I want to be an 8x10

[David Woods]

Hi

I am new to LF so if the question is dumb you know why, I have a toyoview deluxe and I have a 4x5 and a 5x7 back for it, now I want to increase the format to an 8x10, now can I just go and buy a 8x10 back and film holders, or would the camera not be suitable for it, my lens is a Semmar 300mm 6.3.

David

[Jack Dahlgren]

Hi

I am new to LF so if the question is dumb you know why, I have a toyoview deluxe and I have a 4x5 and a 5x7 back for it, now I want to increase the format to an 8x10, now can I just go and buy a 8x10 back and film holders, or would the camera not be suitable for it, my lens is a Semmar 300mm 6.3.

David

Not sure about all models, but the Toyoview G series can be converted to 8x10. For information about your particular camera, maybe you can contact Toyo?
http://www.toyoview.com/AskToyo/asktoyo.html

[Michael Graves]

The old Toyo View Deluxe did not use the same standards as the G series, so those will not work. There was, if I recall correctly, an 8x10 standard for that camera, but finding one could prove to be an adventure. The killer will be in getting a bellows to fit. A new set from B&H sells for around $800. If you can find the rear 8x10 bellows frame you could pick up a cheap 4x5 set and rob the front frame from that, and then purchase a bellows from some company out of China selling an 8x10 bellows for $159.00. It is not difficult to attach the bellows to the frames. Even I can do it. However, getting the rear frame can be almost as elusive as finding the rear standard.

Long story short....buy an Eastman 2D for your 8x10 and have fun.

[David Woods]

The old Toyo View Deluxe did not use the same standards as the G series, so those will not work. There was, if I recall correctly, an 8x10 standard for that camera, but finding one could prove to be an adventure. The killer will be in getting a bellows to fit. A new set from B&H sells for around $800. If you can find the rear 8x10 bellows frame you could pick up a cheap 4x5 set and rob the front frame from that, and then purchase a bellows from some company out of China selling an 8x10 bellows for $159.00. It is not difficult to attach the bellows to the frames. Even I can do it. However, getting the rear frame can be almost as elusive as finding the rear standard.

Long story short....buy an Eastman 2D for your 8x10 and have fun.

Hi Michael

Thanks for that,I have attached bellows before, it is really not as hard as I was told, I just took my time and stayed patient, I like adventures, I will let you know if I find one.

David

[Daniel Stone]

what about ditching the Toyo camera completely and just going with an 8x10 field camera(folding or non-folding)?

is most of your work still life(where a monorail shines IMHO) or in the field, where you'd be carrying it for extended(even 100m) distances from the car?

might be something to think about, spending time and more money getting a camera up and running with 8x10, when there's plenty of other cameras out there than can do better, and save you some time where you could be making great negatives!

I'm a recent "upgrader" to 8x10. I'm loving every minute of it!!! Now using even my 4x5 reducing back on it makes me feel like I'm using a toy, not really, but I think you get my point.

and finally, a well done 8x10 contact print is a glorious object to behold. Especially when you know how much time & effort went into making it.

best of luck!

-Dan

[David Woods]

what about ditching the Toyo camera completely and just going with an 8x10 field camera(folding or non-folding)?

is most of your work still life(where a monorail shines IMHO) or in the field, where you'd be carrying it for extended(even 100m) distances from the car?

might be something to think about, spending time and more money getting a camera up and running with 8x10, when there's plenty of other cameras out there than can do better, and save you some time where you could be making great negatives!

I'm a recent "upgrader" to 8x10. I'm loving every minute of it!!! Now using even my 4x5 reducing back on it makes me feel like I'm using a toy, not really, but I think you get my point.

and finally, a well done 8x10 contact print is a glorious object to behold. Especially when you know how much time & effort went into making it.

best of luck!

-Dan

Hi Dan

No I am an amateur Photographer, all my work is in the field, are the 8x10s heavy I know the Toyo is, especially of 1 or 2 kms, especially up and down mountains.
David

[Daniel Stone]

I would say its safe to say that pretty much ALL the 8x10 cameras out there are heavy. But depending on your needs, a folding field camera would generally be easier to pack and travel(even for short distances) with than a monorail camera.

look at the used zone VI's, or the deardorffs. they're made very well, and you can generally find a great deal if you wait long enough.

-Dan

[John NYC]

I would say its safe to say that pretty much ALL the 8x10 cameras out there are heavy. But depending on your needs, a folding field camera would generally be easier to pack and travel(even for short distances) with than a monorail camera.

look at the used zone VI's, or the deardorffs. they're made very well, and you can generally find a great deal if you wait long enough.

-Dan

The Wehman lightweight model I have is 7.2 lbs. Compared to my Shen-Hao 4x5, which is 5.3 pounds, I would not call it heavy.

Here are the weights in pounds of other modern 8x10s.

Camera Wt. (lbs)
Argentum Excursor I 4.63
Argentum Explorator I 6.17
Richard Ritter 6.4
Wehman Lightweight 7.2
Shen Hao TFC810-A 8
Chamonix 8.42
Ebony SW810 8.82
Canham JMC 8x10 9.13
Canham 8x10 Std 9.4
Shen Hao FCL810-A 9.68
Walker Titan XL 9.9
Wista 810DX 10
Tachihara (Dbl. Ext.) 10.3
Ebony RW810 10.56
Tachihara (Triple Ext.) 12.13
Toyo 810MII 15
Gowland ?
Tachihara (SW) ?

[jnanian]

david

... some places that you might want to email / ask if they
have the parts you look for ( might not be inexpensive though )
are glennview.com , and pgsys.com ...

good luck!
john

[David Woods]

The Wehman lightweight model I have is 7.2 lbs. Compared to my Shen-Hao 4x5, which is 5.3 pounds, I would not call it heavy.

Here are the weights in pounds of other modern 8x10s.

Camera Wt. (lbs)
Argentum Excursor I 4.63
Argentum Explorator I 6.17
Richard Ritter 6.4
Wehman Lightweight 7.2
Shen Hao TFC810-A 8
Chamonix 8.42
Ebony SW810 8.82
Canham JMC 8x10 9.13
Canham 8x10 Std 9.4
Shen Hao FCL810-A 9.68
Walker Titan XL 9.9
Wista 810DX 10
Tachihara (Dbl. Ext.) 10.3
Ebony RW810 10.56
Tachihara (Triple Ext.) 12.13
Toyo 810MII 15
Gowland ?
Tachihara (SW) ?

I don't know what my Toyo weights, but I've only been using the 4x5 back, once I get some holders for the 5x7 back, I am sure it will be slightly heavier.