Toyo Field Camera - Which is the best value?

[Frank Petronio]

OK you're going to laugh but I have decided to start traveling with 4x5 again for a few jobs and I want a metal folder that will hold a normal lens inside. I've owned Technikas and Wistas, along plenty of Graflexes, plus Sinar, Arca, and Linhof monorails. I've even owned those flimsy Wooden Toy Boxes some of you prefer.

But I've never owned a Toyo Field.

And there seems to be a couple of different generations of metal Toyo Fields in 4x5. I know I want the one in black metal, not CF (aka plastic). I don't want the whole plate or Super Graphic model. I don't care if the back revolves or requires remounting. I'd like a fresnel if they are any good, I just use normal 135-210 lenses. I really just want a durable camera with moderate basic movements.

Note that I have a general aversion to Japanese versus German cameras but I am in the Honda mindset of just wanting something that will run and run and if it is a little ugly or the stamped metal isn't as nice as the milled Swiss-German manufacture I can deal with it.

I may just go with a Wista VX or SP if one pops up, since I don't need a long bellows, but I see a lot of Toyos and they look tougher than the Wistas.

[Gem Singer]

Frank, from my experience, the Toyo 45AX is the folding flat bed metal field camera that meets your description.

I added a Toyo folding focusing hood on the one that I owned to protect the ground glass.

I used a Toyo 3.6X focusing loupe in order to eliminate the need for a dark cloth.That loupe was designed to be used with the folding focusing hood.

If you want a unique metal folder, check out the all metal Canham 45DLC.

That's the camera that we retired dentists prefer.

[tgtaylor]

AFAIK, the only Toyo field camera that folds-up with the normal lens attached is the 45CF which is a lightweight (~3.1 lb)carbon fiber camera without back movements.

The difference between the current 45AX and AII is that the more expensive AII comes with the "deluxe revolving back" and folding focusing hood as standard whereas they "optional" on the AX. Other than that they are the same camera. If you buy a used AX, it will probably have the folding focusing hood as that is a nifty accessory that most, if not all, Toyo owners will want to have. A Fresnel is standard on both models.

I've been using an AX for 6 years now with zero complaint. While it doesn't have the range of movements that my Toyo ROBOS has, it will do what you want it to do and handle all lens from 47mm to 300/360T without changing the bellows.

For more info and full specs see: http://toyoview.com and click on product information.

Thomas

[77seriesiii]

Frank,

I use two AX 4x5s, non-revolving backs. I use a 300mm fuji lens on mine (freakin tank) down to a 90mm.

Short version I really like the AXII. Is it the best one, hard to say. I've used it for portraits and landscapes. Decent movements on the front and back. Landscape wise, I backpack with mine as well so that is doable. It gets shoved (I use photo backpacker cases) into an REI backpack with 20+ film holders, ries tripod, and 2 lenses. All of this goes with me up into the German alps...drives people crazy they think the camera on a tripod is the Alpine Camera. When the wife and I are sitting at a GAst Haus up top they will intentially walk by the camera and wave into the lens. The first time I saw it the only thing I thought was WTF? Wife was laughing, she made the connection much faster than I.

Anyway, I use one of them all the time, the other sits on the shelf. Parts are still available from the NYC office and they are built like tanks.

good luck.

Erick

[Frank Petronio]

So the A-series can't fold up with a Copal 0 - 1590 Symmar type lens attached?

That's a deal killer. Even the tiny Wista can do that.

[John Schneider]

Frank,

I'd be happy to give my opinion but you'll have to entice me by posting one of your fine art pics you use to sell your gear (and I know next to nothing about Toyo's, but I'd be happy to give my $0.02 anyway for the appropriate picture).

[tgtaylor]

So the A-series can't fold up with a Copal 0 - 1590 Symmar type lens attached?

That's a deal killer. Even the tiny Wista can do that.

I looked at the specs for the Wista metal field on the B&H website and while it doesn't mention that a compact Copal 0 lens will fold-up with the camera, I believe that I recall it being said that it will if you reverse the board. I just tried that with my AX and it won't close due to a front standard lever being in the way. Whether or not the older Toyo A's will fold I don't know.

That's of small concern to me since if I want to go minimalist with just one lens that will fold-up with the camera, then I'll take the 45CF which, together with the lens and folding focusing hood, will come to about 4.5 lbs.

Thomas

[Gem Singer]

Frank,

I didn't see your stipulation that the camera must be capable of folding with a lens mounted on the lens board.

In that case, the Wista SP is the camera you want. It will fold with a small sized lens in a Copal 0 shutter.

[Frank Petronio]

Gee part of the reason is that it saves a lot of bulk not to have to pack a lens separately and it does protect the lens nicely too. I'm surprised they don't, the Wista was a champ with it, I didn't have to reverse anything (maybe a 180-Copal 1 would push it).

[Oren Grad]

Perhaps you can find a normal lens that will store inside a Horseman 45FA. That would make for as small and light a package as you'll find in a 4x5 metal field - probably save 1.5-2 pounds on the Wistas. The 6x9 Horsemen can close with one of the small Horseman or Topcor lenses sold for them, and possibly with some others.