Adjustments Question - What to hold?

[John Rodriguez]

I just bought my first 4x5, a Toyo 45cf. I'm coming from using DSLRs with tilt shift lenses that have geared tilt and shift adjust mechanisms. From what I can tell on my 4x5, the only way to make adjustments other then focus is to loosen the proper lock then literally grab the front standard to tilt/swing/shift/rise/fall. There is a good amount of resistance to movement and the whole process feels very unprecise. Am I doing something wrong or is this normal?

[Gem Singer]

Normal.

[Leigh]

That's the way it works.

You might want to go over the camera and make sure there's no corrosion of other problem that's adding resistance to the movements, but in general you just set things by hand.

- Leigh

[Oren Grad]

Large format cameras with geared movements do exist. Not surprisingly, they tend to be heavier and more expensive than similar models without. Most LF photographers who work primarily in the field do fine without geared movements, though. It's just a matter of getting used to your camera.

[John Rodriguez]

Good to know. I'm used to setting tilt degree by calculating the height of the lens from the hinge point, mostly because it's too hard to set manually through an SLR viewfinder. Time to learn something new :)

Thanks!

[Two23]

I've been finding the front standard easier to control if I just barely loosen it, which helps keep it from flopping over quickly.


Kent in SD