Options for a lightweight folding 4x5 Camera

[Steve Goldstein]

How does the Tachihara compare in weight to the Ikeda? I hauled my Shen-Hao HZX-45AII around for a week in Colorado this past summer at 10,000-12,000 feet, and am also considering something lighter...

[venchka]

They aren't light. They don't have every movement known to man. They are stout. Built to take a licking and keep on tripping.
I would think that a Linhof Technika V or newer might be the ideal bash around off road camera.

[imagedowser]

A Zone VI. PM sent.

[venchka]

Grinning. Yep. I have one of those and a Technika V. I guess I'll flip a coin to see which one goes bicycle touring.

[Oren Grad]

How does the Tachihara compare in weight to the Ikeda?

I think the Tachihara is ~3.75 lb, the Nagaoka and Ikeda are ~2.5 lb.

[Frank_E]

the hierarchy of weights is the following from heaviest to lightest

Shen Hoa
Tachihara
Ikeda/Nagoka

here is an interesting article from a back issue of Popular Mechanics taking about the Tachihara and the Ikeda and the Nagaoka

I have a Nagaoka by the way…

http://books.google.com/books?id=d88...camera&f=false

[engl]

How about something like a Wista 45VX? All metal technical camera with relatively good movements, around 5 pounds, and available used at around 500$. It will also close with a lens mounted.

I do not have that camera but it seems to have a good reputation for quality and sturdiness. I researched it when buying my current camera, a MPP mk7. This camera too is nice in many ways, but it is heavy at 7 pounds.

Perhaps someone who has/had one can chime in about the Wista 45VX.

[Rick Moore]

I think the Tachihara is ~3.75 lb, the Nagaoka and Ikeda are ~2.5 lb.

That is what the current Tachihara's weigh. The early ones like mine, without the rear focus mechanism and sturdier rear folding hardware weigh about 3.3 lbs.


--
Rick

[OldCrow]

I have an Ikeda and it is simply as light as you would ever want it to be. Any lighter and it would feel like a child's toy. They are very well made and if they were taken care of will work outstandingly for many years. The craftsmanship is very easy to see.

Mine never sees use any longer since I shifted back to using a 1892 burke and james field camera and petzval lens. Yet when it was used, it was a great camera. I guess its time to sell it...

[Ivan J. Eberle]

The Super Graphic is a nice compact camera that has fairly generous moves. It weighs right around 5 lbs, but can be lightened considerably.

I had one and sold it. I kept a couple of Meridians. They are extremely rugged 5 lb cameras with a lot of room inside, to fold up and protect decent sized lenses while yet attached. As a matter of fact, I had 45B out this evening in Big Sur in a 20 MPH breeze.