So the brown truck passed by today....

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

And delivered a mysterious box

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1398/1224788978_b606fe9313_o.jpg

So out with the power tools:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1376/1223931763_459306befc_o.jpg

Inside I found:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1091/1223932527_f70df695b1_o.jpg

A little unwrapping:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1380/1223933143_20bd519a84_o.jpg

[Jorge Gasteazoro]

Looks like a tiny view camera...what is it... and why did you not unfold so we could all see what you got.... pisses me off when people leave me hanging and curious.. :)

Looks like a nice purchase, whatever that is.. :)

[Aender Brepsom]

Very well done, but after teasing us so nicely, I would like you to tell us what camera it is (or am I the only one who doesn't know?).
Enjoy your new toy.

[BrianShaw]

Power tools???? Couldn't you have hit it with Thor's Hammer and gotten into the box faster? Looks nice... but what (exactly) is it?

[Jorge Gasteazoro]

Very well done, but after teasing us so nicely, I would like you to tell us what camera it is (or am I the only one who doesn't know?).
Enjoy your new toy.

YOu are not the only one, I would love to know what is it and see it unfolded...anyhow, whatever it is, it looks very pretty.. :)

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

Looks like a tiny view camera...what is it... and why did you not unfold so we could all see what you got.... pisses me off when people leave me hanging and curious.. :)

Looks like a nice purchase, whatever that is.. :)

;) give me a minute Jorge

[davidb]

wtf?

[big_ben_blue]

looks like a Canham, right?

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

looks like a Canham, right?


Look again ;)

[davidb]

walker?

[Ron Bose]

What is that wrap thing ? Looks useful for wrapping your camera before it goes in the backpack ...

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1387/1223934261_80256f13be_o.jpg

It`s a Chamonix 045-N, the sweetest little 4x5 I`ve ever had my hands on!

For me, it`s just the perfect 4x5.

Super lightweight, 1412g on the kitchen scale!
395mm bellows extention, I can focus my 12" Ilex at 60"
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1162/1224793544_5a6b75e785_o.jpg
Rock solid.
All the movements I`ll ever need.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1363/1223937023_b05b4fdac9_o.jpg
Bubble levels all over.(5 total)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1284/1223936299_1b6b248668_o.jpg

At $699 this is a steal...

Yes, I know Chamonix is the "brand-not-to-be-mentioned-" here on LFF, but it`s just so good that I couldn`t help it....

Ouch, this thread probably sounds like an ad, but honestly, finally I have a very lightweight camera with has the extention and features I need. I couldn`t be happier....

[Ron Bose]

looks like a Phillips design ...

[Aender Brepsom]

Hmm, looks really nice! And the price is nice. What kind of lens panels does it take? Minimal bellows draw?

To Ron: the wrap is most probably a Domke wrap. I got some of those. They are very handy indeed.

[Nick_3536]

Those little cameras are cute :D :p

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

Hmm, looks really nice! And the price is nice. What kind of lens panels does it take? Minimal bellows draw?

To Ron: the wrap is most probably a Domke wrap. I got some of those. They are very handy indeed.

Standard Technica lens boards, 55mm minimum bellows draw.

[davidb]

wow...just over three pounds. can you show us the back?

[jb7]

What a beauty-

j

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

wow...just over three pounds. can you show us the back?


Sure :) I forgot to mention, the groundglass comes with a fresnel attached, so the view from behind is amazingly bright. :)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1211/1224585967_95377d5a77_o.jpg

[Deniz Merdanogullari]

Ok i want one..

[davidb]

So how did you buy one?

[Jan Pedersen]

Very nice and a very reasonable price just to understate a little.
Do they make 5x7 too?

[domenico Foschi]

Very nice and a very reasonable price just to understate a little.
Do they make 5x7 too?

All kind of sizes, I understand.
What a great little pearl!
Yeah, Hugo, Yeah!:)

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

All kind of sizes, I understand.
What a great little pearl!
Yeah, Hugo, Yeah!:)

Yes, Hugo Zhang is the man if you want one...

[John Hannon]

Ok i want one..

Me Too! It looks great Amund!

