Tired of rickety museum pieces... what modern 8x10 or 11x14 to buy?

[Jac@stafford.net]

I'm tired of rickety, worn out museum pieces.

That made me smile. Been there.

So it seems that the strength of the front standard is the critical part. Correct? How does the V8 Deardorff fair in that regard?

[Ari]

If you can handle the extra 3-5 pounds of weight, the most solid 8x10 field camera I have ever used is the Toyo 810M or 810MII.

[Bruce Schultz]

I've had a dorff. Too floppy

[Bruce Schultz]

What did you end up getting Jac?

[neil poulsen]

Another nice thing about Toyo, is that it accepts a decent lens hood that can handle large lenses.

[William Whitaker]

I'm tired of rickety, worn out museum pieces. I use large, heavy brass lenses in the field and need something that is easy to set up/tear down, and doesn't need duct tape.

Just curious... What movements are important to you? (I mean, outside of your suggestion of a Chamonix..)

[Louis Pacilla]

Please don't turn this into a multi- page discussion on modern 8x10 cameras. Do that in Cameras & Accessories Then after you narrow down put a WTB for that camera.

[Oren Grad]

Moved.

[Jac@stafford.net]

What did you end up getting Jac?

Calumet Black Beast. It is a b*tch to carry, but remains the most sturdy and accurate 8x10 I have ever used. My others are a Deardorff V8 (too damned heavy), and a pristine Century 1 (too light!) - oh, and a Century studio camera but while that doesn't count, it handles any big brass lens.

[Louis Pacilla]

Moved.

Thanks Oren.

Calumet Black Beast. It is a b*tch to carry, but remains the most sturdy and accurate 8x10 I have ever used. My others are a Deardorff V8 (too damned heavy), and a pristine Century 1 (too light!) - oh, and a Century studio camera but while that doesn't count, it handles any big brass lens.

That C1 may be the best choice for a "sturdy" 8x10 w/ front movements if your using the camera with heavy barrel lenses. My modern light weight 8x10 camera is the worst choice when I use my heavy barrel. That's why I have several 8x10s for different uses.