Which camera to buy very new to Large format

[Steve Barber]

Yes, I thought the same when I looked at your Currumbin Rock series. I think you have a good grasp of what it is you want to do. The problem, I think, is for you to have the opportunity to try some equipment and see if it does what you want without getting in your way to do it. I am not familiar with the Chamonix, but the pictures and specs for it seem to make it a camera that would be worth considering. Two questions I would have would be its usability with the larger wide angle lenses and how long a lens it could focus at infinity using its optional extension.

[Lachlan 717]

Dwarak,

There are some LF shooters in Brisvegas who might be able to give you a basic rundown on these types of cameras. I think that it's useful to feel one before you decide on what to get.

Have you had a look at the Australian section on APUG? I think that the Brisbane shooters have a listing there.

If you're in Melbourne, let me know; I can show you some cameras.

[cosmicexplosion]

g'day mate, you anozzie areya?

cant work out how Locky knows, but i have long thought he crosses over...

best thing you can do is be a bit more specific , not just say on a budget, i mean australia is on a whatever billion budget, so what is your budget range? etc just add some detail, so we can help.

below are a few good cheap ones from ebay now, any ofem are good. metal is heavy but strong, and rigid, wood is light and not quiet as strong or rigid, but seems to work regardless. so dont worry to much, most will be able to be re-sold later, and any loss can be seen as cheap rental.

its a confusin t'ing choosing a camera. all cameras have qwerks and every camera has tricks or design/ style/ looks thats different( a bit), but any of those cameras will work well. if you want to be a bit rough get the toyo metal 4x5, or want to go bush and not worry to much, as it is protected in its own shell. i only use a 4x5 monorail, by sinar, but i would prob get a metal clamm type like the toyo which i believe to be a copy of the linhof technical camera, which will cost you alot more. like 4500 new body only. ( also the wista is also pretty much the same sort of camera as toyo and linhof)
so depending on when you want tit, ie are you prepared to wait and search? if so keep a tab on toyo 4x5 field and find there average and try and snap a good one. get one lens to start and then buy sheet film and developer etc.

and remember, unlike digi, once you buy a camera its a hungry beast that needs feeding, like a rotweeler, lots of meat every week, and it adds up so get your one camera one lens, and start shooting, if you buy to many lenses etc you will not have money for film etc. and you burn a lot learning, once you learn then worry about getting other gear. it will always be there.

welcome to the madhouse.


http://http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wi...item2c6341a5d5

http://http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/To...item2ebd72a981

http://http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sh...item20c4c2d9a0

http://http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ho...item27c5c33ac5

[Dwarak Calayampundi]

Thanks for the info mate nice to see so many helpful people. My budget is a bit small as I have already spent a lot on digital cameras and lens. This will just be something for myself not going to be commercial. I intend to spend upto 1000 dollars on a body and 500 on lens with the shutter. I really like the look and the compactness of chamonix.

http://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/45.html

From the demo video I can see that there is the basic movements. The main things I am after is perspective and depth of field control. Which I think this camera will offer. There is the ability to focus at infinity and has scales to achieve that. The focussing nobs are at the rear which is good.

Has anyone used this camera?

[Old-N-Feeble]

Anyone used the Chamonix 4x5? You're joking right??

[chuck94022]

For depth of field control you basically need tilt and swing, and for perspective control you will want some rise and fall. You'll appreciate a camera with both front and back tilt and swing to give you some options.

I currently use a Wista 45DX (the one with back shift) and love it (though I never use back shift). It's only problem is a short bellows (limiting you to less than 300mm lens) and the inability to change bellows.

I am buying a Chamonix because of those limitations on the Wista, plus I think the Chamonix is a great camera (I was able to get hands on with one here in Beijing recently.)


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.991436,116.476758

[Dwarak Calayampundi]

Thanks for the reply Chuck I think I will go for the chamonix 4x5. But first get a 90mm schnider lens. I have used many schnider products for digital slr think 90mm would roughly be 30mm 35mm equivalent. I saw a few with a shutter on eBay I might get it cheap.

[chuck94022]

I use a Schneider 90mm on my Wista, it is a good wide lens. A dealer recently stated to me that Rodenstock lenses were sharper, and thus would be better for me for my landscapes. He said my Schneiders were better as portrait lenses since they are softer than Rodenstock.

Since I have no Rodenstock lenses, I can't confirm that for myself, but would be happy to entertain opinions from others on this point.

[chuck94022]

Oh one more thing Dwarak, the Chamonix is not in constant production. You put yourself on a list for whenever they do their next factory run. You might wait as long as 6 months. You should contact Hugo (his info is on their website) for information on availability. They are doing a factory run right now, so if you are lucky you might get on this run's list, but I don't know.

[Lachlan 717]

IMO this is absolute rubbish.

How can you generalise over two whole ranges of lenses?

If a dealer told me that, I would never, ever go back as they are full of the smelly brown stuff.

Any of the modern LF lens makers' lenses will be so close in performance that it is very hard to distinguish between them.