What's Comparable to the Layton

[Kirk Gittings]

I remember now I met him at a conference ans saw the camera. It was an interesting camera. What was the price going to be?

[Gem Singer]

Hi Scott,

As I previously stated, take a look at the Canham DLC45-2. (www.canhamcameras.com)

It fits the description of your needs.

Canham only sells through dealers. Jim, at Midwest photo Exchange, or Fred, at The Viewcamera Store can help you.

[Oren Grad]

Yes, I'm looking for a metal, folding, flat bed field camera with the specifications to accommodate a range of lenses, from a Schneider Super-Angulon 90mm f5.6 to the Schneider Symmar-S 300mm f5.6 lens (Copal 3 shutter) and full front and back movements similar to the Layton (see archive Website above).

The need to accommodate a big 300 plasmat restricts your choices pretty severely. In principle you can do it with a Technika, but the metal Canham, with its bigger lensboard and greater flexibility in movements, might make more sense. I don't think the other metal folding 4x5 cameras have enough bellows draw, at least not without kludging them up with front or rear extenders.

[Gem Singer]

Kirk,

The Layton was priced at just under $5k. One of the reasons I changed my mind about purchasing one. The other reason was the weight of the camera.

I was preparing to send Latyon the $500 deposit he required. Talked to Jim at Midwest, and he recommended that I talk to Keith Canham. Keith patiently explained the design drawbacks of the Layton. He had the opportunity to handle one at a camera show.

Layton made several prototypes, the camera never reached the manufacturing stage, and several folks lost their $500 deposits.

My $500 went toward the purchase price of a Canham.

[Frank Petronio]

Where is Layton now?

[Gem Singer]

Where's Layton? Probably sailing the seven seas with Ron Wisner.

[jeroldharter]

I would say Canham, Chamonix, Arca, all of which are very different. I remember the Layton. Too bad it never materialized. Like many unique products, they have no clear alternatives.

[Scott Knowles]

Thanks everyone. I'll look at the Canham. I'm one of those who's deposit is lost to experience. Over time John had lowered his price to $3+K w/o lensboard ($~100 each if I remember), and the last time we communicated he offered an additional discount to depositors. He got close to production (initial 10 in 2008-09), but sadly that's where it ended due to production problems and other issues of life.