Toko 4x5 Field Camera

Hi there! I'm looking into purchasing a field camera and am currently

watching one on Ebay, the one named in the title. It seems to be a

good quality camera, and a search on this website yielded some old

posts of people that owned this camera. I was hoping to scrounge up

some of those individuals, and others of course, to hear their

thoughts on the camera. What is the total gamut of movements available

to it, both front and rear along with bellows length? It seems like a

great deal for a field camera. I thank you in advance for your

responses and feel free to tell me anything you know about this camera

or other similiar (but decently priced) field cameras.

Good grief, you mean that in addition to the Toyo and the Toho, there's also a Toko?

 

Toko isn't a particularly well known brand and I don't think you're likely to obtain a lot of detailed information here in response to your question. From looking at the (blurry) pictures it appears to be your basic inexpensive, light weight Japanese wood field camera much like the original Tachihara, Osaka, Nagaoka (sp?) and derivatives, which if correct would mean it's a double extension (about 12") field camera with front rise, fall, swing, and base tilt and back swing and base tilt. Given its light weight I'd guess it isn't the sturdiest camera around but the weight makes it nice if you hike long distances. The person who listed it doesn't provide enough information to make an intelligent buying decision. FWIW before I submitted a bid I'd ask him some very specific questions such as age, movements, bellows extension, detailed description of any defects including whether the bellows is light-tight (a new bellows would cost almost as much as the camera is likely to sell for), etc. Actually I wouldn't buy it except maybe for long-distance hiking and then only if the price was about $250 or less. Inexpensive Japanese wood field cameras such as this one sometimes are fine when new but can become loose with age and use so you really should be able to handle such a camera before buying it I think.

 

For an inexpensive wood field camera I'd be more inclined to consider a new Shen Hao or Tachihara, both of which are known quantities with many satisfied owners, rather than a relatively obscure used camera such as this one but that's just my opinion based on little information about this particular camera.

what Brian said...

 

and I wish I had $1 for every time I've read this in an ebay description: "From an estate, I don't know much about these cameras, so ask questions.

Ah W T I certainly agree :P If I had those dollars, I'd have just gone for a Linhof or the likes.

 

I suppose you're right though, Brian, about handling it. I wish I had more money to spend on a camera, unfortunately though I don't. I'll probably let this one go seeing as how it ends in 4 hours and I probably won't get an answer. In general, though, would a wood field camera be the way to go? Or perhaps another type of material? I do know most woods shift and warp over time or in humid/dry conditions. Thank you very much!

I own a Toko field camera. It's a great camera with tons of movements. I think they are produced by Wista and get sold out the back door at a cheaper price. Mine even has a Wista groundglass.

 

One of the things I really like about mine is the rear swing and shift. That is not something you find on many wooden field cameras.

 

All the photos I took for my article in this months Black and White Photography magazine (UK) were taken with the Toko. It's the article on using a LF camera in Costa Rica.

Eric,

Thank you! I think I've made up my mind, but I'll ask anyway. About how old is your camera? Has it become "loose" over time? Finally, any idea if they're still made new or perhaps something equivalent by Wista?

I bought my camera used about 4 years ago. I have used it a LOT! 90% of my work is LF and I backpack / travel extensively with it. To answer your question, no it hasn't gotten loose. From what I have been able to determine the "Toko" product is no longer imported to America. If you want to spend a lot more money you could buy a Wista with the same features.

 

I paid $460 for my camera 4 years ago when the stuff was still worth something. I would expect it should go for about the same price now. The one on feebay is in better shape than mine. Like I said it's done lots of hard miles, but it's hanging in there.

 

Another thing I like about it is the light weight. The only drawback I have experienced is the lack of a Graflex back. But I use Grafmatics all the time with no problems. I use lenses from 65mm to 300mm with it.

 

Good luck.

 

Eric

Excellent Eric, thank you very much. I'll keep my eyes open for this camera (just got home, have to see what price it ended at) in the future. Thanks to all and feel free to add anymore information if available!