Tokistar field camera?

[jvuokko]

Hi,

During my last trip on Japan, I spend a lot of time in the camera shops ofcourse.
I found one camera that I am not familiar with, it was Tokistar TZ-45 IIB.
The overall look was bulky and bit unfinished, but what was shockint was the price, it was 178,500 yen. That's more than 8x10 Tachihara and over double price of Tachihara 4x5.
Overall finishing of Tachihara looks way better than bulky Tokistar, so what's behind the price. Is it much more sturdier camera?

[Archphoto]

The name TZ45-IIB looks to me as Shen Hao and I don't think the Shen Hao is that bulky.
Tokistar: never heard of it, probably a copy of what ever, do you have a pic of it, perhaps ?

A good adress for wooden field camera is Robert White in Europe.
He has a number of diferent brands.

Peter

[jvuokko]

Did some googling with japanese and found this PDF:
http://www.widetrade.jp/wt/pdf/Wooden%20camera.pdf

Actually it's not that bulky as I remember. The bulky feeling came from struts which are made really thick. Not neat like Tachihara..




Under Tokistar brand are sold a lot of photography stuff, like studio flashes.

Still a bit mystery, perhaps the price comes just from the sturdy struts?

[Gem Singer]

Looks like a Shen Hao to me.

[jvuokko]

But how could Shen Hao be more expensive than Tachihara?

I don't have any facts of Shen Hao or Tachihara quality, but simple feeling from photographs I'we seen of Shen Hao gives impression that Tachihara has better quality, at least in finishing.

[GPS]

But how could Shen Hao be more expensive than Tachihara?

I don't have any facts of Shen Hao or Tachihara quality, but simple feeling from photographs I'we seen of Shen Hao gives impression that Tachihara has better quality, at least in finishing.

I think your technical judgments are a little bit those of a layman. From the technical point of view the Shen Hao metal parts construction is much more solid and sound than that of a Tachihara camera. Thicker parts mean a firmer, more stable construction. Shiny brass doesn't mean better finishing either unless you look for a decoration...

[Gem Singer]

If you compare the features of the Shen Hao with the Tachi, you will understand why the Shen is more expensive.

The type of wood and the finish of the metal hardware, the interchangeability and length of the bellows, the additional adjustments and movement capability, and the accessories that are available are what makes the Shen more expensive than the Tachi.

Also Tokistar is the vendor, not the manufacturer. It appears that they add a generous mark-up to the products they sell.

[Archphoto]

jvuokko: The camera in the pic is a Shen Hao HZX45-IIA, I have one.

And the camera's in the pdf are all Shen Hao's.

Peter

[jvuokko]

jvuokko: The camera in the pic is a Shen Hao HZX45-IIA, I have one.

And the camera's in the pdf are all Shen Hao's.

Peter

Thanks, that made everything clear.
So the Tokistar is only a vendor name for perhaps marketing Shen Hao for Japanese photographers.

The Shen Hao's movements and ability to use longer lenses is quite interesting, perhaps I will some day buy one. It could fit nicely between my lightweight field camera and heavy monorail camera.