Folding vs. Non-folding Ebony Cameras

I am looking for comments or experiences with the non-folding Ebony cameras. Do you feel that this design is better or is it a compromise design to the folding variety? I know that these models do not have as much bellows extension but other than that it seems these offer a lot in the way of movements, especially direct lateral displacements and wide angle capability. Thanks for your feedback.

Every design is a compromise of some sort. You choose your camera &

you live with it. Great movements, enough to twist the camera into a

pretzel & live with the weight & size. Fewer movements & lighter

weight & you live with the minimized camera and a more limited choice

of usable lenses.

I use an Ebony 45SU non-folding camera. I find that it will do

everything I need it to in landscape and still-life work. I use it both

as a 4x5 camera and as a medium-format camera with Ebony's 6x9 back. It

is a pleasure to use. Still, I do not have any experience with an Ebony

folding camera. I would imagine that the Ebony SV series is also fine.

One reason I like the 45SU is that the set-up time is about the same as

a medium-format camera. That is, it's quick!

 

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Now, to answer your question more directly, when using my camera I do

not sense any compromise in its design. It was intended as a worthy

alternative to a more complex folding camera, and it functions with

real mechanical and aesthetic elegance.

 

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There is a good discussion by John Sexton of the different types of

cameras on Ebony's website. And there are previous discussions of

various Ebony cameras in this forum. Also, you will receive good

information from Jeff at Badger Graphic Sales.

There is an informative article by Richard Sexton on the Ebony

website (link at the bottom of the home page), on this subject.

The non-folding Ebony cameras are really suited to using wide angle

lenses where, I've been told, the need for front and rear alignment

is paramount. The non-folding design is very rigid and well aligned.

I am perfectly happy with the SW45, it handles landscapes admirably

and is a joy to use! If your "thing" is wide angle, then the non-

folders are perfect.

Paul

I ordered a 45SU from Badger, looking forward to getting it. I bought

a brand new Linhof Master Technika 2000 but returned it within a few

days because it had too many things wrong with it for such a quality

brand. I've had Tech III's and V's that have been wonderful and

expected the new model to be as good. Perhaps I just got a fluke but

that is partly what made me decide to try the Ebony. Every review I

have read speaks glowingly about them, I just had to trust them since

for the past 15 years all I have used were technical type cameras.