Canham JMC810 opinions & experience

[Ari]

Hi,

I have had to send part of my Toyo 810M in for a minor repair, it will be away for a week.
They say idle hands are the devil's playground, so I am looking at the Canham as a companion to the Toyo.
I was hoping that others here might have some good information to share about another all-metal camera, the Canham JMC810.

I've seen a video with Fred Newman explaining the various knobs and functions, and it looks like a fiddly camera with small knobs; true?
Also, I like the max extension (over 800mm), but is the camera rigid and stable?

After years with the Toyo 810M, which is akin to... well, any camera on steroids, the JMC seems like it has all the goods as well, but in a lighter package.
How is the focusing? rough or buttery velvet?

Anything you can do to give me user experiences with this camera would be much appreciated until I get my Toyo back.
If no one answers, well, I may have to shoot medium format or possibly digital.

Thanks in advance.

[Tony Lakin]

I like my JMC, the knobs are a little fiddly as is unfolding and setting it up but it gets easier with practice (I am never in any great hurry when using 810) the focusing is hardly buttery, the locking knobs (rather small) for the front and rear drives can be adjusted to vary the drive tension which is rather sloppy with the locks fully off, in my experience with the camera mounted on a sturdy tripod is pretty good up to about 450mm of extension and usable with care at longer extensions I wouldn't attempt to use it in high winds with more than 300mm extension as the bellows are rather flimsy, the camera is very versatile, light weight, long bellows which compress allowing the use of wide angle lenses without having to resort to bag bellows (I have used my 120 Super Angulon on it although without movements as none available with this lens anyway) I have a Sinar Norma 8x10 which I use when close to my car as it is more stable but backpack with the JMC when I need to and for this I find it to be very good.

I don't write very well but I hope this will help you.

Good luck.

[Ari]

Thank you, Tony, that was very helpful.

[Ari]

Anyone else have any thoughts on the JMC810?

Thanks

[Gem Singer]

The only focusing knob for the JMC810 rear standard is on the left side.

I asked Keith why he designed the camera that way. He said that he is left handed. Being right handed,I found that arrangement to be slightly awkward.

I owned a JMC810 for a while. Traded it for a Traditional (wooden) 8X10. with focusing knobs on both the right and left sides.

[Ari]

Interesting, thank you, Gem.
Do you concur with Tony about the rough focusing mechanism?
I am left-handed as well, but I use my right hand for focusing, even though I could use either hand with the Toyo.
They do seem like nice cameras, and I wish I could test drive one.
I contacted Keith about that, but the only way it will happen is to get myself to Arizona.

[Gem Singer]

Ari,

If you can find a good deal on a new or used JMC810, don't hesitate.

It's a neat camera. Especially for a left hander.

Light weight, and folds compactly into it's fitted soft carrying case.

Takes standard Sinar lens boards.

[Ari]

Thanks again, Gem, much appreciated.

[jeroldharter]

I had a Toyo 810 and a 4x5 Canham metal camera (DLC45 I think). Very different. the Toyo 8x10 is an absolute tank. It is like an arthritic, rigid old man relative to the Canham which like a nimble, ADHD young man. The Toyo is rock solid with limited movements and weighs just more than an anvil. The Canham is light, has more bellows extension, greater movements, much lighter, but it is fiddly. The fiddly you can adapt to, the weight is a constant. When I put most cameras in various packs, the packs control the camera. The Toyo 8x10 however is a beast that carves a right angle into your sacrum. I would not hesitate on the Canham.

[Ari]

Thank you, Jerold. But tell me how you really feel about the Toyo.
Kidding aside, what about focusing the Canham?
The Toyo is a real pleasure to focus, and very precise in that function as well.