The Most Lightweight/Compact Setup for 8x10 Large Format Photography?

[marcookie]

Hi folks,

I made a video to describe my LF setup, probably one of the most lightweight/compact combinations possible. I think it can be interesting to those looking to go ""light"" (note the double quotes) or building their first setup.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk6Mb_0Hqfs&t=19s

[rdeloe]

Thanks Marco. I'm on the hunt for a better way to pack my kit, so I enjoyed seeing your approach. I was looking at dedicated photo backpacks, but I think your modular approach using regular backpacks is the way to go.

[pepeguitarra]

What is the weight of the backpack fully loaded with the tripod?

[marcookie]

Thanks Marco. I'm on the hunt for a better way to pack my kit, so I enjoyed seeing your approach. I was looking at dedicated photo backpacks, but I think your modular approach using regular backpacks is the way to go.

If you haven't seen it, there is also this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpCQqFGNjiQ

and then Ben Horne channel has a few videos about his setup.

Good luck with your hunt and happy photographs!

[marcookie]

What is the weight of the backpack fully loaded with the tripod?

I will try to weight it tonight on my scale!

[rdeloe]

Thanks Marco. It turns out I found some inspiration yesterday and started from scratch with the Gura Gear Uinita 30L I already have. A 30L bag is about the right size for what I need so I thought it was worth one my try.

I found a way to get all of the following in safely and conveniently (so very happy):
- Toyo D45M 4x5 rail camera with short and long extension rails and compendium hood
- 2 Toyo to Linhof adapter boards (flat and recessed)
- Pentax spotmeter, loupe
- 4 lens (90mm, 125mm, 210mm and 300mm) on Linhof boards
- 6 holders
- Darkcloth
- Various bits and pieces

I'm using a Feisol carbon fibre tripod. My Manfrotto 410 head is so heavy and bulky that for long walks it's just not good. I also have an Acratech GP-SS and have found that if I turn it into the upside down mode, using a double-ended adapter stud (1/4" to 3/8") I can mount the Toyo rail clamp directly to the Acratech with no intermediate parts (e.g., an Arca clamp and plate). This makes a very sturdy setup. It's not as precise as the 410 geared head, but vastly more transportable and entirely usable.

This arrangement is no good for long hikes because even with waist belt the bag isn't a very comfortable carry, and there's almost no room for water, food and change of clothes. But it definitely gets the job done for shorter hikes.

Cheers, Rob




If you haven't seen it, there is also this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpCQqFGNjiQ

and then Ben Horne channel has a few videos about his setup.

Good luck with your hunt and happy photographs!

[Daddyo]

I've started using the Ritter 8x10 in the past couple of months; it has been a revelation! Immediately saves something like 10 pounds from comparable setups...

Very easy to carry and to handle in the field, simply a superb use of materials!

Much tougher dealing with the film holders. That said, I tend to make "mini-excursions" from the car with camera in a Gator shoulder bag (designed for an audio mixer - very light and manageable - also holds dark cloth), tripod (in a bag with shoulder strap), lens kit (medium sized camera bag) with lens, meter, loupe, and other "Ancillary Adams" (as I like to say practically any chance I get...), and a film holder or two at a time.

So this is a decently manageable load from parking to photo site. Set up and tear down are fast. After shooting, it's back to the car to drop off and replenish.

Not a good setup, however, for hiking per se. Working on a setup with a older large Tenba backpack for that...

It's that for hikes, or go with the Tachihara 4x5, which fits easily with everything but tripod into a single shoulder bag.

So still a work in progress, but it's getting there...

Not bad for a guy with four fused lumbar vertebrae!

[karl french]

8x10 Deardorff in a Tamrac X-Pack (21cm Schneider Angulon fits in outer pocket.)
Cooke Convertible Series XVa 311mm f6.8 in a small padded bag attached to film holder case that holds 6 8x10 holders (Toyo)
Gitzo G1325 tripod with 1570m head.

Full featured camera. 4 focal lengths and 12 shots.

[Jim Jones]

My Kodak 8x10 2-D with sliding tripod block, bed extension, 5 film holders, and Kodak Crown No. 4 tripod, but no lens, in a light fiberboard case weighs 35 pounds. Too much for an old man!

[marcookie]

I will try to weight it tonight on my scale!

It's about 25 lbs, or 11.5 kg.

