Inspired by a recent Thread: What is the "best" 5x7 Camera in your opinion and why do you prefer the camera over a different one? It would be also great to hear what you don't like about other cameras and why you decided against them.
Inspired by a recent Thread: What is the "best" 5x7 Camera in your opinion and why do you prefer the camera over a different one? It would be also great to hear what you don't like about other cameras and why you decided against them.
Can't find what I want -- almost, though.
Non-folding, bellows draw of ~300mm, back tilt, full front movements, horizontal and vertical capabilities. Except for the front movements, my present 110 year old 5x7 fits the bill and is doing great...and not worth replacing until I find that 'perfect' camera.
Eastman View No.2 --
"Landscapes exist in the material world yet soar in the realms of the spirit..." Tsung Ping, 5th Century China
Lens can stay on the camera, quick set-up, the way they mount to the tripod lends itself to be carried over the shoulder (folders do not, as they are a square perpendicular to the orientation of the tripod legs). package size is about the same. A selling point of my present set-up is the moving block under the rails. I am not using long lenses and not needing/having the back extension, it centers the weight over the tripod and totally stiffens the hinge between the back and the front rail.
I see jim has one, also. Alas TC, that would be the 'perfect' camera if it also went vertical with 5x7. I am in under the redwood trees. I do have horizontal images, but a lot cries out for the vertical!
5x7, 180mm, platinum/palladium print
"Landscapes exist in the material world yet soar in the realms of the spirit..." Tsung Ping, 5th Century China
No -- I am not always in the woods! I do have a 4x5 that is either one or the other -- but because it is difficult to change (undoing screws and stuff that can get lost in the field), it is easier just to turn the camera 90 degrees with the head for the other orientation. I usually have it set up for vertical as the default. The camera only weighs a couple pounds, so no strain on the pod/head.
Edit
As you mentioned, it is a personal thing. I have a Sinar 5x7 I have not used and have no intention of using it. Too 'fiddly' for my personality. Too many bits and pieces. Bellows have holes in the corners, too, but so it goes. I believe the 5x7 back is a home-made job.
The Eastman View No.2 is a sweet, light, beastie that is also quite a beautifully made tool. It takes a different mind-set than mine to consider a Sinar to be beautiful.
Zion National Park
5x7, using the the 210mm, I think...forgot to write that down. Platinum print
"Landscapes exist in the material world yet soar in the realms of the spirit..." Tsung Ping, 5th Century China
OK, how many different 5X7 do we have?
5
Tin Can
Korona View Camera, I have a complete kit in the OE suitcase, I would grab that on the road to perdition, wood for the fire
Mit plate and film holders, 2 backs, the lens board has a Packard mounted inside
Not an eBay find, it is as nice as the one in the link, with more bits
Studio is different and I have dif
Tin Can
I've got the same type of Eastman View as Vaughn. I like it because it's reliable, durable and sturdy. Also, not terribly expensive and a lot lighter than my 8x10.
I agree the one thing I'd improve is to add front tilt.
It does one thing very well - exposes 5x7 film and plates, and that's all I need.
Last edited by jim_jm; 6-Apr-2021 at 12:32. Reason: photo
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If I had more $$$ I would buy this with both formats and new holders, same MFG
BUT I don't NEED anything more
so it goes
Tin Can
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