jvuokko
25-Jun-2013, 15:46
Hi,
I am considering to upgrade my current 4x5 field camera for something that is more rigid and newer. The Wista 45SP and 45VX has good price now. So I am quite interested about these... Especially because my budget is limited.
First: I have Hasemi Field Technical 45 (quite similar with Ikeda Anba and Nagaoka) which has plenty of movements but it's old meaning that some mechanized parts are bit too worn and camera really has become wobbly. The main problem is originated from the design of front and rear swings.
The swings are not performed by turning either back or front around axis. Instead both has kind a joint which allows one side to be moved front or back and thus giving swing, like this:
9763697637
This is the kind of design I wan't to avoid. It has some pros too: The whole front board can be moved backwards, as the rear board can be moved forward. This makes use of short lenses much easier.
But as the sturdiness has gone over the decades (if it ever was), I have built some supports which are PITA to use, like:
97638
Then about Wista's metal field cameras. How much does these cameras limit use of short lenses? Or longer lenses (300mm requires some kind of extension tube if I am right?).
My current field works with SA 65mm (slightly recessed lens board) and it's easy to use with SA 75mm. From 90mm to 300mm there's nothing that limits. Except 300mm really cannot be used for close up work. And SA 5.6/300mm is bit too heavy for this camera :rolleyes:
This camera lacks shift, but I rarely need it (and when need, I use monorail cameras if I don't like to play with shift bed). Otherwise it has enough movements: Front rise/fall is 36mm/21mm, swings are 30 degrees in front and back, front tilt is 30 degrees and rear tilt is 20 degrees in most situations, but can be 30 degrees if the bed does not restrict movements).
If front fall is not enough, I can get 70mm fall with 150mm lens using drop bed. However I don't recall that I have ever needed more than 21mm front fall. But I use fall often in landscape photography. Perhaps it's not so necessary but more like a habit.
Where are practical limits of Wista 45SP/VX? The front rise is enormous 56mm, but it lacks fall. Does the off center lens board give some fall? Or is fall possible only with a drop bed (then by calculating quickly, it's ca 35 for 150mm lens which is enough - but not very convient).
Does Wista 45SP/VX work with 65mm with slight movements? Is there something else that should be noted?
Other options... Wista's wooden 45DX and 45DX/II has good specifications, but how do they perform in reality?
Also there's Tachihara which should be ok. Not as sturdy as metal cameras, but lot of sturdier than my old wooden field camera. And the Shen Hao, but it's really hard to find (from Europe and Japan at least)..
Toyo AII, A and AX could be fine, but they doesn't use Linhof Technica style lens boards (adapter can be made or exist) and I don't know how useful they are with shorter than 90mm lenses.
I am considering to upgrade my current 4x5 field camera for something that is more rigid and newer. The Wista 45SP and 45VX has good price now. So I am quite interested about these... Especially because my budget is limited.
First: I have Hasemi Field Technical 45 (quite similar with Ikeda Anba and Nagaoka) which has plenty of movements but it's old meaning that some mechanized parts are bit too worn and camera really has become wobbly. The main problem is originated from the design of front and rear swings.
The swings are not performed by turning either back or front around axis. Instead both has kind a joint which allows one side to be moved front or back and thus giving swing, like this:
9763697637
This is the kind of design I wan't to avoid. It has some pros too: The whole front board can be moved backwards, as the rear board can be moved forward. This makes use of short lenses much easier.
But as the sturdiness has gone over the decades (if it ever was), I have built some supports which are PITA to use, like:
97638
Then about Wista's metal field cameras. How much does these cameras limit use of short lenses? Or longer lenses (300mm requires some kind of extension tube if I am right?).
My current field works with SA 65mm (slightly recessed lens board) and it's easy to use with SA 75mm. From 90mm to 300mm there's nothing that limits. Except 300mm really cannot be used for close up work. And SA 5.6/300mm is bit too heavy for this camera :rolleyes:
This camera lacks shift, but I rarely need it (and when need, I use monorail cameras if I don't like to play with shift bed). Otherwise it has enough movements: Front rise/fall is 36mm/21mm, swings are 30 degrees in front and back, front tilt is 30 degrees and rear tilt is 20 degrees in most situations, but can be 30 degrees if the bed does not restrict movements).
If front fall is not enough, I can get 70mm fall with 150mm lens using drop bed. However I don't recall that I have ever needed more than 21mm front fall. But I use fall often in landscape photography. Perhaps it's not so necessary but more like a habit.
Where are practical limits of Wista 45SP/VX? The front rise is enormous 56mm, but it lacks fall. Does the off center lens board give some fall? Or is fall possible only with a drop bed (then by calculating quickly, it's ca 35 for 150mm lens which is enough - but not very convient).
Does Wista 45SP/VX work with 65mm with slight movements? Is there something else that should be noted?
Other options... Wista's wooden 45DX and 45DX/II has good specifications, but how do they perform in reality?
Also there's Tachihara which should be ok. Not as sturdy as metal cameras, but lot of sturdier than my old wooden field camera. And the Shen Hao, but it's really hard to find (from Europe and Japan at least)..
Toyo AII, A and AX could be fine, but they doesn't use Linhof Technica style lens boards (adapter can be made or exist) and I don't know how useful they are with shorter than 90mm lenses.