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Thread: Ebony 45 RW Ti and longest lens option with top hat

  1. #1

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    Ebony 45 RW Ti and longest lens option with top hat

    Hello everyone,

    I'm seeking advice on finding a longer lens for my Ebony 45 RW Ti camera. Currently, I have a 210mm with a top hat, but I find it bulky. I'm considering a 180mm lens as an alternative.

    My questions are:

    Will the Ebony 45 RW Ti adequately cover a 180mm lens? Unfortunately, I couldn't find information online regarding the camera's coverage range.
    If the camera does cover 180mm without the need for a top hat, which specific lens should I consider?

    Thanks in advance for your assistance.

    Best regards,
    John
    Last edited by croppitt; 23-Dec-2023 at 02:03. Reason: typo

  2. #2

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    Re: Ebony 45 RW Ti and longest lens option with top hat

    From
    https://www.graflex.org/lenses/lens-spec.html
    I find the 180mm Symmar-S MC has the shortest flange distance of 171 mm.

    I measure my 70 degree Apo-Macro-Sironar 180 mm to have a flange distance of 178 mm. This lens is less sharp wide open than plasmats, but useable over a larger area.


    Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

  3. #3

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    Re: Ebony 45 RW Ti and longest lens option with top hat

    IIRC the Ebony RW45 has over 300mm of bellows extension, in which case your 210mm lens should not need a top hat at all. Even less need for a top hat with a 180mm lens...

  4. #4

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    Re: Ebony RW45W ti and longest lens option with top hat

    Quote Originally Posted by Ian David View Post
    IIRC the Ebony RW45 has over 300mm of bellows extension, in which case your 210mm lens should not need a top hat at all. Even less need for a top hat with a 180mm lens...
    Sorry, my fault, mine is the Ebony RW45W Ti - so has no back movements and limited draw John

  5. #5

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    Re: Ebony 45 RW Ti and longest lens option with top hat

    The SW45 has 190 mm of belows.
    What do your camera have?

    Choose a lens with one of the shortest flange to film distance in order to focus as short as possible. As most lenses stick out back, a shorter prolonged lens board for a 180mm might be helpful.

    People 3D-print lens board all the time, that might be an option if you don't find what you want.

    Sent fra min SM-S901B via Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Small town, South Carolina, US
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    Re: Ebony 45 RW Ti and longest lens option with top hat

    Post deleted.
    Last edited by rfesk; 23-Dec-2023 at 07:08. Reason: I apoligize - this post does not answer the question asked.

  7. #7
    darr's Avatar
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    Re: Ebony 45 RW Ti and longest lens option with top hat

    Are you sure your camera is not an RSW45 Ti which has no back movements?
    An SW45 has back rise only. All other Ebony 4x5 cameras have back movements.

    Here is a link to the Ebony Camera catalog, but the RSW45 is not listed because it was a custom made order only available from Robert White in the UK:

    https://photoscapes.com/wp-content/u...ra-catalog.pdf

    If it is the RSW, you have 190mm of bellows extension, and using a 180 lens is not a problem.
    I shoot an RSW; here is my web page about it: https://photoscapes.com/cameras/ebony/

    If you read through the page, you will read about the RSW, an excellent camera designed for landscape shooting.
    Last edited by darr; 23-Dec-2023 at 07:21. Reason: catalog link

  8. #8

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    Re: Ebony 45 RW Ti and longest lens option with top hat

    Quote Originally Posted by croppitt View Post
    Will the Ebony 45 RW Ti adequately cover a 180mm lens?

    Best regards,
    John
    Thanks for the confusion. We don't get enough of that around here.

    Assuming that you have a SW45, a 210 will only work with a "top hat", as you know. You'll need a shorter focal length lens, but as to covering the 4x5 film, that depends on the 180mm lens -- NOT the camera. You need to look at the specs for the 180mm lens. Most will cover 4x5", but it's easy to check. One way would be to tell us what 180mm lens you are considering.

    Keep in mind that any 180mm lens on your camera will limit you due to the short bellows of your camera. You will be able to focus on distant objects, but you will be limited in your close-up capabilities -- not enough bellows.

    Maybe this isn't the best camera for you.

  9. #9

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    Re: Ebony 45 RW Ti and longest lens option with top hat

    Yes sorry - the model I have is the RSW45 Ti and I was debating getting the Nikkor 180mm W 5.6
    I am a bit confused with the camera naming convention as on the actual camera it just says "Ebony Ti"
    It is defo the one with no back movements

    Best John




    Quote Originally Posted by xkaes View Post
    Thanks for the confusion. We don't get enough of that around here.

    Assuming that you have a SW45, a 210 will only work with a "top hat", as you know. You'll need a shorter focal length lens, but as to covering the 4x5 film, that depends on the 180mm lens -- NOT the camera. You need to look at the specs for the 180mm lens. Most will cover 4x5", but it's easy to check. One way would be to tell us what 180mm lens you are considering.

    Keep in mind that any 180mm lens on your camera will limit you due to the short bellows of your camera. You will be able to focus on distant objects, but you will be limited in your close-up capabilities -- not enough bellows.

    Maybe this isn't the best camera for you.

  10. #10

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    Re: Ebony 45 RW Ti and longest lens option with top hat

    yes - It is a RSW45ti
    Thanks for the link to your site - many hours of reading and enjoyment for me there - brilliant

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