I have a Linhof Tech III 5x7. Heavy, but it is the smoothest operating LF camera I’ve used. I stripped it down to bare metal and hope one day to have it re-covered in leather.
I have a Linhof Tech III 5x7. Heavy, but it is the smoothest operating LF camera I’ve used. I stripped it down to bare metal and hope one day to have it re-covered in leather.
The Linhof are Amazing in so many ways, when you want a camera on the lighter side they are nor for you but when you dont care about weight it dosnt get better
Although I would love a Canham or Chamonix I settled on a like new B&J Commercial View 5x7. It has a 21in bellows, full movements and under 8lbs. I added a lens board converter for Linhoff boards.
B&J 5x7 Commercial View Camera by JOHN EARLEY, on Flickr
Speed Graphic for handheld work with a 203mm Ektar on the snout.
An Agfa Ansco for tripod work with either a 159mm Wolly WA, 215mm Ilex or 14" Artar up front.
I'd love to get a Nagaoka someday----probably wishful thinking at this stage of the game though.
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White
In my opinion there is no better 5x7 than my pre-1939 Deardorff. Sturdy, long bellows, great movements, fast to set up and dependable for the last 60+ years. During that time I have owned and used at least 6 other 5x7's, but this one is still with me.
Just ask Charles and Irene
https://www.okmorephotos.com/backtothepast
more:
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/4/...icana-obituary
Yeah, these were taken with a 5x7.
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White
Thank's John Kasaian!
Recently purchased a lightly used Shen-Hao 5X7 [TFC57-B] that has more movements than I'll ever use. I had been using 8X10 cameras [KMV & B&J] with 5X7 reducing backs; but getting too old to carry them into the field. So, enjoying the lighter weight.
van Huyck Photography
"Searching for the moral justification for selfishness" JK Galbraith
I'll echo what a couple others have said: "Best doesn't exist"
A heavy studio camera will be poorly suited to hiking, a lightweight field camera may not be versatile enough for the studio. Do you like to use wide or very wide lenses or long or very long lenses, or need long bellows for lots of close up work? These kinds of needs will be better served by one camera over another.
Identify what you THINK you'd like to do, and try to find the right tool, er, Camera, for THAT.
"You don't go dancing in hiking shoes."
Bookmarks