Tachihara questions

[Ed Balko]

With regard to Dave's comments regarding use of a 300 mm lens on the Tachihara, this may not really be much of a problem.

I've been using a 12" Artar on my Tachihara quite a bit lately for landscape and scenic work, in fact I find myself using the 300mm considerably more often than a 150mm. For this sort of work, focus has never been a problem for me and I always have some bellows extension left. It is rare that I find the need to focus closer than ten feet.

The lens is front mounted on an Elgeet #3 shutter; this effectively gives me about 40mm extra extension. One could achieve the same result, obviously, with a short extension tube or, I imagine by reversing a recessed lensboard. Even this may not be needed for landscapes as the Tachihara bellows is about 330mm, if memory serves.

My point is that for the type of work common outdoors, where camera weight can become a consideration, the bellows length of the Tachihara doesn't necessarily present a difficulty.

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Matthew,

Our shooting style is actually quite similar. I have been photographing in my neighborhood in Brooklyn for several years, carrying a Canham 5x7 (the wooden one), I almost never pack it up between shots, it actually doesn't even fit into the backpack I usually carry with me (I have a plastic trast bag in cas e of rain). Another thought, you might want to think about a non-folding type of field camera, Ebony has a very expensive model, but Shen-Hao also makes one which I saw on eBay a few days ago. These are very light and have great front rise, at the expense of short bellows. On the other hand, WA monorails are not terribly heavy.

[David Karp]

Matthew,

Here are some things to consider. If you will be photographing architecture, even if incidental to the other subjects of your photographs, you might want back swing sometimes. When using a 90mm lens, and photographing a building at an oblique angle, the far end of the building might seem far off in the distance. You can use back swing to help correct perspective. That might or might not be important, and it is an advantage of the Shen Hao (at least in theory, based on the specs).

Another 90mm lens to consider is the Nikon SW 90mm f/8.0. It is unique among the smaller maximum aperture 90mm lenses in that it has a large 235mm image circle. This is comparable to the image circle on the 90mm f/4.5 Grandagon-N (and equivalent Caltar II-N), the Super Angulon f/5.6 (non XL), the Nikon SW 90mm f/4.5, and the Fujinon SWD f/5.6. All of these lenses are bigger and heavier than the SW 90mm f/8.0, more expensive, and require larger 82mm filters. Their major benefit is the wider maximum aperture, which is useful for focusing when the light is dim. (For what its worth, I have the f/4.5 Grandagon-N and I think it is a great lens. ) The f/8.0 Nikon has an excellent reputation. I have no personal experience with it. The 90mm f/6.8 Grandagon-N, and the comparable Caltar II-N, offer a wider maximum aperture than the f/8.0 Nikon, but they have a smaller image circle.

Regarding the 90mm lens, the question you must answer for yourself is how you want to balance the different characteristics: size and weight, image circle, maximum aperture, and price. It is a very personal decision. I went with the f/4.5 Grandagon-N for ease of focusing in darker places. That feature weighed enough in my decision calculus to outweigh the negatives of weight and large filter size. I bought it used to save money.

From what you said about your needs, I think any of the other available 90mm lenses are probably more appropriate for you than the 90mm XL.

Hope this helps.

[Rick Moore]

I've been using a Nikon 90/8 SW on an original (1977) model Tachihara for many years and have been very satisfied with the performance of both the camera and lens. A very lightweight combination, with more movements than I usally use. The Nikon lens weighs less than half what the 5.6 and 4.5 90's weigh, probably a third what the 90XL weighs, and is razor sharp out to the edges. Unless you're working indoors with natural light, it's not hard to focus.

I mention the age of my Tachihara because I know there have been changes over the years, but the latest ones still use the Linhof boards and have the same bellows specs, so I can't imagine you would have any trouble using this lens on the current models.

[Matthew Runde]

Many thanks, everybody. The above comments have me reconsidering my options.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that the weight of the system is very important to me. I won't be filling the bellows with helium, but I may forgo the 90mmXL. The Shen Hao sounds more versatile than the Tachihara, but I'm not sure that the extra two pounds are worth the hassle for me (I really want to keep this light).

Again, thanks for the help.

[Matthew Runde]

So, I bought a new camera and a used lens. I took some advice from the above posts and some of my own experience, and ended up with a Tachihara 4x5, a 90mm f/8 Nikkor, and a QuickLoad holder.

I haven't made any photos yet, as I just received the camera and lens yesterday, but I have played with everything and I think that I have it figured out.

I'm quite happy with the size, weight, and controls of the Tachihara. It's smaller than I expected, and the light weight makes me want to go out and make photos. People who have seen it say it's "cute."

I bought the camera and lens from Midwest Photo Exchange. They were quite helpful, and by going with them I saved quite a bit of money which will probably end up in their hands when I buy a second lens. Again, the lens was used, but it came in the Nikon box and looked so new that it could just as well have come from the factory.

The QuickLoad holder (and the Provia 100F) came from B&H. I tested one packet of film and was gasping with delight because the system appeared to work so perfectly. I still get chills when I think about using the holder.

Thank you for the help! I think that this will be fun.

[tim atherton]

The 90mm f8 Nikkor is a GREAT little lens - a modern classic. Sharp as a tack and great colour (I much prefer the colour rendition and feel of Nikkor and Fuji lenses over the German equivelents).

I've been using it more and more recently. I got it for some archtectural work, but have been using it with my Toyo 45A for urban landscape projects and a whole series of images along the English "Seaside" where I grew up. It's a real beaut. Even indoors I've found the f8 isn't much of a handicap. Outdoors it's no problem. You'll love it.

tim