Thanks, Alexn, for your encouragement. Actually, when I started in LF, I thought I'd make loads of mistakes and so decided I could afford to waste 10 sheets on complete failures before deciding...
Type: Posts; User: hmvmanuk; Keyword(s):
Thanks, Alexn, for your encouragement. Actually, when I started in LF, I thought I'd make loads of mistakes and so decided I could afford to waste 10 sheets on complete failures before deciding...
Interesting thoughts here. I'm a relative newbie to LF and I wanted to do it in order to slow down and really think about the pictures I was making. I'm finding though, at the moment, when I'm out...
I agree with Nguss that you have to bear in mind the cost of all the other bits you need once you've bought a camera. As well the obvious lens there's the lens panel and film holders plus other bits...
It took me a while to find a LF camera at the right price but it was worth the wait. I got a Wista field camera via the 'auction site'.
I got my first lens and lens panel from Ffordes and have...
When I got my Wista DXII earlier this year I e-mailed Wista to ask about cleaning and maintenance. Their response was that the woodwork should only need a wipe with a cloth (dampened with water if...
I'd not encountered the work of this British photographer until I read his obituary recently (he died in September) but I've been astounded by his images taken in British industrial locations during...
Thanks, Dave, for your observations. I was wondering about the back and how it was sprung. Presumably the springs are reasonably strong so as to hold the film holder securely in place and accurately...
Sorry Dave, I've just seen your detailed description of the construction on the other forum. I should've looked before posting!:o
Cheers,
Gavin
Hi DaveTheWalker, I like your "Red Baron" Bulldog. I thought about getting one of those kits but chickened out. How did you find it to build the basic kit? Reasonably straightforward or a bit tricky?...
I'm interested in this serial number thing. Until recently I didn't think my 45 DXII (the model without rear shift) had a serial number as there isn't a plate/sticker affixed to the back of the bed...
You could try contacting Wista themselves. I e-mailed them about one or two things concerning my DXII and received a very helpful reply. They took a little while to reply but apologised for the...
In 35mm days I left a Nikkor 28mm on an outdoor model railway I'd been photographing. I didn't miss the lens until a couple of days later and luckily it was summer time and it hadn't rained so I got...
Jack, I'm interested that you say the offset is 8mm. I measured my two boards (one offset and one centred) and I made the offset to be only about 5mm. Does the offset vary with different makes or...
Thanks, Kevin. I didn't know you could invert the lens panel and these Wista ones seem very specifically shaped (with cut off bottom corners and cut-outs on the bottom edge). I'll give it a try...
Thanks for your advice, Peter. I've tried your technique. With the bellows squeezed right up to the back of the camera it's almost impossible to move the front standard but moving it away...
I've just acquired a second Wista lens panel and this one has the hole offset towards the bottom of the panel. Being a LF newbie I've not seen this before so I searched for topics on the subject on...
Hi Kingfisher, with a bit of searching, these forums will give you lots of info and thoughts about the various cameras available. You might also like to check out the UK LF forum at...
gdi,
I went through the same mind-wrestling some months ago when I decided to get into 5x4 on a fairly limited budget.
Unfortunately, there's no such thing as the perfect camera; it depends on...
Kodalith Ortho 2556 film. It was perfect for making B&W slides from negatives. Must admit I never tried it in LF, though...
Gavin
As a LF newbie, I've enjoyed this thread enormously; an amazing variety of beauties (not all of them photographic:))
I've not seen too many Wistas on here though, so here's my lovely DXII in our...
Arne,
I've also been looking at p&t heads to replace my Manfrotto ball & socket head to use with my Wista field camera. I'm seriously considering the Manfrotto MN804RC2 which is actually made of...
Hey, come on guys, do the maths. It's only 10 years and 2 months; we're only in 2010!:D
Gavin
...wonder if he did get one....
Thanks for that Alex. I hadn't thought about good old fashioned graphite! Actually I've done the job today - a little bit of beeswax balsom on the wooden runners and then polished thoroughly and for...
Thanks Gari, Paul and Richard for your thoughts. I'll have a look out for Pedro's then. On closer inspection of the camera, though, I think the slight stiffness is in the wooden runners and so I...
The Bronica in picture 4 is either an S2 or, more likely, an S2A of mid - late 1960s vintage I would say. Looks like the lens is the 'standard' Nikkor 75mm f2.8.
I just recently sold all my old...
Thanks, Richard. We don't have Pedro's Ice Wax here in the UK but is that a bike lube? I'll have a look in the cycle shops and see what they have that's wax based.
Do you use it on both metal and...
My Wista cherry wood field camera (DXII possibly) has arrived today and I'm really pleased with it. A real beauty!
I'd just welcome a bit of advice from fellow Wista owners: the focusing on my...
Thanks, Bob, for taking the trouble to list all of that info. It's most helpful and much appreciated.
Best,
Gavin
Alex,
As I understand it the DXII is the version without the back shift facility. In every other respect it's identical.
I have seen quite a few pictures of Wista Fields and not all seem to...
My Wista arrived today and it is, indeed, a thing of beauty! I gather it's about 16 years old but it looks as if it's hardly been used at all and the bellows are nice and crisp and crease-free. Need...
Jim,
I've also just bought a DXII on eBay. It hasn't arrived yet but, looking at the pics, it doesn't have the 'Wista Field' plate on the front either. The only plate that I can see is one on the...
Thanks, Colin, yes I have checked the Ffordes site from time to time.
Do you like your Shen and does it seem well built and sturdy enough?
Gavin
Thanks Mike for the PFD tip and to everyone for your helpful comments and advice. I rang the Real Camera Co. in Manchester and they only mentioned a couple of MPPs.
I've discounted a Chamonix now...
Mortensen, thank you for your helpful info. I'll try contacting Chamonix direct to find out availability of the 45N-1 and its replacement.
Yes, this focusing issue has concerned me a bit but most...
Martin, thanks for your comments on importing. I had been wondering about duty and VAT and had been thinking about contacting HMRC for guidance. Your 25% rule sounds a good rule of thumb.
I've...
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and recommendations. Plenty for me to think about!
Gavin
Thanks very much for your replies. Lachlan, yes I think I know the shop in Halifax you mean; I had a quick look in the window a couple of years ago when I was working over that way. I know folks in...
Thanks, Joanna, I will be pleased to join that forum.
I live in the North of England and am just thinking seriously about going into large format (4x5). Having sold some medium-format gear, I have a few hundred pounds to spend on a camera. I've been...