View Full Version : Chamonix 45n-2 arrived!
For those of you who are still waiting, some pics to kill the time... :-)
Teak and light gray metal
http://rexmundi.nl/photo/_DSC4879_sm.jpg
Mechanism for back swing completely re-designed. Both rear extension rails slide on tracks. This makes extending the rear of the camera without accidentally introducing back swing much easier.
http://rexmundi.nl/photo/_DSC4892_sm.jpg
Back swing is engaged by loosening two levers on the rear standard. For minor rear swing adjustments, you can use just the levers. For further swing adjustments the rear extension rails need be loosened too (they remain absolutely parallel though because of the tracks).
http://rexmundi.nl/photo/_DSC4900_sm.jpg
[ more pics in next post... ]
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Focusing on the 45n-2 is aided by a ball bearing mechanism. My first impression is that focusing is indeed smoother now and a little bit more precise. My previous Chamonix (a 45n-1) developed some slack in the focusing mechanism after a while, nothing serious though. The new one definitely feels more solid.
http://rexmundi.nl/photo/_DSC4905_sm.jpg
Left rear lever for back swing.
http://rexmundi.nl/photo/_DSC4911_sm.jpg
The ground glass is topped by a fresnel lens, which in its turn is covered by a protecting piece of what looks like clear glass. The reflections coming off the protective glass are a bit too much to my liking. Under the dark cloth they are gone. The image on the ground glass seems a bit less bright than on the 45n-1, but I may be mistaken about that. I can see some Newton ring-like spots where the fresnel touches the upper glass, depending on how tight the protective glass is clamped against the fresnel. Nothing unsettling in my opinion, however.
http://rexmundi.nl/photo/_DSC4920_sm.jpg
[ more pics in next post... ]
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View from the side, not much different from the previous version. The new camera weighs only a fraction more than the n-1. It is still extremely light.
http://rexmundi.nl/photo/_DSC4880_sm.jpg
Front side.
http://rexmundi.nl/photo/_DSC4884_sm.jpg
45n-2 with a modern Rodenstock 210mm lens instead of the old Hermagis, carbon fiber Chamonix lens board and folding viewer.
http://rexmundi.nl/photo/_DSC4921_sm.jpg
My first overall conclusion (after one outing yesterday): definitely an improvement! What I like most is the re-designed back swing arrangement. If you are in for a new Chamonix 4x5", or have some money to burn, this alone is worth getting the 45n-2 over the n-1. I also found that a variety of Linhof type lens boards now fit easier. I am not overly happy with the added reflections because of the glass protective cover in the improved ground glass arrangement. I never had a focusing issue with my previous 4x5" Chamonix to begin with. These reflections are not a big deal to me, though.
All in all, I am a happy camper!
Cheers, Maurits
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David de Gruyl
6-Apr-2010, 07:36
Beautiful.
Not to get hung up on gear, but what tripod head is that?
...but what tripod head is that?
Thx David! A Gitzo G 1275M ball head. Not too great for LF, but it is the only one I have...
Cheers, Maurits
JON BUTLER
6-Apr-2010, 08:10
Got my one last Thursday, the n1 is a great tool but the n2 is an improvement.
Out with the new one yesterday put 12 sheets and a roll of 120 through it, a pleasure
to use.
JON
Daniel Stone
6-Apr-2010, 08:14
pricing?
Eric James
6-Apr-2010, 08:17
pricing?
$860 plus $65 for shipping:
http://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/45.html
ghostrider
6-Apr-2010, 08:52
Mine just came yesterday afternoon and I'm pretty impressed so far. :)
bastard! how did you get yours before mine? we ordered them together! i need to go live in the Netherlands!
customs has had it since the 3rd.....and what does this mean:
" Inbound Out of Customs, April 05, 2010, 9:11 pm"
coffee anyone?
Logic108
6-Apr-2010, 09:37
Did you pay for it through the ebay shop 'viewcamera-cn'? I'm just wondering because I placed an order but didn't get the shipping quote and therefore can't complete the transaction. Is this the right ebay shop or is there another way to pay?
Also what 120 back are people using on the Chamonix? It has a universal back right?
Mark Woods
6-Apr-2010, 09:53
I have an 11x14 on order with Hugo. I'm hoping it'll have the same improvements. Whaoo!
Alex Wei
6-Apr-2010, 09:57
bastard! how did you get yours before mine? we ordered them together! i need to go live in the Netherlands!
customs has had it since the 3rd.....and what does this mean:
" Inbound Out of Customs, April 05, 2010, 9:11 pm"
coffee anyone?
Maybe the sniffing dog is sick or what else did you put in that box with your order, Eddie?
Maurits, your picture of the Chamonix is much better than those on the official website. Beautiful!
JON BUTLER
6-Apr-2010, 10:01
Not from the ebay shop but direct from Hugo at Chamonix, yes it has a universal back.
Eddie, customs?????
