Features of Large-Format Cameras (4)

By TAMADA ISAMU

Large-Format Cameras

There are 4x5, 5x7, 8xlO, and 11x14-inch large-format cameras. The most popular large format is 4x5 which measures 102xl27mm. The actual picture size is slightly smaller. The 5x7 sheet film is 127x178mm. It is close to 5x7-inch (130x180mm). 8xlO-inch film is 203x254 mm, almost the same as 8x10 photo paper. Since all these sheet films are loaded into a sheet film holder, the actual picture size is slightly smaller than the film size. The diagonal of the sheet film is about equal to the focal length of the film's standard lens. It is 150mm for 4x5 film, 210mm for 5x7, and 300mm for 8x1O. The picture area of 5x7 film is twice as large as that of 4x5, and 8xlO is four times as large as 4x5. Picture quality increases respectively. Sheet films are sold in light-tight paper boxes containing 10 to 50 sheets. The sheets are loaded into the film holder in the dark, and the film holder's mounted on the camera. Most large-format cameras have interchangeable camera backs allowing the use of smaller format films. Including studio-type cameras, there are over 50 Iarge-format camera models on the market. I will describe 18 field cameras suited for nature photography.

4x5 Camera

Wista 45SP

This camera has a lightweight alloy diecast body. The camera back can revolve 90 degrees with a click stop. The bellows is also interchangeable. The flatbed extends out in three sections. Large knobs are provided for camera back movements. Such features make the camera unique. On the three-section, telescoping tracks, the front standard can be extended to a maximum of 300 mm. Also, an extension bellows and extension tracks allow the use of a 600mm lens for general-purpose photography. This camera is the first in a three-model series. The 45RF has a coupled rangefinder and the 45VX is the basic model. Size: 180xl97xl05mm. Weight: 2.9 kg.

Ebony New 45S

This is an improved version of the old, wooden Ebony 45S which was designed for lightweight and portability. The body is made of ebony wood which has minimal warping. The metal components are titanium alloy. Major improvements include a stronger front standard, more flexible camera movements, and a longer flange back. The maximum and minimum bellows draw is 275mm and 65mm respectively. Normal lenses with a focal length of 65mm to 250mm can be mounted. The wide-angle lensboard enables a 47mm lens to be mounted. Telephoto lenses with a focal length up to 400mm can be used. The picture framing can be changed to horizontal or vertical by re-attaching the camera back in the desired orientation. Size: 210xl80xl20mm. Weight: 2.1 kg.

Tachihara Field-Stand 45

This camera is from Tachihara Professional Camera Works, a camera company specializing in wooden flatbed cameras. The camera was designed to be portable and durable. The wood is cherry wood, and the metal components come in gold or chrome finish. The bellows is sheep-skin and available in black or red (the latter with gold finish metal). The maximum and minimum bellows draw is 330mm and 65mm respectively. By removing the rear standard and attaching a bellows extension, the bellows can be extended up to 570mm or 680mm. The picture framing can be changed to horizontal or vertical by re-attaching the camera back in the desired orientation. Size: 21Ox21Ox80mm. Weight: I.5 kg.

Toho FC-45A

This is an ultra-light monorail field camera using aluminum as the main material. Although the bellows cannot be removed, the camera can be folded up into a compact size. The monorail which comes with the camera is 300mm long. Lenses with focal lengths from 65mm to 500mm can be used. A Ionger 400mm monorail is also available, The dedicated lensboard is circular. Linhof-standard lensboards must be mounted over this circular lensboard. Picture framing is changed to hori-zontal or vertical by re-attaching the front and rear standards and the bellows in the desired orientation. Size: 195xl65x55mm, Weight: 1.1 kg. (With short monorail)

Toyo-Field 45AII

This is a full-feature field camera from Sakai Special Camera Mfg. Co. which is dedicated to making largeformat cameras. The diecast body is made of lightweight alloy, making the camera light, strong, and precise. Marketed in 1 993, it is the improved version of the long-selling Toyo-Field 45A which is popular in Japan and overseas. The two-section telescoping tracks on the flatbed-cum-front cover connects with the tracks on the camera body. Lenses from 65mm to 300mm can be used. Attaching an extension tube gives a flange back of 420mm. The dedicated, standard lensboard is 110xllOmm. The camera back can revolve to switch between horizontal and vertical framing. Size: 107xl88x209mm. Weight: 2.8 kg.

Nagaoka Woody 45D

The camera body is made of cherry wood and the brass components are gold or chrome-plated, A Iarge round hole at the center of the flatbedcum-front cover allows the camera to be folded up with the lens still attached. The hole is the camera's distinctive external feature. Focusing is done by extending the front standard up to 300mm on the two-section telescoping tracks. The wide-angle lensboard allows a 65mm super wideangle lens to be mounted. A Linhof-type lensboard is used, The picture framing can be changed to horizontal or vertical by re-attaching the camera back in the desired orlentation. Size: 180x210x82mm. Weight: I.25 kg.

Horseman 45FA

This is the world's lightest metalbody 4x5 field camera. It weighs like a medium-format camera. The secret of itscompactness lies with the Horseman VH, a 6x9 format camera on which the 45FA is based. The maximum and minimum bellows draw is 272mm and 65mm respectively. The dedicated lensboard is 80x80mm. Using other lensboards requires an adapter. The picture framing can be changed to horizontal or vertical by re-attaching the camera back in the desired orientation. There is a tripod socket on the camera's bottom, side, and flatbed. Size: 1 64xl73x97mm. Weight: 2 kg.

Linhof Master Technika

A renown, metal-body field camera from Germany's Linhof, It boasts the highest degree of function, precision, and durability. Compact and light with a built-in rangefinder, it can be handheld for picture taking. The threesection tracks on the flatbed-cumfront cover extends out to a maximum of 400mm. Telephoto lenses up to a 500mm focal length can be mounted on the flat lensboard. The rangefinder can couple only with lenses up to 360mm. The revolving camera back enables switching between horizontal and vertical framing. For the Japanese market, a special version minus the rangefinder is available. The camera is lighter and smaller. Size: 184x200x110mm. Weight: 2.7 kg. Model with no rangefinder: 184x185x110mm and 2.48 kg.

Linhof Technikardan S45

This is the updated version of the light, compact, monorail-type Technikardan 45 which featured center camera movements and a unique design. Function-wise, it has the best features of the Kardan series studio-type cameras and the Master Technika camera. Major improvements include the L-shaped front and rear standards and a stronger monorail. The monorail has three telescoping sections. The medium-size, compact bellows allows a long flange back of 53mm to 530mm. Lenses as long as 720mm can be used. The picture framing can be changed to horizontal or vertical by re-attaching the camera back in the desired orientation, Size: 245x215xl20mm. Weight: 3.3 kg.

5x7 & 8x10in Camera

In the past, these formats were used only by a few professional photographers. Lately however, even advanced amateur photographers have come to favor these formats. The high picture quality and the possibility of contact printing make them attractive formats. The large format also gives photographers a true picture-taking experience like no other format.

Tachihara Field-Stand 57 and 810 Field-Stand 57

This is a wooden 5x7 field camera. As with other models, the camera's cherry wood from Hokkaido is dried for several years before use. The metal components are the same as those on the Field-Stand 810, and they are highly durable and well balanced on the camera. The basic construction is the same as the Field-Stand 45. The flatbed extends out in two sections. The flange back is 110mm to 450mm. Although the lensboard is a Sinar-type, a Linhof-type is also available. Size: 305x305xl20mm. Weight: 3.6 kg.

Field-Stand 810

This is the 8x10 model in the lightweight and compact Field-stand series. It is based on the Field-Stand 57 camera. The flatbed extends out in two sections. The flange back is 90mm to 550mm. Telephoto lenses up to 800mm can be attached. Camera backs for 5x7 and 4x5 sheet films are also available. The picture framing can be changed to horizontal or vertical by re-attaching the camera back in the desired orientation. Size: 350x310xl20mm. Weight: 4.5 kg.

Tachihara Woodview 8xlO

Made of cherry wood, this field camera has a flatbed which extends out in three sections. Since both the front and rear standards can move on the flatbed, the camera can be well balanced even with a long focal length lens attached. The long flange back is 135mm to 840mm, allowing lenses up to 1200mm to be used. Although the lensboard is a Sinar-type, a Linhof-type is also available. The picture framing can be changed to horizontal or vertical by re-attaching the camera back in the desired orientation. Size: 420x310xl35mm. Weight: 5.5 kg.

Toho FC-57 and 810 FC-57

Bearing the same concept as for the FC-45, the FC-57 is an ultra-light view camera with a metal, two-piece monorail. The flange back is 85 to 550mm. Sinar-type lensboards can be used with a 140mm lens. The dedicated double board enables Linhof-type lensboards to be attached. Since the bellows cannot be removed from the front and rear of the camera, the camera must be re-attached to the monorail to change the picture framing to horizontal or vertical. Size: 275x21 Ox60mm. Weight: 1.2 kg. (excluding monorail)

FC-81O

A bigger version of the FC-57. The construction and function are the same. With the long and short monorails connected (standard configuration), the flange back is 85 to 750mm. When two long monorails are connected, the flange back is 850mm. Size: 340x29lx60mm. Weight: 3 kg. (with short monorail)

Toyo-Field 810MII

This is the only 8xl O field camera with a metal body. The lightweight alloy diecast body and camera controls are highly durable and precision-made. It is the improved version of the long-selling Toyo-Field 810. It is the world's most durable 8xlO field camera. Major improve-ments include a longer extendable length of the front and rear standards and a longer bellows. Attachment of the Nikkor ED 1200mm lens, currently the longest large-format lens, is thereby possible without any special accessories. Subjects as close as 25 meters can be photographed. When the standard lensboard is used, the maximum and minimum bellows draw is 822mm and 88mm respectively. When a wide-angle lensboard is used, the minimum draw is 49mm. The lensboard is a Toyo-type for a 158mm lens. As with the Toyo G series cameras, the camera can be fitted with various types of lensboards. The picture framing can be changed to horizontal or vertical by re-attaching the camera back in the desired orientation. Also, there are camera backs for 5x7 and 4x5 sheet films and 120 rolf film. Size: 366x379xl58mm. Weight: 6.8 kg.

Nagaoka Woody 57A and 810A Woody 57A

Like the Nagaoka Woody 45D, the 57A was designed to be fight and com pact. While the Tachihara 5x7 camera is a scaled-down version of the 8x10 model, the Woody 57A is a larger version of the 4x5 model. Therefore, the performance and camera movements are the same as the Woody 45D's. The flange back is 90 to 400mm. The metal components have a gold finfsh. Chrome finish can be special ordered. Size: 21Ix243x82mm. Weight: 1.1 kg.

Woody 81OA

This is a wooden, fofdable view camera. The front standard extends out in three sections to a maximum of 750mm. A Sinar-type lensboard is used. With an adapter board, other lensboards can be fitted. The flange back is 90 to 600mm. The picture framing can be changed to horizontal or vertical by re-attaching the camera back in the desired orientation. Camera backs for 5x7 and 4x5 sheet films are available. The metal components have a gold finish. Size: 315x340xl05mm. Weight: 3.5 kg.