On 4X5 wooden field camera what function would you like to have?

[Songyun]

front rise/fall,
rear rise,
front base tilt, center tilt
rear base tilt, axis tilt
front / rear shift (Is front shift really necessary?)
front swing,
rear swing
rear focusing
How about front geared rise?
I think if there is axis rear tilt which you can move the axis anywhere in the frame, that might be helpful at least for beginers.

[Ralph Barker]

Yes, all of the above, and weighing in at around 2 pounds.

For me, front and rear base tilts and swings, along with front rise, are sufficient for a folding field camera. Shift is nice (both front and rear), but is more of a studio function, as are geared movements, IMHO.

[steve simmons]

Swing and tilt on the front and rear are basic requirements. All other movements can be created with these movements. Additional movements are nice but not a requirement.

Shift ability, either with direct shift or by using front and rear swings. can be very useful in the field, especially if you are photographing buildings.

steve simmons
www.viewcamera.com

[Vaughn]

front rise/fall,
front center tilt
rear base tilt
front swing,
rear swing

As a landscape photographer, this is what I would like as a minimum.

front shift would be an "extra" that would be nice having, but can live without.

Vaughn

[Michael Graves]

A 5fps motor drive?

Seriously, though. I use front shift enough that I would like that. As Steve pointed out, you can fake that with front and rear swing. But a shift is so much easier.

[Songyun]

What is the difference between front shift and rear shift? front shift left 5mm should yield the identical result as rear shift right 5mm. Unlike front base tilt forward 10 degree will not have the same effect as rear base tilt backwards 10 degree.

A 5fps motor drive?

Seriously, though. I use front shift enough that I would like that. As Steve pointed out, you can fake that with front and rear swing. But a shift is so much easier.

[walter23]

Shift ability, either with direct shift or by using front and rear swings. can be very useful in the field, especially if you are photographing buildings.

I use shift very often to either fine tune composition without moving the tripod, or decouple composition from perspective & point of view. I think it's a vital function and I'm pretty glad I ended up getting a shen hao instead of a tachihara because of this. Yes, it could be reproduced with swings, but sometimes I get things focused up and then realize I want to shift a tiny bit for compositional reasons.

[Oren Grad]

Front rise (lots of it!), rear swing and tilt are enough. That's all my 6.5x8.5 Eastman No. 2 has, and I seem to get by just fine with it. Oh yes, it has both front and rear focus, but I could live with only one or the other.

If I were allowed a modern convenience, I'd add front tilt, either base or axis. Indeed, I don't think I'd buy a brand new camera without. But I don't need it.

It's not necessary to have a camera that can twist into a pretzel.

[wistarf]

It's not necessary to have a camera that can twist into a pretzel.

Unless you also want to do architectural photography.

[roteague]

A metal body would be nice.