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Thread: movements but able to travel on trains and planes

  1. #1

    movements but able to travel on trains and planes

    A year ago i put a post out asking which 5x4 camera was recommended to a complete beginner of 5x4..

    I ended up buying a toyo view +75/90 and 150 lenses and a 6x9 mamya roll back..

    anyway what this leads me to is - I like the results of 5x4 and have achieved some wonderful images... but didnt think I would have a problem travelling with it nor had i considered or thought about it when i bought the camera...well about travelling on a train or a plane..in a car with the big black magic box is fine but take with anywhere else forget it...

    so

    I am back at the old drawing board

    I will start to photograph specialist hotels in a month and need to travel on a plane with equipment..which means new camera body all over again...i want to make the right decision this time and i dont want money to be an obstacle as I will pay for it longterm...

    the options that have been provided to me are

    1/Toyo vx125 5/6

    2/Ebony sw45

    3/Arca swiss metric range with geared movements

    4/Arca Misura

    5/Linhoff Tecknikarden

    most important that it can

    1/pack up into a dedicated bag or a lowprow style bag .

    2/ be useful for architecture possible geared movements but not essential

    3/rise and fall is important

    so all advice welcome

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Posts
    4,589

    movements but able to travel on trains and planes

    Technika.
    Wilhelm (Sarasota)

  3. #3

    movements but able to travel on trains and planes

    1/pack up into a dedicated bag or a lowprow style bag .
    2/ be useful for architecture possible geared movements but not essential
    3/rise and fall is important
    and the first one said : technika, is it a joke ?
    While technika are very good camera, when it comes to "be useful for architecture" and "rise and fall is important" they are just the worst ones !

    If you have the money for it, i will go for the Arca misura or the new arca Fline 140... without hesitation !
    I used to have a technikardan S45, but i fount that this camera wasn't stable enought !

    Did you consider to shoot roll film with an arca Fline 69...

  4. #4

    movements but able to travel on trains and planes

    What is wrong with the Toyo? If you tell what is unacceptable, we may be able to offer an alturnative instead of just throwing out names of our current favorite.

    Canham 4x5 DCL comes with a dedicated bag, but it is so tight you can`t even get a film holder in with the camera. Now you need a second one for film meters etc.

    You probably need something with wide angle capability and movement, so we are talking bag bellows and cameras don`t fold up with bags.

    If you don`t care for movement, get a Pentax 6x7. Much easier to work and there is on shift lens made for it. Should go in an attache case easily.

  5. #5

    movements but able to travel on trains and planes

    A cheaper solution might just be to buy a wheeled Pelican case and just check it in. That is how I used to travel with my 4x5. Before I forget, dont forget to buy good strong locks to secure the case.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    May 2001
    Location
    Switzerland
    Posts
    1,330

    movements but able to travel on trains and planes

    Sinar F1 or F2 or more compact Linhof Technika 2000!

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Aug 1999
    Posts
    110

    movements but able to travel on trains and planes

    " Before I forget, dont forget to buy good strong locks to secure the case."

    You can't lock checked baggage if you're traveling in the United States. The security personnel will break the locks off the luggage if they need to inspect it, or drag you back to a search room and make you open it while you miss your plane. While nearly all US hold baggage is being x-rayed, the security people will look inside luggage if they determine something needs additional investigation.

    The best bet would be to look at the metal cameras from Wista, Canham, or Horseman (FA). I use a Horseman FA specifically because it is the smallest package in a 4x5 that I could find. It does have some drawbacks (short bellows and limited opening in the front standard).

    I have done architectural work with the camera as the front standard swings / tilts; as does the back (like a Linhof on posts). While not the equivalent of a monorail, it also doesn't weigh as much (3.5 pounds), and can easily be carrier on-board an aircraft.

  8. #8

    movements but able to travel on trains and planes

    Fortunatelly I did all my traveling before 9/11. At that time there was no problem locking bagagge. I can just imagine the nightmare it is now a days.

  9. #9

    movements but able to travel on trains and planes

    What model Toyo do you have? You may be able to slide the whole camera onto a short rail and pack it very compact. If you cut your own rail and want to leave the tripod mount attached, you can end up with an 8 in thick package. My Toyo G will do this and end up about 11 or 12 inches high by 10.5 inches wide by 8 inches thick. If you can find a six inch rail, 150mm, you could go even thinner without the tripod mount attached. You could use a bag that just holds the camera and carry the lenses etc. in another carry on, most airlines allow two, or possibly find a bigger bag that just may hold it all. That might be rather tight under a seat. You may end up with two bags anyway. With your setup, a bag bellows, and 250 mm rail, you should be able to conquer any architectural assignment. The Toyo's are tanks if a bit bulky.

    The Toyo VX 125 would be a great solution because everything would be interchangable with the Toyo monorail you have. Many on this forum who have it have expressed that it is the ideal architectural camera, and it can be used on longer rails and expanded.

    I would think the next best thing (only next best because you already have a Toyo) would be the Arca Swiss. Then you are starting all over again with lens boards, etc.

    Good hunting.

  10. #10

    movements but able to travel on trains and planes

    Might consider a Fuji GX 680 pro, too. Roll film. Lots of movements. Interchangeable bellows. That would be a beastie to lug around, too, but lots of commercial photographers manage it.

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