The search of a good mid priced field camera

[bmgmusic]

I'm looking for a good mid priced field camera that allows adequate movement eve n with WA lens. IMO LF is all about movement. Schneider 72mm XL seems to be the shortest lens with extra coverage so I keep it in mind when choosing camera. I'v e looked at Toyos: AII, 20mm rise too limited, VX125, too expensive. Linhof Ebon y same $$$ problem. Walker? ABS plastic for thousand of $$$? Now I'm looking at Wista SP/VX, looks like Japanese version of Master Technika; 58mm rise, impressi ve; bag bellow can works with lens down to 65mm, just what I need; 5.2lbs(VX, ab out half of a Calumet 45NX), acceptable. Now the question is: is there anything not so good? BTW in a previous question I asked about linhof recessed board. I just found out Wista has its own better solution, quite smart design, a recessed board looks l ike a cubic frame, when combined with bag bellow will allow 55mm lens. For descr iption and image check www.wista.co.jp. Expensive though. Whether it fits 72mm X L is still a question.

[Glenn Kroeger]

Aaron: I owned a Wista VX for a few years, and overall it was a nice camera, but I ultimately switched to a Toyo 45A. Two things to check out. The greater rise comes at the expense of no fall. Make sure a 72mm can be used with vertical compositions without dropping the bed. I also had trouble with some film holders not fitting in the spring back. The main culprit was grafmatic backs if I recall. I sold mine mainly because I wanted a bit more bellows draw without resorting to extra beds and bellows. The Toyo allowed me to use a 300M Nikkor more effectively than the Wista. On the other hand, the Wista was nice and light, and well made. The friction wheel for controlling lens tilt was a nice feature.

[bmgmusic]

Both the front and rear of this camera can do 15 degree backward tilt. Will it solve the bed problem?

[Ellis Vener]

It sure sounds like you want a Canham DLC to me. You can use down to a 58mm with no problems or need for a w/a bellows or expensive recessed board. Or out to a 720mm T-Nikkor without any extensions or hpyer long bellows. And it weighs 4.7 lbs. And it costs US$2300. Did I mention that a bright screen is builtin? Click here for Canham Specs. The only thing the Canham does not have is yaw free tilts but that isn't something you'll really need for most photography.

BTW most fast (?/4 to ?/5.6) 65mms have a plenty large image circle for 4x5 work for much less $$$$ and without the weight and size hassles that come with the 72mm XL.

[Ellis Vener]

It sure sounds like you want a Canham DLC to me. You can use down to a 58mm with no problems or need for a w/a bellows or expensive recessed board. (the shortest I've used on mine is a 47mm Super Angulon XL but that was mounted in a recessed Linhof board.) Or out to a 720mm T-Nikkor without any extensions or hyper long bellows. And it weighs 4.7 lbs. And it costs US$2300. Did I mention that a bright screen is builtin? Click here for Canham Specs. The only thing the Canham does not have is yaw free tilts but that isn't something you'll really need for most photography.

BTW most fast (?/4 to ?/5.6) 65mms have a plenty large image circle for 4x5 work for much less $$$$ and without the weight and size hassles that come with the 72mm XL.

[Ellis Vener]

And no "bed getting in the shot" problem either.

[John O'Connell]

If that 72mm will be your most-used lens, I don't think the lunchbox-style cameras will be best for you. Ellis's favorite camera is only a few dollars more than the Wista you're looking at; if you're in the U.S. check out overseas or grey-market prices on the Toyo VX125; (I believe) Phillips is marketing a 4x5 now; and the superlight Gowlands are out there.

[Glenn Kroeger]

Aaron: According to Wista, the VX can handle a 65mm without bed intrusion. If this is so, you are fine. The Canham DLC is a nice camera, but I think it is significantly more money than the Wista.

[Dan Smith]

What you are asking for may not be made, depending on your definition of "mid priced". Keeping costs lower means compromising with extremes in features in the cameras as well as with micrometer like precision. If you want all the movement, look at a Sinar, Linhof, Arca-Swiss or similar heavy duty camera that can be used for anything. If you want the field camera style, plan on giving up the full movements. The design won't permit it in most cases, at least not in a camera that is not top of the line and priced that way. You might look at some of the older camera designs from the turn of the Century and see if they fill the bill. The early Kodak cameras had a nice "Geared rear axis tilt" feature as well as front rise & fall and the ability to get the standards close enough to use a 72XL. They are inexpensive and easy to get. You are looking at the classic trade off game of trying to get everything you need, or want, in one package. It may not be possible if your wants are too big.

[John H. Henderson]

My Toyo 45A bellows gets really angry just trying to push the extent of the rather limited rise and fall with a 90mm. Of course, I could get a recessed board, but I don't think that will solve the problem entirely.

You seemed concern about amount of rise and fall and want to use this 72mm - if that is the case, I'd look for something with more flexible bellows or bag bellows, as well as more rise and fall.

I was photographing the shuttle launch last night (absolutely GORGEOUS! - just after sunset and the shuttle climbed into the direct sunlight causing an orange glow on the exhaust plume), and had the bellows all crinkled with the 90mm just trying to get the horizon near the bottom of the image.