Looking for a 4x5 Field Camera - Suggestions?

[jrmst102]

Hello,

I have had a Tachihara 4x5, it was a great beauty but I had to sold it due to financial hardship. I currently own a Canon DSLR systems but I am looking to come back to 4x5 photography. Based on my experience with the Tachihara, I am looking for:

(a) Portability
(b) Quality
(c) Easy of use

In no particular order. In spite that I mostly used the Tachihara for portraits and landscapes, I am looking to work mainly portraits with the 4x5.

In a recent survey of what is available in the market, I have found the Tachihara to be particularly expensive, and Wista and similar cameras are either expensive or in need to serious TLC.

I have also found a Calumet Cambo, Calumet NX, Sinar F and similar rail cameras that are sold as "field" cameras. I have not experience with them but they are in my budget. In particular, the Calumet fits my budget very well.

Could I get advise on which camera (Calumet, Sinar, Toyo View, etc.) would be the most natural transition from a Tachihara? I know that these are not apples versus apples but if I can find an affordable camera that is also portable, with a reasonable good quality and easy of use, I will consider it in lieu of a Tachihara or a Wista.

I am already aware of differences such as:

(a) Cherry wood versus plastic or metal
(b) Folding versus rail
(c) Rotating back versus fixed back
(d) Fitting in a small backpack versus fitting in a carrying case or backpack with rails

But I am curious about whether a Calumet Cambo, NX, Sinar F can be used as a "field" camera. I will appreciate your advice.

Many thanks

Regards

[Alan Gales]

Yes, Calumet, Cambo, Toyo and Sinar F series monorails can and are used by some photographers as field cameras. The lightest ones will weigh about 8 lbs and are a bit bulky to pack in a back pack but it can and is being done.

Transitioning from a Tachihara to any monorail is easy. It's harder to transition from a monorail to a field camera because some of the movements on field cameras are not all that straight forward. Also on a monorail you have all the movements where I think all field cameras are compromised somewhere, especially in back movements.

[jrmst102]

Alan,

Thanks, what are you using for instant film? I have an Polaroid 545i and found that the film is not longer available ( I know, it was back in 2007 when I was using 4x5 and the film was available, at least at my local store).

Do you have the new Fuji Instant Film Holder, Polaroid 550 or are you still sourcing film for the 545?

Thanks again

Regards

[Alan Gales]

Oh, there is a Calumet/Cambo Cadet and another brand of monorail (the name escapes me right now) that are ultralights. Finding lens boards and bag bellows for them may be a bit difficult though.

Welcome to the Forum!

[soeren]

Expensive as in ?.??$?

[Regular Rod]

Hello,

I have had a Tachihara 4x5, it was a great beauty but I had to sold it due to financial hardship. I currently own a Canon DSLR systems but I am looking to come back to 4x5 photography. Based on my experience with the Tachihara, I am looking for:

(a) Portability
(b) Quality
(c) Easy of use

In no particular order. In spite that I mostly used the Tachihara for portraits and landscapes, I am looking to work mainly portraits with the 4x5.

In a recent survey of what is available in the market, I have found the Tachihara to be particularly expensive, and Wista and similar cameras are either expensive or in need to serious TLC.

I have also found a Calumet Cambo, Calumet NX, Sinar F and similar rail cameras that are sold as "field" cameras. I have not experience with them but they are in my budget. In particular, the Calumet fits my budget very well.

Could I get advise on which camera (Calumet, Sinar, Toyo View, etc.) would be the most natural transition from a Tachihara? I know that these are not apples versus apples but if I can find an affordable camera that is also portable, with a reasonable good quality and easy of use, I will consider it in lieu of a Tachihara or a Wista.

I am already aware of differences such as:

(a) Cherry wood versus plastic or metal
(b) Folding versus rail
(c) Rotating back versus fixed back
(d) Fitting in a small backpack versus fitting in a carrying case or backpack with rails

But I am curious about whether a Calumet Cambo, NX, Sinar F can be used as a "field" camera. I will appreciate your advice.

Many thanks

Regards

If you are looking to buy new then take a look at SHEN HAO PTB45B. I have it's big sister in 8x10 and it is very easy to use and built with great quality.




Second hand and low budget but excellent see if you can source an MPP Mk VII.



RR

[Tim Meisburger]

You should just buy another Tachi. Does everything.

[Andrew Plume]

You should just buy another Tachi. Does everything.

+1 as Tim says

[Maris Rusis]

I now use Tachiharas in the field, both the 8x10 and 4x5 versions, but in the past I had to use monorails (8x10 and 4x5 again) because they were "cheap" and available.

The secret for me was to practice carrying a monorail on a tripod over one shoulder then the other as fatigue accumulated. This way I could do one set-up at the car and then walk into the forest for a day of shooting with the camera fully deployed. Putting the camera down to relieve the weight meant putting it down on the tripod. The camera was covered by a garbage bag to keep it waterproof so I wouldn't have to disassemble and pack it away even during rain storms.

[jrmst102]

I wish, as matter of fact, I bought mine when living in London (and earning in GBP) from Midwest Photo Exchange. But now I am earning US$ and they are now out of reach for me!.

I should have never sold my Tachihara in first place.

Thanks