[Michael Gordon]

Where can they be found? Any comments on stability? Looks really nice.....

[cyrus]

Ugh! Do I really need ANOTHER 4x5...YES!!!!!
Quick - how do I justify this to myself....WOOD! its made out of WOOD!
I don't have one made out of wood yet . . .

[roteague]

Yes, pretty little camera. I have to admit I prefer metal field cameras, over wooden ones. However, the fit and finish on this looks excellent.

I too am waiting on the little brown truck to come ... in my case, I've got a new Nikon F6 coming (not really a topic for this forum).

[Michael Graves]

Why can't you mention Chamonix? Is it sort of like admitting you went out with Barbara Rollins in high school?

[David A. Goldfarb]

Why can't you mention Chamonix? Is it sort of like admitting you went out with Barbara Rollins in high school?

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=24171

[Jack Flesher]

What is that wrap thing ? Looks useful for wrapping your camera before it goes in the backpack ...

Look for Domke Lens Wrap or Optec Lens Wrap -- B&H has both I think.

[tim atherton]

Makes me want to get a better look at their 8x10 now...

the build quality looks pretty good?

[tim atherton]

Why can't you mention Chamonix? Is it sort of like admitting you went out with Barbara Rollins in high school?

it's a bit like mentioning ***-PUG or *-Bay or *oldemort :rolleyes:

[Ole Tjugen]

Makes me want to get a better look at their 8x10 now...

the build quality looks pretty good?

It makes me wonder about a 9.5x12"...

[Rob_5419]

Amund,

how come your ground glass screen looks cracked?

Well done Hugo too! Looks like an excellent LF addition :)

[Gudmundur Ingolfsson]

This camera is a carbon copy of the 4x5" camera Richard Phillips designed and offered
for sale in 1998. Just some tropical wood and bubbel levels added. Copycats ought
to be prosecuted.

[davidb]

Don't worry. The camera will be recalled for using lead paint.

:D

[Jan Pedersen]

This camera is a carbon copy of the 4x5" camera Richard Phillips designed and offered
for sale in 1998. Just some tropical wood and bubbel levels added. Copycats ought
to be prosecuted.

If that were to be true there would not be much to buy these days. Half of what we buy has been copied one way or another.

[davidb]

So do they have a website?

How do you buy one of these?

[David A. Goldfarb]

An amusing poem with regard to the Brown Truck and its driver--

http://not-what-it-seems.blogspot.com/2007/08/more-on-ups-man.html

[Jan Pedersen]

Very funny. Wonder how much UPS makes from sales on ebay?

[tim atherton]

This camera is a carbon copy of the 4x5" camera Richard Phillips designed and offered
for sale in 1998. Just some tropical wood and bubbel levels added. Copycats ought
to be prosecuted.

I recall Dick has said he has said he has no problem with various makers using some of his ideas and innovations in their cameras. I seem to remember he thought it was a good thing

[Sam]

Yeah I too want to know how to get one!!!!!

[Jan Pedersen]

Hugo, where are you? Time to chime in now. We need a few cameras with a good discount.

[Alex Wei]

Well, I got one of this little thing from China, I still can't believe how light and rigid it is. The build quality is amazing. There are two different wood and metal configurations, the other one is even lighter, the wood is maple wood I believe.
I really enjoy using it so far.

They don't have 5X7 model, but they do have two 5X8 model.

[Hugo Zhang]

Amund,

I have asked the factory to send you a replacement ground glass. Sorry for that.

Guys,

Thank you very much for your interest, but I am reluctant to "chime in" here due to my commercial interest in Chamonix cameras. PM or email me for questions.

[Rick Olson]

If you think that 4 x 5 looks nice, you ought to see the Chamonix 7 x 17.

Yes Hugo ... still saving up for the full package!!


Rick

[Nick_3536]

They don't have 5X7 model, but they do have two 5X8 model.

What about film holders? :confused: Can the back take 5x7 holders?

[Rob_5419]

Don't worry. The camera will be recalled for using lead paint.

:D


Large format is for men! Not children.

