Gandolfi 8x10 Mahogany 1972

[Paul Schilliger]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 1972 Gandolfi Mahogany / Brass finish with 5 x7 adapter. The price is not yet fixed but should be a little more than a new Ta chiara 8x10. The problem I can see so far is that the shortest lens this camera takes is a 150 mm. The Tachiara can take a 90 and would allow me to use a 110 XL on 5x7 films. In the other hand, the Tachi has maximum bellows of 550 and the G andolfi has 650. I am more interested in nice pictures than in nice cameras, alt hough having both is quite acceptable! Any thought that would help me make my ch oice is welcome!

[Sean Billy Bob Boy yates]

PAUL!!! JUMP on that critter like a BIG DOG!!!

Man, them's NICE cameras.

Seriously, they have limited rear moves, they give rear swing & tilt sortta like a Linhoff Tech. The have base tilt of course, but anything else is kinda funky. Also the front moves are kinda limited shift is executed on the lens board, etc.

If practicallity is your primary criteria, the Tachi may be better. However, it's difficult if not impossible to get the quality of finish, construction, materials, etc. of a Gandolfi at less than Deardorff prices.

[Sean Billy Bob Boy yates]

Paul, I should have asked, is that the triple extensin Tachi or the double? Is the Gandolfi an 8 X 10 or a 5 X 7.

[Paul Schilliger]

Thanks Sean. The Tachy I mentioned was the double. Gandolfi is a 8x10 with reduc ing back.