ray_a

I have bought several items from Amvona & have positive and negative experiences with their products. Keep in mind that I buy my equipment based on my needs & I make no claim of being a professional. Here's my 2 cents:

 

1) Do not buy their ballheads. I would rather pay a little more for Manfrotto/Bogen ballheads. I've purchased 2 ballhead from them & the rotation on each of them were rough & the quick release plates were hard to work with.

 

2) Their carbon fiber tripods is pretty good for the price. You can tell they used some cheap parts on them but I've been using it for about a year without any problems. I've tried the CF tripod with my D80 along with an 80-200mm lens, my MF & LF gear (although I shouldn't) & it held out pretty well. I do a lot of hiking so I needed something as light as possible. I did get a broken CF tripod & Amvona did replace it. It took about a week to get a response and another 2 weeks to get the replacement. If you ask me, their customer service is a one man show.

 

3) Their softboxes are also pretty good. I bought 2 of them: one 2' x 3' & a 3' x 4'. I don't do alot of studio work so the light diffusion looks pretty good to me. I think it's well made. The seam on the 3' x 4' ripped on me because I had a hard time putting it into my Photogenic speedring. I would consider it to be my fault because I tried to force it in. I can probably re-sew it back together.

 

4) I purchased two muslin backgrounds from them. The muslin colors they show on their site will be a little different from the one you get. I think it all depends on how they light it. It won't be completely off but just a little different. I was satisfied with the colors that I got.

 

If you are on a budget, then Amvona is a good value. Would I buy from them again? Yes. Mostly their muslin backgrounds & softboxes. I would skip their ballhead & if I had more money I would probably buy a more expensive Manfrotto tripod. I currently have a lightstand/boom on order so I'll review it once I get it.

The Crown (not sure about Super models) has a rise movement if the rails show up on your 90mm lens (alternative to dropping the bed).

Ok, I finally decided to get a Super Graphic (with more movements) &

sold my Crown Graphic. I currently have an older Schneider 90mm

Angulon but would really like to buy a wider angle lens for it -

preferably a 75mm lens. I was wondering if anyone has fitted a

<i>modern</i> wide angle lens on a Super Graphic & if a recessed lens

board is necessary? I've looked through the threads & I've read

someone fitting an older 65mm SA lens but that might be too wide for

what I'm looking for. Thanks in advance.

Bryan,<br><br>

I just asked about the Toyo CF45 in the forums & it sounds like it's something to stay away from. If you don't mind used equipment you can probably buy a used Toyo 45AX for under a $1000. I don't have a big budget of LF so I'm looking into a Super Graphic. It has most of the movements I want plus I can probably get a decent one at Ebay for around $250.00. I wish I had done more research on the different Gralfex models a few years ago or I wouldn't have purchased the Crown Graphic model. But I'm not complaining because it has served me well over the years - these things are made to last forever. I don't have any experience on the other brands but I'm sure you'll get several more recommendations from other users.

Eugene,<br>

I looked at the Shen Hao HZX 45AII (never heard of it until now) & it looks very tempting. I've always wondered about the durability of wooden field cameras but from what I've read, they last a pretty long time. I'm sure I can't bang it around like I do with my Crown Graphic but I would sure like to have one someday. Thanks for the post.<Br><br>

Ray

Has anyone physically seen or tried the Toyo 45CF Field camera yet?

I tried looking around the web but couldn't really find any good

reviews on it. From what minimal opinions I've read on the web, it

feels 'plasticky' & that the movements is not geared. I'm currently

using a Crown Graphic & would like to move onto something with a

little more movement (mostly front tilt & revolving back for

landscape work). B&H is selling it for around $600 & was wondering

if it's worth the price. Or should I just take my chances on a Super

Graphic on Ebay? Thanks.

I second Eric Rose on the 90mm Angulon - VERY compact & light with good performance. One thing to consider on those vintage lenses is the filter ring. I believe I have an older vintage Angulon with an odd size filter ring & I'm unable to find the right size filter or step up rings to fit it. There are other Angulons with a common filter size of 49mm (I think) so do your research on that if you're considering buying one. If you don't use too many filters, then it shouldn't be a problem. Also, movements maybe somewhat limited.

Thanks everyone for your helpful response.

I was hoping someone could answer the following questions. I was

thinking of trading in my Crown Graphic for a Super or Speed Graphic

because I heard it has a little bit more functions. My questions

are: <br><br>

 

1) Do the Super & Speed Graphics models have a front tilt & a

revolving back? To me, this is a major advantage to my current Crown

Graphic with no (useful) movements at all. <br><br>

2) Do the same lens board fit on all models?<br><br>

3) Does the bed drop on the Speed & Super models also?<br><br>

4) I currently have a 90mm lens but would like to go wider to 75mm.

Can the Speed or Super models handle a 75mm wide lens or do I need a

recessed lens board for this?<br><br>

 

 

Thanks in advance.