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View Full Version : Yikes! 4x5 field over 10 lbs !



Ash
12-Apr-2007, 09:39
I just weighed my 4x5 field camera - 10.4lb's!!

That's 4.7kg for the camera+lens, and nothing else. It weighs exactly the same as the solid-wood surveyor's tripod. I wondered why I was getting tired out each time I carry it from my bedroom into the garden - now I know!! over 20lb's for camera and tripod. I'm glad I go to the gym!

I haven't weighed the Calumet monorail yet.

Kevin Crisp
12-Apr-2007, 10:01
Well, for an 8X10, that's on the light side. Look at it that way.

Nick_3536
12-Apr-2007, 10:02
Camera and lens is only 10.4?? What's wrong with that? -)

Ash
12-Apr-2007, 10:12
It's a 4x5....

well... half plate/5x7 with a 4x5 back


still, I wouldn't mind a camera half that weight :D

Scott Davis
12-Apr-2007, 10:12
That sounds pretty normal for an 8x10 setup. I figure between camera, tripod, lenses and film holders, I'm hauling 35 lbs. 40 on the outside. I learned quickly and got myself a rolling luggage cart. Then I only have to carry the tripod separately. Everything else fits in two soft-sided beverage coolers.

Ash
12-Apr-2007, 10:13
It's not an 8x10!! :eek:

Alan Rabe
12-Apr-2007, 10:45
And it will only get heavier as time goes by. :D

Robert Hughes
12-Apr-2007, 11:02
Some day you'll be so old you won't be able to carry a conversation.

Kevin Crisp
12-Apr-2007, 11:09
Then look on the bright side. When you decide to move up to 5X7 you can cut weight. Not many people can say that.

MIke Sherck
12-Apr-2007, 11:11
My Wehman 8x10, with two lenses, holders, tripod, etc. weighs right around 25 lbs and I consider that pretty good for 8x10. I got used to the weight from years of hauling a B&J 5x7 (about 8 lbs) or a Calumet cc400 (about 8 1/2 lbs.) The extra 1 lb. for the Wehman doesn't seem to make much difference to me and its a lot more compact.

I've stopped carrying everything in shoulder bags, though. I found a cheap backpack at K-mart into which everything fits and it's much easier now. Easily justifies the $20 I spent on it.

Mike

Scott --
12-Apr-2007, 11:16
Ah, but Ash is a pup - only 19. Won't start dying piece-by-piece until 30. Twenty-plus pounds should be nuttin'... :p

eric black
12-Apr-2007, 11:24
If it doesnt kill you, it'll make you stronger. Or so I hear.... At 42 my 40 lb pack seems to be getting heavier and photo ops near the car keep looking better and better.

Ash
12-Apr-2007, 11:27
Well the trips to the gym are getting me stronger. 12kg per bicep is only the beginning. By the time I'm 25 I should be lifting a studio on each arm easy :D

Nick_3536
12-Apr-2007, 11:30
You might want to deadlift and squat instead. A lot more useful then a curl :p

Ash
12-Apr-2007, 11:32
there's a bunch of weight-training machines, so I use the lat-pulldown and back muscle exercise ones. Hopefully my back won't give up anytime soon. I'll definitely need to start squats though. :D

GPS
12-Apr-2007, 11:50
Get Arca Swiss. You camera will be much lighter - and so will your purse.

Ash
12-Apr-2007, 12:04
A lightweight modern camera?? I would if I had any money in my wallet! :eek: :D

SAShruby
12-Apr-2007, 12:10
Does anybody know where I can hire assistant for free? :D

Mine gear weights well over 50LB. (8x20)

Cheers,

Struan Gray
12-Apr-2007, 12:36
20-30 lbs is no big deal at 19, *if* you carry it regularly and *if* you carry it using a decent suspension system. Do both and you will genuinely forget that you're carrying anything.

Well, maybe not the tripod.

GPS
12-Apr-2007, 12:49
A lightweight modern camera?? I would if I had any money in my wallet! :eek: :D

OK. Go digital - stitch!

Ash
12-Apr-2007, 12:55
Nah I have to stitch to scan 4x5 negs, well until I have my darkroom sorted - the beseler is begging for use.

As for the weight. I agree. Once it's packed in my backpack it's fine. there's padded shoulders and a waist clip too. I look like a berk but it reduces neck-ache and strain

Scott --
12-Apr-2007, 13:03
What's a "berk"?