Roll on the cadmium papers, the Parkinson's inducing pyrocatechols, the mercury cold cathodes ;)





Quote:
Originally Posted by Gudmundur Ingolfsson View Post
This camera is a carbon copy of the 4x5" camera Richard Phillips designed and offered
for sale in 1998. Just some tropical wood and bubbel levels added. Copycats ought
to be prosecuted.
I recall Dick has said he has said he has no problem with various makers using some of his ideas and innovations in their cameras. I seem to remember he thought it was a good thing

Oh no...here we go again (hopefully not) :rolleyes:

Wake up Gudmundur!

We're in a postmodern world. Have you ever had an original thought of your own?

Remember Fox Talbot taught photography that being vindictively possessive and legalistically hell-bent on protecting his own patents never furthered photography. The greatest contributors to photography are those who contributed to photography without such narrow-minded protectiveness.

[Hugo Zhang]

All Chamonix cameras under 8x10 are sold out. There is a six months waiting from the time of order.

[Rob_5419]

Hugo,

just wondering - how difficult would a whole plate camera of this design be to manufacture? Would that be possible, given that there are no other templates for this type of camera?

[Hugo Zhang]

Rob,

Chamonix is a small shop which currently makes a few "odd" sized cameras rarer than the whole plate cameras. In a word, it can custom make everything you fancy with six months waiting.

[Rob_5419]

Hi Hugo,

6 months is barely any time at all! I'm just wondering how the tolerances would be designed for an obscure format like whole plate. Clearly this would require Paul Droluk's Fotoman holders as a template to build around first....

In any case, I'd better stop hijacking this thread! Speak to you soon! :)

[David Karp]

I have a stupid question. Not being familiar with the Phillips-type design: How does the front fold up? It looks like it is extremely rigid and held in place with two fasteners on each side.

I know that I should be able to figure it out from the photos, but I guess I am visually challenged. :)

[davidb]

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?p=267914#post267914

[Oren Grad]

Not being familiar with the Phillips-type design: How does the front fold up?

The front standard unscrews from the base entirely with the knob at the bottom. Then the knobs on the side that secure rise/fall and tilt are loosened, which allows the front standard frame to be flipped up and tucked in along the base, with the back and bellows folded down from above.

[David Karp]

Ahhh. Now I see. Thanks Oren.

[Oren Grad]

It's a little slower in setup than the usual collapsing struts, because you have to pay attention to align the base screw with one of the mounting holes. But when built right, this design gives you both better rigidity and lower weight than typical wood-fields.

[roteague]

I'll have to keep this little jewel in mind. I need another field camera, and perhaps it is time to try a wood one.

[Capocheny]

Large format is for men! Not children.

Roll on the cadmium papers, the Parkinson's inducing pyrocatechols, the mercury cold cathodes ;)



Oh no...here we go again (hopefully not) :rolleyes:

Wake up Gudmundur!

We're in a postmodern world. Have you ever had an original thought of your own?

Remember Fox Talbot taught photography that being vindictively possessive and legalistically hell-bent on protecting his own patents never furthered photography. The greatest contributors to photography are those who contributed to photography without such narrow-minded protectiveness.

Rob... well said! :)

Tim,

You're absolutely correct... Dick's comment was printed in View Camera when they did an article on the Chamonix.

Cheers

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

I got you guys worked up all right! :D

Amazing camera for sure, now my camera bag feels like I have a change of clothes in it, it`s so light :)

I find it very fast to set up, faster than both the Shen-Haos I`ve owned.

And Robert, I think you will like this one :) Congrats on the F6, that`s the ultimate 35mm camera if you ask me.

[Ben R]

I love the spirit levels, anyone know where I could buy levels like that seperately to screw into my Tachi?

[Songyun]

Amund, is your camera #049? which tripod head would you use for this camera? I am thinking about get a light tripod head for it.

[Gordon Moat]

How about a rundown of the movements possible, and their ranges? I am guessing no rear shift, but rear swing somehow as shown in that one photo? Other than possible lens range, how does it compare to a Shen Hao? Thanks in advance.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio (http://www.allgstudio.com)

[Dirk Rösler]

Weight: 1,380g
Bellows draw: 395 mm max, 45mm min,
Rear standard swing: 20 degrees,
Front rise: 45mm, Front fall: 30mm, Left and right shift: 40mm

Not sure on the tilt...

