The best camera for landscapes

[ross_schuler2]

Hi

I would like to know what is considered to be the best field camera for landscape work with wide and normal lens application. The price is not a factor just the quality and the reliability. Ross

[david_hall6]

The non-foldable Ebony SW45. There is no rear tilt or swing but the

thing is so small, light, rigid, user-friendly and reliable it more

than makes up for the rear disadvantages.

 

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dgh

[ellis_vener_photography]

(folding type )Canham DLC. <P>Compact (collapsing

monorails):Linhof technika TK45s. Arca-Swisss 45FC

[brian_ellis3]

If there was one field camera that was the "best" for landscape work

then all the landscape photographers would buy it and the other

companies that manufacture field cameras would go out of business.

The fact that this hasn't happened, and that instead there must be at

least ten different companies manufacturing field cameras these days,

demonstrates that there are wide differences of opinion as to which

one is "best." While I don't think extensive movements are necessary

for landscape work, there are two that are indispensable for me:

front tilt and rear tilt. Any camera that doesn't have rear tilt

couldn't, in my opinion, possibly be the "best" camera for landscape

work, in fact I'd call it the worst. But someone else thinks that an

Ebony camera without rear tilt is the best field camera for landscape

work and it is . . for him. So now you see that there are wide

differences of opinion in this area and asking a question like "which

one is best" isn't going to produce anything like the unanimity that

you seem to be looking for. Instead, ask people which camera they

use, what things they like about it, what things they don't like

about it, and then determine whether the things they consider

important are also important to you.

[bob_moulton6]

I echo previous comments. If you are looking for the "smoking gun

camera" good luck! Any unit, from A-X would be perfect, depending

upon your needs. Look at books by Drennan, Sexton, Dykinga,

McSavaney. They are contemporary landscape photographers each of

whom has chosen a "perfect" camera. Whether you opt for Linhof,

Canham, Wisner, or Arca-Swiss, the same old situation exists. The

image is created two inches behind the eyeball. The tool, you use is

the one with which you feel most comfortable.

Me: I want the beauty of a Wisner, the absolute dependability of an

Arca-Swiss, and th price of a Craftsman screw driver. After all they

are all craftsman tools.

Bob

[anthony_j._kohler]

The only real answer to 'what is the best camera for . . ." is the

one you have at the time the shot is there and with which you are

comfortable. If you don't have the camera when the shot is there, it

doesn't matter how 'good' the camera is. If you are not comfortable

with it, it isn't the 'best' - FOR YOU, which is all that counts.

My 'best is not somebody else's. Having my camera when I see the shot

is a LOT better than seeing the shot with empty hands and wondering

which camera I would have if I had my druthers. If you get caught up

in the 'what _____ should I have' neurosis, you will never be taking

pictures because you'll spend your time figuring out what you 'ought'

to have to capture the shot that is disappearing in front of your

eyes.

 

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Tony

[georges_pelpel]

"THE BEST NEVER RESTS".

This sounds like a contradiction to large format photography.

Doesn't it?.

I hope you have deep pockets because you will have to try of lot

of different cameras in your endless search. And I hope you do

not have too much expectations in regards to your photography

as you won't have the time to master any of them before the new

one arrives.

LF is about patience, learning his tools as much as possible,

practice, and thinking. As long as your equipment doesn't occupy

your mind too much you will be fine. Your camera may be the

BEST out there, with the MOST features and yet produce poor

results because it has so many features that it takes hours to set

or it's so heavy that your back shuts down when you are ready to

set your tripod.

I know I am ironic here and I understand you are just trying to

avoid the expensive mistake of buying a camera that won't fit your

needs.

I would recommend that you start your search on a different level.

First what type of landscape photography are you up to? From

the road? Backpacking? Are you new to LF? Are you patient

enough? What movements do you like to use.