Ash
12-Apr-2007, 13:20
I'd like to thank whichever mod changed the thread title for me :D

A berk is a phrase I picked up from a uni friend, basically a funny idiot or loser. Usually you would call a friend a berk when they do something embarrassing. A term of endearment and p*ss taking, nothing malicious.

Scott --
12-Apr-2007, 13:25
Interesting. I live in Berks county. :p

Walter Calahan
12-Apr-2007, 13:34
Add some weight it you don't like it.

I use a jogging stroller to push my 8x10 gear.

Bruce Watson
12-Apr-2007, 14:12
I just weighed my 4x5 field camera - 10.4lb's!!

That's 4.7kg for the camera+lens, and nothing else. It weighs exactly the same as the solid-wood surveyor's tripod. I wondered why I was getting tired out each time I carry it from my bedroom into the garden - now I know!! over 20lb's for camera and tripod. I'm glad I go to the gym!

I haven't weighed the Calumet monorail yet.

Now you know why I'm using a Toho FC-45X and a carbon fiber tripod. Perhaps 1/3 the weight. Maybe less. And I still gripe about the weight of my pack!

Ash
12-Apr-2007, 14:17
Yea I was complaining about the weight of my old metal rangefinder cameras. Now they feel like a feather.

erie patsellis
12-Apr-2007, 16:11
Ash,
you need to spend a day lugging an old C1, a 5 series gitzo and a dozen filmholders, makes any 4x5 seem light after a day of hiking....


erie

David A. Goldfarb
12-Apr-2007, 17:06
Good heavens. My Tech V is about 6.5 lbs. without lens, and that's heavy for a 4x5". My 8x10" Gowland PocketView is about 8 lbs without lens. When I'm carrying the full kit--4x5" or 8x10", it's on the order of 35 lbs. with tripod.

Glenn Thoreson
12-Apr-2007, 17:23
The more reason to get a new bellows for my 4X5 Premo B. Camera and lens/shutter = 36 ounces. Not a technical camera, by any stretch of the imgination, but I don't care. It's fun and super light.

riooso
12-Apr-2007, 19:48
Ash, Ash, Ash !
My 4x5 Toyo is 4.5 pounds and with three lenses and all the lightweight gear I can muster the total camera is 18 pounds. That is pretty good, yes. Well lets see the last time I went on a 4 day hike I had a 37 pound pack and 18 pounds of camera for a total of 55 pounds! I hiked up 1200, down 800, up 500 and back down 1300 feet in 4.5 miles. I am 55 years old a week ago and do go to the gymn but it is still hard. You need to toughen up my lad. Oh to have that kind of youth again! You know you can't leave it behind. OH-OH I know take a nice light digital or a 35mm, that will make you happy :p

Take care,
Richard

Brian C. Miller
12-Apr-2007, 21:42
Graflex Super Graphic with lens and quick release: 5 pounds, 12 ounces.

When I was 17 and in Army basic training, I did push-ups with full two packs. And when the seargant told us to go down and hold it, I did! (true!)

Come on, Ash, build up those muscles!

Struan Gray
12-Apr-2007, 23:21
When I were a lad.....

Dean Jones
13-Apr-2007, 02:17
Ash, you could do one of many things......drill suitable sized holes in every section of the camera until the desired weight is achieved, or go capture a few woodworm and place them in a sealed box with the camera for a while. Weight will surely come down.
Another alternative would be to attach helium filled balloons to the camera, they will assist you in the transportation.

If this doesn't help, find an out of work roadie. :p

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~razzle/

Ash
13-Apr-2007, 03:13
I was thinking of buying a petrol-powered RC car. Take the chassy and place a shopping basket on top. All I need is batteries and petrol :D

scott_6029
13-Apr-2007, 08:20
Well, if you do ready load vs. filmholders you will probably come out even with some of us in terms of total weight! Look at it that way :)/

Toyon
13-Apr-2007, 09:20
Start working out with some dumbbells, the load will miraculously lighten!

Alan Davenport
13-Apr-2007, 10:02
It's a 4x5.... well... half plate/5x7 with a 4x5 back
still, I wouldn't mind a camera half that weight :D

If you get an actual 4x5 wooden field camera, it will be half that weight. :cool:

Have you weighed the monorail? My Calumet monorail is in that same 10 to 11 pound range. :eek: It's why I bought the Tachihara.

Ash
13-Apr-2007, 10:20
The Calumet will be on the scales tonight probably.

I'm hoping to sort restoring a Korona 4x5 or something like that - I'm praying it will be lighter!!