Wista kit

Hey LF'ers!

Maybe this is my GAS talking, but I'm looking to acquire a new LF body. I've recently been getting respectable results with my Calumet C400 and I absolutely love the experience. My lens is an Ilex 215mm, and I'm wondering if there are any obstacles I should consider to mount this lens to a Wista 4x5 folding camera. I want something lighter and easier to hike with. The calument kit is by-car only, I would like to be a bit more mobile, but still have some camera movements.


In addition, I wonder why these are so reasonably priced. Anyone work with one of these folders? This is a picture of the types of models I am looking at. I dont want to get something cheap that will fall apart. I like the construction of my Calumet, and some of the higher end 4x5s look beautiful, but I want to save my money for a wider lens. For now I think I can do a lot with this lens, but again, lighter body. Any input?

I'd suggest a Wista 45DX, I've used mine for just short of 30 years now and it's always been great to use and fine for backpacking. I suspect you Illex is a Tessar type lens and that should fold up OK with a Wista, a 210mm Symmar S won't as it's too large.

I also use a Super Graphic, again it's light has enough movements for my work, it's part of my light weight kit when I'm in Turkey/Greece along with a 135mm f5.6 Symmar (Caltar), a 90mm f6.8 Angulon and a 203mm f7.7 Extar. I was using it last week and it makes a huge difference having a light weight kit when it's 35ºC plus and your out shooting for over 4 hours

Ian

Ian Grant said:

I'd suggest a Wista 45DX, I've used mine for just short of 30 years now and it's always been great to use and fine for backpacking. I suspect you Illex is a Tessar type lens and that should fold up OK with a Wista, a 210mm Symmar S won't as it's too large.

I also use a Super Graphic, again it's light has enough movements for my work, it's part of my light weight kit when I'm in Turkey/Greece along with a 135mm f5.6 Symmar (Caltar), a 90mm f6.8 Angulon and a 203mm f7.7 Extar. I was using it last week and it makes a huge difference having a light weight kit when it's 35ºC plus and your out shooting for over 4 hours

Ian

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hmmm, sounds like my lens is too big...

I'd suggest a Wista 45DX, I've used mine for just short of 30 years now and it's always been great to use and fine for backpacking.

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+1.......I've had my Wista DXIII for about 15 years now and backpack it all the time.

LMNOP said:

hmmm, sounds like my lens is too big...

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I believe you have an Ilex #4 shutter don't you? Ari said that he had a 14" Kodak Commercial Ektar in the larger Ilex #5 shutter mounted onto a Technika style board. He said that he had the hole drilled out at a machine shop.

Those metal Wistas are fine cameras and on par with the metal Toyo Technical field cameras. I've been told that Wista no longer services the older cameras so you may want to buy a later SP. It's up to you.

Alan Gales said:

I believe you have an Ilex #4 shutter don't you? Ari said that he had a 14" Kodak Commercial Ektar in the larger Ilex #5 shutter mounted onto a Technika style board. He said that he had the hole drilled out at a machine shop.

Those metal Wistas are fine cameras and on par with the metal Toyo Technical field cameras. I've been told that Wista no longer services the older cameras so you may want to buy a later SP. It's up to you.

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Wow, the SP models look amazing. Something with a 6x9 back would be great, even 6x12 if possible.

One thing to keep in mind with the Wista DX and a lot of the other folding-type cameras (Horseman, Wista SP, Toyo CX, etc) is that the longest lens you can use is about 240mm. I regularly use my Nikkor M 300mm on my 4x5. The Wista, etc, will focus a 300mm but only at or very close to infinity. If you stick with a nice small lens trio like Ian's and that group fits your needs, then you'll be fine with any of the cameras mentioned.

Have fun!

Alan Gales said:

I believe you have an Ilex #4 shutter don't you? Ari said that he had a 14" Kodak Commercial Ektar in the larger Ilex #5 shutter mounted onto a Technika style board. He said that he had the hole drilled out at a machine shop.

Those metal Wistas are fine cameras and on par with the metal Toyo Technical field cameras. I've been told that Wista no longer services the older cameras so you may want to buy a later SP. It's up to you.

Click to expand...

Alan, that's true; I also had the 250mm WF Ektar mounted on a Technika board (96mm x 96mm); both senses were in an Ilex #5 shutter. The OPs lens board shouldn't be a problem at all with a #4.

OP, those older metal Wistas are designated "N" cameras; they are just as good as later all-metal models (SP, RF, VX), but they may lack one or two features the later models have, such as micro-swing on the rear standard.
Wistas are good cameras, and tough as nails; they were made to compete with Technikas. They came up a little short, and lack the fine precision of the Linhof, but they will last forever if properly maintained.

I use a 300mm on my Wista DXIII with a tophat board - this works fine and I can focus quite near to camera. It is totally front-heavy with the f/5.6 version, but absolutely fine with the f/9 version.

Marc!

Alan9940 said:

One thing to keep in mind with the Wista DX and a lot of the other folding-type cameras (Horseman, Wista SP, Toyo CX, etc) is that the longest lens you can use is about 240mm. I regularly use my Nikkor M 300mm on my 4x5. The Wista, etc, will focus a 300mm but only at or very close to infinity. If you stick with a nice small lens trio like Ian's and that group fits your needs, then you'll be fine with any of the cameras mentioned.

Have fun!

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Yes, you are correct about a standard Metal Wista but Wista made a couple different length extension bed sections and bellows so you can use longer lenses if you want.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63411-REG/Wista_214551_Extension_Bed_Track_300mm_for.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63412-REG/Wista_214550_Extension_Bed_Track_460mm_for.html

Ari said:

Alan, that's true; I also had the 250mm WF Ektar mounted on a Technika board (96mm x 96mm); both senses were in an Ilex #5 shutter. The OPs lens board shouldn't be a problem at all with a #4.

OP, those older metal Wistas are designated "N" cameras; they are just as good as later all-metal models (SP, RF, VX), but they may lack one or two features the later models have, such as micro-swing on the rear standard.
Wistas are good cameras, and tough as nails; they were made to compete with Technikas. They came up a little short, and lack the fine precision of the Linhof, but they will last forever if properly maintained.

Click to expand...

Thanks for that, and thank you, Alan!

I am shopping around now, mostly on the bay. I want to find a lower priced Wista but ideally metal construction. I may save for the SP model, but I want to get into this sooner than later. Toyos seem great as well, can anyone speak to the same inquiry in regards to the Toyo CF? With that build material, how do they hold up over the years, and would a big metal lens board and 215mm lens be ridiculous on a CF?

I handled a Toyo in store a number of years ago, seemed fairly sturdy, but nothing that made me want to replace my Wista with it.

I've been using a metal Wista for quite some time, I have a good metal roll film back for it too, so it'll do 645-6x12, as well as 45, very versatile kit and quite sturdy.

Besides the SP there is also a VX model. It is missing the micro swing and is lighter. I'd prefer one of those but they are harder to find than the SP. There is also an RF with a rangefinder so you can shoot hand held. They are probably heavier and cost more money.

The Toyo's are nice too. A buddy of mine has the 45A. I had a predecessor of the SP for a little while. I forget the model designation. I buy camera gear occasionally and flip it on Ebay. I played with it to see what it was like. The Toyo boards are a little larger than the Linhof style boards that the Wista's use but you can buy a Toyo to Linhof adapter board if you like the smaller boards. I have no experience with a Toyo CF.