Folks,
Since we're into field camera specs and options.... A couple of months ago I sent an e-mail to the Ebony Company about making me a camera that was lighter than the 13.7 pound SV810U I own. I was thinking maybe walnut or a lighter species of cherry.
Here's the response from Hiromi Sakanashi:
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Dear Mr. Hamley,
Thank you very much for your inquiry about a lightweight 8x10 camera.
With regard to lightweight cameras, we are planning to make a limited number of our cameras from Japanese Cryptomeria, which is an exceptional wood and requires specific treatments.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jōmon_Sugi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptomeria
Please find attached the picture of sample Yaku Sugi without any treatments.
The average densities of each wood are as follows.
Ebony: 1.09
Cherry: 0.67
Walnut: 0.53
Mahogany: 0.65
Yaku Sugi: 0.4
If lightweight cameras are required, we would like to recommend a camera made in Yaku Sugi.
Thank you very much for your continued support.
Yours sincerely,
Hiromi Sakanashi
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According to "back-of-the-envelope" calculations based on the different densities, a triple draw 8x10 should weigh in at about 8-1/2 pounds. I multiplied the mahogany camera weight by the ratios of the woods (0.4/0.65 x 13.7 = 8.4) which should slightly underestimate the weight as it was applied to the metal parts too, which of course won't change.
jpeg of the untreated wood attached. I assume this is wood like spruce or redwood.
Enjoy, Steve
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