R.H. Phillips 4x5 Feedback From Experienced Users

[bruce_e._steffine]

I would like to hear from experienced users of the Phillips 4x5. I will be purchasing my first 4x5, and am leaning towards the Canham DLC but would like to know more about the Phillips.

[ellis_vener_photography]

Is this the one that is partially made from salvaged sunken "old

growth" logs?

[sean_yates]

Aaahhrr Matey! Shiver Me Timbers!

[pemongillo]

Hi Bruce,

 

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I think you will have a difficult time finding too many comments on

the Phillips 4x5. It is just too new. I am also interested in this

camera. I have had two very informative talks with Dick Phillips

about the camera and its options. He has even done a little testing

for me concerning ground glass options. The bottom line is that you

can buy the camera and, if you don't like it and return it within

either ten of fifteen days, you can get your money back. You will have

to pay shipping and insurance.

 

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I have ruled out several cameras including the Canham (I think) and am

down to the Phillips 4x5 and the Arca-Swiss F line Field camera. I

have only been into large format for about a year now and this will be

my second camera. I have learned that you need to have them in your

had to see if they are right for you.

 

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Good luck.

[jim_knipe]

The lightest, sturdiest, most beautifully crafted and innovative large

format around. I have owned several other makes, and i wouldn't

consider using anything but the Phillips. Hard to get, but BUY ONE if

you can find

[dan_smith]

I have been doing a survey of people selling LF cameras, going on for

over a year now. I have emailed a few hundred folks advertising LF

cameras for sale as well as talked personally with a few hundred

others over the past 3 years. Philips cameras have never come up for

sale due to lousy workmanship, poor performance or lousy service.

Neither have Canham. Nor Linhof or Sinar or Arca Swiss.

 

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The few folks who I have met who have sold Philips have been because

they were moving to a larger format, getting out of LF, needed cash

or wanted more bellows than they had on the Philips. The bellows draw

was design philosophy, not a shortcoming. Some makers put a lot of

bellows and others don't. Those selling Philips all gave them high

marks for quality and Dick Philips very high marks for candid

exchange on his cameras, including his design philosophy. None were

selling it because they were unhappy with quality. Canham is also

right up there with satisfied users, with those selling them having

pretty much the same response as the Philips users.

 

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Very few brands got major complaints and in over 700 total answers

from sellers, only one brand got many complaints, and it had so many

really negative ones I wouldn't buy that one for anything now.

 

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But, Philips doesn't make a lot of cameras. Even so, the major lack

of complaints is telling. Dick Philips makes good cameras, a

conclusion I would come to just from those who answered my query as

to why they were selling the camera. Having met Dick and seeing his

cameras first hand, and having used an 8x10 a bit, I would second the

recommendation that his gear is first rate.