Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12

Thread: "Sky Bow" -- Chinese 4x5 rangefinder

  1. #1

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Cambridge MA
    Posts
    27

    "Sky Bow" -- Chinese 4x5 rangefinder

    There was a brief thread here about the pinhole successor to the Sky Bow (or Celestial Bow...) that mentions the latter. The Sky Bow was distributed by Kangrinpoche but is now discontinued. Otherwise there's also not much on the camera aside from one thread on Xitek.

    I recently picked up a used copy of this camera with an Apo-Symmar 120mm attached, and wanted to share some photos and a preliminary impression of it. First, I must admit I am brand-new to LF and haven't used or even held any view camera. So if anything below sounds naive or inexperienced please correct me.

    I previously used several medium format roll film rangefinders (Mamiya 6/7, GF670, etc.) and was looking to replicate that experience in a larger format. With a Grafmatic 6-sheet back, the Sky Bow works surprisingly well for this purpose. The body itself weighs about 670 grams, so the whole set-up (with lens and Grafmatic back) is a quite manageable 1.4 kg. The previous user must have tuned the cam for the lens, because as far as I can tell it is very accurate (judging from my slides and the ground glass). I also bought a cam for 135mm and intend to switch in my Planar 135/3.5 later. We'll see how well that works, but Kangrinpoche tells me they are willing to help me fine-tune RF next time I am in Guangzhou. They still sell cams for 90, 127, 135, and 150mm.

    I don't have a Chamonix Saber to compare it to, but I have handled the Polaroid camera that the Saber is based on. It's certainly smaller and lighter, but the focusing mechanism is not as smooth. With the Sky Bow you can cock, focus, and release all with your left hand in one fluid motion, and indeed the camera is intended to be used this way. (I have removed the a pictured release cable, custom-installed by the previous user.) The tensions in the hinges can be adjusted with hex keys simply if focusing is too tight or becomes too loose over time.

    There's also the possibility to switch lenses and cams, which is not possible on the Saber, although switching cams requires a hex tool and infinity alignment and may be impractical on the fly. With the bellows fully retracted, you can lock the base arms solidly by pushing the sides forward. In this mode it may be possible to zone-focus a wide angle lens with a helicoid reasonably accurately. Or one can use the bellows and focus using your own markings on the pie-shaped cam. I have a 75mm on the way to experiment with.

    Construction is decent, with a few points of weakness and some unavoidably primitive and skimpy parts. The front standard has a bit of play both front-back and left-right rotationally, but only if you force it. Used with care it doesn't seem to affect focus accuracy appreciably. The RF patch is bright and clear, but is covered by cheap uncoated plastic. RF coupling is done with an engraved pie-shaped cam that rotates with an arm connected to the front standard. The arm is probably a weak point. We'll see how it holds up.

    The bellows extend to approximately 18cm. The cam as it is now is coupled with the 120mm lens down to 1.2m or so, but the RF patch can focus closer--if one had to patience and means to grind the cam accordingly.

    The camera body and especially the "bow" are curious looking and attention-grabbing for street photography, but overall I think it's rather pleasing. It is quite an impressive product, considering (from what I gather) it was essentially designed and produced by a single individual (though distributed by Kangrinpoche).
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails skybow1.jpg   skybow5.jpg   skybow4.jpg   skybow6.jpg  
    Last edited by aly324; 27-Jun-2019 at 04:33.

  2. #2
    Tin Can's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    22,387

    Re: "Sky Bow" -- Chinese 4x5 rangefinder

    Needs to be put back in production.

    I want one!

  3. #3

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Cambridge MA
    Posts
    27

    Re: "Sky Bow" -- Chinese 4x5 rangefinder

    There was even an 8x10 version (2.2kg body only) planned but never produced.

    I suspect if people write enough emails to Kangrinpoche this can be revived. As far as I can tell few people outside China even knew about the Sky Bow.

  4. #4
    Tin Can's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    22,387

    Re: "Sky Bow" -- Chinese 4x5 rangefinder

    Will do. I have a number of their products I like.