[Drew Wiley]

Well, welcome to the wonderful world of 8x10. It can be quite a rewarding journey. But there are all kinds of ways you could cut redundant weight from that kit without sacrificing functionality. Yet at the same time, you need to address stability. As usual, I take one look at that ballhead and scratch my head. A good tripod that allegedly supports forty pounds is nearly worthless with a little twiggy stem like that between the tripod head and an 8x10 camera bed. I have a similar CF tripod and bolt the camera directly to the top
platform. Try that, though it will require a minor modification adding a turn knob below the tripod top. Then there's all that redundant padding weight around holders and within the pack itself that could be replaced by simple bubble wrap or elementary fomecore board dividers. But your lens choices are excellent, though that 120 is an odd duck for 8x10 use (I've had one of those too). Have fun!

[marcookie]

I've started using the Ritter 8x10 in the past couple of months; it has been a revelation! Immediately saves something like 10 pounds from comparable setups...

Very easy to carry and to handle in the field, simply a superb use of materials!

Much tougher dealing with the film holders. That said, I tend to make "mini-excursions" from the car with camera in a Gator shoulder bag (designed for an audio mixer - very light and manageable - also holds dark cloth), tripod (in a bag with shoulder strap), lens kit (medium sized camera bag) with lens, meter, loupe, and other "Ancillary Adams" (as I like to say practically any chance I get...), and a film holder or two at a time.

So this is a decently manageable load from parking to photo site. Set up and tear down are fast. After shooting, it's back to the car to drop off and replenish.

Not a good setup, however, for hiking per se. Working on a setup with a older large Tenba backpack for that...

It's that for hikes, or go with the Tachihara 4x5, which fits easily with everything but tripod into a single shoulder bag.

So still a work in progress, but it's getting there...

Not bad for a guy with four fused lumbar vertebrae!

Oh yes I forgot about the Ritter camera, that's also a very light one!

[marcookie]

Well, welcome to the wonderful world of 8x10. It can be quite a rewarding journey. But there are all kinds of ways you could cut redundant weight from that kit without sacrificing functionality. Yet at the same time, you need to address stability. As usual, I take one look at that ballhead and scratch my head. A good tripod that allegedly supports forty pounds is nearly worthless with a little twiggy stem like that between the tripod head and an 8x10 camera bed. I have a similar CF tripod and bolt the camera directly to the top
platform. Try that, though it will require a minor modification adding a turn knob below the tripod top. Then there's all that redundant padding weight around holders and within the pack itself that could be replaced by simple bubble wrap or elementary fomecore board dividers. But your lens choices are excellent, though that 120 is an odd duck for 8x10 use (I've had one of those too). Have fun!

The Arca swiss ball head is also rated for 40 lbs, and in fact I had no problems with vibrations. But I think it's pretty limited when it comes to framing the shot. The camera just flies around when the little ball head is loosened. Something like the arca swiss D4m would be much better. I also agree totally about the 120 mm lens. It looks wildly wide (which may be good), and it is barely usable. Also, mine seems to have problem in one corner: the top right corner is typically low in contrast. Go figure.

In any case a lot of fun.

[marcookie]

8x10 Deardorff in a Tamrac X-Pack (21cm Schneider Angulon fits in outer pocket.)
Cooke Convertible Series XVa 311mm f6.8 in a small padded bag attached to film holder case that holds 6 8x10 holders (Toyo)
Gitzo G1325 tripod with 1570m head.

Full featured camera. 4 focal lengths and 12 shots.

Ooh convertible lenses. That sounds like the best use of weight/space. The Cooke looks a bit long for the intrepid though: the bellows is already struggling to deal with the 450 mm Fujinon.

[Drew Wiley]

You've already got some of the very best lens options. The total weight of the three Fuji's is remarkably little; and they are optically stellar. If you go with a convertible lens, you have to fiddle with the elements in the field, likely will have a heavy no.3 shutter, and probably won't save any weight overall. Then you have to find a way to transport all the separate elements undamaged, which traditionally involves a heavy box. Plus if something goes wrong with that particular shutter, there go all your eggs in one basket. I happen to shoot one of the very first Phillips 8x10s. I made a few minor modifications to it, and it still functions like new after all these years. Nearly all these new ultralight field cameras are inspired by the slightly later Phillips 2 design. The Chamonix 8x10 looks like a competent successor, as well as the Ritter.