alex_z

You may want to check Kata bags (and their HB-503 or something like that). This is constructed extremely good, very reliable, highly customized, intended to live up to a heavy treatement.

I use one for my 4x5 gear, sometimes along with 35 setup and personal stuff, hiking in rough areas. Very satisfied.

Some time ago I researched this issue while acquiring my Caltar-N II 90mm/6.8 lens. It turns out that Caltar was actually produced by several manufacturers in different periods of time. Since about second half of 70s Rodenstock indeed carried out the manufacturing, however prior to that there were several other, probably less venerable manufacturers who produced lenses for Calumet branding.

Do not remember the links to the sources of this info, but in general this is the history of Caltar line...

 

Alex

Check out Kata bags - their HB-502 does the job more then nicely (albeit I don't own Arca, just a regular 4x5 field folder).

I personally found it much better then either LowePro or Tamrac I tried as well.

www.kata-bags.com

Take a look to a Kata bags (www.kata-bags.com). Excellent stuff, IMHO, by far the best solution among those I checked (LowePro Trekkers and others) to carry my 35mm and 4x5 field system. I opted for the largest one (HB-502 if I'm not mistaken) - huge backpack but offers the most secure storage, lots space for your camera gear while extremely well packed and protected. Decent pocket for laptop if you need,.....very convenient to access (the upper compartment can be accessed without opening the entire back, to that internals aren't even exposed when not necessary. Hold heavy tripod very well.

Did I say it is huge ? It is also heavy when empty, so this is something to consider...and of course, far from to be the cheapest around...

What is improtant (to me, at least), unlike LowePro/Tamrac and other dedicated brands - doesn't scream "expensive equipment is held inside me, lease steal me you'll not be dissapointed..."

 

Alex

This is quite a beaten horse.

There were several lengthy discussions on several LF forums (such as APUG and even probably here on photo.net). MPEX indeed used to sells Sun Foto for about 100$ less then Shen-Hao, however customer's feedback regarding Sun Foto wasn't as encouraging as of original Shen-Hao (now I see it is even 200$ less), the QA issues statisitics wasn't really in favor of Sun Foto as a statistics of returns. There were compliants of unsatifactory new product quality of Sun Foto and people have returned this camera replacing it with original Shen-Hao (however there are happy shooters with saved 100 or 200$ purchasing Sun Foto and are lucky owing good species).

There were rumors that Sun Foto is just rebranded Shen-Hao and due to those many (not owing Shen-Hao) potentially attributed the bad Sun Foto reputation to original Shen-Hao also which isn't true at all.

Shen-Hao company refused ti admit that Sun Foto is their camera under different tademark and calimed that most certainly this is some thrid-party copy of original Shen-Hao.

Few fellow APUG members have inquired Jim and Midwest regarding whether Sun Foto is rebranded Shen-Hao or, if not, what is the original manufacturer of those. After Shen-Hao pleading neglecting Sun Foto as their product, Jim honestly admitted the fact that he doesn't know and can't provide a reliable info as of Sun Foto manufacturer.

 

Bottom line, many who initially considered Sun Foto (and I was among those) preferred to spend another 100 or 200$ and get the product that can be trusted in, I did and have never looked back.

I have mine (Shen Hao 4x5) for about a half year now, purchasing from Badger. Jeff's service was great and very prompt, the camera is well made and is great at work. Lots of movements yet sturdy enough for its category, worth every penny of its 600$. I think this is a real bargain, best price/performance among affordable 4x5 field folders.

Thanks for the valuable advises.

unfortunately, studio work isn't an option for me, don't intend to do anything requiring a studio setup (and studio lighting in particular).

What I would prefer is being able to cope with a natural lighting. Making props myself may be an option unless requiring a complications which I wouldn't want to face with.

 

I think I'm going to build a camera typical to the job setup at home just to check how it would work out technically.

Thank you guys for your support and valuable advises.

Unfortunately, springing off some considerable amount for a another camera (monorail) doesn't sound as an option for me at this time due budget restrictions, and I wouldn't want to find myself in the situation of acquiring more and more gear solely for this particular assignment.

I just intended to evaluate the feasibility of this enire issue given the equipment I have.

The common concensus says most certainly what I have will be enough to accomplish the mission technically-wise, perhaps except of some of the most complicated targets.

I think I'm going to build a setup at my home convenience similar to a supposed one on the real assigment just to check what can be achieved technically-wise (i.e. how close can it be focused, possible magnifications, working convenience (or lack of such), fixing the camer aupside down next to the ground level and trying to focus in such position, ...)

Perhaps our fellow LF photo nuts here can help me to realize of

whether LF (4x5) is suitable for a particular project I'm called to do

soon.

Our local photo club has launched a "Personal project" which is

actually a personal guiding of each member by a tutor towards

achieving an excellence in the particular subject the member has

chosen to cover.

To make myself clear: each member makes his choice of the subject he

is willing to cover by a photography series (for instance, family

portraiture, tabletop flowers, macro world, seaside ladscapes,

etc....) and is guided by a professional tutor who is directing the

member towards better achievements. The project is supposed to run a

whole year at least.

