After spending several years with the 35&120 format i've decided to "graduate" and make the "next step", starting the LF adventure.
I've spent two months searching for my ideal setup, based on my needs and budget, and i've became aware of many cameras, lenses and possibilities.
I wanted to start with a setup which will last and be useful for several years, avoiding to change items periodically, and i started to search for a field camera with no restriction of movements, avoiding the monorail sector.
I ended up with two cameras: the Shen Hao HZX 4X5-IIA and the Ebony SV45TE, both folding cameras, with very similar movements.
I noticed that other bodies (Toyo, Wista category) dosen't have all their movements ( Shen Hao/Ebony) so i faced a situation of big "separation", highlited by something like 3000$ price difference between the two.
I'm very aware of all the discussion " with other, cheaper cameras you can get the same quality picture" or that "i have to invest on lens and not so much on the body", but i'm also aware that you must love the piece of equipment which you're using.
I've worked with a friend's Shen Hao and liked it a lot; i've also worked with a crown graphic, and founded nice, but when i was putted in the situation of choose, i went for the ebony (also because i've get it from a very fair trade).
The intention of my thread is to get togheter some opinions and advices from other ebony users, because i'm waiting for the camera (2 months) and i'm very curious to hear if will be that good
Initially i had some concerns about the wood cameras and i wanted a metal body, but after several researches i decided that would be a nice "risk" to take. Initially i also wanted a non folding camera, and i was looking for that ebony models (more fast shoting on field, less movements to take etc) but after that i considered the extra movements of the SV45TE a better call. I know that in general use i will not use all the movements but i think that will be useful to have it there anyway, mostly because i will surely tempted to explore all the possibilities of the medium and system.
I'm pretty sure that the ebony is nice piece of art, considering all the story behind (somehow comparable to the leica) , and i saw how snobbish is considered the ebony user, but i see in this camera a monstercar tu burn out than a crystal to take care of , the first scratch is the harder..
My point is also connected to the fact that i've found in the SV45TE a complete camera, which will work just fine in almost all the situations. I went fot it because it has the back shift of 50mm that allows panoramic composition, like the 45S, and all the movements needed.
will mount a Nikkor SW 90mm F8, a SIronar S 135 and a Nikkor M 300 F9.
Hope i did the right choice
Cheers
Mike
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