5x7 Recommendations

[Alan9940]

I'm thinking about getting a 5x7...which one (new) would you recommend that falls into the "affordable" category; for example, my wallett tells me to skip the Ebony!

Thank you for any thoughts and recommendations.

[Amund]

The "cheapest" Ebony 5x7 is $4795, wich makes my $1295 Shen-Hao FCL-57 a bargain I wrote a few words(and pictures) on it here

[MikeK]

I'm thinking about getting a 5x7...which one (new) would you recommend that falls into the "affordable" category; for example, my wallett tells me to skip the Ebony!

Thank you for any thoughts and recommendations.

I am really pleased with my Tachihara 5x7; you can see it here http://home.pacbell.net/mkirwan/tach...5x7_review.htm

Reasonably priced; and I purchased mine new from MidWest Photo

Hope this helps

Best

Mike

[Nick Zentena]

The older models are much more affordable then anything new. Something like an Ansco 5x7 won't set you back much more then $200 depending on condition.

Downsides

Weight
Not ultra wide lens friendly. Or at least less wide then some of the moderns
Obviously used.

[Curt]

I have a Kodak 2D, while not a Canham, it is a fine camera. I got it a little rough so I stripped it and refinished it. I left the hardware which has a paint in gold and patina. It was a "find" though and a lot of dogs are out there with bad bellows. The camera I have had a new bellows and the seller didn't even mention it in the ad. I was prepared to buy a new one but didn't have to.

Then there are the holders, and do you want to contact print or get a 5x7 enlarger? Good luck.

[papagene]

Like Curt, I have a Kodak 2D. Stripped it down and refinished it. Bellows are light tight and it works just fine. Paid $200 for it... fun to use.
Take a look.

gene

[photomc]

Alan, have been working with an old Burke & James for the past couple of years and think it was the right way to approach 5x7 (Love the format BTW). That said, I have been 'wanting' to upgrade to a nicer camera, but am currently torn between a 5x7 Canham or replacing both the 5x7 B&J and 8x10 Korona with the 8x10 Canham with a 5x7 back. It is indeed a BIG step up in $$, but from everything I have read it is also worth the $$.

The problems with the older cameras, that I have had, is they are not quite as stable, and there is a spare amount of baby-sitting (you spend a bit more time fiddling with the camera to get everything set) before making an image. Then there is the difference in weight, if something goes wrong with the older camera it is not as easy to repair, etc.

All of that said, there is still a certain pleasure to working with the older cameras. Maybe nostalgia, not sure but the fact that you can still make a very good image with a camera that is 40, 50...100+ years old leaves you with a lot of satisfaction (or it does for me).

Good luck with the quest - the B&J cost me $150 with a 4x5 back, found someone here that had a 5x7 back for another $100. Not bad for an older camera that has given me great service...it just wants to be treated kindly and I can not complain with the work I have produced with it.

[Bandicoot]

I used an old Kodak Specialist 5x7 monorail for years - it was my first LF camera and I used it both 'full-size' and with a home-made 4x5 back. It worked very well, but took time to set up and is very heavy.

Later I started using a Graflex Century Graphic for 6x9, and then added an 'old style' Arca-Swiss 6x9 monorail. I liked the Arca so much that I got a 4x5 as well and more or less stopped using the old Kodak. Then a few years on I found a used ('old style') Arca 5x7 in somewhat poor condition. The price was right and as I already had Arcas I didn't need all the parts from it, and the ones I did need were amongst those that were in better working shape.

Since I got that I've gone back to doing more 5x7 work than I had done for a long time. Many of the monorail solutions for doing 5x7 are really not very portable, but the Arca is light but rigid and can be packed in a fairly small space. I do recommend looking at this as another option, a possible alternative to all the field cameras being recommended. Which you will like - monorail or field - is a personal thing and related to the sort of work you do, but do consider both alternatives.


Peter

[Curt]

Like Curt, I have a Kodak 2D. Stripped it down and refinished it. Bellows are light tight and it works just fine. Paid $200 for it... fun to use.
Take a look.

Mine looks like this one owned by Gene, I have the extension rail for mine and it and the rail and film holders fit in a California Innovations pop cooler. They are available at Walmart. In fact Walmart is a good place to get cooler type carriers cheap. The 2D is very respectable, I was at the Valley of Fire with it and some people there who saw it made all kinds of nice comments, like "that's a real camera" etc.. I have a Seneca also in 5x7 and 8x10 but the Kodak, even though it is a bit heavier, is very solid and won't let you down. I also have a C1 with an 8x10 and 5x7 back but I don't think I will ever take it out again unless it is setup next to the truck. Even then it's too heavy. Live and learn. It was cheap and I restored it and made it look and work very nice but as a 5x7 it's like a 5x7 field camera with an extra 20 pounds of weights handing on it. I am amazed when I see Brett Weston pick one up attached to a tripod and put over the shoulder and walk it around in the video by Art Wright. It might be a good base for an 8x10 horizontal enlarger project.
Curt

[Loose Gravel]

You don't have to buy new, good used equipment is just as good or better because you don't feel so protective. Anyway, I have a Deardorff. It's a good camera and does most things at 7 pounds. There are lots of them. The wooden Canham isn't bad.