Comparing 20x24's?

[mohan]

hello!

I am curious to know if there is someone that has done a comparision of the 20x24 cameras that are being currently manufactured...Wisner, Lotus, Ebony, Canham, Tracy's and anyone else

Thanks for any pointers!

Mohan

[C. D. Keth]

I'm under the impression that any new 20x24 you get is essentially a custom deal. If that's the case, there's not much point comparing them since you could get it exactly how you want. I'd contact manufacturers directly. Since you're looking at a 15 or 20K expenditure, the companies should cater to you

[Kerry L. Thalmann]

Mohan,

You might also want to add Chamonix to your list of 20x24 candidates. I will be acting as the North American distributor for Chamonix Cameras. We are currently working out the final details on pricing, but expect to announce prices for Chamonix ULF cameras and film holders shortly after the first of the year. So, I don't know the final price for the 20x24 Chamonix 20x24, but it will be considerably less than 1/2 the low end of the 15K price mentioned by Christopher.

Every ULF camera is unique and has it's own set of advantages and disadvantages. While the only other 20x24 I've seen in person is the Ebony (and it is indeed a beautiful extremely well made camera), I have personally used cameras from Wisner, Lotus and Canham in smaller sizes. All of these manufacturers (and Tracy, too I'm sure) are capable of building excellent cameras. Given the cost, limited number in use, long lead times, etc., you probably won't find anyone who has used all the cameras on your list. In fact, other than Tracy, you might be hard pressed to find anyone whose used more than one brand of 20x24 camera. There just aren't a lot of them out there. So, it's best to match the camera to your needs, as best you can, based on specs and limited user experiences and reviews.

The 20x24 Chamonix is quite light (less than 28 lbs.) for a camera of this format, making it well suited for field work. In order to keep the weight down, the maximum bellows draw is limited to 920mm. If you're looking for a camera to shoot 1:1 portraits in a studio, one of the heavier, more expensive cameras with longer bellows draw would be a better choice. The lightweight 20x24 Chamonix is better suited to location shooting where portability is more of a concern. In addition to the light weight and portability, the low selling price is the main advantage of the 20x24 Chamonix.

The good news is the manufacturer currently has both 20x24 cameras and holders in stock. So, there will be no extended waiting period (often >12 months for custom made ULF cameras) to get a 20x24 Chamonix. Once the final selling price is announced in January, we will be ready to start shipping cameras and holders in this size.

We also plan to have our English-language web site online by the end of January, but in the mean time you can see a few small photos of the 20x24 Chamonix on the manufacturer's Chinese web site.

Kerry

[scott_6029]

Kerry, any word on 7 x 17 film holders from these guys? Thanks!

I think it's great that we have more choices.

[David Karp]

Good luck to you Kerry. What an exciting undertaking.

[sanking]

The 20x24 Chamonix is quite light (less than 28 lbs.) for a camera of this format, making it well suited for field work. In order to keep the weight down, the maximum bellows draw is limited to 920mm. If you're looking for a camera to shoot 1:1 portraits in a studio, one of the heavier, more expensive cameras with longer bellows draw would be a better choice. The lightweight 20x24 Chamonix is better suited to location shooting where portability is more of a concern. In addition to the light weight and portability, the low selling price is the main advantage of the 20x24 Chamonix.

Kerry

I briefly considered getting a 20X24" Chamonix but the model available, though light, did not have a reversing back. To use it in portrait orientaiton you woud have to turn the camera on its side, which I suspect would very cumbersome for a camera of this size. Not having a reversing back is somethiong one can accept with panormaic formats (7X17, 12X20) , but for 20X24" it just does not make sense to me.

Sandy King

[Kerry L. Thalmann]

I briefly considered getting a 20X24" Chamonix but the model available, though light, did not have a reversing back. To use it in portrait orientaiton you woud have to turn the camera on its side, which I suspect would very cumbersome for a camera of this size. Not having a reversing back is somethiong one can accept with panormaic formats (7X17, 12X20) , but for 20X24" it just does not make sense to me.

Sandy King

Sandy,

It may be possible, eventually, to have custom versions of the camera made to meet specific user needs. A custom-made 20x24 Chamonix with a reversing back is not out of the realm of possibility.

Of course, any such custom-made camera would cost more than the standard, stock cameras, but I expect it would still cost considerably less than other brands with similar capabilities.

Kerry

[David A. Goldfarb]

I'm very interested to hear more about that 7x17.

[Kerry L. Thalmann]

Kerry, any word on 7 x 17 film holders from these guys? Thanks!

I think it's great that we have more choices.

Scott,

I just sent out the one 7x17 holder I had in my possession to Michael for his review. A couple more have been shipped from China and should be arriving soon. I am getting ready to place an large order of holders and cameras that we hope to have on hand in time for our "official" launch around the end of January. We want to be able to start taking orders and shipping products as soon as all the details are workled out and the web site goesd online. Exact pricing details are still being worked out, but expect the Chamonix holder prices to be competive (in other words, they probably won't be either the least expensive, or the most expensive ULF holders on the market).

The good news is the manufacturer has several completed 7x17 holders on-hand in China. So, we hope to have a good number available for our initial product launch.

Kerry

[Kerry L. Thalmann]

I'm very interested to hear more about that 7x17.

David,

Here's a couple digisnaps of the 7x17 Chamonix in action.





Those photos were takes last month (sorry about the harsh lighting, I had to use the on camera fill flash as I was handholding the digicam) at the Japanese Gardon here in Portland, OR (talk but an international experience - using a Chinese made camera named after a mountainous region in France at a Japanese garden in the United States of America).

The 7x17 Chamonix will be available in to versions. The lighter (both finish and weight) version shown with a weight of approximately 9 lbs. (the sample shown in the phoso weighs 8 lb. 14½oz.) and a slightly heavier (~10.5 lbs.), darker version made from Chinese walnut. I don't have pictures of that version, yet. You can see some small photos of a walnut 12x20 Chamonix here.

Maximum bellows extension for both 7x17 models is 620mm. I've been able to use a 600mm Fujinon C ftf = 573mm for distance subjects and general landscapes.

As mentioned above, final prices are yet to be determined, but expect the selling price to be less than $4000 including one 7x17 holder.

Kerry