Portable 4x5 landscape camera

[fotogeek]

Hi All,

My first post on this forum. I own a Sinar F2 and have used it for many years both in the studio and in the field. I have a large photo backpack and have even hiked some distance with it on my back. But I'm getting older and the last time I did this I was exhausted after a few miles of walking. So I decided it was time to pick up a more portable 4x5 camera for hiking.

I know that there a many cameras by many manufactures that fit the bill but I am looking for the following features:
1) Relatively compact and light weight.
2) Quick, easy setup.
3) Able to handle 72mm to 500mm (Nikon tele) lens range.
4) Must be capable of front rise with 72mm wide angle lens.

A salesperson recommended an Ebony SV series which can be ordered with a "universal" bellows, apparently the front pleat is relaxed to allow for movement even when the bellows is compressed. But I thought I would ask for recommendations on this forum before spending big $$$ on the Ebony.

A single bellows would be nice as it is less to carry but I would not rule out a camera that has a standard and bag bellows so long as they are easily fitted to the camera in the field.

TIA

[Skorzen]

This is coming from someone who is new to the world of LF, but if I had the cash available (college student) I would look long and hard at the Chamionix 4X5 (do a search for info, I can't remember the model number off the top of my head). They look very nice and everyone seems to be happy with them and there is the added benefit that their price seems relatively affordable $699 plus $75 for shipping if I remember correctly. And it's light too at just over 3 pounds.

I know that I read somewhere that there is going to be a bag bellows coming out for it at some point so that should take care of the 72mm with front rise (if it can't do it without). I don't know what king of extension you need for the 500mm tele so I can't comment on that.

[Scott Rosenberg]

tia,

i backpack with my 4x5 all the time and went through many, many cameras trying to find the perfect solution. honestly, there are lots of options out there that will work well for you, and there are options out there that while perfect for someone else, will be terrible for you.

what works for me is the linhof technikas... they are, for the way i shoot, the perfect camera. i've owned ebonies, linhofs, canhams, and arca swiss rigs, and i can tell you that every system is a compromise. figure out what's important to you and then buy into the system that makes the fewest compromises there.

if monolithic stability and ease of use is the most important thing to you, look no further than the arca swiss cameras.

if size is a little more important than ease of use and range of movements, look no further than the technikas.

if weight is the most important thing, check out the canham dlc.

based on your list of 4 desires, i'd suggest taking a look at a linhof master tech 2000... it's compact, very quick to set up, and can handle a wide range of lenses (i shoot from 58 - 450 on mine... the 450 is on a top hat).

I have a preference for metal cameras, hence some of my suggestions. Many love the look / feel / weight of wooden cameras – I personally do not. Again, it comes down to what works for you. there are tons of options for you, but again, each comes with it's own set of limitations. figure out what's important to you, find a camera that excels in those areas, and get out and enjoy it!

[walter23]

I like my shenhao. Max bellows is about 330mm, but 300mm is sort of the easily accessible upper limit. Takes a bag bellows, which installs pretty quickly, letting you use very wide lenses. Well built; way more movements than most field cameras of this size... and uhh, $600 brand spankin' new!

[Michael Heald]

I use a Tachihara. Nice for backpacking and landscape. It will take the short lens without a bag bellows, I believe.
500mm, even with a tele lens, is a large order, I believe. Does any field camera allow lenses of this length.
A Bender type camera may be something you'd be interested in for a starter. Light, in expensive; and the bellows has the extension what you want. Not as sturdy, from what I've heard, as most field cameras, though for most landscape work, that wouldn't be a problem. Best regards.

Michael A. Heald

[Scott Rosenberg]

500mm, even with a tele lens, is a large order, I believe. Does any field camera allow lenses of this length.Michael A. Heald

not sure how much bellows is reuqired by a 500-tele, but i can shoot a straight 360 on a flat board on my mt2000. with a top hat, i can easily shoot a 450.

[davidb]

I've owned a few Zone VI cameras, a Wista SP, a Toyo 45a, and now have a Toyo 45AX which I really really like.

But since you are looking for something from 72mm to 500mm, I too would recommend the Chamonix. I don't own one yet but from what it looks like, it should be the camera you are looking for.

[Sheldon N]

I'd highly recommend the Arca Swiss 4x5 110-141mm F-Line Field with the 30cm telescoping rail.

Camera sets up and breaks down into two pieces (30 cm rail and both standards on one 15cm rail segment). Easy to set up, relatively compact to carry (I toss mine in a backpack). Read this thread for photos/more details

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=27514

Weight is just a shade over 6lbs, maybe 6 1/4. About the same or ever so slightly heavier than a Technika.

11 pleat leather bellows will allow extreme front rise with a 72mm lens, and about 360-380mm of maximum extension with a flat board (using the 30cm telescoping rail). The Nikkor 500mm has a FTF distance of about 350mm, so you could focus closer than infinity.

The beauty of the camera is the ease of use, and absolute rigidity. Plus, no swapping bellows in the field. Scott's recommendations are good too - Canham DLC for lighter weight (not as sturdy, a little more "fiddly"), Technika for a camera that folds up a little more compact than the Arca Field.

[Scott Rosenberg]

sheldon is spot on... the arca f-line cameras are the finest cameras i've ever used bar-none. my only beef with the older 171 series is the amount of room they require in a backpack. the newer arca fields are much smaller... not much on paper, but a considerable amount when packed.

IMHO, either a technika or arca are the best of what's around. the linhof is smaller, the arca has more movements and is somewhat easier to operate... it comes down to what matters to you most.

[Rakesh Malik]

I use a Tachihara. Nice for backpacking and landscape. It will take the short lens without a bag bellows, I believe.
500mm, even with a tele lens, is a large order, I believe. Does any field camera allow lenses of this length.

My Ebony SV45U has a 450mm upper limit, which is just enough to focus the Nikon 720mm tele lens. The bellows extention required for that one is around 450mm. I do have to use movements to stretch the camera a little more than what the focussing rails will give me, but that isn't necessary for the 500mm lens.

I think that the 500mm version requires less bellows than you think it does.