Toyo metal field camera 4 3/4 x 6 1/2

I ran into one of these today and I am having trouble finding

information on it . It looks like it could take a 5x7 back plus it

only wieghs about 5-6 lbs . I was very impressed with the camera in

person .It appeared to take graflex boards and have a very decent

amount of movement ,could take maybe a 58mm lens on a flat board but

only about 300mm of extension. How does this older toyo compare to an

A ,what would a camera like this sell for? I am currently using a

super gaphic and a crown both cameras I like but the toyo was so smooth

and has back movements which intrigued me but the back only seem to

tilt forward not back . Well that is about all I know , if the newer A

series could take a 5x7 back I would probably be more inclined to get

a newer camera but this seemed very nice anyway .Cheers George

Dear George,

 

Assuming it takes standard modern 'block form' cut-film holders, the EXTERNAL dimensions of the holder are the same for 5x7 inch, 13x18cm and half plate and the three can therefore be used interchangeably. The same is true for 4x5 inch/9x12cm and for 8x10 inch/18x24cm. The actual dimensions for all three 'families' are given in in my 'Medium & Large Format Photography' page 72 (David & Charles/Amphoto 2001).

 

Old 'book form' backs are usually a lot more compact and cannot be interchanged in the same way: you have to go down to 4x5/9x12 if you want a modern standardized back.

 

Cheers

 

Roger (www.rogerandfrances.com)

Hello George,

I have one of those Toyo Cameras, I paid 400.00 on e-bay and the one I received looked like it was CLA'd recently. It will take a 5X7 back, I have never found one and there are a couple of wants for them floating around the different BB's. Mine works great, I use a 150mm lens so I cant tell you the widest lens it will take. It does take just a plain Graflex lens board so it sounds like you are set with the boards you have for your other camera. I think the rear tilt is very limited. I have not used any other LF camera so I have nothing to compare it to but it works good for me and I am learning this format with it and the price was right.

Hope this helps

Don

This camera was reviewed in the May, 1971 issue of Modern Photography. I can Xerox a copy and mail it to you if you wish.

I really appreciate the answers ,I am enticed by this camera the metal and gears seem very close in quality to the linhofs I have handled but it is much lighter, however it seems much less movement may be possible especially in the back. I do not want to buy a camera which is limited again especially since I got my V8 which I am sure is limited compared to a rail camera but I love it and have not found where it did not have enough movement yet. This camera becomes very compact even more than the super graphic and I like that it takes the same boards so I can keep my stripped down crown(3lbs 4oz) and not have to change my 4x5 lenses all the time. Hope I did not ramble to much but it has been a long day, Cheers George

I have one too. They work very well, are easy to adjust. The rear tilts but does not swing. I have used it with a 90mm, a 130mm, and 200mm and it peforms very well with all three. I have been able to get graphic lensboards from Midwest Photo, but I am sure that other sources exist.

I had never heard of this format or size. How hard is it to get a 4x5 holder attached to it?

<p>

 

<p>I have owned one of these for 5 years now, and it is my favorite 4x5. The dealer I bought it from called it the "Toyo Original Field" and he recommended it highly - I have never regretted the purchase. This is as close to the ideal compromise between portability and versatility that I've ever used. The bellows are very long (16" of draw!), suitable for long lenses and macro work, and broad enough for wide angles as well (down to 75mm comfortably, even further with restricted movements). </p>

<p>It does not have infinite features and movements. The back only tilts, and the front rises, falls, tilts and swings. But with the 360-degree rotating 4x5 back (this came on mine, don't know if it's standard or not...) you can turn the the camera on its side and convert the rise/fall to horizontal shifts. It is basically a field camera with excellent latitude, not by any means a precision studio deal. Fine focussing and movements at macro distances will drive you crazy, as none of the movements are geared. There is no built-in spirit level or detente to let you know when you are square. However, it does excellent work as a portable portrait camera, and I have even shot a couple of books worth of sculpture with it (mine came with a fresnel and a grid on the ground glass, so it is easy to compose without too much squinting and fiddling).</p>

<p>A couple more selling points and some caveats: </p>

<p>1) Size: The whole thing folds itself into a case not much larger than a Crown Graphic, and the metal exterior makes it feel indestructable. </p>

<p>2) Compatibility: This camera takes Graphic lensboards, and thus is the ideal traveling companion to a Crown Graphic. Also nice that these boards are still pretty easy to find. </p>

<p>3) Solidity: As mentioned above, this is a sturdy camera BUT the rail and the focus lock are not the strongest in the world - I would NOT recommend using this camera with a heavy lens (i.e. my beloved Schneider 210mm 4,5 Xenar). </p>

<p>4) Compatibility, Part II: The back that came on mine is a detachable, rotating standard 4x5 slide-in with ground glass, however it is not a Graflok, so you can't do much in terms of attachments on the back end unless they are slide-ins (Calumet film holders, scanning backs, etc.). I am actively looking for a replacement that will allow Universal Graflok attachments. </p>

<p>I would love to hear any information anyone else can share about the history and availability of parts for this camera.</p>

 

</p>

<p>Austin, I have purchased on of these about 6 months ago. It came with a roll film back and what appeared to be a half frame back. I then bought a graflok 4x5 back and a Toyo 5x7 back. With a bit of milling (from a friend) and the creation of a plate for the 4x5 and some refurbishment (still to be completed) plus some paint, I now have a camera with a LOT of flexibility of film formats. I am currently at the stage of replacing the felt light seals and expect to be able to put film through it within the month. Let me know if you would like some pics of the mods. Regards, Mark</p><div></div>

<p>Hello:<br>

I recently acquired one of the beauties that was in need of cleaning and assembly, and bellows attachment. I got the whole thing together and have just the bellows left to attach to the body. I need some reference as to how and where to go about attaching the bellows. It appears the front of the bellows glue(?) to a frame that then screws into the back of the front standard, and then the back of the bellows glues(?) to the inside of the rear standard housing. Is this correct? Or are the bellow attached in adifferent manner? Any help I could get would be greatly appreciated.<br>

Thanks in advance. <br>

Brian</p>

<p>Mark,<br>

Can I ask for some pics of the 5x7 back?<br>

I got one camera like that recently and you like to build a 5x7 back for it.<br>

Mine came with the Mamiya conversion board (to attach the 6x7 film holder of a Mamiya Press camera, with sliding ground glass and 2 holders) and with the 4x5" revolving back, but no 5x7 back.<br>

I'll have to build a new bellows for it too, but that is another story.</p>

<p>Regards from Brazil,<br>

Guilherme</p>