Which affordable 4x5 (or6x9?) camera should I buy?

[Pete Watkins]

DG's right. There are 6x9 & 6x7 roll film backs available for Wista cameras. It keeps the cost of colour down. MPP's are all getting old now and are a bit specialist. The Wista 45DX is just a fairly light simple field camera made to a well tested formula, there are others in the same mould but I've only ever tried the Wista. If you don't mind a bit more weight you could consider a 5x7 with a reducing back. My 5x7 Burke & James is wonderful, despite the fact that they are prone to criticism for sloppy build and all that rubbish. Use some fiber washers if they don't lock down as you would like, I've had mine for a few years now and I won't be parting with it. This is only my opinion but a lot of older cameras don't have front tilt, if you want to do landscapes I would not buy a camera without this facility. Yeah, you can still manage but if I want to take a landscape I leave the 5x7 circa 1926 Ansco at home and take the B&J. It's just easier!
Pete.

[John Kasaian]

That's a beautiful color portfolio you've done, Phillip. Thanks for sharing!

[Regular Rod]

I'm with Jim, and then some.

Some years ago I was given a 2x3 (6x9 in metric, the catalog says 2x3) Cambo and have used it as the basis for several rigs. I'm very happy with them but there's no guarantee that they'd suit anyone else. I'd have spent much less money on parts/attachments if I'd based my rigs on a 4x5er. 2x3 view cameras are much less abundant that 4x5ers. Parts and attachments for them are less common too. They usually cost more than equivalent 4x5ers.

The usual recommendation for inexpensive view cameras is Cambo or Sinar. Both are capable modular systems and both are very available in the US market. In the US market Calumet CC-40x cameras are probably the least expensive. These are very capable monorail cameras with one potentially major limitation, permanently attached bellows. Most newer cameras are modular, have interchangeable everything.

4x5 Graphics (press cameras, much less capable than view cameras) are often recommended as starter 4x5 cameras. I started with 2x3 Graphics. Again, I like 'em but these days Graphics are getting pricy and they have limits.

Thinking of limits (RR, Andrew, pay attention), convertible Symmars are indeed convertible but using a single cell requires more extension than some cameras have. For example, a 4x5 Graphic (also MPP Press) can't quite focus a converted 150/5.6 Symmar to infinity.

Have you seen the extension available with the standard bellows on an MPP Mk VII? The bed has a triple extension built in. I've not found any problems with the longer lens...



If 6x9 is needed too there is a back on eBay at the moment.



RR

[old time photo]

Quick question Do you want a film camera or digital.

[Andrew Plume]

I'm with Jim, and then some.

Some years ago I was given a 2x3 (6x9 in metric, the catalog says 2x3) Cambo and have used it as the basis for several rigs. I'm very happy with them but there's no guarantee that they'd suit anyone else. I'd have spent much less money on parts/attachments if I'd based my rigs on a 4x5er. 2x3 view cameras are much less abundant that 4x5ers. Parts and attachments for them are less common too. They usually cost more than equivalent 4x5ers.

a good point (last para) as ever Dan, thx and regards

andrew

The usual recommendation for inexpensive view cameras is Cambo or Sinar. Both are capable modular systems and both are very available in the US market. In the US market Calumet CC-40x cameras are probably the least expensive. These are very capable monorail cameras with one potentially major limitation, permanently attached bellows. Most newer cameras are modular, have interchangeable everything.

4x5 Graphics (press cameras, much less capable than view cameras) are often recommended as starter 4x5 cameras. I started with 2x3 Graphics. Again, I like 'em but these days Graphics are getting pricy and they have limits.

Thinking of limits (RR, Andrew, pay attention), convertible Symmars are indeed convertible but using a single cell requires more extension than some cameras have. For example, a 4x5 Graphic (also MPP Press) can't quite focus a converted 150/5.6 Symmar to infinity.

[old time photo]

Sorry about that question.
I have read some of the response and this
forum is leading you in the right direction.
Good luck.

[Bob Salomon]

and

...........as RR has said, these are great Cameras and usually a lot cheaper than Linhof's.....but they're fairly heavy

I have a similar model at the moment, there's at least one other option with the (convertible) Symmar - remove the rear element and you have a 7 1/2" f5.6 lens. With both elements together you have a 150mm f5.6 but when I made a brief test, the f stop is unchanged at the longer single element focal length

good luck and regards

andrew

Then there was a serious exposure error with your test. There is a significant speed difference, that is why the shutters the lenses that the convertible lenses were originally mounted in had dual aperture scales.

[Dan Fromm]

Rod, the MPP Press is a Speed Graphic made under license by MPP. It isn't to be confused with MPP's own designs.

[Andrew Plume]

Then there was a serious exposure error with your test. There is a significant speed difference, that is why the shutters the lenses that the convertible lenses were originally mounted in had dual aperture scales.

well Bob, this is what I did - I measured to infinity and then to the gg and divided that into the width of the glass, even if I was wrong and I cannot dispute your considerable experience etc, there's still a longer fl and there's the option of simply using the lens 'as a barrel lens', which is fine with me

regards, andrew

[Regular Rod]

Rod, the MPP Press is a Speed Graphic made under license by MPP. It isn't to be confused with MPP's own designs.

That's interesting Dan. I have to admit I'm not familiar with either camera. The cameras I associate with MPP are the technical cameras like the Mk VII and VIII and their ancestors...

All I know is my old Mk VII is a tough and versatile tool that is quick to set up and easy to use with enough movements to do most things with.

RR