Looking for a light weight LF camera

[katcons]

Is there a "light weight" large format camera, preferably 8-10kg including the lens, holders, and tripod? I also posted this question to other fora, and your responses as dedicated LF users will certainly help me a lot in choosing.

I'd like to explore some options, as I hope to travel a lot in 2010 for work and hopefully insert some R&R time in between. During these trips, I prefer not to be chauffered around/accompanied when possible (I don't want to impose on the local representatives who will do the escorting, and I will be occupying their weekends, the only time they can really rest), and discover nice spots on my own when I can.

However, I hope to do some portraits with it as well, but I guess this will depend on the lens already. Understandably, with the weight considerations, I'll be exploring the 4x5 or 5x7s first.

Something light and all-around. Is this possible? I've been walking around my province more and realizing the need to go large already.

Been reading up on Shenhao cameras here:

http://www.kgcphoto.com/Reviews_&_Tu..._lf_lenses.htm

And Speed/Crown Graphic:

http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/which-model.html

Still, I'd like to ask your opinion and recommendations. Many thanks, and Happy New Year!

[Bob Salomon]

Technikardan 45S

[Leonard Evens]

I use a Toho FC-45X. With one or two lenses, it might weigh between 7 and 9 kg, depending on the lenses. You are highly unlikely to find a tripod (including head) adequate for large format photography weighing less than 2.5 Kg. My film holders weigh just under 0.15 kg each. Remember also that you will need an exposure meter, a dark cloth, a cable release, probably a loupe, and other miscellaneous items.

I used to put a kit including my Toho, three lenses, an exposure meter, a dark t-shirt to use as dark cloth, and a few additional accessories in a small backpack designed for use with a 35 mm camera. The total, including back pack, weighted less than 30 kg. I carried six film holders in an insulated lunchbag hanging from my waist, which added another 1 kg, and I hung my Tiltall Pro tripod, weighing about 2.5 kg, over my shoulder with a strap. I was able to go pretty much wherever I wanted without too much trouble with that equipment.

I got the Toho because I have spinal stenosis and am limited in how much I can carry on my back. Unfortunately, the stenosis has progressed, and i can no longer do that wiithout paying a price in pain a discomfort later. So I usually carry things in a Baby Jogger, which would be impractical in your situation.

You can find a review of the Toho at
http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/toho.htm

[Laurent]

Tachihara 45. I could even fold it with an Angulon 120 inside.

Weights 1.5kg alone. My kit (bag + camera+2 lenses + meter + 5 holders) is about 7 Kg (depends obviously on the bag, lenses, etc... you choose).

[Bruce Watson]

I use a Toho FC-45X. With one or two lenses, it might weigh between 7 and 9 kg, depending on the lenses. You are highly unlikely to find a tripod (including head) adequate for large format photography weighing less than 2.5 Kg. My film holders weigh just under 0.15 kg each. Remember also that you will need an exposure meter, a dark cloth, a cable release, probably a loupe, and other miscellaneous items.

I used to put a kit including my Toho, three lenses, an exposure meter, a dark t-shirt to use as dark cloth, and a few additional accessories in a small backpack designed for use with a 35 mm camera. The total, including back pack, weighted less than 30 kg. I carried six film holders in an insulated lunchbag hanging from my waist, which added another 1 kg, and I hung my Tiltall Pro tripod, weighing about 2.5 kg, over my shoulder with a strap. I was able to go pretty much wherever I wanted without too much trouble with that equipment.

I got the Toho because I have spinal stenosis and am limited in how much I can carry on my back. Unfortunately, the stenosis has progressed, and i can no longer do that wiithout paying a price in pain a discomfort later. So I usually carry things in a Baby Jogger, which would be impractical in your situation.

You can find a review of the Toho at
http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/toho.htm

That 30 Kg number seems high to me. My entire kit, Toho camera, five lenses, 10 film holders, tripod, ball head, meter, dark cloth, etc. IOW, everything needed to make photographs including 3 liters of water, maxes out at 16.5 Kg. I'm not by any means a big (or young) guy, but I can comfortably carry this kit all day hiking up and down the mountains.

The right pack can make or break one's ability to carry weight. I use an Osprey back that's designed for "winter sports" like skiing. It has a really comfortable suspension system that does an excellent job of distributing the weight of the pack properly (nearly all of it on your hips, and as close to your spine as possible for balance). Highly recommended.

[Ivan J. Eberle]

Travel with LF and the continued hand inspection of film is probably a great unknowable at this point. But with the imminent demise of Fuji Quickloads, I'd be looking to a camera with a rangefinder and a Graflok back in order to use 120 roll films instead of sheet films. If you're looking at Crown Graphics, also look at the Baby Crowns and especially the Super Graphic (SG has a rotating V-H back, very useful for portraiture).

[Vick Vickery]

Ivan mentions the Super Graphic...thats my "light" 4x5. Its the zenith of Graphic's press camera development even without a focal plane shutter (handy at times...I have a Speed, also); its an all-metal camera with more movements than previous Graphic press cameras, a revolving Grafloc back, a fairly long bellows, and is still light enough to hand-hold if you want to, though I wouldn't swear that mine has even been shot hand-held. I've even made or bought lensboard adapters for my Speed and Cambo to take the Super lensboards so the same lenses can be switched between the cameras. And they're usually not too expensive!

[Steven Barall]

I have that Shen Hao HZX-45II and I can tell you that it is not a lightweight camera. The thing weighs a freakin' ton. If I was buying a camera today I might get the Chamonix. I do like the all metal Chanham but it's relatively expensive. Good luck.

[SamReeves]

Tachihara 45. I could even fold it with an Angulon 120 inside.

Weights 1.5kg alone. My kit (bag + camera+2 lenses + meter + 5 holders) is about 7 Kg (depends obviously on the bag, lenses, etc... you choose).

Another vote for the Tachi. What a relief on my back!

[Louie Powell]

Is there a "light weight" large format camera, preferably 8-10kg including the lens, holders, and tripod?

Nope.

Seriously, the weight of the camera is not significant - it's the weight of the other stuff that matters.

My LF kit weighs about 27 pounds. That includes the camera (a Zone VI lightweight), two lenses (big glass is heavy), a meter, a CD case with some Cokin filters, half a dozen holders, darkcloth, and a Tiltall tripod.

My camera itself is about 4 pounds - if I could cut that in half, and the total would still be 25 pounds. So its the kit that counts, not the camera.