New Gibellini 8x10 Camera - First Look

[Ari]

Hi David,
Thank you; I chose dark grey aluminum instead of some of the flashier colours offered, but I do like my red bellows.

I had originally intended to buy the all-CF Gibellini, which was just under 3kg, but it was crazy expensive, so I opted for the aluminum camera, and I was given some CF parts (focusing bed) at no extra charge.
As it is, the camera weighs 4.4kg (9.7 lbs), which is solidly in Arca F-line or Canham JMC territory. Not shabby at all, but about 1.5-2.0 pounds heavier than I had anticipated back in the fall, when the camera was still on the drawing board.
The Toyo 810M weighs 6.8kg (15 lbs), so the difference in weight is not insignificant.

The Gibellini opens and closes just as the Canham JMC810 does, except, on the Gibellini, you don't have to pull out the focusing bed first.

[Kodachrome25]

I don't think I can resist any longer, this young man is making spectacular cameras, period~!

I have been mulling over getting a second 4x5 so...

I sent him a couple of question regarding things like locking focus and if I can use my Technika boards with it but I think I am getting the 45ACN.
If I do this I will go for dark grey aluminum like Ari's but blue bellows, blue knobs and blue hardware.

He is making possibly the most beautiful cameras I have ever seen.

[Ari]

Daniel,
I'd be happy to answer any questions you have; I've been using the Gibellini for a couple weeks now.
I'll send you a PM with my contact details.

[John Conway]

Very cool looking camera. Of course functionality is the most important thing with a camera , but I sure like it when they look cool .

[Ari]

Thanks, John; I'll be posting some initial thoughts on the camera soon, as well as an overview of its functions.

[Kodachrome25]

Very cool looking camera. Of course functionality is the most important thing with a camera , but I sure like it when they look cool .

Agreed, functionality is why I have kind of cooled off on plunking down a deposit at least for the moment....

I am currently using a Chamonix 45N-2 that weighs a feather-like 3.3 pounds, has 395mm of bellows extension and has been flawless in the field, taken to the top of several 14,000 foot peaks. I have considered getting a second one for use when I want to leave one setup on a key shot and use the other while I wait for the first scene to come into the right light or atmospherics. It would certainly be a painless move price wise.

As spectacular as how I would have my Gibellini made in terms of cosmetics, the 4x5 he currently offers will weigh 1.5 pounds more, looks noticeably larger by the photos on his site ( huge handle? ), needs special boards or an adapter for what my Chamonix uses standard ( Technika ) and has 15mm less bellows extension. It would also cost more than triple that of my current camera if customized the way I want it to be.

I want to support the guy and love, love, *L*O*V*E* his execution of design and color options...but the camera has to hit the main points I need it to in actual use.

So I am still mulling it over and even if I do get one, there is no way in heck I would ever sell my 45N-2, that camera is damn near perfect.