K.B. Canham Users - 4x5/5x7 Wood Camera

[Salmo22]

I'm considering adding a Canham 4x5/5x7 wood camera to my quiver. I have a couple of questions:

Q1 - I've generally understood that this is a modular camera that can accommodate either 5x7 or a 4x5 backs. However, there is a statement on Canham's website that perplexes my simple mind. It says; "All specs are the same for both the 4x5 and the 5x7 EXCEPT the dimensions of the 5x7 are 9.5" x 10.375" x 4.125" which equals 241.3 mm x 263.53 mm x 104.775 mm". What is this "EXCEPT" statement clarifying? Aren't the dimensions the same regardless of whether the 4x5 or 5x7 back is being used? If there are truly different dimensions, depending on the back being used, why aren't they listed for both the 4x5 and 5x7 scenarios? Please feel free to conk me on the head (i.e. coconut) with the obvious answer that is currently eluding me.

Q2 - Canham's website indicates their 4x5/5x7 wood camera uses 110mm lensboards. Does this mean it would accept an Arca-Swiss 110x110 lensboard?

Thank you.

My dimensional uncertainty notwithstanding, looks like a terrific camera.

[Mark Sampson]

I do believe that Mr. Canham builds his cameras in your neighborhood. Why don't you ask him directly? You might even be able to visit his shop.

[Oren Grad]

What Mark said - Keith Canham has a reputation for being very responsive. In the meantime:

Q1: IIRC the 5x7 dimensions are the right ones as the 4x5 back is a reducing back.
Q2: The Canham 110mm boards are similar to Toyo field boards, but a bit thicker - you can use Toyo boards on a Canham, but not the other way. The Arca boards are a different shape and aren't compatible with Toyo/Canham.

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

My 4x5 reducing back is slightly thicker (more offset from the body of the camera) than the 5x7 back. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221009/a70074853235c4b87b12e32dc8e3641a.jpg
I have had my Canham for more than 20 years and my use of it seems second nature, but it is worth playing with the camera for a few days before buying because it is not for everyone. I know that some people find it fiddly.

[Oren Grad]

I have had my Canham for more than 20 years and my use of it seems second nature, but it is worth playing with the camera for a few days before buying because its is not for everyone. I know that some people find it fiddly.

I had a 5x12 wooden Canham for a while, same basic design as the 4x5/5x7. It was beautifully made, but I indeed found it too fiddly for my taste. Not a question of good vs bad, just a matter of finding what suits you.

[jprofita]

I am on a 3 week trip shooting 4x10, 5x7, and 4x5 with the same camera. I would agree with other posters that it can be less than intuitive but it is beautifully made and predictable. I have been to Keith’s shop where I found him dedicated to the craft and helpful with my purchase. I have had the camera for about 6 years.

[djdister]

I've had both the wood and the metal (MQC) cameras from Mr. Canham, and I prefer the metal version. Keith is a straight-up guy.

[Salmo22]

I appreciate the kind replies. I've reached out to Mr. Canham, as suggested, and will report back on his response.

[many]

I have a Canham.
I find Keith Canham very responsive. I am sure he will promptly satisfy all your questions.

[Salmo22]

Mr. Canham responded quickly this morning. For those interested, here are his responses:

The wooden 4x5 camera, the T645, sells for $3275.00. The 5x7 back is $570.00. Neither the 4x5 or 5x7 come with a Fresnel Screen. The 5x7 can have a Fresnel included for an additional $250.00. I have one 4x5 Fresnel left and it would add $175.00 to the cost of the camera. (When it is gone, I will no longer be able to offer a 4x5 Fresnel) The 4x5 ground glass protector sells for $30.00 and the 5x7 for $37.00. We no longer make the compendium lens shade. The 110 Arca board is not the board we use on our cameras. I understand that there are people using this board, but I have no experience with this. We could manufacture a custom front standard to accept the 110mm Arca board. The estimate for this is $850.00 with a lead time of 3-5 months.

All questions were completely answered. Now I just need to make a decision?

[Fred L]

totally agree on initial ux, it's not like your traditional triple bed controls. I had to get used to the different swing, shift, and bed locks, but they're second nature (more or less haha) now. I'm getting out of 4x5 so haven't used my Zone VI 4x5 since acquiring the Canham 5x7 (and the reducing back).

[Gudmundur Ingolfsson]

I have had the wooden Canham since 35 years. Mine was a special order with the front accepting Linhof Technika lensboards. There was a slight problem with the Linhof front, but Keith Canham took care of that. I like the camera very much. It is easy to operate once you have lerned to fold and unfold it. It is very light compared to other 5x7” cameras but still very ridgid. Mr. Canham has also taken very good care of our film needs by offering many Kodak films in ordering pools. Top service !

[djdister]

I've had the Canham 5x7 metal (MQC) with extra 4x5 back and the Canham 617 motorized back for years now -- it's my own Swiss Army camera...
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[Scott Davis]

Another very satisfied Canham owner here- I have four of them (technically three chassis, but both 5x7 and 5x12 rear standards/bellows sets) - 5x7, 5x12, 8x10 and 14x17. I get how some find them fiddly - the controls are not AS intuitive as a Deardorff. But once you're used to them, they're quite natural. And I'll put in another story about Keith's five-star customer service. I bought my 5x7 used. It's an early model, with a two-digit serial number (570xx). When I bought it, it still had the original back on it. I was probably the third or fourth owner of the camera. I was testing it out and the flange around the back split. Keith drop-shipped me a new back under warranty.

Every time I've called, I've spoken directly with Keith, and he has been very helpful and friendly about any question or issue I might have. He got my front standard on my 5x7 switched from a Linhof to a Toyo standard because I had a lens I wanted to use that wouldn't fit on a Linhof board. I called him on a Wednesday about it - he had the part in my hands by Saturday, even though he was going on vacation on that Thursday.

And his cameras are quite robust - I've taken my 5x7/5x12 with me to California, Argentina, Michigan and Pennsylvania. It will go with me next year to Mexico. I can't say enough good about his cameras.

[Joseph Kashi]

I concur with the positive comments about Keith Canham's excellent customer service and direct interactions. I bought a 5x7 metal MQC camera plus 4x5 reducing back and have had a very good experience with both the products and their maker. The metal MQC is a great 5x7 metal field camera, one of the few of recent manufacture. Unfortunately, Keith related that the cost of CNC-machining parts for this camera had risen so much that the camera was no longer practical to make and market - I'm just glad that I was able to get an MQC 57 and spare 4x5 reducing back in 2021 while the parts inventory lasted.

[jdurr]

Hi Jeffrey,
I have owned several Canham LF cameras. Keith make very sturdy well designed cameras. He is an engineer and you can tell from his design. Yes, it takes a little learning curve, but after a day or two it will be easy.
If you get the woody, with both backs(4x5 & 5x7) you will have two cameras in one!
Light and easy to pack.

You will not regret it!

I have attached photos of my current Canham 4x5.

J Durr

231961231962

[newtorf]

Bought a 12x20 second hand and had a few questions. Keith has been very responsive on my questions and always replied quickly with accurate info. His customer service is top notch! The operation of his camera is different from my Chamonix, but not difficult to handle at all. Look forward to taking the camera to field soon!

[Michael Kadillak]

Knowing that Keith and his exemplary customer service is behind his products is a wonderful thing and as a result I use my three wooden Canham Cameras (8x20, 8x10 and 5x7/4x5) consistently throughout the year. After a short time as has been mentioned several times, the controls are second nature in the field. I rub a little past wax on it a couple of times a year including the gears and it keeps it shiny and functional. Bravo!