View Poll Results: What is your highest priority in a field camera?

Voters
119. You may not vote on this poll
  • Aesthetics -- beautiful to look at

    2 1.68%
  • Ergonomics -- easy to operate

    26 21.85%
  • Movements -- right kind in right place

    21 17.65%
  • Bellows -- handle short and/or long lenses

    19 15.97%
  • Low Weight

    26 21.85%
  • Low Price

    9 7.56%
  • Watson, you must be bored!

    8 6.72%
  • Pie

    8 6.72%
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Thread: Why *that* field camera?

  1. #1
    Resident Heretic Bruce Watson's Avatar
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    Why *that* field camera?

    For the film format of your choice, what was the prime motivator that caused you to buy your current LF field camera (or your favorite if you have more than one)? I'm talking deal breaker here -- the one thing it had to have before you'd even consider it.

    It's only fair that I go first. Low weight is my biggest consideration right now. So I've got a Toho. It's not pretty. Ergonomics aren't the best but aren't the worst either. But it's really light and it has full movements on both ends. So I'm happy with it.

    So what's your number one "gotta have it" for a view camera?

    Bruce Watson

  2. #2

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    Re: Why *that* field camera?

    It was the one available when I wanted to get one.

  3. #3
    Moderator
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    Re: Why *that* field camera?

    I voted for "low weight". It's not quite a deal breaker, in that I won't choose the lowest weight option if it's not at least decently rigid and reasonably unfussy to use. But among criteria, I'd say that low weight carries the most... uh... weight.

  4. #4
    Downstairs
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    Re: Why *that* field camera?

    I voted 'easy to operate', really meaning 'easy to set up'. Less hassle = less passed-over opportunities.

  5. #5
    Scott Davis
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    Washington DC
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    Re: Why *that* field camera?

    I picked my field camera for a reason not listed above: versatility. I have a Canham wood field 5x7 - I got it at the time because of the combination of virtues it has: relatively light weight, movements, bellows extension, takes Technica lensboards, modern/traditional aesthetics, and most of all, the ability to transform the camera into other formats. I have a 5x12 back and bellows for it that I can change the camera with in under 5 minutes, using only one hex wrench. I'm also looking in to ordering a whole-plate sized back and bellows for it as well.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Apr 2000
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    711

    Re: Why *that* field camera?

    Well it certainly wasn't low weight. I own a C-1 (magnesium, thank God). OTOH it's very intuitive to use, has plenty of bellows and, to my own warped aestethic, cute. The deal-maker, however, was that I could afford it.

  7. #7

    Join Date
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    Re: Why *that* field camera?

    Low weight is my vote. That's why I got a Gowland Pocket View- it's basically low weight sacrificing everything else. Although it has a decently long bellows and can do just about any movements you want, but usability is tough with combined tilt and rise, no levelling indents, but you get used to it.

  8. #8

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    Re: Why *that* field camera?

    For me, the ability to focus the rear is a make or break. I will never buy another view camera that does not have rear focus. I voted movements - seems the closest to my personal requirement.

  9. #9

    Re: Why *that* field camera?

    There's no one single answer. It's a balance of many things.

  10. #10
    IanG's Avatar
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    Re: Why *that* field camera?

    None of the questions was really appropriate, it's a combination.

    I'd second BradS comments for 10x8 etc, but that's not important to me with 5x4.

    Ian

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