Hi, I am planning on buying my first large format camera and I am hoping someone can give me some input on the two cameras I am looking at. The format of choice is a 4 x 5 monorail, and the two cameras that are being considered are the Horseman LE and the Toyo-View 45C. I have looked around at the few camera shops that carry large format and haven't seen anything else promising, just a few very worn out Sinar's and a used Linhof Color Kardan that is way to clunky and overused for the price tag. So what I've come down to is the Horseman LE and the Toyo 45C that have both been found used in good condition on the internet. I want to spend around or under $1000 on the camera (without a lens), but also want a nice, sturdy camera in good condition that I can depend on for consistent results. I plan on using the camera for landscape and architectural work, and even the occasional studio close-up work, basically everything.
I like the geared rise, fall and shift of the Horseman LE, but it costs $250 more than the Toyo and weighs about a pound more (they're both heavy cameras). The Toyo doesn't have any fall, but has 4.7" of rise in the front and rear, much more rise movement than the Horseman that I can use in back to nearly replicate front fall. What I am not sure of is the rigidity and fineness of movements on these two cameras, something that is very important to me.
If anyone out there has experience or knowledge with these cameras or even something close to it, please feel free to either support or bash the model of your choice. I appreciate any input and look forward to your responses. Thanks.
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