JON.
lilmsmaggie
6-Apr-2010, 10:13
My Teak & Gray 45n-2 arrived last Thursday ;-)
I have an 11x14 on order with Hugo. I'm hoping it'll have the same improvements. Whaoo!
contact Hugo Zhang here on this site. #1 guy for chamonix stuff. i bought 4 from him already! maybe i will get an 1114 some day....:)
Maybe the sniffing dog is sick or what else did you put in that box with your order, Eddie?
Maurits, your picture of the Chamonix is much better than those on the official website. Beautiful!
i sure hope the dog does not eat the brownies!
great photos maurits....maybe you can be the official photographer for chamonix!
Not from the ebay shop but direct from Hugo at Chamonix yes it has a universal back.
Eddie, customs?????
JON.
they better stop playing with my camera at customs....and they better not eat my brownies either!
Did you pay for it through the ebay shop 'viewcamera-cn'?
No, I bought it through Hugo Zhang (see above). It took only 4 days to arrive in Amsterdam. You can't do much better than that...
Maurits, your picture of the Chamonix is much better than those on the official website. Beautiful!
great photos maurits....maybe you can be the official photographer for chamonix!
Thanks! Does this mean I can go to China? :)
they better stop playing with my camera at customs....and they better not eat my brownies either!
You should have stayed longer in NL, Eddie... you could have taken the camera with you back to NY. I am sure there was room in your bags for something extra (once the brownies were tossed).
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stevebrot
6-Apr-2010, 21:36
Mine came on April 3, but I was unable to pick it up at the post office until yesterday. I ordered teak with light gray hardware, but they shipped the black hardware version. Still though, it looks pretty nice. Here is a little camera porn:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2786/4498622848_8e8fe88ee1_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/28796087@N02/4498622848/)
Steve
stevebrot
6-Apr-2010, 22:01
...Also what 120 back are people using on the Chamonix? It has a universal back right?
The 045N-2 has a "standard" Graflok-type back. It will accept standard 4x5 film holders as well as 120 roll film holders (RFH) made to either fit the Graflok back or slide under the ground glass in the manner as a cut film holder. I am new to LF and just took delivery of my 045N-2 yesterday. One of my objectives was to use 120 roll film with the camera in addition to 4x5 sheets. I did a lot of research into the various options and finally bought both a Linhof Super Rollex 6x7 and a Toyo 67/45 used from KEH. The Toyo was of particular interest to me since the intended usage is under the ground glass like a cut film holder.
Here is what I have learned:
The ground glass on the 045N-2 has inadequate "stand-off" to allow insertion of the Toyo 67/45. This RFH may only be used mounted on to the back with the ground glass removed.
The Linhof Super Rollex 6x7 is very well made and like the Toyo must be mounted to the Graflok back with the ground glass removed
The ground glass is a little tricky to remove (requires three hands), but easy to mount
I am going to return the Toyo unit. It is bulky and without the "slip in" feature on the 045N-2, it is not worth the premium price these go for used. As for other options, here is a list with my comments:
Calumet C2/C2N -- Designed to slip in like a cut film holder, though there is a general concern about film flatness due to the abrupt bend in the film path
Horseman, Graflex (lever type), Wista, Arca-Swiss -- Designed to be mounted on the Graflok back with the ground glass removed. All appear to be well made and a good value used.
Chinese Multi-format back -- found on eBay and at Midwest Photo Exchange (as Shen Hao). Reviews are mixed...what can I say.
Steve
jack_hui
6-Apr-2010, 22:44
what a handsome camera!!!!
Calumet C2/C2N -- Designed to slip in like a cut film holder, though there is a general concern about film flatness due to the abrupt bend in the film path
Steve
Sorry, but your remark about the Calumet RF holder is not correct. The abrupt bend in the film path of this film holder is present only after the exposure frame. Therefore all the film before you expose it and during the exposure comes strait from the pool, with no bend on it.
These RF holders were used by generations of professional photographers in studio cameras as they were the most used ones allowing the insertion of roll films under gg back like a normal sheet film holder.
You should have stayed longer in NL, Eddie... you could have taken the camera with you back to NY. I am sure there was room in your bags for something extra (once the brownies were tossed).
.
i am going to come live in NL, i think....right next door to you. be warned!
looks like mine is getting closer.
Processed through Sort Facility, April 07, 2010, 12:24 am, NEWBURGH, NY 12555
newburgh is only 20 miles away....i hope the driver found his way north in the wee hours of the morning. ....now i will have to wait for the PO to open....so much for getting to work early!
eddie
stevebrot
7-Apr-2010, 09:48
Sorry, but your remark about the Calumet RF holder is not correct. The abrupt bend in the film path of this film holder is present only after the exposure frame. Therefore all the film before you expose it and during the exposure comes strait from the pool, with no bend on it.
These RF holders were used by generations of professional photographers in studio cameras as they were the most used ones allowing the insertion of roll films under gg back like a normal sheet film holder.
Thanks for the clarification. What you say makes sense. I may yet try the Calumet RFH.
Steve
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