

The Wista 45N is the basic (or stripped-down) model in the series. It has manual rise/fall, shift and tilt on the front, and swing on the rear. The bellows are not interchangeable, and maximum extension is ~300mm. The monocular reflex viewer is attached in place of the focusing hood, and can be swung away when you want to use a loupe for critical focus. Since the viewer is attached to the back, it rotates along with it. For vertical shots, you'd need to stand to the side.

Kumar

 

[bigdog]

The Wista 45N is the basic (or stripped-down) model in the series. It has manual rise/fall, shift and tilt on the front, and swing on the rear. The bellows are not interchangeable, and maximum extension is ~300mm. The monocular reflex viewer is attached in place of the focusing hood, and can be swung away when you want to use a loupe for critical focus. Since the viewer is attached to the back, it rotates along with it. For vertical shots, you'd need to stand to the side.

Kumar

Thank you very much for your succinct and informative response!