To all Linhof Kardan GT 8x10 owners

[NormaN]

To all Linhof Kardan GT 8x10 owners:

Do you use the camera in the field?
How do you pack up?
Are the approx. 7 kg basis weight "unbearable"?

regards
NormaN

[Vaidotas]

It’s definitelly worth to try.
I had made some trips for using my hevier Linhof Color Kardan 18x24 for shooting outdoors with Linhof tripod (that jumbo one).
Dedicated Linhof koffer in a car trunk.
With a longest trip with camera on tripod on my shoulder few hundred meters from my car.
My biggest concern is not a weight but totally shot bellows, I’m wrapping them few times with cloth.

[David Lindquist]

Regarding whether or not the weight is bearable in the field, perhaps owners of the Calumet C-1 could contribute an opinion. The magnesium version weighs about 6.4 kg, the aluminum one about 8.2 kg. Of course this is without a lens... Or tripod...

Both Brett and Cole Weston toted the C-1 in the field.

David

[Greg]

Definitely not "unbearable" for carrying it over short distances. Once owned one and I would use it up to a few hundred feet from my VW Beetle. Initially the 8x10 Kardan was stored and carried in a rather large Adapt-A-Case, but proved to be just too bulky to "easily" (I use that term loosely) carry the camera in its case. Eventually I sold it for almost double the price of an 8x10 Sinar Norma that I acquired.

[NormaN]

Thank you all for your suggestions and input. I have now gone in a completely different direction:

Eastman Commercial Model B
Weight without extension about 11 pounds (so lighter than my Linhof 5x7 V).

Why didn't I hear about this camera earlier?

It is on its way to me....


NormaN

227399

[linhofbiker]

I intend to use my 4x10 Linhof Kardan TL, a 4x5 version with Chinese back standard for 4x10, in the field on the 25+lb large Linhof tripod from the 1960's.
Plan to build a golf/beach buggy to carry the 40+lb load.

[Vaughn]

Thank you all for your suggestions and input. I have now gone in a completely different direction: Eastman Commercial Model B
...
NormaN

Cool! And I like the configuration...part of which is the option of keeping the lens on it when packing it up..

The other metal camera that Kodak made is the Master 8x10. More of the camera-in-its-own-box type.

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/kodak/masterview.html

[Mark Sampson]

The Commercial View is a fine camera; essentially a magnesium version of the famous 2-D. I expect that you'll enjoy using it.
As Vaughn mentions, Kodak's Master View is another excellent camera. Sometimes called 'the metal Deardorff', it seems to be currently in vogue.
I've used both of them (and wish I still had my Master View).

I'll suggest that a key to using any view camera (8x10 or not) in the field is assembling a comfortable kit for carrying all the extra gear. But I'm sure you'll figure that out!