8x10 metal field camera -- suggestions?

[Lars Åke Vinberg]

Chris,

I have been using a Toyo 810G in the field for the last six months (including around Australia). When packed in my backpack it sits on a 150mm extension rail which just precisely holds the front and rear standards. That way it packs really well and is reasonably easy to set up: Connect one 250mm rail, extend the camera, mount it in the mounting block which always stays on the tripod, and if necessary add one more extension. It works really well, no hassle with assembling and disassembling the camera. The camera packs flat in my Supertrekker backpack. I'll send you a photo of the camera packed if you want.

[Gary J. McCutcheon]

Chris,

What is your current method for carrying and setting up your 810G? Do you hike with it?
Do you work from the car? Is it in a case assembled? If it is in a standard view case then it is a matter of pulling it out and attaching to a tripod. The 810MII must be unfolded and zeroed. This takes longer although 5 pounds lighter. I can't think of a sturdier camera than either of these Toyos. I've used the method Lars uses and it is very workable, especially for excursions away from the car.

Good luck and let us all know the outcome.

Gary

[tim atherton]

"What is your current method for carrying and setting up your 810G? Do you hike with it? Do you work from the car?"

I think Chris's modus operandi often includes wandering around urban/industrial sites and areas with it assembled on tripod over his shoulder (among other ways of doing it) - darned heavy those things

[chris jordan]

Hi guys, I used to work only out of my car, and when I do that it is fine to set up the monorail and leave it ready to go in the back seat. But lately I've been travelling with it on airplanes, which makes the monorail contraption much more challenging to keep safe. It would be really nice to have a foldable field camera that I could throw in my carry-on without worrying about all the little knobs and levers that hang out unprotected on the monorail. The Toyo field 8x10 seems the way to go; now I just have to find an affordable one. Glazers here in Seattle blew out a a NEW one for $1500 a couple of months back-- I could just shoot myself for not having grabbed it!

Nice to hear from you Jonathan-- your beautiful 450M is going strong as ever. But I have to admit that my new Rodenstock 360 Sironar S has just replaced it as my favorite lens. That thing is just STUPID sharp.

~cj

[Mark Sawyer]

Chris- I've had a Kodak Master 8x10 for a few months now, and will confirm what others have said; it's a great camera and I have no regrets in getting one for very-long-term use. You mentioned click-stops for centering the movements, though, and the KMV has none on the front swings and tilts. It's quite easy to line them up square, but also easy to get them slightly out of square if you don't pay a little attention during rough focusing or changing lenses. Not a huge deal, but one to be aware of. (I've caught myself off-center slightly a couple of times, but am adjusting to doing a last-second check...)

[CXC]

Per your requirements, I think Toyo, Kodak MV, and Wehman are your best choices. I bought a Wehman, for its bomb-proofness, low price, reasonable weight, and instant availability. It's main limitations are the 30.5" bellows and sliding movements: only rear focus and rear swing are geared. I don't go long, nor need the nth degree of precision, so it suits me fine.

Since you don't backpack the thing, the Toyo's substantial weight, its only downfall, is presumably not an issue for you. Maybe you should sell the Miata and buy the camera you really want... ;-)