leave Wista 45SP for Chamonix 45N-1?

[Hans Berkhout]

and how how do Chamonix owners check for vignetting?

[Gem Singer]

His name is KERRY, not TERRY Thalmann.

Perhaps that's the reason you had difficulty reaching him.

[lilmsmaggie]

His name is KERRY, not TERRY Thalmann.

Perhaps that's the reason you had difficulty reaching him.

Thanks for correcting my error but - No, that is not the reason. To clarify a little, Kerry did send me another email address for which to contact him as well as asking me to send him a PM. And I tried to no avail.

As I've said: I know I can reach Hugo and that he is very responsive. At this point I'm quite comfortable communicating with Hugo.

[burnesingman]

Hi,

I'm on the brinks of selling my Wista 45SP to buy a Chamonix 45N-1.

Mainly, the second one is half the weight of the first one; secondly, movements seems to be bigger. Then I'm interested by a wooden field camera.

Now, I would like to have your advices about that switch. Is it worth it?

Hugo told me if I order now, the 45N-1 will have a specially center-cut (16mm hollow circle) fresnel lens, so It's possible to focus (only in that central zone) accurately wide angle lenses wide open. As far as I understand the problem, this does not seem to be the real solution. I'd rather prefer the fresnel mounted on top of the GG, with crests against the GG.

So, I'm very tempted by the camera, but somehow cooled down by the fresnel-GG issue and the way it is delt by Chamonix.

So, all your advices most welcome!

Greg

[burnesingman]

I have a Chaminoux 45 N2 and just got a Wista 45 SP. Yes, the Wista is twice the weight. I am not a major climber or major hiker and so 3 extra pounds is no biggie for me. Plus it adds stability. You could say it feels much more rigid and precise. I love the lightweight nature and beauty of the Cham, but having gears is great. The other big thing I love is lock down focus. I have had my Cham drift out of focus at times unless I tighten things all over or accidentally bump something. As far as movements, the Wista SP can do most things the Cham does.(I don't know what it can't do. I can't see movements making a difference between the two. If you want to twist the bellows like a pretzel, you'd better get a studio camera. So I will let one of the cameras go once I have used the Wista a bit more. The only 2 reasons I can see doing a Cham is weight and aesthetic beauty. I have heard that when doing shots publically, people stop and ask about the "old fashioned camera" more with the Cham than the black Wista. When I take it out for a portrait the sitter almost always says "wow, what a beautiful thing!"