So here's the deal. For years I had an Ebony 23S that I absolutely loved. It was fairly lightweight, super quick to set up and use and worked flawlessly. Over the past few years I had yearned to shoot 4x5s and 6x12 panoramics more and wished that I had instead purchased a 4x5 as I could always shoot smaller formats with roll film backs. So I put the 23S on fleabay and made my money back on it if not more. Well, here's where I started getting into trouble. I found a used 45SU and bought it thinking that it was the "end all" camera. I guess that I was so used to the compact size of the 23S that the 45SU seemed too big and bulky so I sold it and started looking at (and buying) folders. Next on the list was the RW45 which was nice and compact but didn't have the extensive movements of the 23S that I was used to nor the bellows draw that I wanted. So, that went back... Now I'm onto a nice SV45Ti. It's a great camera. But.... Folding it up and getting it zeroed takes so much more time and effort than setting up the non-folders. Also, with the normal bellows it only can use down to 90mm lenses if I want to use any movements. Now I'm starting to think that I should just get a 45S. I prefer the Ebony to Mahogany, and the non-folders to folding cameras in use. I do realize that I'll be limited to shorter focal lengths unless I get the extender back or top hat lensboards.
I realize that I'm pretty lazy when it comes to using a view camera. I guess I've just been spoiled over the years with the ease of use of the 23S. With that camera I didn't have many limitations/issues with lens focal lengths since a 200mm lens is relatively long on 6x9. I have a Nikkor 65SW, Fujinon 90SW, Schneider 135 Sironar N, Nikkor 200M and Nikkor 300M that I'd like to use. All the lenses seem like they'd work fine with the exception of the 300M. Perhaps the 452 extender or a 35mm top hat board would work for using that lens to focus infinity. I was planning on picking up a Fujinon 450C to use with the Ti but realize that it would be impossible to use with the 45S. Perhaps I shouldn't have sold my Fujinon 400T.
Now that I'm done with my confession I ask for your opinions. Should I bite the bullet and "get over it" and use the SV45Ti or should I pick up the 45S. I guess I should've just stopped with the 45SU...
Folding pros:
- compact
- more bellows extension
cons:
- need universal or bag bellow for wider than 90mm
- need additional movements for lenses shorter than 90mm
Non-folding pros:
- use wide lenses without special lensboards or movements
- very easy and quick to set up and use
cons:
- less extension
Your comments, thoughts and suggestions would be much appreciated. Please keep the "shame on you" or "make up your mind" comments to a minimum.Thanks!
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Originally Posted by Andrew Ito
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