Iin our club, I'm is the only member shooting LF (all others are

digifreaks except of very few who are still on 35mm film but dreaming

about switching to the "dark side")...

My hard part is making a decision of the subject. Of course, my

mandatory requirement is running the project by my 4x5 (albeit I have

35mm system).

Recently, among others, more common ideas (such as attarctive urban

scapes, probably seaside, landscapes or even architecture), I was hit

by another idea that captured by imagination:

I'll be willing to shoot a small natural creatures in the way that on

the image (and on large, high quality enlargement potentially

available by LF) would looke like a great large-scaled nature

creations. For instance, to shoot a small puddle (after a rain) in the

way to make it look like a large lake or sea view.

Or perhaps to figure a miniature waterfall on the beaten off-road

track to shoot it appearing like a Grand Canyon waterfall, etc...you

got my point... :-)

 

The big question is whether regular 4x5 field camera setup will suit

for such kind of work. I realize most of it calls to near-ground work

which also sounds quite limiting LF-wise, but what factors besides it

will make this realization next to impossible to make true in LF ?

Perhaps a true Macro ability is a must here ?

 

What I have right know is 4x5 field camera(Shen-Hao 4x5) with 90mm/6.8

and 150mm/5.6 lenses. (of course, filters, ....). May consider

acquiring additional, reasonably priced lens (most certainly to extend

my reach my a long lens) if this is absolutely necessary (albeit this

wouldn't be my preferred solution due to temporal budget limitation).

 

Will be glad to hear your opinions.

 

Thanks, Alex

 

P.S. I've posted this on another well respected LF forum also, will be

grateful for your opinions/experiences.

Check out Kata photo backpacks (http://www.kata-bags.com/index.asp). I recently bought BP-502 after quite a bit of contemplation over a known brands such as LowePro, Tamrac and few others.

This one is huge, but holds safely my heavy 35mm setup along with 4x5 system. Excellent tradeoff of convenience and utter prottection for your equipment. Holds heavy tripod very securely.

Besides, doesn't scream out "I'm a photo bag holding lots of vey expensive gear, please steal me.. !"

Caltar N-II 90mm/6.8 is rebadged Rodenstock Grandagon N 90mm/6.8.

Both are highly regarded, multicoated of course. Caltar usually sells for less then Grandagon due to not being engraved with "Rodenstock..."

In a nutshell, don't think you can fall short with any of these...

Eric, I suspect you may have been fallen into the same trap as many other potential Shen hao 4x5 users. MPEX (Midwest Photo Exchange) is indeed a good source and is recommended by many avid shooters, however they fall short of Shen-Hao issue.

Until very recently, they didn't import the qenuine Shen-Hao cams but rather cameras called Sun Photo that are visually exact copies of original Shen-Hao. Albeit priced lower then qenuine Shen-Hao cameras those Sun Photo earned quite unstable reputation of somewhat irratic QC issues and that fact generated a statistics of returns you're aware about at MPEX. Common opinions was that those Sun Photo are rebadged Shen-Hao or something like that which influenced their reputation. Later, this was objected by the manufacturer (Shen-Hao) and some other sources (more or less reliable). In fact, the only Shen-Hao "official" US improter was badgergraphic (www.badgergraphic.com) (at least until recently) who provided an original Shen-Hao and the product gained very good reputation including reliability in less then perfect invironmental and usage conditions.

 

You may inquire Budger or just log into APUG LF forums ...

 

Regards, Alex

Something I wasn't able to figure in Kodak E100G/V/.. datasheets:

what is the reciprocity failure dependency for this particular

emulsions ? Any hints where to find such (likey to be graph showing

exposure extensions needed to compensate as a functtion of time exposure).

The datasheets claim that up to 1 sec (or was it 10 sec ?) no

correction is necessary, however do not mention what is happening

above these times.

Long exposures are of particular interest to me cause night scenery if

one of my particular interests.

 

Opinions/experiences ?

 

Thanks, Alex

Just picked a used one Zone VI true modified for a mere of 220$ ! (in excellent cond) :-))

As long as bags-related - take a look to Kata bags. Found them much better suited for photo lugging hen Lowepro/Tamrac and built to a very strict military standards.

www.kata-bags.com

 

Not a commercial, just a satisfied customer.

Ken is an excellent photographer and seems to be a famous person as regarding photo theories however, IMHO, some of his claims and conclusions seems to be exxageratedly generalized and over self-assured. His site and opinion tend to get accepted blidnly by many photo beginners

(just like I was pointed out to his site a while ago by many beginners like me), once being backed up by a personal experience I take many of his conclusions with grain of salt. I don't like the "absolutism" he expresses in many technical aspects. What doesn't work for him may work much better for others, not sure whether he would be ready to accept this fact.

