Choosing my first 4x5: please help!

[rugenius]

Yep, I forgot two of the most important tools,...

(1) A magnifying loupe!
New $70 at 1/2 price?
I am using a Pentax aspherical 5.5X photo loupe made for med format film inspection.
Bulky but just about excellent for seeing wide sections of the taking view.
Rumor is Pentax will discontinue the manufacture of photo loupes.
(2) A dark cloth!!
Can't really take photos without one... mine is Velcro seamed and sort of Gore-tex like fabric and it came with the camera.

Cheers,

Bill

[b.cipolla]

Thanks again for all the info guys. I still cannot gain access to John Wilton page. Anyone know of any other way to contact him? Also, after reading what you all had to say, I'm in between a Wisner Technical and a Chamonix. Any final words of persuasion as to which one I should get? It will probably come down to which one I can find for cheaper at this point.

[David Aimone]

Steve,

You've done it on the cheap! Good shopping...

I'm afraid to add up the stuff I bought after the Chamonix 045n-2!

David

Ditto for me except that I have historically shot 35mm.



I can affirm that the camera purchase is only the beginning of expense. As has been pointed out on other threads, LF does not have to be a rich man's realm. However, there is plenty of space for unanticipated expense. My totals are about the same as yours, but for different stuff.

Chamonix 045N-2 with folding viewer + shipping: $901
Caltar II-N 150/5.6 (used): $249
Caltar II-N 90/6.8 (used): $300
12 film holders (used): $25
2 Bromwell lens boards: $78
2 Hakuba cable release: $28
Linhoff Super-Rollex 6x7 roll film holder (used): $172
Calumet C2 6x7 roll film holder (used): $50
Calumet C2N 6x7 roll film holder (used): $115
Bogen 3028 tripod head (used): $15
Fortunately, I already owned a suitable tripod. (whew!)

Cost on camera side of things: $1923

On the processing end:
Generic plastic daylight processing tank for "taco" method: $20
Nikor 120 SS processing tank and real (used): $5
Epson V700 scanner: $536 (ouch!)

Still needed, but purchases are on hold:
Dark cloth
4x loupe (my 8x Agfa loupe is a little too strong)
Changing bag
Better backpack

At this point, I am tired of spending money on this project and am thinking that maybe I should turn pro just to support my habit! Just to confirm that I know where the luxury items lie. Yes, could have made do with only one roll film holder. As it is, I take all three into the field (one with Ektar 100 and the other two with Acros 100) and generally use them all. I could also have waited on the wide angle lens. The combination is about $500 potential savings right there.


Steve

[ki6mf]

For the price of a used Wisner you can get new Shen Hao or Chamonix!

[Frank Petronio]

Well I am fluffing here but I think a >$400 Arca-Swiss might be in order. It's a monorail but smaller and lighter than most, pack friendly. And, unlike these expensive wooden toy boxes made from toothpick wood, it is made from this amazing substance called "metal". Not to mention unlimited XYZ movements front and back and, that in use, it is far more rigid than any camera which folds or can burn.

Also, you might want to search "Wisner" on this forum before you leap at one of those....

[David Aimone]

I've owned the Chamonix 045n-2 since April. I'm a noob, but I love it.

There is certainly no "toothpick" construction here. It's all metal, carbon fiber and (mine) hardwood teak. It's pretty darn stable, FWIW.

Good luck with whatever you decide on...

[stevebrot]

Well I am fluffing here but I think a >$400 Arca-Swiss might be in order...

Frank, did you slip a zero on the Arca-Swiss price? The last time I checked, they were priced somewhere in the same neighborhood as an Ebony.


Steve

(I wish there were an emoticon for "irony"...)

[Frank Petronio]

Well I was talking about the vintage Arca-Swiss C I have in the classifieds. They sell for under $500. But a more recent $800 Arca-Swiss Discovery is a great value too.

I know I am horrible, hawking my old camera while calling your wooden beauties toothpicks. But, while I may be an obnoxious jerk, the innocent camera is still a worthy contender!

[stevebrot]

Well I was talking about the vintage Arca-Swiss C I have in the classifieds. They sell for under $500. But a more recent $800 Arca-Swiss Discovery is a great value too.

I know I am horrible, hawking my old camera while calling your wooden beauties toothpicks. But, while I may be an obnoxious jerk, the innocent camera is still a worthy contender!

Steve

(Looked at your ad for the camera...too bad I am not in the market...appreciate your female sales assistants...)

[rugenius]

The genius of Petrino does in press as to what we aspire to do in most any format...
Humble,... yet tack on.

Check out the suggestions and make a stab at it.
All things considered, you can't go wrong with all the feedback thus far.

IMHO,
Bill