Dick Phillips offered two backs with his 4x5 cameras. The first, a bail-equipped spring design of his own manufacture, was lighter but didn't open wide enough for thick roll film holders and offered no Graflok clamps. The second was an adapted Horseman back, which Kirk has. Its ground glass frame arms opened wide for the thickest holders and could be removed completely to Graflok on whatever one desired. The "cost" is a bit more weight and slight rearward displacement of the focal plane.
I ordered one of each when purchasing my camera from Dick around 2001. Just so I'd be prepared when inexpensive, full-frame 4x5 digital backs became available to Graflok in place. Still waiting for that. until then, a combination of f/5.6 normal lenses, Maxwell screen, Beattie AR-coated cover glass and a Horseman folding focusing hood is easily usable in the brightest ambient light without a dark cloth. Even slower, longer focal length lenses can be easily dealt with under the same conditions.
It is a Horseman though it is not labeled as such. I think Dick told me that. It was an option at one point-pretty bullet proof.
Thanks,
Kirk
at age 73:
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep"
nice
really lovely
Really nice looking Svedovsky, Mike.
Here's my Nagaoka Seisakusho 4x5 with Nikon SW 120mm f/8 lens. An mostly-modern version only lacking the front swing of the later designs. Uses the Linhof-type lens boards, but also can use just a square lens board of the same dimensions, so the lens board can be installed upside down for a tiny bit more rise. Light and compact at only about 2lbs without the lens.
So far it's been good. It's got the two movements I really use - rise/fall and tilt, and it's super light and small. Also the price was right; for only $300 I can live with the limited movements.
If I think I'll need real movements (architecture or something) I take the Sinar F, but most of the time all I use on that is rise and tilt anyway.
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