Using Chamonix 8x10 with heavy lenses

[Equivet96]

Hi there,
does anyone have experiences with heavy lenses like a Super Symmar 210 XL on a Chamonix 810 camera, possibly also on a Chamonix Alpinist (X)? The design is very similar to the Pilipps 8x10, but what about the stability of those Chamonix 810s?
I had no issues with my Deardorff with heavy lenses from 210-480 mm, but would like to reduce weight and am interested in buying a lighter camera without giving up using my beloved SS XL210....
Thank you for your assessments, Ulrich

[Greg]

Largest lens that I use on my Chamonix 810V is a 360mm f/5.6 NIKKOR-W. Lens and lens board weigh 3lb 6+oz (1.548 Kg). Lens is a bit front heavy. No problem.

[Hugo Zhang]

Ulrich,

I have used SSXL 210mm on the Alpinist X without any issues.

Thanks.
Hugo

[Drew Wiley]

The Phillips would do it just fine, and I have used a 360 in Copal 3S shutter. But my favorite 360 is the much lighter Fuji A style in no. 1 shutter. Having seen the Chamonix use up close in actual use, and being a similar design, I wouldn't anticipate any issues. But if you've got the bellows way out there with a heavy 600mm, that might be a different story. When I use a Fuji 600C on my Phillips, I have to pay careful attention to any wind vibrations.

[sperdynamite]

I've used the Caltar/Rodenstock 360/6.8 and it sits well on the 810V. Very stable in fact. I probably would not try to combine an ultra-light camera with a heavy lens, but I don't really consider the 810V an ultralight. The Aplinist probably is, though I haven't used it. I have use a Deardorff V8 and the 810V is significantly lighter and imho easier to adjust than the Deardorff.

[Equivet96]

Thank you for your responses so far. Of course it could create problems using heavier long focal lenses esp. under windy conditions - not my plan. I primarily use my lightweight Fujinons A 240, C 300 and C450 in these focal ranges. Under ideal conditions a Nikkor W 300 f5.6. With all of these lenses, the extension of the front standard is quite moderate.
The 210 XL is due to his design with aspherical elements quite front-heavy, which irritated me regarding the combination with Chamonix 810V or Alpinist....
Best regards, Ulrich

[Drew Wiley]

With my Phillips I changed the front tilt locking bars to much more substantial knobs. The weight gain was too miniscule to worry about.

[Greg]

[QUOTE=Drew Wiley;1581316But if you've got the bellows way out there with a heavy 600mm, that might be a different story.[/QUOTE]

Sometimes when I use my 360mm f/5.6 NIKKOR-W and all the time when I use my 600mm f/11.5 S KangRinpoche, I also employ a monopod that has a small clamp attached to its top (I normally use as a walking stick) which I usually clamp to the foremost bottom part of the camera. I do this after composing and focusing the image. Takes less than 30 seconds to set up and makes the camera many times more stable.

[Drew Wiley]

I have a better method for my own circumstances. A separate tripod or monopod would be of little value with the front of the camera overhanging a 500 ft cliff. Scary enough just cocking the shutter. Hopefully, I've outgrown that kind of nonsense.