I myself relatively newbie into LF having bunch of experience in 35mm and MF prior to taking the plunge in LF. Up until yesterday I didn't have a dedicated meter (spot meter in particular) and used to lug with me my Canon system, often just to serve as a spot meter. Found it to be a serious burden which often just disturbs to a clear picture taking by LF. So I was eyeing for a good spot meter for a long time until few days ago noticed an ad selling Pentax Digital Zone VI modified Spotmeter for a very reasonable amount, so I jumped on that opportunity. What a great releaf going out just with my 4x5 field cam and few lenses and a little cure meter not being loaded like a truck with the gear I'm going to utilize a mere of few % of it...

I also tried friend's DSLR to serve as a meter checking LCD - didn't turn to be a worthy idea either...

 

Alex

Don't discard probably the best (IMHO) trade-off: Caltar II-N 90mm/6.8.

In fact, this is actually Rodenstock Grandagon-N 90mm/6.8 made specifically for Calumet. Fully identical design/quality-wise to the Rodenstock, but commands about 20-30% lower prices (used) then the same one having Rodenstock written on it.

I also tend to shoot at low light levels (night cityscapes, sunsets/rises, etc..) and f/6.8 appealed to me a a good compromise between heavy, expensive and huge front-sized f/4.5 90mm wide angles and light, small but slower f/8 versions.

This Caltar can be had within 400-550$, while Rodenstock-written version in similar condition usualy goes within 500-700$ range (all used).

Thanks Christopher, your note is taken.

I'm certainly aware about the popularity of 210mm focal length in 4x5, but it seems to me the gap between 150 and 210 isn't considerable enough to provide the coverage of 24/28mm - 100mm in 35mm equvalent I used to for landscape/architecture/portrature. Besides, I intend to own and use no more then 3 lenses for 4x5, so in order to cover the 24/28 - 100mm (35mm format) equivalent range by 3 lenses in 4x5 I thought 90mm, 150mm and 240/250mm would be the optimal choice.

 

Regards, Alex

Thanks guys for your advises.

In fact, I'll going to enter 4x5 area, no larger coverage is needed.

I'm aware about Fujinon A 240mm/9 and its popularity, however a bit small maximum aperture hints me for a dimmer GG image, am I wrong ?

Perhaps smaller wide apertures aren't as critical composition-wise on long lenses as on wide angles ?

Besides, is the A 240mm/9 EBC multicoated ?

I was follwoing this thread also.

Do you think guys the Fujinon EBC multicoated 250mm/6.3 version is also as highly regarded as f/6.7 you are referring to ?

I'm quite a newbie into LF, will be following 4x5 field camera route (have yet purchased the camera, collecting opinions and offers), but just recently acquired a used Fujinon EBC multicoated (NWS or NW) 150mm/5.6 lens to go as a normal one for my soon to be 4x5 setup.

I will also be considering either 340mm or 250mm lens o serve as a long end of my future lineup, and noticed a plenty of Fujinon W (apparently multicoated) 250/6.3 lenses available at KEH, for instance.

So I wondering, whether this one is also as highly regarded as the one you were referring here in this thread (f/6.7).

 

Regards, Alex

I know, this is rather beaten horse, but still cannot clear up my mind

regarding this camera (as my choice for my first 4x5 field camera).

The general opinion about ShenHao 4x5 seems to build up a very

positive concensus (as long as reading online reviews and opinions,

including many of these here on APUG), however there are few I

encountered that raised questions:

One of LF experienced users who had bought a Shen-Hao 4x5 heavily

complained really struggling to have camera's standards aligned prior

to a shoot, thus making almost impossible to use camera movements.

Another opinion I've heard from another experienced LF shooter, that

the camera itself is made far from the standards of good 4x5 field

folders as long as design or finishing-wise.

I would like to gather a statistics of experienced LF shooters who

also use Shen-Hao: Do you also feel the camera's finish isn't up to a

standards of other well accepted 4x5 field folders ? (such as Wista,

for instance or similar ?) Any comments regarding its actual

operability (standards alignment and any other issues ?)

 

I have no any prior experience with LF and field cameras in particular

so have no any references to compare with, this is why I trust the

educated opinions of experienced LF APUGers.

 

Thanks in advance, Alex

I do some kind of "research" on field 4x5 camera market towards maing

up my mind for my first 4x5. Often I come upon 4x5 folders referred as

Technical camera, whilst others are field cameras. Checking the

specifiactions in many case I wondered to reveal that technical

cameras are more limited movements-wise and bellows draw comparative

to competitively priced field cameras, albeit in most cases beign

metal-made rather then wooden.

few examples I figured so far are Wista Techical and probably Horseman

45FA

(though there are many other technical models).

I'll be grateful if someone could clarify what exactly measn the

camera being "technical" and why it suits more (or less ?) for a

landscape/moderate architecture work.

 

Regards, Alex

I'll join Brian refraining from mentioning a Shen-Hao which seems to be the best 4x5 field camera deal around lately but certainly will not suit

you (the thread originator) cause being out of the scope of the consideration.

Thank you for your help.

BTW, how portabel can be Arca-Swiss F ? Does it fit adequately into backpack with all necessary accessories ?

Does Arca-Swiss F monorail use a standard Graflock back ? I.e. is it

compatable with common roll-film backs by Horseman or Linhof (or

others similar) ?

 

Thanks, Alex