I started with a cheap used wood field (Wista DX) and made

some great shots. I am now using a Wisner PE that cost me 3

times as much. I am sorry to say but my photography has not

progressed 3 times. It's just a different tool that allows me to use

a larger variety of lenses and offers some conveniences that the

Wista didn't have.

Both are well made and reliable.

As others mentioned my PERFECT camera may be unusable to

you. The Wisner PE is a good example, some people love it,

some hate it. To me it is what I was looking for: compact, light,

versatile, stable, simple to use, and a beauty to look at. Yes, for

me that last attribute counts as well: I love the feeling of wood.

Choose any of the leading brands and you will get quality,

reliability, and service. But first defines you needs more

precisely.

Jack Dykinga has a nice book "Large Fotmat Nature

Photography" where he describes his equipment. He has 2

cameras, vastly different from each other. One is the folding

Wista DX used for backpacking, the other a monorail Arca-Swiss

that is a lot heavier and expensive. Nobody can tell what camera

was used on any of his images. They are tools and each is used

depending of the situation.

Good luck in your search. LF is fun.

[stevewillard]

Ross, my solution to landscapes is versatility, portability, and

clarity. Lost of words, but what do they mean. A versatile

system allows me to photograph many different compositions

which makes me very productive. A portable system lets me get

gear into remote areas where there is great beauty which also

makes me very productive. And big clear images rich in colors

and contrast sell especially panoramics.

 

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I have been thinking about 8x10 for years, and I even have an

8x10 enlarger, but 8x10 is not portable, and it is very expensive

with lots of DOF problems. Currently, I own a Wisner 4x5

Expedition with a 4x10 panoramic back standard that is

interchangeable with the 4x5 back standard. All my Nikkor

lenses cover both formats except the 75mm. That is 90mm,

120mm, 180mm, 210mm, 300mm, 360T, 500T, and 720T. The

reason I am listing these lenses is because none of them are

spec to cover the 4x10 back, and yet, they all do with room to

spare. The T lenses have one front element with three

interchangeable rear elements which saves lots of weight. The

draw back to this system is clarity. The 4x5 is fuzzy for prints

20x24 and larger.

 

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So here is my plan for the summer of 2003. I intend to buy the

Wisner 5x7 pocket expedition with a 4x5 reducing back. The 5x7

has more bellows (32") and is only 8oz heavier then my current

4x5. The 5x7 will give me the clarity I need for larger prints, and

all my current lenses will cover it (which are smaller, lighter, and

less expensive than 8x10 lenses). If I need more coverage, then

I can resort to the 4x5 reducing back. I have talked with Wisner,

and he will modify my 4x10 back so it will work the 5x7 camera.

This provides me with a very powerful, versatile, and portable

system - 4x5, 5x7, and 4x10 all in one camera that can produce

big clear images.

 

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The drawback to this is there are fewer films for 5x7, but I intend

to cut 8x10 film down to 5x7 if needed.

 

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Well that is how I cut the pie. Hope this helps.

[paul_owen]

Does the best camera actually exist? I don't know. The closest

would be an Ebony SW45.

[david vickery]

12"x20" from any manufacturer.

[chris_jordan3]

my strong recommendation is a folding metal field camera such as the

Wista SP or a Toyo. they're bombproof, very forgiving when banged

around in backpacks, with lots of movements, rock-solid performance,

and a high degree of accuracy and precision when needed for fine

adjustments. i'll be keeping mine as long as it keeps working

(and my back holds out...)

 

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~cj

[dick roadnight cotswolds]

Is there a nice light landscape camera on which I can mount my Sinar

480, and apo Ronar 600 or will I have to take my Sinar p?

[dan_smith]

A landscape camera has a secret code that lets you know it can handle

this type of photography. "L" is the secret code letter. If the

camera has an L in the name it is good for landscape. Just as if it

has an "N", it is good for nudes. Take the type of photography you

want to do & see if the brand name has the letter used for that type

of photography. If not, it won't work.