Ebony RSW45 as first LF?

[r.e.]

On the subject of other cameras, someone put an Arca-Swiss Discovery in what is apparently excellent condition in the for sale forum a few days ago. If it's still available, it might be attractive.

[Bill_1856]

Thank you everyone. I have taken note of your comments and consider them in my decision.

Some general comments: I have never bought a film camera that I haven't kept and therefor plan on making the right decision for my LF camera as well, even if this means investing more. If I wasn't attracted by the romantic notions of large format wooden cameras, I would simply shoot something else (digital ). For me, using a camera that is great quality makes the process more pleasurable and I end up shooting a lot more.

I plan on getting a 150mm and a 80/90mm to start with. I think this is all I will need. I use a single lens for my Leica and two lenses on my Hassy (and one lens on the SWC of course, duh). I am not big on having lots of lenses and accessories. Just give me a wide or standard lens and some filters.

Thanks again for the input.

Good thinking -- an excellent approach as a start.

[Ivan J. Eberle]

With a Technika, even a 60-year old one, you can mount a heavy 300mm lens in a #3 Copal shutter and extend it out... and it won't move. With the same camera you can mount a 65mm wide angle and shoot by dropping the bed.

But the best thing? You can close it up with a small normal 135-150 lens mounted. Simply open it and you are ready to shoot.

(Wistas and Graphics can carry lens folded as well. Most other cameras can't.)

Linhofs are what Leicas aspire to be when they grow up.

Ha! Not only the 135mm, I've got a couple of Meridians that will fold up with a 210mm f/5.6 Caltar IIN (aka APO Sironar N) or Nikon SW90mm f/8 inside, unreversed!

The bed drops 90˚ and there's geared focusing on the inner rails. It has synthetic bellows not prone to rotting or pin-holing even after 60 years.

"The Meridian 45CE is what the Linhof Technika would eventually aspire to be (albeit nearly 50 years later)."

[Noah A]

Sounds like a nice camera, Ivan. How much front rise is available on the Meridian?

[Ivan J. Eberle]

Meridians don't have a flap for the rise with short wide angles inside the body, but with a lens on the outer rail I just measured to find there's 2-1/8" rise. That's a fair amount, sufficient to move the horizon from the top to the bottom of the frame when needed, assuming enough IC (which the 210mm Caltar IIN has in spades). Rise inside the body is somewhat restricted; on one of my 2 Meridians I detached the sports finder which is good for about 11/16" internal rise with the 90mm.

[georgl]

Saving money with buying the "good enough" camera

I'm currently fooling around with a Sinar F to test my lenses and workflow.
Ugh, this camera is really sucking me down, everything works fine for a 500€-8x10-cam, but it is no fun!
If the Ebony feels absolutely right to you, take it - don't compromise, IMHO

Besides quality and craftsmanship I have also trouble with the sustainability of the popular Chinese cameras - retail price 50% down and crushing competition but also lowering wages by 90% and increasing profit... Why shouldn't be a worker able to pay for a product he is making himself? Remember, cars don't buy cars...

[Nigels]

Just to add my comment;
The Ebony RSW45 was my first LF camera which I decided upon after reading Joe Cornish's review. I bought it in 2002 and it wasn't until 2010 that I eventually felt a stong enough desire for the additional movements and bellows draw of the excellent 45SU. But I'm still keeping the RSW. I started with a 90mm lens and a 150mm shortly afterwards. For short telephoto I use a 270/f5.5 Tele Arton. I shoot 99% landscapes and like to go backpacking with the camera so its speed and lightness really suit my needs. It has gone with me to summits in Scotland and to the snowline in an Alpine summer. It wasn't cheap but it probably would have been more expensive to get a cheaper camera and then upgrade when I decided I wanted better. Not regretted owning it for a second.
Good luck whatever you choose.
Nigels.

[macmx]

Dear all

Thanks for your comments and helpful insights. I have decided on an RSW and a the 120mm Schneider Apo Symmar L. This setup will be very simple, though movements both with camera and lens will be very limited, just as I like. As stated earlier, I simply want bigger negatives than my MF gear and I want it to be capable for travels. My goal is to work my way up to 8x10 in which case I will promise to buy a camera with plenty of movements and a lens with way more coverage. By that time, the RSW will be well suited as my light travel LF camera and will not overlap with the 8x10. This is the right way forward for me.

Thanks again all of you.

If anyone has experience with the 120mm Symmar L, any input is much appreciated!

[Bob McCarthy]

You do understand the 120mm Schneider Apo Symmar L is really intended for 6x9 and barely covers 4x5 (not much room for movement)!

A Super Symmar in aproximately this FL (110 I believe) would be my recommendation if you have the financial capacity. If you don't, I would buy a Chamonix with the Super Symmar. If you want a 120mm FL, go for the Nikon, it will damn near cover 8x10 at infinity. Not too compact, but plenty sharp.

Camera just keeps it dark, lens projects image on film.

Anyway, just a thought, and this particular 120 is not recommended.

bob

[Frank Petronio]

I just bought Jordan's 120L for 4x5 and while it doesn't allow for much movement, I am figuring it should be fine for most landscapes and considerably sharper, more compact, and less expensive than the alternatives.

Well, at least two out of those three qualities ;-)