Phillips Compact 8x10

Hi,

How much does the Phillips Compact II 8x10 camera weigh?

Also, is there a different number for him then is listed in

order to get on the list to order this camera? Is this camera really

better than the 8x10 Lt Wt. Canham?

Thank you.

Diane, I wrote the blurb on the 8x10 Compact II which has run in

Photo Techniques magazine's "25 Best" list. The camera weighs about

7.9 lb. There's no special contact number to get on the list for one

- just call Dick Phillips at the number he advertises.

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It's impossible to make a general statement as to whether it's

"better" than the Canham. They're both fine cameras, just *very*

different in their design principles, controls, etc. Which to prefer

is entirely a matter of personal requirements and taste. Can you be

more specific about what you want out of an 8x10 camera, or how you

intend to use it?

Oren, is the Phillips a horizontal-only camera (you have to use tripod

head to tilt the camera 90 degrees to shoot verticals) or does it have

a revolving back, as I assume the Canham has?

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Thanks.

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.,.,.,.,

.,.,.,

The Compact II has a reversible (horizontal-vertical) back; it's Dick

Phillips' Explorer series that is horizontal-only.

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FYI, you can contact Dick at: rhphill@concentric.net

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and see a Compact II writeup (in German) with illustrations at:

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http://www.monochrom.de/fotograf/compactII.html

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Although I've never used the 8x10 Canham, I have handled a 5x7 wooden

Canham, and believe rigidity of the Compact II has to be much greater.

All things considered, it seems one would be hard pressed to improve

on Dick's 7.8 pound gem. I use mine on a Gitzo 1325/Arca B-1

combination, and am completely pleased.

http://www.monochrom.com/MonoC/asp/rmiArt003.asp?b=n&artnum=00026001

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Seems to have changed - although I don't sprechen non too gut.

Thanks Sean. Before posting that URL in the past I've always checked

to make sure it was still current. Failed to do so this morning.

Murphy's still in control.

Thanks to Sal for jumping in quickly and posting the distinction

between the Compact II and the Explorer. For the information of

lurkers, the Explorer weighs all of 5.9 lb.!

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I'm a big fan of Dick Phillips, and though I'm not currently a user

of ultralarge formats, I'm thrilled to see him applying his design

principles to the development of a new generation of ultralight yet

rigid mega-cameras like his new 8x16...

Oren, the 5.9 lb. Explorer weight you quoted is for an 8x10. I don't

have the information at hand, but Dick is either about to ship or

aleady is already shipping an 11x14 version of the Explorer. It

should be proportionately light.

I spoke to Dick Phillips last fall just before deadline on my Ultra

Large Format article in PHOTO Techniques: the 8x16 should be shipping

right now, but the 11x14 was on temporary hold because of worries

about film availability. TXT for the 8x16 is in stock and available

from Phillips.---