PDA

View Full Version : New 12x20 options


Joe Forks
21-Oct-2010, 14:44
Ritter, Chamonix, and Canham? Any others?

Canham is super nice, but a little more money.

Ritter has the weight thing down.

Chamonix is looking very good to me.

Any comments about the above or something I'm missing?

Best
Joe
davidjohnlotto
21-Oct-2010, 15:09
I have a 12x20 wisner for sale ...perfect condition.
cdholden
21-Oct-2010, 15:47
An old Folmer & Schwing would be much less costly than the ones you mention, but does not have all the features either. It's still a respectable, rock solid design to consider... on the rare occasion you find one available.
It's much more stable than the Korona model.
Oren Grad
21-Oct-2010, 21:35
You missed Lotus and Ebony - both very pricey. FWIW, Quality Camera has a second-hand Lotus 12x20 outfit listed on its website, though it's still far from cheap.
Don7x17
21-Oct-2010, 22:08
And don't forget that there are a few Deardorff 12x20's that show up...at a price that may make Canhams look attractive (collectors)
Joe Forks
22-Oct-2010, 06:46
I think a F&S might work great for my needs. How much bellows does the F&S have? I don't need a bunch.
Bruce Barlow
22-Oct-2010, 06:52
Mr. Ritter's 12x20 weighs 14 pounds, roughly. Bellows draw can be whatever you want.
Joe Forks
22-Oct-2010, 06:58
Bruce,
Availability will no doubt play a factor when I'm ready to place an order, as will $$. A New 12x20 Ritter is definitely an option however.
sanking
22-Oct-2010, 07:22
Bruce,
Availability will no doubt play a factor when I'm ready to place an order, as will $$. A New 12x20 Ritter is definitely an option however.

With the Ritter 12X20 you have a camera that will work for both landscape and portrait orientation with a very small amount of change over. If that is important to you that would be a big selling point for the RR 12X20 as working in portrait orientation with any of the other 12X20 cameras can be difficult.

Sandy King
John Bowen
22-Oct-2010, 07:45
With the Ritter 12X20 you have a camera that will work for both landscape and portrait orientation with a very small amount of change over. If that is important to you that would be a big selling point for the RR 12X20 as working in portrait orientation with any of the other 12X20 cameras can be difficult.

Sandy King

My thoughts exactly. I own a Ritter 7x17 and would not trade it for ANY other 7x17. The camera is a joy to work with. Do yourself a favor and order the DVD manual from www.circleofthesunproductions.com It contains a wealth of information about Ritter's cameras.
Matt Magruder
22-Oct-2010, 07:51
Joe.
I've been contemplating possibly selling my 12x20 Folmer & Schwing outfit. (In hopes of getting an 11x14).

Send me an email or PM.
me@matthewmagruder.com
Robert Hall
22-Oct-2010, 07:55
I have been using my Canham 12x20 for about 8 or 9 years now. I really like it but there is just no real way of doing a portrait mode with it. It wasn't built for such things. But as a landscape camera, it's a peach.
venchka
22-Oct-2010, 07:58
Looks like I'm late again. Matt has spoken.

Matt Magruder has/had a 12x20 Folmer & Schwing & 355mm G-Claron. He's in/around Austin.

http://matthewmagruder.com/

That is Matt and his 12x20 in the river. Ritter 8x10/7x11 in the foreground. 12x20 close up.
Michael Roberts
22-Oct-2010, 08:22
wow--I've never seen one of those with an electronic viewfinder before....;)
RichardRitter
22-Oct-2010, 08:59
With the Ritter 12X20 you have a camera that will work for both landscape and portrait orientation with a very small amount of change over. If that is important to you that would be a big selling point for the RR 12X20 as working in portrait orientation with any of the other 12X20 cameras can be difficult.

Sandy King

Just worked on a pan camera that the owner in one email said I will never do portrait with may camera. Well the story goes "As I turned around to get the film holder I bumped into the tripod leg the next thing I hear was the crash of the camera hitting the concert".

Was a very enjoying puzzle to put back together all 50 pieces of splinter wood and twisted metal. Saved the camera the Lens is now a paper weight.

So never say never to doing verticals. I have seem some very good full length portraits done with pan cameras.
cdholden
27-Oct-2010, 18:11
I think a F&S might work great for my needs. How much bellows does the F&S have? I don't need a bunch.

Joe,
Film plane to lensboard is at or about 24".

Chris
Joe Forks
27-Oct-2010, 18:28
Joe,
Film plane to lensboard is at or about 24".

Chris

Chris,
Thanks for that info, more than adequate for my intended usage. I won't know for sure until I see, but right now I'm thinking 19" or possibly 450mm will be my main lens for this format. Should be the perfect amount of wiggle room at or near infinity.
mdd99
4-Nov-2010, 07:34
If you need a bag to carry that monster, consider these two:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=66925