[Capocheny]

I got you guys worked up all right! :D

Amazing camera for sure, now my camera bag feels like I have a change of clothes in it, it`s so light :)

I find it very fast to set up, faster than both the Shen-Haos I`ve owned.


Amund,

YOU SURE DO!

If I didn't have too many cameras already... I'd be awfully tempted to buy one just because it's so gosh, darn... beautiful! :)

And, I agree with Ben - those spirit levels would come in handy!

Enjoy your new camera... and let us know how you like it after you've shot with it awhile.

Cheers

[Robert Oliver]

I have one and I absolutely love it. It's a dream.

Hugo was Very helpful in helping me get mine.

Robert

[Rob_5419]

I love the spirit levels, anyone know where I could buy levels like that seperately to screw into my Tachi?

A few of the architecture guys I know who use Silvestris try the UK distributor for Silvestri Camera products -

http://www.morco.uk.com/

The Silvestri range of technical cameras have bubble levels like these. The Silvestri company is still on summer holiday so if you try after 25th August.

Speak to the guy in technical - it's a special order item.

Be careful if you're going to screw in spirit levels; your Tachihara wood may splint as a result. The Silvestri mounts are metal moulded, and so there is no issue with wood fracture.

Seems like you might be better off with a kind of self-adhesive type of spirit level - a bit like the ones you can get in DIY shops, only those are unsightly and large.

[Jorge Gasteazoro]

If you do decide to go with the screw in levels, it is good woodworking practice to drill pilot holes before you insert the screw. This will prevent your wood from cracking.

[Alex Wei]

Weight: 1,380g
Bellows draw: 395 mm max, 45mm min,
Rear standard swing: 20 degrees,
Front rise: 45mm, Front fall: 30mm, Left and right shift: 40mm

Not sure on the tilt...


Front tilt is limited by bellow, rear tilt is enough, I think about 25 degree backwards and limited by bellow forward tilt.

[Sal Santamaura]

Amund and Robert - I'm curious about the front tilt. Phillips uses a turnbutton on his front standard so one can run it up and down without inducing tilt. The locks are progressive; after selecting a rise/fall position, they can be tightened slightly, the turnbutton rotated out of the way and tilt added without disturbing the vertical setting.

How does this Chamonix handle those movements? Is there some kind of detent for zero tilt? Are the locks progressive? Or is everything just loose and requiring that one hold the standard in a desired position (vertical + tilt), then lock down?

Thanks in advance.

[roteague]

Well, the little brown truck stopped at my place today, and left me a brand new Nikon F6. :D

So far, it looks and feels like a great camera, but I'll need to run some film through it. The only disappointment, is that Nikon didn't include batteries or a camera strap - they left a little piece of paper saying these items are no longer included. On a $2000 camera, I find this a bit on the "cheap" side for Nikon.

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

Amund and Robert - I'm curious about the front tilt. Phillips uses a turnbutton on his front standard so one can run it up and down without inducing tilt. The locks are progressive; after selecting a rise/fall position, they can be tightened slightly, the turnbutton rotated out of the way and tilt added without disturbing the vertical setting.

How does this Chamonix handle those movements? Is there some kind of detent for zero tilt? Are the locks progressive? Or is everything just loose and requiring that one hold the standard in a desired position (vertical + tilt), then lock down?

Thanks in advance.


Sal, sounds like the Chamonix is set up the same way, here`s a couple of snaps that shows it:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1338/1255982857_c1768ae935_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1272/1256842710_768884a699_o.jpg

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

Well, the little brown truck stopped at my place today, and left me a brand new Nikon F6. :D

So far, it looks and feels like a great camera, but I'll need to run some film through it. The only disappointment, is that Nikon didn't include batteries or a camera strap - they left a little piece of paper saying these items are no longer included. On a $2000 camera, I find this a bit on the "cheap" side for Nikon.


