ian_dodd

Can any users out there give me their opinion of the Osaka Commercial lenses from Bromwell Marketing? I am particularly interested in the 400mm and 500mm tele designs for 4X5. The bellows draw, the weight, and certainly the price make them intriguing. But how do they stand up optically? Can you compare them to the Nikkor teles or the Fujinon 450C? Thanks for your feedback.

I built my Bender 4X5 three years ago as my entry nto LF photography. I figured it would be an inexpensive way to start and then if I felt a need for a more sophisticated camera or go back to 35mm, either way I didn't have a huge investment. Also, I thought building it myself would be a great way to get to know the camera. I promised myslef to work with it for a year before making a move either way.

 

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The camera took me 60 hours to construct (I kept a log), including the part I had to redo because I didn't read the instructions all the way through first. I suggest you do.

 

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After three years, I still really like the camera. I am ready for a commercially-made camera now, thinking of an Arca-Swiss or Canham metal-field. The Bender will be stored safely and bestowed upon on my children when they outgrow their Fisher-Price 110 camera. A very worthwhile investment.