Wista DX modification question

[dphphoto]

Hi: I've been using a 4X5 Wista DX for the past several years. The one problem for me is that the front tilt is base only. I'd rather have an axis tilt, as it's easier to use. (I shoot mostly landscape and usually level the bed.) I can see the tabs that keep the lens panel parallel with the standard itself. Has anyone ever tried bending or breaking the tabs, or whatever, so that the lens panel will pivot at the axis?
Also wondering if the knobs that hold the panel in place for rise and fall would hold the panel by itself with a lens in place.
Or, if worse comes to worse, I might just buy a Shen Hao.
Thanks for any suggestions. Dean

 

[grahamp]

Having both rise/fall and tilt held by the existing rise locking knobs is going to make adjustment really difficult. You really want separate controls for each movement. If you cannot handle base tilts I would suggest a change of camera rather than mess with the Wista like this.

 

[dphphoto]

Actually, my 8X10 deardorff has front rise and fall and axis tilt held with the same knobs, and it's no problem. Dean

 

[Anupam Basu]

Or, if worse comes to worse, I might just buy a Shen Hao.

I have a shen and the axis tilt feature is a pain to use because rise/fall and tilt is tied to the same knob - no fun at all - it's less steady than the normal base tilt setup as well. That feature is really meant to you a couple of centimeters of extra bellows in a crunch, not quite day to day axis tilt use.

-Anupam

 

[grahamp]

I base my comments on how my Wista's rise/fall behaves with a moderately heavy lens mounted. It would be finicky to do two axis control with those friction locks.

On the other hand I can base tilt and adjust focus if necessary without trouble. With practice the amount of focus adjustment for front base tilt is almost predicatable. Axis tilts are more convenient perhaps, but I wouldn't want them on the same control if I had the choice. Of course my Wista has rear base tilt too, so I have the option of adjusting focus (front base tilt) or the image proportions (rear base tilt).

 

[dphphoto]

I base my comments on how my Wista's rise/fall behaves with a moderately heavy lens mounted. It would be finicky to do two axis control with those friction locks.

Exactly my concern. I think I may just leave well enough alone, and maybe save up for an Ebony.
I don't have any great complaint with base tilts. I used to work in a studio that had all Sinars, so I'm used to them. Just looking to simplify things a bit.
Dean

 

[ChuckP]

Can't you just setup the Wista with the front standard moved outside the vertical grooves. Use the front controls to reset the standard to vertical at the right height. You could then try out axis tilts using the same knobs that control front rise. I suppose you could move the standard either forward or back depending on the focal length.

 

[dphphoto]

I reminded myself of Fred Picker's advise for using base tilts. Which is: rack the bellows back while tilting the lens forward. Works well enough. Next project: replacing my loved but too worn 8X10 Deardorff. Dean