Field Camera vs. View Camera

[Francis Abad]

If you can stand the hassle, the lightest full-movements 8x10 field camera in my opinion is the Wisner 8x10 Expedition. I have had mine since 1995 and it is perfect. It always feels lighter than my long lenses. Easy to unfold and easy to manipulate. And if you like that red bellows look, then this is the one. I am aware of the Wisner threads but that is not my experience.

[tim atherton]

the Wisner is pretty close to the same weight as the ebonys isn't it? Though not as many doubloons?

[Francis Abad]

The Wisner Tech Field is but not the Expedition.

[tim atherton]

what's the weight of the Expedition?

[Francis Abad]

Expedition 8x10 weighs 10.9 lbs. The Ebony SV810UE weighs 14.3 lbs and the SV810U weighs 11 lbs. You are right Tim, the Mahogany version of the Ebony 8x10 is the same weight as the Expedition. And definitely more doubloons.

[Steve Hamley]

Francis,

There are two folding mahoghany Ebony 8x10s, the SV810U and the SV810. Yhe "U" model has an asymmetric back swing and tilt and costs about $2,000 more according to badger's site. The Wisner Expedition is 10.9 lbs and costs $4,195. The Ebony SV810 costs $5,695 and weighs 11 lb.

IMO, the difference isn't that much, considering that most 8x10 users who would order either would keep the camera a while.

Thanks!

Steve

[Francis Abad]

Are the available movements of the SV810 comparable to that in the Expedition (not that one will need all of them in the field, although you never know of course)?

[Christopher Condit]

Monorails are often overkill for landscapes, but can be crucial for architecture.

Flatbeds are easier to transport and deal with, especially in 8x10.

A camera that sits in your closet, because it is too much trouble, is useless. So, if you expect to work more than 100 yards from the car, make dang well sure you can put up with the bother before buying an 8x10 monorail. If you can put up with it, a monorail is definitely more camera.

[Steve Hamley]

Francis,

The Expedition, TF, traditional and the Ebony SV810 are very similarly specified. The movements are typically 5 degrees or less difference. The Ebony has about an inch more front rise, and the Wisner about 3-1/2 inches more front fall. The Ebony edges the Wisner by a tiny bit on most of the rear movements but IMO the difference is insignificant for a field camera. The Ebony miniumum bellows draw (standard bellows) is 70 mm with rise and tilt (125 mm w/o), and the Wisner is 90mm. Both are near 1000 mm maximum draw.

The Ebony uses a standard Sinar board and comes with a Sinar to Linhof Technika board adapter. A seemingly insignificant (but not) difference is the rear flip-up mirror on the Ebony's two-way rear levels: they're always visible unless it's dark.

Thanks!

Steve

[Mark_3705]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for all of the helpful information provied. It has been a great help to read these things.

Kind regards,

Mark