cheap 8x10 field camera?

[Emre Yildirim]

I'm thinking 9-12 lbs is all I can handle. I don't really care how stable the camera is. I'm pretty careful with how I handle my equipment and I use a very sturdy tripod. As long as it's not absolutely flimsy, I'm fine. The important thing is that it can support the lenses that I want to use (probably 150, 240, 300). Compactness is important too, since I want to take it with me when I go hiking. That's also one reason why I didn't want to settle for a cheap monorail. It's amazing how many cheap monorails are up for sale, but barely any folding cameras.

[gfen]

I have a B&J 8x10 Commercial View, and it does fold somewhat, however, having never seen a Deardorff I don't know if its as compact. On the B&H, the extension rail comes off, the front rail folds up, and the front standard and bellows can be moved far enough back so that it becomes a smaller, but far from convient, package.

The camera has full movements, but its definatly a rickety beast. Its not a lightweight, and while it turns heads, its not quite the way I want it to.

All told, I paid, I think, $750 for mine about two years ago, including the extension, 4x5 back, pair of holders, a half box of film and a barrel lens of some vague type. No tripod block, though.

Its definatly fun, but backbreaking to move, and lacks qualities best described as "smooth" or "precise." Without the tripod block, as I invision it, its also more than a little ungainly to move into position... but, there's something satisfying about using it, and it does the job especially when I could justify $800, but not $2000, on a camera.

[Ole Tjugen]

If you can settle for 18x24cm instead of 8x10", one possibility is to get a plate camera. Either an old German one or a newer Russian one - they are very similar and cost about the same. Mine's an old German "Reisekamera" - very stable, compact, portable and so on. I also have a Russian 30x40cm camera of the same design, but wouldn't call that "portable". Not without a car, ar least...

[neil poulsen]

I have a 2D that I got, not only because of it's reasonable cost, but also because if it's reasonable weight. It probably weighs around 11 pounds.

I don't know if I have an original bellows; it's pretty new. But, with any significant rise while the back is in vertical orientation, the top of the bellows just adjacent to the back clips the image a bit. I need to get a custom bellows that will address this issue. There's room for a larger bellows that will solve the problem.

I don't know if this is just my camera, or a 2D idiosyncrasy. Perhaps other 2D owners haven't had this problem. It may be something to ask about, though, before purchase.

In other respects, I like the camera. I get about a two and a half or three inch rise. It has no front swing, tilt, or shift, though. So, no way to tilt both back and front at the same angle to achieve additional rise. Mine has about a 24" draw, which is fine for the 250mm and 355mm lenses that I have for the camera. It folds up onto a compact package, even with the additional front extension. (One wants to make sure they get this extention with the camera.) Back has both tilt and swing; no shift, though.

A lot of excellent photos have been taken with 2D cameras.

[Pete Roody]

Another option is to buy a Deardorff without front swings. They usually sell for under $1000 and thay are better than a Kodak 2D or Ansco for field work.

[Ted Harris]

I’m going to take a look at the other end of the ‘lower priced’ spectrum for you. Cameras that are anything from a few years to twenty years old from Wista or Tachihara, for example, should come close to your price range. Usethe new price of the double extension Tachihara ... 1400 USD ... as a benchmark. Figure that you will generally pay in the range of 70% of new for a used copy in excellent condition and that gives you $980; find one with some cosmetic flaws and it will be very close to your 700 mark. One of these will be approaching your weight range as well. As well as looking on eBay, I ‘d let Jim at Midwest know what you are after so he can keep it on his “want” list, I often do that with a lens or piece of gear I need.

As for 5x7 you should think more seriously about it if you believe it will meet your needs. I am primarily a 5x7 shooter and use Canham 5x7 that is the same model you looked at on eBay (Tuan also uses this model FWIW). BTW, your interst in that particular camera has me a bit confused as it is way out of your stated price range of 700. The current eBay price is now just under 200 which,BTW, is a silly price for this camera used ... you can get it for less used from Midwet or Badger (used ones fromeither of them usually sell in the 1600-1700 range in mint condition). As far as 5x7 film goes planning ahead is indeed the answer. If you look through the archives you will see lots of earlier threads on this. Further, if you go to the View Camera website (www.viewcamera.com) take a look at the table I did on ALL the 5x7 & 13x18 emulsions available. I shoot mostly color too and a lot of that shooting is done with 13x18 as opposed to 5x7 film. Same external dimensions on the holder. 13x18 film is readily available from Nord Foto in Germany and all the other major European suppliers. You have to work a bit harder to get the transparency film you want but virtually every flavor you might need is there with the exception of Astia. You can also cut your own as Tuan does.

[Paul Fitzgerald]

Hi there,

Emre Yildirim: sounds like you're looking for an 'Improved Seneca View", black w/chrome version. The dark wood w/brass was the commercial version and heavier. It's positively dainty compared to my Agfa/Ansco and half the weight. Probably the smallest 8X10 ever made and has 30" extension.

Have fun finding one.

[Dean Cookson]

I second the recommendation of calling Jim at Midwest and talking to him about what you want. Their advertised prices are pretty good and he seems to usually sell stuff for below what's printed (I think he makes up the difference in all free advertising he gets from all of us who have had such good experiences). Also, the Canham 5x7 and 4x5 are the same camera. If the emulsion you're looking for isn't available in 5x7 it's likely available in 4x5.

[Brian Ellis]

I've owned a Kodak 2D and two Deardorffs. Each Deardorff cost about $1,500. The Kodak 2D, in mint condition with new bellows and all accessories (back extension and sliding tripod block) ,cost $400. It was very close to being the equal of the Deardorffs in all practical respects except for the lack of front tilt. So I had Richard Ritter add front tilt for $250. You may or may not want to spend the extra $250 but a 2D in excellent condition is a great value for the money I think. However, you have to be careful, a lot of them on ebay are beaters and you want to get one that's been well cared for. You also should make sure it comes with both the back extension and the sliding tripod block. Neither are sold separately very often plus Kodak matched each extension to each camera by number so even if you find one separately it might not work smoothly with your camera. Without the back extension you're limited to using lenses no longer than about 400mm and the sliding tripod block allows you to keep the camera balanced over the tripod head.

[Emre Yildirim]

Ted - I think 5x7 is the ideal format, and it's a real shame that it isn't very popular. I really like the ratio and the size/weight isn't that much more than 4x5. Since I'm intending to print no larger than 50 inches either direction, the 5x7 would've been ideal. But as you said, some transparency film is hard to find in this format. I use Astia a lot, in fact Astia and Velvia are my two primary films.

I just looked at the 8x10 Tachihara this morning. It seems like the ideal camera in terms of flexibility and weight. Too bad that 8x10 Tachiharas are hard to find. I might actually wait and save up for a new one, and order from Adorama. Those Canham cameras are really nice, especially the 8x10 Lightweight, too bad it costs a fortune.