Shen Hao Quality

[wishingwellphotos]

I am about to purchase a Shen Hao 4x5 camera model TZ45-11B. Quality Looks very good. Any comments before i

buy ? I have owned 2 Tachiharas. The problems i had with the Tachiharas is the levers or knobs that lock the shift movements are hard to keep tight.

[randall ellis]

A friend of mine has one of those in 4x5 - it gets a fair amount of use and he seems very pleased with it. I've never heard any complaints about locking down, but I've also never asked specifically either...

 

- Randy

[paul h]

Hi John,

 

I have had my Shen Hao for about 2 years now and it has served me well. I have used it in plus 30 to minus 30 and it hasn't let me down. It was a bit stiff in the extreme cold but what isn't. I have been happy with the build and the ease of use, I haven't had any issues with tightening it down, or it working loose. I'm sure if you wanted to spend more than double on say an Ebony then you would notice a difference. You won't be disapointed if you go with a Shen Hao especially for the price.

 

Paul

[ivan_shukster1]

I too had a tachihara that I sold and bought a Shen Hao. In my case the Tachihara was an old and much used version whereas the Shen looked brand new.

The only problem I have is that the lensboard opening is so tight that Technika lens boards do not fit and Wista ones are tight but no name generic ones fit in perfectly as do home made wooden ones. Shen Hao seems more robust and has more movements and has interchangeable bellows for very wide angle. The Tachihara is lighter and seems to be able to use a wider lens with its bellows than the Shen Hao with its normal bellows.

If you still have your Tachihara you may try installing nylon washers on all the knobs, it makes it so you can tighten them more. You may not need to buy a different brand if that works. I would have kept my if it was in better condition but have no regrets getting the one I have now.

[spodzone]

<p>I've had mine for about 2.5 years now as well and love it to bits.</p>

 

<p>Only one snag, though: once, liberating it from its bag, the wood split along the grain by the top of the clasp so I emerged with camera in one hand and huge splinter of wood in the other. Fortunately it was dead easy to glue the thing back into place and it's not happened again, but that was a wake-up call as to how careful one must be with the woodwork. </p>

 

<p>Had some OK <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spodzone/sets/72157600014660561/">results</a> off it, at least!</p>

[wishingwellphotos]

Thanks so much for your imput. I will buy one today. John

[wishingwellphotos]

Received my shen hao today in the mail. What a camera. I did not buy the entry level HZ. For your information, the TZ is 50.00 dollars mord at 695.00 it is incredable. Puts a Tachihara to shame. Thanks again for all your imput..JB

[brian_wallen]

John,

 

You've apparently made comparison between models. I tried this by comparing Shen-Hao web pages and think I have

at least a partial list:

 

- HZX has stainless steel fittings; TZ has aluminum

 

- HZX has rear shift; TZ has front shift.

 

- TZ has about 8mm more front rise.

 

- HZX has about twice the amount of rear swing

 

- TZ has only rear base tilt; HZX has both base tilt and center tilt

 

- TZ has about twice the front swing.

 

- TZ has slightly more rear rise.

 

- and while it seems inexplicable, bellows draw of the TZ is reported to be 110->360 compared to 50->360 for the HZX.

 

Have I missed for feature differences? Other factors in your choice?