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Thread: Tachihara vs. Wista/Zone VI

  1. #1

    Tachihara vs. Wista/Zone VI

    I'm looking to buy a field camera. I have found quit a few Tachihara's and Wista Zone VI's for sale. I was wondering which is the better camera and why?

    Thank you much!

  2. #2

    Join Date
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    Re: Tachihara vs. Wista/Zone VI

    Well, I would say it depends from what should be the intended usage of the camera.

    I have the Tachi and it is very nice field camera - light and compact. However it would not be my choice for macro or table-top (limited bellows draw and no rear standard focusing) tight portrait (the front standard is not too stable when the camera is fully extended - and portrait lenses tend to be heavy) or architecture (the movements with 75mm lens are limited even with recessed lens board and in general less precise than movements with a metal or single rail cameras).

    So - what are you after?
    Matus

  3. #3

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    Re: Tachihara vs. Wista/Zone VI

    Not much difference between the two, except for maybe knobs and levers. I have the Zone VI/Wista, which has served me well for 25 years. The Tachihara would have, too, I'm sure.

    This feels like a "can't lose" proposition, with the caveats mentioned above in Matus' post.

    IMHO, the best portrait lens for 4x5 is a 210, so no worries on shaky extension if that becomes your lens of choice, too.
    Bruce Barlow
    author of "Finely Focused" and "Exercises in Photographic Composition"
    www.brucewbarlow.com

  4. #4

    Re: Tachihara vs. Wista/Zone VI

    ya the biggest lens I use is a 210mm and the widest is a 65mm. And I would primarily be using the camera for outdoor nature photography and occasional portraits.

  5. #5
    Drew Bedo's Avatar
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    Re: Tachihara vs. Wista/Zone VI

    Never used the Tach. I have a Wista/Zone VI and like it while recognising its limitations. At one time I had an old B&J 5x7 with a reducing back. It was clunkey and heavy but had front AXIS tilt and a huge bellows draw for 4x6. Wish I still had it . . .but LOVE my little Zone VI for what it is.

    My Wista/Zone VIhas rear tilt and shift while the front has tilt, swing and rise. The front and back both tilt at the base.

    I have never looked on camera owenership as a marriage ( . . .till death do us part . . .). Get whichever one is the better deal and start shooting. At some future date you will know all about whatever camera you are using and will know what features your next camera shoul have.
    Drew Bedo
    www.quietlightphoto.com
    http://www.artsyhome.com/author/drew-bedo




    There are only three types of mounting flanges; too big, too small and wrong thread!

  6. #6
    3d Visual Effects artist
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    Re: Tachihara vs. Wista/Zone VI

    I've used a 4x5 Wista/Zone VI, and an 8x10 Tachihara. Granted they were not the same size, but between the two I think I liked the Wista just a little bit better, it just seemed to have a better feel to it. This could be only because the Wista was much older than the Tachi was (the Tachi was brand new, and the Wista was probably 15+ years old), so the Wista may have been more "broken in" than the Tachi, and maybe that's why I liked it better. I don't think you could go wrong with either of them though, within their limitations.

    I've actually been thinking of picking up a Wista/Zone because I liked the feel of the one I learned on, and I kind of miss that feel :-)
    Daniel Buck - 3d VFX artist
    3d work: DanielBuck.net
    photography: 404Photography.net - BuckshotsBlog.com

  7. #7
    Eric Biggerstaff
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    Re: Tachihara vs. Wista/Zone VI

    I used the Tachi for about 12 years and sold it only to get a Zone VI (made by Zone VI, not the Wista version) due to the longer bellows. I wish I had them both. The Tachi is tough to beat for the price, quality and compact light weight design. It is a traditional design unlike the newer Chamonix but I sort of prefer that. The Tachi quality is first rate and if you get one it will be a wonderful camera for many, many years.
    Eric Biggerstaff

    www.ericbiggerstaff.com

  8. #8
    Vaughn's Avatar
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    Re: Tachihara vs. Wista/Zone VI

    The Tachi is a beautiful camera, but not as robust as some other field 4x5's...say, the Shen-ho (if that is the correct spelling.) Still no reason a Tachi would not last a couple lifetimes...unless they are used in a university setting -- then they last two or three years. But we just got a Shen-ho, so we'll see in a couple years what condition it is in! The Horseman Woodman 4x5s have held up pretty good -- longer than the Tachi, but we are having hardware issues now with one of them (student-related/caused, not the fault of the camera manufacturer).

    Vaughn

  9. #9
    Jon Shiu's Avatar
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    Re: Tachihara vs. Wista/Zone VI

    I've used the Tachihara for many years. It is been stable and easy to use, even with a heavy 240mm Caltar IIN in Copal 3 shutter. It is possible to focus with the rear standard, using the sliding feature.

    Jon
    my black and white photos of the Mendocino Coast: jonshiu.zenfolio.com

  10. #10

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    Re: Tachihara vs. Wista/Zone VI

    I don't have any experience with the Tachihara and limited experience with large format but my Wista 45SP metal field camera is built like a sherman tank. I'll pass it's the shoulder strap of my tripod through the wista's carrying strap and climb up ladders without much of a worry that it's banging around against metal. This is when it's closed of course and without a lens in it

    I've also heard some people say wind is an issue with their view cameras but it's never been one for mine.

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