8x10 Shen Hao vs. 8x10 Tachihara

[Bostonartist]

Hi Everyone,

I have finally decided to get into 8x10 large format after turning down jobs from clients looking for larger images up to 72” wide, I think 4x5 would be pushing the limits for those sizes. I have set a limit of around $2000 so I can put more $$$ into the lens (150 and 300mm) and I prefer to buy new and these 2 models have caught my eye. The camera will be used for landscapes and it seems the Shen Hao seems to have more movements then the Tachihara but do I really need them all? If anyone has had on hands knowledge about the overall performances of ether one it would be very well appreciated in making a final decision...Thanks

[Greg Y]

Bostonartist, With your preset budget, and your plan to buy new, in my opinion, you are limiting your choices. For up to $2k I think you can do much better on the used market. As a long time large format user, I would much prefer a used Deardorff field camera or Sinar or Cambo monorail to either the SH or Tachihara. As far as lenses go, 150mm is a very wide (& expensive) choice on 8x10. I have seen some very fine large silver gelatin prints from 4x5 (albeit not 5ft long). If you are planning to scan & digitally print...well that's another story altogether. I've seen Jay Dusard's Monumental prints which are in that size range. At that size I would expect that the scanning & printing are well up the list in the factors affecting the quality of the output print.

[Jonathan Barlow]

Yes, a used but super clean Deardorff or Canham 8x10 field camera or Sinar P2 8x10 monorail would serve you better. As a point of reference, the Sinar P2 8x10 sold new in 2005 for over $10,000 but a mint used one can be bought today for under $2,000.

[Bostonartist]

Greg Y......Why Deardorff? I keep seeing this come up on a lot of post and have always wondered what makes this a better option, also I do plan on on scanning and printing digitally. My impression on LF is that the $$$ should be in the glass and I do not mind spending extra for that....the reason I want 150mm is that looking at what I shoot on my FF camera many times it is in the range of 150mm in a 8x10. I did look at the Cambo mono rail and was interested in the option that camera would give to do micro and portraits if the opportunity for that ever came up.

[Lachlan 717]

Yes, a used but super clean Deardorff or Canham 8x10 field camera or Sinar P2 8x10 monorail would serve you better.

Based on what?

[Jonathan Barlow]

Based on what?

Quality. Design. Resale.

[Ken Lee]

What kind of photos ? Do they necessitate a folding wooden field camera ? A bunch of holders and a tripod will weigh more than the camera.

[Maris Rusis]

I have and use both 8x10 Tachiharas, the double extension and the triple extension models. In the last twenty years I have encountered no faults. For landscape work the camera movements have never approached the design limits. At the present time a Tachihara double extension 810GF runs a tad over $2000 brand new direct from Tachihara.

[Bostonartist]

Thanks Maris.....for landscape I would think the double extension would be better. Midwest also has the GF priced at $1900

[Bostonartist]

What kind of photos ? Do they necessitate a folding wooden field camera ? A bunch of holders and a tripod will weigh more than the camera.

Ken...do you have suggestions, I saw your post from 2004 on the comparison of these 2 and the deardorff. The photos will be color transparency 75% of the time, will start off with b&W, I would think folding so it could be packed....I am not worried about weight unless it get past 80lbs, I am condition right now for 80lbs on my back.