Chamonix Saber

[lbenac]

The handle would be nice if you could make it folding so it wouldn't impact the size so much. What I don't like about the 110s is they are so unnecessarily long... this eliminates that.

I should correct myself, I was more thinking along the line of a wooden shape bolted to the aluminium frame to give the hand a little bit of volume to grip on.
I am thinking of maybee experiment with some plasticine of something of the kind to get a feel for it.

Cheers,

Luc

[lbenac]

Result of the first set - outdoor under falling snow (yes I had to dry the lens back home

All the shots are likely at f8 or top f11

HP5 @ 800 in 510-Pyro







TMY-2 @ 800 in Tmax Dev



First Note
It is light and easy to operate
Focusing takes a little bit of getting used to but better than what I feared. This is with the RF.
Next week-end I will try with tripod and GG to compare.
That said for me it is all about the RF as with a Grafmatic on it is pretty much like having a MF folder

Second Note
Where the @#$%^* is Tri-X 400 in 4x5
I could see myself shooting Tri-X @ 1600 in 510-Pyro or @ 1250 in Diafine.
I might have to consider pushing TMY-2 to 1600 in TMax Dev or TMax RS

Third Note
I am considering mounting my Xenar 150/5.6 to try out instead of the Symmar-S 150/5.6. Just because I like the Xenar very much. Would there be a difference in registration of the distance to the film plane or in the working of the RF cams?
I wish I would be a little bit more technically oriented

Result after the first day - it is light, it is fun - maybe I should get a second one with a 120mm before Hugo run out
Cheers,

Luc

[Frank Petronio]

Even though lenses are marked 150mm, that is only an estimate, they all vary a little bit so you'll just have to try them and see whether the RF and GG agree.

Now test it against a Mamiya 7 or Fuji GW690. Or may you shouldn't ;-p

[Kuzano]

Hugo - we never are short of ideas

Realistically - the small size (tiny is probably a better word) of the market would make such move unrealistic I guess, but just thinking loudly - get RF made by Voigtlaender/Cosina (they do these for their 35mm and 6x7 Bessa camera and are good) and make the body yourself (and adaptable to reasonable range of lenses). Lenses in the range 90 - 150 (or whatever would be doable) are plentiful.

Makes me wonder how much could such a camera cost though. The Bessa III 667 (Fuji GF670) is about $2000 and that includes lens, shutter, meter, AE coupling.

... what do you think?

And not to worry.. .It won't be long before someone is converting the GF670 to a 4X5 format camera.

[fbf]

Now who wants to sell his?

[lbenac]

Even though lenses are marked 150mm, that is only an estimate, they all vary a little bit so you'll just have to try them and see whether the RF and GG agree.

Now test it against a Mamiya 7 or Fuji GW690. Or may you shouldn't ;-p

I had a GW690 and the RF was nice but the one that I prefer is the one on my Kodak Medalist

[lbenac]

Next I took the six-shooter to the streets

HP5 @ 800 510-Pyro



This is where of course the lack of movement can be felt the most.

Cheers,

Luc

[goodfood]

Hi, Luc, I had a Kodak Medalist, sold it due to the 620 film and the weight. Need to load the 120 film to 620 spool. Got a Bessa II with Color Skopar, it's only half of the weight of Medalist. But 4X5 film size is double of 6X9 cm. I still like the RF 4X5. You make a good choice. This Sunday morning I'm in Mission, no snow.

[lbenac]

Hi, Luc, I had a Kodak Medalist, sold it due to the 620 film and the weight. Need to load the 120 film to 620 spool. This Sunday morning I'm in Mission, no snow.

I still have and will keep my Medalist. I had it converted to 120. I have the hood, leather case and series 6 filters. While the leather case looks smashing, I don't use it much and carry the whole thing in one of the smallest Domke bag. It fits like if it had been made for it. I took it just this morning for a walk around the Burnaby lake, beautiful with the snow.

Cheers,

Luc

[Matus Kalisky]

Luc

Luc, I really like this one, but the rest is great too. Do you only use Grafmatic holders or the Chamonix adjusted holder? I understand that "normal" 4x5 holders need to be modified in some way.

Seems you are getting on well with the Saber. Please keep posting your experience and results. Looking forward for some wide open stuff

- Frank -
To compare 4x5 with 150/5.6 lens to 6x7 with 80/4 lens is indeed close - if I am not wrong the DOF should be comparable. After all - you have used many cameras and could maybe share your insight on MF vs LF. We all know you keep using the Technika - so - why not Mamiya 7, Bessa III or GW690 instead?