Advice Chamonix vs. Gibellini on 8x10

[JayJayOkocha]

I am interested in either buying a Chamonix V8x10 (http://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/cameras/810v) or a Gibellini (https://www.gibellinicamera.com/product/acn810/). Would someone help me out in finding the differences and with answering some of my questions (below)?

Chamonix:
- Carbon fiber and wood with a weight of 4.3kg
- Bellows 95 to 650 mm
- Front Rise/Fall of 105mm
- Front Shift 50 mm to each side
- Rear Shift 0 mm
- Rear Swing 10 mm to each side
- Rear Tilt backwards 10 mm, front limited by bellows

Gibellini:
- Full Aluminum Camera with a weight of 3.8 kg
- Bellows 30 to 580 mm
- Front Rise/Fall + 65 / -55 mm
- Front Shift 45 mm
- Rear Shift 45 mm
- Rear Swing 45 deg
- Rear Tilt - 20 / + 90 deg

Gibellinis shorter min Bellows extensions of 30mm means it would be better for wide angle lenses?
Chamonix's longer max Bellows extension of 650mm means it would be better for tele photo lenses?
Is Chamonix's Front Rise/Fall really 105mm? To me it doesn't look almost twice as much than that of Gibellini?

Also if anyone has any of those two cameras I would be happy about any advice.
Right now I own a Chamonix F2 and am very happy with it.

[Peter De Smidt]

There's been quite a lot of discussion regarding these cameras/companies here. A search should bring up some helpful info.

[Ari]

Unless you live in Italy and can afford the time and expense of shipping your camera back and forth to Gibellini for repair/adjustment, it is a camera to be avoided.
Search the forum for Gibellini for feedback, reviews and other stuff.

Chamonix has a well-deserved reputation as an excellent camera maker and the US rep, Hugo, is a member of this forum.

I don't presently own either camera, but I've been through the Gibellini ordeal.

[sperdynamite]

Avoid Gibellini like the plague. I purchased an 8x10 camera from them plus 5 of their holders. I've experienced light leaks that have required 2 trips from the USA to Italy, which they don't reiumburse me for. Time at the factory takes weeks and weeks. I have recently purchased a Chamonix because I'm not sure if Gibellini will ever provide a working camera to me and I need to make pictures.

I've heard horror stories from people on and off this forum about them since my purchase. They are building up a terrible reputation.

[cuypers1807]

Love my Chamonix cameras. (045N-2, 8x10, 11x14) Can't say enough good things about them and the company (especially Hugo).
No experience with Gibellini.

[agregov]

I've had a great experience working with Hugo for several Chamonix purchases.

[Fred L]

Unless I'm missing something, I can't see how a 30mm min bellows is useful for 8x10. even with a 4x5 reducing back, I can't see how it works.

[JayJayOkocha]

Thanks to all of you for the advice. I will upgrade to a Chamonix then

[Greg Y]

Another happy (multiple) Chamonix user & a tip of the hat to Hugo, for first class customer service.

[Andrew Plume]

Jay Jay

Hi,

Rightly, you've decided on the Chamonix

Anyhow, I've never owned either of these BUT Gibellini do tend to bang on about their Products and Ari is a very experienced 8 x 10 Format expert, so if he says what he has and there's been plenty of comment in the past (from him), it's pretty well a fait accompli

Good luck and regards

Andrew

[Two23]

I'll also mention I've had good luck getting parts for my Chamonix 4x5, and Hugo was excellent help.


Kent in SD

[rorye]

I've got an early model cherry Gibellini and I like it a lot, it's very solid. My friend has a new Gibellini 4"x5" and he loves it.
I have no experience with Chaminox but I hear they are great cameras.

[sperdynamite]

Wrong thread pls delete

[Ari]

Thank you, Andrew, though I'd hardly call myself an expert in 8x10.
An expert in throwing away money, yes, I'll wear that hat. So if I can caution others, great.

[Alan Gales]

An expert in throwing away money, yes, I'll wear that hat.


Shhhhh, Ari. Your wife might hear! ;)

We all waste money on gear at one time or another. I figure it's a lot less money than what our wives spend on products. I barely have room in the shower for a bottle of shampoo and a bar of soap. There are shampoos, conditioners, conditioners that preserve dyed hair, face wash, body wash, foot butter, etcetera etcetera, etcetera.

P.S. Don't try to butter your toast with the foot butter. It tastes as bad as developer!

[angusparker]

Another +1 vote for Chamonix, I’ve got the 14x17, 8x10 and 4x5 versions. All are excellent. Customer service as mentioned before is top notch. Price is competitive. I’d give a pass on the Chamonix holders in 8x10, too expensive, and get new Toyo ones.

[Ari]

Just wanted to add one more note, lest anyone think I have an axe to grind wrt Gibellini:

No doubt Alessandro has some happy customers, I personally think they're the lucky ones.
After experiencing his service and the company's way of doing business, it seemed all very slap-dash and haphazard, with no one really listening to customers.
I try not to focus on my own experience only, but the larger attitude at Gibellini. They turn out some very good-looking cameras, but don't seem to be able to deal well with the problems they create through a lack of research and basic understanding of the average large-format user.

[PhillyPete]

I have a Gibellini 4x5 and Chamonix in 4x5 and 8x10. The Chamonix cameras have been an amazing value and performance is excellent. In terms of customer service, I wish all companies were as good as Chamonix, I consider them to be the best in the biz. My experience with Gibellini has been on par with the other comments here, I regret buying it and wish that were not the case. Like others, I have light leaks, terrible bellows with lots of pinholes and as pretty as the camera is to look at, it is a PITA to use. It's all show and no go.

Get the Chamonix and consider it money very well spent and enjoy it!

[John Layton]

there is a whole lot more to designing and building a camera that actually works correctly than merely making one that looks sexy.