What Field Camera Can Take Extreme Wide Angle Lenses?

[Mike Foster]

Hi,

I want a field camera to use extreme wide angle lenses like the Apo Grandagon 35 . But the ones I have looked at like the Toyo 45AII and Horseman 45FA cannot use such extreme wide angle lenses or with special recessed lens board, which I do not like. Also another problem is the flat bed gets in view.

I will shot mainly 6x9 with a roll film holder but I want 4x5 capability too.

Can you please recommend a camera that will fit my needs?

Thank you very much.

[Doug Paramore]

Mike: Have you looked on the main page at the write-ups on the various cameras? There is quite a bit of info on different brands there. This doesn't answer your question directly, but it will give you a place to start. There is a lot of good info there.

Regards,

[Wayne_6692]

Checkout the Walker XL - it's specialised and will only handle between 35mm and 180mm I believe.

[heidis]

Check www.ebonycamera.com - Ebony makes a 4x5 model that is lightweight and constructed especially for wide angle use. (RW45, I think.) The construction and quality of Ebony puts to shame the other wood field cameras. They're sold in the US by Badger Graphic in Wisconsin. More expensive than most but WELL worth every penny.

[heidis]

Correction, it's the SW45 that I was thinking of. It will take 35mm (with 10mm recessed lensboard) up to 180mm lenses, or up to a 400mm tele with an available back extender.

[Trevor Crone]

Has Danny correctley states the Ebony SW45. I use it with the 35 in 69 and 612 (just about). The bellows are flexable enough to allow full movements with the 35 on a 10mm recessed board. Regards,

[N Dhananjay]

The old Meridian press camera, the 45B version might be something to look at, though they do seem hard to come by. The rear standard sits on a focussing rail and that obviates a lot of the difficulaty typically associated with wides on fields. I estimate it should accomodate at least a 45 mm lens or thereabouts. Good luck. DJ

[andrea milano]

Hi Mike, The most practical camera is for sure the Walker Wideangle model, as previously said, It is a superior camera and even the Ebony cannot match the confort of this camera, great stuff! Greetings,

[Paul Schilliger]

The Toyo VX-125 with recessed Linhof or Toyo field adapter can take a 35 mm with movements. And up, to a 300 mm normal lens. All with one single universal bellows. The recessed adapter takes normal lensboards. I am very pleased with it. But the overall size of it is rather large, if you are loo king for a compact camera.

[Julio Fernandez]

The Linhof Master Technika. David Muench has used it with 47mm WA for a long time. I believe that with the Linhof wideangle focusing adapter you can put a 35mm lens, however I do not think that any 35mm lens will adequately cover 4X5. Even with the Super Angulon 47mm XL, movements are severely restricted by the limited IC. By the way, with the Technika you do not need to replace the bellows as you do in many cameras when you want to use very wide angle lenses.