Anyone use a Toyo CX

[flutterflies]

Just wondering on user input on the camera, and what is the widest lens you can use with the standard bellows.

 

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I will be using it outdoors as well as in but the weight is not a issue. Most landmarks here in OZ you can drive straight up to.

 

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So what is good, bad, and ugly with this camera. It is so dirt cheap here at the moment like about $240US so I'm thinking of getting one.

[kevin_kemner1]

I've owned a CX for about three years. I use it almost exclusively

outdoors (within about a mile of my truck) for architectural related

photography. Ok, here are my thoughts to your questions.

 

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Widest Lens:

 

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You can use a 90mm on the camera with a standard bellows, however,

you will need to slide the monorail as far back as possible otherwise

it will show up on the negative. The bellows do get a little bunchy

with a 90mm.

 

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The Good:

 

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Price obviously. Full monorail movements. The camera uses Toyo

field vs. Toyo full sized lens boards. They are a lot smaller and

easier to carry around in a back pack. The camera is pretty stable.

Even though it doesn't have geared movements everything is pretty

smooth and easy to use. The focus gearing is excellent and well

positioned. It won't be rock solid like an Arca Swiss but it costs

about 1/4 the price. The ground glass is excellent.

 

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The Bad:

 

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The detents are too aggressive, particularily tilt. This can be

fixed by removing the notched springs but then you won't have

detents. The camera can get stiff if you shoot in the cold as the

oil used to lube the movements starts to get pretty thick around

freezing. The lenth of the monorail. If you are using wide angles

with the standard monorail you have to work around the extra lenth

sticking out. I ended up buying a Toyo extension rail ($$$$)on ebay

at a reasonable price ( :-) ).

 

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The Ugly:

 

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The mounting blocks are made out of a composite resin material. You

can't ham fist them down or they break. At that point you have two

options: try to epoxy them back together or buy a new block. I think

you can imagine the price of a new block. The camera tightens down

fine without trying to show your strength.

 

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The cx is a fine value and if you are entering lf I highly recommend

it. Particularily if you are interested in the kind of shooting that

requires monorail type movements. At some point in time I anticipate

purchasing another camera, but truthfully this isn't out of

inadequacies of the CX. I hope this was usefull and good luck on

your purchase. At the price you stated I wouldn't hesitate to buy

one.

[tom_percival]

I hava had a Toyo C for going on ten years, it is the slightly more

advanced version of the CX as you probably know. It has been a great

camera thought it is finally showing its age. I recently bought a GX

(demo) which is an awesome camera and as a demo got almost US$1500 of

the price.

 

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As for the CX vs. C. I have played around with the CX and I would

advise going with the C. The CX has no geared movements, NONE. Which

can be a real hassle if you are need to be precise. The parts are on

the cheap side, within a year of buying my C, the monorail clamps

which are resin/plastic split, I used about a tube and a half of super

glue all around the threads of the clamp and it hasn't broken yet. I

understand that they did correct this problem in later models.

 

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However, if you are just getting into LF, and don't know if you will

stick with it or you will use it only occassionally then the CX

(especially at that price) is your best bet. But, if you think you

will be getting more serious and using it a lot, I would suggest

spending the extra money and get something more user friendly. Good Luck.

[charlie_strack]

I had a Toyo AR & got the CX later, since sometimes the mono-rail

design is easier to use. I think it's a good value for the money,

though obviously it has some lower cost parts. I believe the plastic

mounting blocks can be replaced with metal ones, though these aren't

cheap. A bag bellows is available, too.

 

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A nice thing when using with the AR, is the backs & lensboards are

interchangeable. Together, you get the best of both worlds at fairly

reasonable prices (for today's prices).

[miles_feigenbaum___dallas_]

Howdy!

I saw one of these new in the box yesterday in dallas texas for $625.

Sounds like the price is right for you but like the previous guy

stated, think about your long term goals with it.....

m.

[flutterflies]

Thanks all for the reponse, I'm going to get one cause at that price I

can't go to much wrong.

 

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Again thanks for the time to respond