Wista 4X5

[tim_kimbler]

I'm thinking about buying a used Wista at a local store. How dose this camer compaire to others?

[mike_rosenlof2]

There's a review of the Wista in the Nov/Dec 1998 issue of View Camera

magazine. Compared to the super field cameras - Wisner, Canham, and

their ilk, it's rather limited. 12 inch bellows especially. If you

like long lenses, you won't be too happy. If your longest lens is a

210, and you don't want to do super close up photos with it, you might

like it.

 

<p>

 

It's somewhat simpler than these same multi-featured cameras. A

person whose opinions I respect, but don't always agree with, loves

the Wista. He finds it more natural to use than nearly any other

field camera around, and he's used a lot.

[greg_lawhon]

See the January/February issue of Photo Techniques magazine. On page

42 is an article called the "25 Best Cameras" in the world. The Wista

45DXII is number 12. While it finished behind Wisner and Canham and

other higher-end field 4x5s (all tied at number 5), the editors of

this excellent magazine had high praise for the Wista. They say that

it has a level of fit and finish that many other makers only aspire to

(even those whose offerings are much more expensive). Even better,

it's available at a near-budget price that makes it competitive with

others that "can't hold a candle to its quality." They also claim it

has all movements you would ever need for landscape use, noting

however that its short bellows draw makes it difficult to use for

macro work or with long lenses.

[mark_windom]

I've been using the Wista SP for landscape work for the past 5 years

and have been very happy with it. You can use Nikon's 300M and 360T

lenses at infinity without needing added bellows draw. It is very

well made, rugged, produces a bright image on the groundglass, and

has all the movements you will need for landscape work.