Ebony 4x5 conundrum

[Roger Richards]

Hi Andrew,

I sold my Ebony 45s as I had moved up to 8x10. The 45s is an extremely fast camera to get into action, and for me there was no other 4x5 that fit how I worked better. However, I would say that if you need to use longer lenses a greater proportion of time then you should stick with the SV45Ti. I think it would take more time to set up your 45s with the extender than just unfolding and leveling the SV45Ti. You could go the other way and buy a tele lens for the 45s, but either way you will have to acquire more stuff. If the 45SU did not hold on to you then I fail to see how the 45s will be any different. The only way I would say go for the 45s is if you shoot in wide angle more often, and absolutely need the extra speedy setup. The SV45Ti looks like a fine camera to me, perhaps you should hold on and work with it a bit more.

[Andrew Ito]

Yes, I should work a bit more with the SV45Ti before making any rash decisions. To be completely honest, I didn't have the 45SU long before I sold it and should've kept it in retrospect. My first thought was that it was not very "packable" and that I wouldn't use it as much if I couldn't carry it around in a smaller bag vs a large backpack. After spending some time looking at the specs it really is only a few cm deeper and a few cm taller.

[Gregory Gomez]

Hi Andrew,

I was a 4x5 and 6x9cm shooter, so I do know what you are going through. I feel your frustration.

Once you have had an Ebony, other field cameras are going to seem like junk, but here is a list of alternative cameras that might get you thinking in a useful direction:

Canham DLC 4x5: $2,150

http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/c...ct_detail&p=96

Arca-Swiss 4x5 Misura: $3,450

http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/c...ct_detail&p=20

Wisner 4x5 Flight (Company in reorganization): $1,900

http://www.wisner.com/flight.htm

Zone VI 4x5: $1,500

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/ZN1000.html

Calumet Cadet 4x5: $549

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CC3001.html

But if it were me and I wanted to do both 4x5 and 6x9cm on the fly with maximum flexibility using a compact monorail design, I would go with the Ebony 45S Mahogany stock, or get one custom made that would allow 381mm (15 inches of bellows draw) to accommodate your 300mm lens.

Ebony 45S 4x5: $2,395

http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/c...ct_detail&p=49

If I could not get a custom 45S, then I would purchase an extension Tube Set

http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/c..._detail&p=1146

and a camera back extender

http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/c..._detail&p=1144

Then I would buy a Linhof, Ebony, or Wista recessed lens board for your 65mm lens.

I hope this helps.

[Brian Ellis]

A Linhof Technika will be slightly faster to set up, probably by about 3-5 seconds, because you just open the camera and slide the front standard out to the infinity position. You don't have to bring the front standard to vertical, then raise the lens board up all the way, then slide it back down into position as you do with the Ebony folding Ebony (I've owned two Technikas and two Ebony folders, the Ti and the Te). But you'd have trouble using your 65mm lens with any Technika other than the Master 2000 and that's going to cost about $4500 new (you almost never see them for sale used, which either means they're so expensive no one is buying them or everyone who buys one keeps it).

Interestingly, as between the Ti and the Te I preferred the Ti for its lighter weight. I sold mine and bought the Te in the mistaken belief that it would be more precise and solid with the ebony wood which it wasn't, it was just 2 pounds heavier.

[Ted Harris]

One quiet voice to suggerst that there really are other choices out there besides Ebony and, no, they won't all seem like junk. A lot depends on wht you expect from your field camera. I have spent many more years using metal fields than wooden ones. I tried an Ebony, used it extensively about a year ago. A fine camera, no doubt, I would highly recommend it. But, there is no way an Ebony, or any other wood field for that mnatter, has the same precise feel as any of the metal fields. A lot of it is subjective, but to me the most precise feeling wood field is one of the Zone VI cameras made at Zone Vi's factory in Vermont. The Ebony is a close second.

All that said, as long as you have the movements you need and everything locks down tight then it really doesn't matter in the end. Some cameras work faster and better for some than they do for others. One thing on the Ebony, the one I was using had the universal bellows and would handle a 90mm on a standard board with ease and a 75mm on a standard board with some fiddling to set the camera in 'wide angle' mode.

[Ling Z]

Once you have had an Ebony, other field cameras are going to seem like junk, but here is a list of alternative cameras that might get you thinking in a useful direction:

I cannot agree on this. I used to be an admitted equipment-holic and have played with many field cameras such as Shen-Hao, Ebony SV45Te, Linhof MT2000, Sinar F2, Arca F-Line and Toyo 45AII. I agree Ebony camera might be the best among wooden cameras, but in terms of rigidity, smoothness and durability, I like my Linhof MT2000 better. It's built like a tank, can be set up within 5 seconds, and has enough movements for landscape.

The camera is just a tool, and good pictures come from the one behind the camera.

Ling

[Danny Burk]

Don't be too quick to give up on the SV45Ti...it's *not* difficult to set up quickly. My SV45U2 has the same setup procedure and it can go from bag to attaching the lens in 15-20 seconds. It's *very* easy once you've practiced it a bit. It's a wonderfully designed and versatile camera; having tried a LOT of cameras belonging to my workshop participants, I wouldn't trade mine for anything else.

[Steve Hamley]

Also, metal cameras aren't always more rigid than wood. Smoother maybe.

http://www.skgrimes.com/thisweek/1-13-06/index.htm

Ian Wilson and Hiromi got a chuckle out of a custom brace to firm up a metal camera when I sent them the link.

Steve