    I also notice some things are shipping very quickly from China.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Cambridge MA
    Posts
    27

    Re: "Sky Bow" -- Chinese 4x5 rangefinder

    Also I should note that it was priced only at CNY 4380 or so when it came out, about USD 640 at current exchange rates.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    1,136

    Re: "Sky Bow" -- Chinese 4x5 rangefinder

    How do you focus? just push the front standard in and out?

    I have a Saber, it's a nice camera no doubt. the lack of changing lenses/cams is a minor drawback. It's too bad both of these are out of production now. What's the RF baselength on the Skybow?

    -Ed

  7. #7

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Cambridge MA
    Posts
    27

    Re: "Sky Bow" -- Chinese 4x5 rangefinder

    Quote Originally Posted by EdSawyer View Post
    How do you focus? just push the front standard in and out?

    I have a Saber, it's a nice camera no doubt. the lack of changing lenses/cams is a minor drawback. It's too bad both of these are out of production now. What's the RF baselength on the Skybow?

    -Ed
    Hi Ed, I am not sure about the base length. How do you measure it?

    Focusing indeed is done by directly pushing and pulling the front standard. Once in focus you release with your left index finger. One single fluid motion.

    I was in touch with Chamonix recently and they said they will do another batch of the Saber if they get enough demand (and deposits).

  8. #8

    Re: "Sky Bow" -- Chinese 4x5 rangefinder

    From what I understand, both the Chamonix Sabre and the Sky Bow are sort of on based on the Polaroid 250, but with the finder fixed in place, instead of folding down to fit into its clamp shell. So essentially about the same RF base length and framing like the 250.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Cambridge MA
    Posts
    27

    Re: "Sky Bow" -- Chinese 4x5 rangefinder

    The Saber recycles the Polaroid 250's (and other similar models') rangefinder (reputedly made with Zeiss optics) and frame and folding mechanism.

    The Sky Bow is entirely a new construction except for the rangefinder, which Kangrinpoche tells me uses a part purchased from a Chinese rangefinder camera called the Phoenix, with a base length of 120mm (this is the figure a Kangrinpoche rep gave me... but does 120mm seem too long?). From what I remember from the 250 I had, the Sky Bow's RF is clearer and with a larger and brighter focus patch. As it is implemented on the Sky Bow, the rangefinder is moved by a rotating pie-shaped cam, so you get another dimension of movement and more precise control than the linear movement of the Polaroid 250's RF. The latter requires shimming lenses that aren't close to the focal lengths it's designed for and at any rate cannot go below 120 and above 150.
    Last edited by aly324; 27-Jun-2019 at 04:03.

  10. #10
    3D-Stereo-Aeropanoramas
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Posts
    186

    Re: "Sky Bow" -- Chinese 4x5 rangefinder

    i am in contact with 3s-krpc on ebay. they are currently designing new cameras but we must have patience he told.the cosmic circle e.g will have 58-65mm options. pinhole seems 62mm. he will confirm. NEW: pinhole shutter is now universal-removable 18-20mm plates possible-80 usd. i will get a cam soon. will order 65mm helicoid if not that expensive.
    Some aspects i see here and on the second thread are new to me. i have save all data some years ago from ebay.
    Pls check: when seeing one of his products do you have also difficulties to see his items. it seems CN-authorities have blocked that. only available by googling. other HK-sellers also affected. i am in europe- CH.
    NB: we have some new ideas for a special 4x5-cam. If he allows we will discuss it here.
    They have multiple brands.
    www.stereopan.org
    3DStereo-Aeropanorama-Jungfraujoch

Similar Threads

  1. Q.T. Luong in the latest issue of "rangefinder" magazine.
    By Richard Martel in forum Announcements
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 11-Jun-2010, 09:56
  2. 20X24" Chinese ASA 100 Film
    By sanking in forum Business
    Replies: 43
    Last Post: 17-Jan-2010, 07:56

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •