TraditionalPhotographer.NET / Cameras & Accessories / Large Format Cameras

Chamonix 45N-1

roteague — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:12:41 GMT

I thought you might enjoying the latest addition to my kit. It is a Chamonix 45N-1. I got this as part of a group buy over on LF forum. It was $699 US, plus $75 shipping, direct from the factory in China.

The camera is Walnut and Carbon Fiber, and is extremely light. I'm taking it out for a spin tomorrow morning, and see how it handles. It is different enough from my Toyo that it may take me a little while to get used to using it. I'll do a write up of the camera once I've had some time with it.

davidb got one as well. Hopefully, he will pop-on and give us his thoughts on this camera.

Chamonix 5x7

roteague — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:45:31 GMT

Hugo, the US distributor mentioned a new Chamonix 5x7 camera over on LF:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=39274

It is expected to ship in a couple of months. Here are some pictures of the camera:

http://forum.xitek.com/showthread.php?threadid=532668

Sorry, the forum is in Chinese. It looks like the 4x5 version. It looks like this one will be called the 57N-1. Unfortunately, it's a bit too big for me.

Just curious, how many of you use a loupe?

Jorge Gasteazoro — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:20:43 GMT

I keep reading on all the forums how people use a loupe to focus. I realize I do contact printing but even when I was using 4x5, as soon as I put a fresnel on the GG I noticed that when I focused and the checked with a loupe, I did not need to adjust the focusing. I have not used a loupe in years, with 8x10 and 12x20 if it looks sharp on the GG then it will look sharp on the print.

Can it be that advances on lens manufacturing have made the loupe obsolete?

Ilford Photo “Comes To Aid" Of Large Format Photographers

roteague — Sat, 24 May 2008 20:53:52 GMT

"As part of its campaign to ‘Defend the Darkroom’, Ilford Photo - the monochrome brand of Harman technology Limited – has announced a special initiative in support of ultra large format (ULF) photographers. In an increasingly digital world, these photographers can find it difficult to buy the specialist analog products they require due to a shrinking number of manufacturers and stocking dealers. However, to help ULF users overcome this limited availability, as well as the need to purchase a minimum order quantity, Ilford Photo has revealed it is running a two month ULF product ordering window."

http://shutterbug.com/news/052908ilford/

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/pressroom/article.asp?n=105

Was Ansel Adams blathering?

Jorge Gasteazoro — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:20:25 GMT

Well, it seems that now an LCD on a digital camera replaces visualization and judgment. Now, am I alone? HOw many here think about their shot, why they are taking it, and can "see" the finished print even before they press the shutter? I know I am not special, there is just no way I am the only who does this and by doing so obtains exactly what he wants in the final print.

The Harley Diaries

eric rose — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:54:48 GMT

I have begun a project I call the Harley Diaries. I am doing detail photography on a friends Harley. Since it's so shiny the technical challenges are not insignificant to say the least. So far I have about 20 images. Here is one to share. This is a scan of a quick print I did prior to a meeting. Nothing fancy in the way of darkroom work. When I am finished shooting then I will start to do some serious darkroom stuff on these images. Shot with Linhof Tech IV, 210mm lens and PL100 film.

[img]http://www.apug.org/gallery/data/2/Untitled-44.jpg[/img]

4x5 and 5x7 alternative

Bertilsson — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 06:43:46 GMT

It seems like a lot of people are favoring either Shen-Hao or Chamonix cameras for a new large format purchase. I wanted to add a third option, which has given me a lot of joy.

Fine Art Photo Supply used to be run by Anthony Guidice. He eventually sold the business to Photographers' Formulary but most of its products remain available. They had the Japanese camera maker Osaka make cameras for them.
It took me a very long time to save up the funds to purchase their 4x5 camera, but I don't regret it a single second. It doesn't have all the movements in the world, but it's a very well manufactured camera, made out of dimensionally stable aged cherry wood, and the price is VERY reasonable. It's gorgeous.
More information here:
[url]http://www.fineartphotosupply.com/workscamera.htm[/url]

I am not affiliated with Photographers' Formulary or Anthony Guidice in any way. I just love my 4x5 camera.

- Thomas