Tachihara Specs

Hello, I just found this Tachihara Hope A on eBay for $330, however can't tell much about it. Can anybody answer the following?

 

1. Is it 4x5 or 8x10?

2. Is this a good deal

3. Any other information would be fantastic

Hello, soren.

Tachirana Hope came in many sizes, including 4x5, 8x10, Full and Half Plates (4 3/4 x 6 1/2). I only found a Half Plate model cost 330 USD, This camera is intended to shoot on glass hal-plates, which means its rather of no use nowadays. Half plate as well as quarter plate are outdated standard and none of contemporary film makers produces film in such a size (but you can still resort to Ilford ULF program and order some custom cut film for your camera). There were interchangeable backs for 5x7 and 4x5 film, but its rather impossible to find them. So i consider a 330 USD is a bit expensive for a paperweight.

Overally Tachihara Hope is one of the best field camera ever produced, but i strongly recommend you to seek for 4x5 model.

Edited October 26, 2017 by alexanderbolshoi

I had the 4x5 model and they are great. Probably double what you are looking at. The only thing I did not like about them are they are pretty light and the bellows aren't as long as I wanted. Light of course is good when backpacking but sometimes is not good when shooting long exposures. But get one they are great and when you feel you want to move to something else you should be able to get your initial investment back on eBay if you take care of it. So a safe camera to purchase and pretty much try for free.