No strap and batteries, that is cheap! But on the other hand, I can`t stand those straps that comes with cameras, and I buy Upstraps for anything new... :)
Enjoy the F6!:)

[Matus Kalisky]

... Nikon didn't include batteries or a camera strap - they left a little piece of paper saying these items are no longer included. On a $2000 camera, I find this a bit on the "cheap" side for Nikon.

I got my Tachi also without batteries, but it was only $600 ... :D

[Hugo Zhang]

"All Chamonix cameras under 8x10 are sold out. There is a six months waiting from the time of order."

Just got some good news from the good folks at Chamonix: Those on my waiting list for this 4x5 camera will cut their waiting time to 100 days! A few people have expressed the wish to receive this as a Christmas gifts and the factory has listened.

Those on my lists for Chamonix 45N please send your shipping address with phone number, your choice of wood and metal to hugoz_2000@yahoo.com

The factory has also negotiated a 20% shipping discount from EMS because they are going to ship so much cameras in a day. The shipping will be $75.

Hold thy purse, I don't need your deposit.

[Ash]

WOW!

If only I could have the money by then!!

[Sal Santamaura]

Sal, sounds like the Chamonix is set up the same way, here`s a couple of snaps that shows it:...Amund, thanks for posting those pictures. Forgive my lack of mechanical aptitude, but the two small guide bars illustrated on the bottom of the front standard, protruding into slots in the upright supports, don't seem to be moveable unless one loosens the larger allen bolt with a wrench. That end of the guide bar appears to be closed around the bolt. Please explain how they work and also confirm that the front locks are progressive.

Phillips' turnbutton is on the bottom right of the front standard's front face. It's a simple plastic bar around 1cm long, mounted on a fore-aft bolt, that rides against the upright when horizontal and clears the upright when rotated vertical.

Thanks one more time!

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

Amund, thanks for posting those pictures. Forgive my lack of mechanical aptitude, but the two small guide bars illustrated on the bottom of the front standard, protruding into slots in the upright supports, don't seem to be moveable unless one loosens the larger allen bolt with a wrench. That end of the guide bar appears to be closed around the bolt. Please explain how they work and also confirm that the front locks are progressive.

Phillips' turnbutton is on the bottom right of the front standard's front face. It's a simple plastic bar around 1cm long, mounted on a fore-aft bolt, that rides against the upright when horizontal and clears the upright when rotated vertical.

Thanks one more time!


The larger allen bolt is just for easier grip, you just slide them towards center when you want to use tilt. The knobs for the rise/fall has a thick plastic spacer/bushing that makes it progressive.

[roteague]

I got my Tachi also without batteries, but it was only $600 ... :D

Come to think about it, my Toyo didn't either. :eek: I guess I should write a letter of complaint to Toyo. :p

[Captain_joe6]

I've probably missed it somewhere, but google turned up nothing, so here goes:

Chamonix doesn't happen to have a website or other official informational outlet do they? I'd really love to see a listing of all their products.

[Hugo Zhang]

Captain,

We are working on our English website. I will make an anouncement when it is up and running with tons of pictures.

Chamonix is hot among Chinese LF photographers. Here are two links to their threads..

http://forum.xitek.com/showthread.php?threadid=317013

http://forum.xitek.com/showthread.php?threadid=441511

Sorry they are in Chinese. But there are some pictures there.

[Songyun]

045N-1
weight 1380g(maple)1410g(walnut)
bellow draw 45~395mm
rear swing 20°
front rise up 45mm down 30mm front shift +/-40mm

Other model
058 horizontal only
058
410
810c
717
820
1417
1220
2024

[Songyun]

There are data for other models, all in Chinese. Hugo, are you working on English website? there are more data at bbs.chamonixcamera.com

[Songyun]

"All Chamonix cameras under 8x10 are sold out. There is a six months waiting from the time of order."

Just got some good news from the good folks at Chamonix: Those on my waiting list for this 4x5 camera will cut their waiting time to 100 days! A few people have expressed the wish to receive this as a Christmas gifts and the factory has listened.

