One more time 8x10, question

[Troy Ammons]

Originally I thought I would not want to hike more than about 500 feet with one of these monsters, but now I am thinking I actually might like to shlep one of these things around occasionally. I picked up a Cambo 8x10 and its nice and stiff but it is heavy and bulky.

Now what I want is something of good quality,

That is.........

Reasonably stiff and will lock down and wont move when inserting a filmholder.
Weighs about 10-12#.
Is moderatly priced, at maybe $1000-$2500 used. I expect I am going to have to pay for lightweight high quality.
Something that folds up and is compact.

I guess the first camera that comes to mind is the Canham, followed by the Wisner, Wista and less expensive and I am sure less quality Shen Hao and tachihara cameras.

I would rather have something realtively new, but I would not discount a Deardorff or the like. I guess I would consider a Kodak Master View too

Any opinions.

[df cardwell]

Deardorff, no front swings. Cheap, light.

Kodak 2 D.

[Ole]

Gandolfi Variant, weight 4 kg (8 lb), price (used, from Gandolfi) GBP 1500.-.

[Steve Hamley]

Also the Wehman:

http://www.wehmancamera.com/camera.html

Maybe a used Phillips if you watch and buy carefully. Deardorff is O.K., but rather heavy for carrying IMO.

Steve

[TheFlyingCamera]

<soapbox>
I haven't tried a Shen-Hao 8x10 yet, but I wouldn't bash them out of hand like that. For starters, the Shen-Hao 8x10 actually has titanium bits, not just pot metal. Second, having worked with the 4x5, it is remarkably solid.
</soapbox>

The above being said, I think my first choice for an 8x10 would be a Canham, for the light weight and easy portability. If I get to China before I decide to upgrade my 8x10, I'll visit Shanghai and see the Shen Hao factory, and see if I can get a better price on it locally. If not, it's a Canham for sure.

[Troy Ammons]

You know I just looked at a Wehman on line and it looks really nice. I only would question how stiff it is.

Does anybody here have any experience at all with one ??

[Steve Hamley]

Troy,

Allegedly it is very stiff because the base is a "U" shaped piece of metal.

Do a search on Wehman on APUG and lfinfo. Bruce likes to say he's never seen one on eBay - and as far as I can tell, that's true.

Steve

[Tom Hoskinson]

You know I just looked at a Wehman on line and it looks really nice. I only would question how stiff it is.

Does anybody here have any experience at all with one ??

I have an 8x10 Wehman and I love it. It is plenty stiff with lenses up to and including 480mm. The shortest lens I use on it is my Schneider 110mm XL SS (infinity focus on a flat lens board).

I back pack my Wehman in a Kelty Redwing 3100 internal frame backpack. Camera, lenses, film holders, BlackJacket, etc. are all carried inside the pack. Tripod/Ballhead on the outside.

[Jorge]

Between a Canham and a Gandolfi I would go with the Canham. Gandolfi has terrible customer service, or at least this has been my experience in the last month trying to get a Sinar front standard for my 8x10.

Canham has wonderful customer service and the Gandolfi Variant is not any better than his cameras. If it wasnt because I would loose too much money I would trade mine in for a Canham in a heartbeat.

[sattler123]

I do have the 8x10 Wehman as well and it is perfect for Backpacking. It is very solid, yet very light weight. It weighs just over 8 pounds!! It is not a camera for people who love to brag about the looks of their cameras. As Bruce Wehman said to me - there's the Canham crowd and then there's the Wehman crowd, BUT it is everything you would ever want in a landscape camera. If you do a lot of architecture, then this camera is not for you because of the limited rise on it. Call Bruce and talk to him - he is very helpful and won't tell you any BS.