Any Suggestions/Recommendations For A Lighter Field 4X5 Camera?

[Two23]

I've been using a Chamonix 045n for the past 12 years and have felt no urge to "upgrade." It's lighter than my Nikon D850. I use it most weekends and have hiked in the mountains with it and a lightweight carbon tripod. Parts are available as Chamonix is still in production, and there is good follow up service. I went with the "universal bellows" and can use lenses from 75mm to 450mm with it. I bought the carbon fiber extension for it. The camera has held up to Dakota weather very well.


Kent in SD

[roscoetuff-Skip Mersereau]

FWIW, I've gone the other direction. I picked up an ArcaSwiss F Field 4X5 monorail as quicker to set up than a Chamonix 45F2. You have this precision thing covered in your 45S. Weight pick up in a monorail? Yes. But I think that is offset in some regards by the precision of a monorail's "tech" spoils you a bit.

I think a folder is a good complement. And Chamonix cameras are sweet and it is a "plus" to have current production and Hugo Zhang is a great distributor here in the states. Initially I thought I'd replace the folder entirely with the monorail, but now I'm more hesitant to do so until we see more about the relative use. Like you, I shoot a lot of landscape... I think we all do. Fact is that the other day when shooting landscape with a portion of the trail in it... to capture some of my fellow hikers, a camera club friend came up to me with a big smile and said, "Shooting people? Who does that anymore?"

But I'd agree with those that suggest the weight savings may be less than you think. It's there... but the real answer may lie in how you carry the weight, and what you choose to leave at home. Difference between my folder and monorail is 2 pounds. To me, that's not worth the bother UNLESS you've already lightened the rest of the kit to push below 10 to 15 pounds. I'm inside 20... and the trick is how comfortable you can make it, or how close you can park the car. I had a lot of help in suggestions from other LF users here, and from Rod Klukas (ArcaSwiss) to solve that problem. I'd suspect the Linhof dealers could be helpful there, too. And FWIW, divided carry has a lot going for it, and I'm only at the beginning of looking for a cart!

[LocalHero1953]

Hello - new member here! Many years ago I bought a well-used Gandolfi Precision 5x4 (ex-Ealing School of Photography), but since covid struck I have been taking first steps in large format (I am an experienced 35mm photographer). I have taken half a dozen B&W landscapes, developed them myself and digitised them with a 35mm camera, and convinced myself that the camera does what it should and I have the most basic elements of workflow lined up.

I am in two minds about keeping the Gandolfi, which came with its original wooden tripod, and a Dallmeyer lens that is rather hazy (I bought a modern Fujinon for practical use). It is lightweight, which suits me for backpacking and walking or cycling, and it has most of the movements that I might want for rural or urban landscapes (asymmetric rear tilt would be attractive). On the other hand, it might have an antique value that I could trade in, and buy a modern equivalent - I don't want to have to baby it in the field for fear of losing that value.

I'm looking for recommendations for places to buy and sell (I'm in the UK, but willing to look elsewhere - I bought the lens from a Japanese dealer). Obviously there is ebay, and I've come across West Yorkshire Cameras and MrCad. I've inquired of SAS Auctions about selling the Gandolfi. Where else are the good dealers or auctioneers with a range of stock?

[Tin Can]

Welcome

Any used camera may show up anywhere

[roscoetuff-Skip Mersereau]

LocalHero: Very active LF community in Brit-land. Check out Andrew Bartram (LFPPodcast), Steve of Chroma, the Intrepid and so many others. There are a bunch of dealers over there you might inquire into help with selling. Fact is, every time I think of it, I get jealous of you guys with all that scenery close by and the film community there as active as it seems to be. Have fun!

[esearing]

+1 for the Chamonix N2. Small compact form when folded, light weight, comes with Fresnel + ground glass, and gear focus for front standard from rear of camera. Accepts lenses from 55mm-500mm. They also have the "F" and "H" lines which might appeal to you.

Also don't overlook the Shen Hao, Nagaoka, and Ikeda Anba folding models. They work well with 75mm-250mm lenses. They are very light weight, use technica lensboards, and fold smaller than the Chamonix. My only dislike is the small knobs on the front standard and the folding method.

Ebony 4x5 is beautiful but rare to find these days.

[William Whitaker]

Hello - new member here! Many years ago I bought a well-used Gandolfi Precision 5x4 (ex-Ealing School of Photography), but since covid struck I have been taking first steps in large format (I am an experienced 35mm photographer). I have taken half a dozen B&W landscapes, developed them myself and digitised them with a 35mm camera, and convinced myself that the camera does what it should and I have the most basic elements of workflow lined up.

I am in two minds about keeping the Gandolfi, which came with its original wooden tripod, and a Dallmeyer lens that is rather hazy (I bought a modern Fujinon for practical use). It is lightweight, which suits me for backpacking and walking or cycling, and it has most of the movements that I might want for rural or urban landscapes (asymmetric rear tilt would be attractive). On the other hand, it might have an antique value that I could trade in, and buy a modern equivalent - I don't want to have to baby it in the field for fear of losing that value.

I'm looking for recommendations for places to buy and sell (I'm in the UK, but willing to look elsewhere - I bought the lens from a Japanese dealer). Obviously there is ebay, and I've come across West Yorkshire Cameras and MrCad. I've inquired of SAS Auctions about selling the Gandolfi. Where else are the good dealers or auctioneers with a range of stock?

Welcome and cheers from a happy Gandolfi user in the States! Mine is a 5x7 (or 7x5, as you wish). It's not the lightest camera I've ever used. But it is a delight. And I am in love with the 5x7 format and it is a worthy tool for that. I hope you'll keep yours and use it to make photographs. How I would delight in photographing the UK! So, I am a bit envious.
If you still wish to sell your camera and after you've been a member for 30 days (I believe that is the requirement), the For-Sale forum herein is a good way to reach interested buyers. Personally, I've had very good results with Ebay. But not all share that experience, so caveat venditor!

[Dave Ogle]

I have a Wista 4x5 and an 8x10 wood field cameras. Both are great cameras. and they take Linhof iv lens boards. I also have Linhof iv. This a plus if you have several cameras

[domaz]

Gowland 4x5s are the lightest and most full-featured by far. You can configure them on a short rail with a wide-angle lens and basically use it as a full-featured walk-about camera. Or you can extend the rails (with hollow aluminum rod from the hardware store) and use a longer lens. Unless you keep them in "ready-to-shoot" mode they can be a pain to setup though, and going from horizontal to vertical also requires some re-jiggering. Basically it's a trade-off but if you want absolute lightest weight the Gowland's are the way to go.

[LocalHero1953]

Thanks for all the advice - all very helpful - and for the welcome!
At the moment, living in one of the flattest parts of the country, and still under travel restrictions, traditional landscape photography is a bit constrained!
I had seen early reviews of the Chroma and wasn't immediately attracted, but the latest model with updates looks interesting. I think I might be disappointed in the Intrepid, based only on reviews. My Gandolfi weighs in at just under 2kg (4.5lb), so a Chroma, Chamonix, ShenHao or similar would be lighter, but perhaps the difference in carrying weight (allowing for lens, tripod etc) would not be noticeable)
I am still on probation, so I haven't seen the For Sale section of the forum - looking forward to it. Any other suggestions for dealers that specialise in large format would be welcome.