Those on my lists for Chamonix 45N please send your shipping address with phone number, your choice of wood and metal to hugoz_2000@yahoo.com

The factory has also negotiated a 20% shipping discount from EMS because they are going to ship so much cameras in a day. The shipping will be $75.

Hold thy purse, I don't need your deposit.

which means I have to wait longer for the accessories. :confused:

[Clint Hill]

Yes, I know Chamonix is the "brand-not-to-be-mentioned-" here on LFF, but it`s just so good that I couldn`t help it....




I'm new here and I am wondering why is Chamonix the "brand-not-to-be-mentioned"? Now, if this question is going to open a huge "can of worms" and make some people here mad then please forgive me for asking. I promise I'm not trying to start anything. It's just an innocent question. I'm in the final research mode of purchasing my first 4x5 for landscape and I would just like to check out all the options with different manufacturers. I've heard of the Chamonix but I do not know much about it. At $699 it's priced in the same range as a camera that I really like, the Tachihara and the Chamonix is also similar in weight. Your Chamonix looks beautiful. Congratulations.

Clint

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

I'm new here and I am wondering why is Chamonix the "brand-not-to-be-mentioned"? Now, if this question is going to open a huge "can of worms" and make some people here mad then please forgive me for asking. I promise I'm not trying to start anything. It's just an innocent question. I'm in the final research mode of purchasing my first 4x5 for landscape and I would just like to check out all the options with different manufacturers. I've heard of the Chamonix but I do not know much about it. At $699 it's priced in the same range as a camera that I really like, the Tachihara and the Chamonix is also similar in weight. Your Chamonix looks beautiful. Congratulations.

Clint



Do a search on "Chamonix" and you will find out.....

The Tachi is a nice camera, but no match for the Chamonix, wich is sturdier, has more bellows extention and better build IMO...

[David A. Goldfarb]

Here's one of the relevant threads--

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=24171

[Songyun]

I am just wondering where are those ppl who were really mad at Chamonix back in March?

[Clint Hill]

Thanks David for the thread reference. I also did a search on Chamonix. Wow, very interesting reading. It seams that the Chamonix is a very well made camera that is very well suited for landscape photography at a competitive price. I'm not real sure on the "buisness" side of the product though. That appears to be where the discrepancies and uncertainties lie. Of course, this is all just from what I have gathered on my own. I could be way off and totaly wrong...I have been wrong before once or twice ;)

I'm still very interested. I was about to go ahead with a Tachi but will put that purchase on hold for the time being until I'm able to find out more on the Chamonix.

Great, just what I needed, another decision! :D

[Jack Flesher]

I am just wondering where are those ppl who were really mad at Chamonix back in March?

I'm still trying to understand the whole story -- sounded like a business negotiation that started but never finalized ???

[David A. Goldfarb]

There's a lot of ambiguity, and I have no information but what everyone can read in the forums and in _View Camera_ magazine, but in late 2006/early 2007 it appeared that Kerry Thalmann was invited to review the cameras and eventually to endorse and become a distributor in the U.S., and that he put significant effort toward the project, and after Chamonix had his endorsement he was unceremoniously cut out of the operation. From the comments in the thread I referenced, it seems that I'm not the only person who read the situation this way, and neither of the parties involved have said anything to correct or contradict this impression.

[tim atherton]

The Silvestri range of technical cameras have bubble levels like these. The Silvestri company is still on summer holiday so if you try after 25th August.
.

just don't try and get any replacement parts - they have the crappiest customer service I've ever come across...

[David R Munson]

So how rigid is this thing?

[Amund BLix Aaeng]

So how rigid is this thing?


Very, much more rigid than a Shen-Hao or Tachi...

[Jack Flesher]

So how rigid is this thing?


http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showpost.php?p=270519&postcount=78

[David R Munson]

Controversy aside, this thing looks oh so tempting. The Linhof may have finally found its replacement.

[roteague]

Controversy aside, this thing looks oh so tempting. The Linhof may have finally found its replacement.

I put my name on the waiting list for one.

[keeds]

me too... ;-)

[Clint Hill]

Me three!... :) I ordered the white maple. I can't wait for it to get here!