Ebony RSW45 as first LF?

[macmx]

Anyone have experience with the Ebony RSW45?

I am looking to get my first LF kit. The candidates are the ShenHao HZX45 (cheap), Toyo 45 AII (better quality, more movements) and Ebony RSW45 (superior quality).

I will mainly be doing landscape and portrait with lenses up to 180mm. I am not looking for a lot of movements, but want to move to LF from MF to get higher quality negatives.

Right now, I am really hooked on the Ebony. It seems to be the perfect camera for me, great materials and at almost the same price as the Toyo, the Toyo is no competition, unless I am convinced that I need more movements or a folding camera.

I would be very interested in any comments on the RSW, as well as any general comments on moving from MF til LF. I mainly have experience with Hasselblad V, Flexbody, SWC and Leica M cameras. Thanks.

Mc.

[Gary Tarbert]

The Ebony was on my wishlist as well ,Finally settled on a Chamonix , These cameras are perfect for landscape lightweight but well built , They use carbon fibre which keeps the weight down but has strength.
I liked it so much i now have two of them a Chamonix 5x8 & the 45n-2 the 5x8 i use as my main camera which i have a 5x4 reducing back for and the 5x4 is for when i am going on long treks and i just need to keep weight and size down . The cameras are made in China if you go too their website just google Chamonix camera it should come up .
Hugo the owner of the company is very good to deal with replies to emails promptly and delivers when promised , I finished up buying my 2 Chamonix cameras plus film holders reducing back sinar to Linhof reduction board etc for about the same as the Ebony Body only . Good luck with your search ,Oh! BTW of the three you mentioned i would have the Ebony . Regards Gary

[Steve Hamley]

Most of the landscape photographers I've known used the RW45 folding camera. It's light, versatile, and conventionally designed. Some now use the Chamonix, and it is a well made light camera also. To me, the difference is in your personal preference for camera controls.

180mm is only very slightly long on 4x5 and still falls within the range of normal focal lengths. If you do want to go long, the RSW45 may limit you. The lack of back movements could also limit you if you need a little more movement than the front will allow with a given lens.

Other than that, I think the RSW45 is a good choice.

Cheers, Steve

[Gem Singer]

I have owned/operated all three of the cameras you mentioned.

The Toyo is a metal folding flatbed camera, and the Shen Hao and Ebony are wooden folding flatbed cameras.

The Ebony RW45 (couldn't find an RSW45 on the Ebony website) is an entry level camera. RW stands for Robert White. It was made to be sold at Robert White's price point. The early RW45 that I owned was not built as nice as Ebony's higher priced cameras. I have also owned an Ebony SV45te.

The Toyo 45AII is their top of the line metal folding flatbed camera. The Toyo 45AX is the same exact camera without the rotating back and folding focusing hood. Sells for less than the 45AII. Those two accessories can be purchased separately and added to the 45AX.

The Shen Hao offers the most movement capability for the money. I didn't think much of the early Shen Hao build quality, but it has improved. Of course, the price has also increased

[Edward (Halifax,NS)]

The Ebony will use a 180mm lens but only near infinity. You will need more extension if you want to use the 180mm lens for portraits. The 45S would be a suitable camera but it is twice the price.

[Bill_1856]

That's an awfully expensive way to get into Large Format.

[John NYC]

You might think you only want normal and wide now, but you might change. 180mm is like a 50mm lens on 35mm format (slightly long normal). You might find a 210mm, a 240mm even a 300mm the better choice for your portraits.

Why spend so much on your first camera. Buy a user camera for cheap ($200-400?) and then dump it later for little loss once you settle in more.

[Frank Petronio]

A Toyo A-series is a really nice, versatile metal camera.

And if you happen to drop it, it won't be ruined.

It's the more conservative choice - a "middle of the road" camera and more easily traded. So, after some experience, you decide that you want to go ultra-light or need something more rugged or to have more movements, you'll have a good foundation with decent camera to make comparisons and informed choices.

My experience with people who start out with limited, delicate wooden cameras is that they get roped into thinking that they are the only way to experience large-format. Movements are less obvious, the set-up takes longer, the controls are more dainty and frail. They spend way too long fussing with their cameras than actually photographing. But that's just my highly biased personal opinion garnered from experience, it doesn't trump internet banter and peer pressure ;-p

Wooden cameras are beautiful. Tell me if you would like a wooden Hasselblad?

[Lachlan 717]

Get the Shen and spend the difference on good glass.

You'll see the difference if you do this; I doubt that you'll see it if you buy the more expensive camera.

[richard brown]

I gather that the Shen has improved its product quality and it does get good reviews. I have a toyo 45A and as Frank says,it is a great metal (yet fairly light) field camera which I have always found easy to use. And then I bought an Ebony RW45, the basic folding mahogany field camera .... it was great except I couldn't use my really wide lenses.... sold it and got an ebony 45S. Love the camera.. it is the best... but now I do more 617 panos so bought a canham and am thinking/wrestling with the idea of selling or keeping the ebony 45S.
Best advice is get a camera you love and buy some good glass as Lachlan says.