Shen Hao HZX45 -- Rear Geared Focus?

[BradS]

The specs on the shen Hao HZX45 are kinda sketchy on this but the photos I've seenmake it look like the camera may have geared focus on the back. Can an owner confirm this?

Does the Shen Hao HZX45 have geared focus on the back? or is it only on the front?

Thanks.

[HerrBremerhaven]

Geared focus on the front right, with the front left being a focus lock knob. On the back is a lock down cam with lever that holds position; you can do swing and/or shift with that one lever. There are two threaded holes for the lever, allowing you to place that in a pull or push to lock preference.

The two rear side knobs on the bed of the camera are to allow moving the entire back standard forward, an example being when you wanted to use a short focal length lens, or when you want to do macro photography. Those are just lock down knobs, and are not geared to the metal side plates.

If you want a lower cost rear geared focus 4x5, then check out the Shen Hao PTB 45. That is very similar to the Chamonix 4x5. I do not know if either of those has a focus lock, which might be another question for you to investigate. Neither camera has rear shift, though you could fake it with front and rear swings.

https://www.badgergraphic.com/store/..._detail&p=2766

http://www.shen-hao.com

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography

[Curt]

The specs on the shen Hao HZX45 are kinda sketchy on this but the photos I've seenmake it look like the camera may have geared focus on the back. Can an owner confirm this?

Does the Shen Hao HZX45 have geared focus on the back? or is it only on the front?

Thanks.

No, front only.

Curt

[BradS]

bummer.

Thanks guys.

[BradS]

The two rear side knobs on the bed of the camera are to allow moving the entire back standard forward ....are just lock down knobs, and are not geared to the metal side plates.

Thanks. That is what I thought but, wanted to be sure.

..... check out the Shen Hao PTB 45. That is very similar to the Chamonix 4x5.

Both of those have front focus only....although the control knob is aft. This is not what I'm looking for. I want to be able to adjust focus by moving the back...NOT the front.

[bobwysiwyg]

I want to be able to adjust focus by moving the back...NOT the front.

Newb question here, why that preference?

[BradS]

Newb question here, why that preference?

It is a good question. I very strongly prefer to focus with the back because, focusing the back only changes the lens to film distance and the lens to subject distance stays constant. When you move the front you change both the lens to subject distance and the lens to film distance.

Why does it matter? There are several reasons and most are pretty subtle. The most important is probably because the size of the image changes when you change the distance from the subject to the lens.

It's not really such a big deal until you try to focus on something close. Even at head and shoulders portrait distances, the change in image size when focusing the front is annoying.

[HerrBremerhaven]

Thanks. That is what I thought but, wanted to be sure.

Both of those have front focus only....although the control knob is aft. This is not what I'm looking for. I want to be able to adjust focus by moving the back...NOT the front.

I think you would have to look into the non-folding Shen Hao models instead. The TFC45-IIB is biased for shorter focal lengths, and has front and rear geared focus, so you could use either or both. While it does not fold like the HZX45A-II, it is still fairly compact.

https://www.badgergraphic.com/store/..._detail&p=3165

The other model to investigate is the TZ45A, which was earlier than the current TZ45B model. The difference is that the A has front and rear rack and pinion focus. However, as far as I know, only the B model is currently available.

Keep in mind that you can also contact Shen Hao in Shanghai, and get a custom made 4x5 with features you want. While that is more expensive, it is something they offer as a service.

In case anyone was wondering, I have no commercial affiliation with Shen Hao. I am simply a happy owner and user.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography

[bobwysiwyg]

It is a good question. I very strongly prefer to focus with the back because, focusing the back only changes the lens to film distance and the lens to subject distance stays constant. When you move the front you change both the lens to subject distance and the lens to film distance.

Why does it matter? There are several reasons and most are pretty subtle. The most important is probably because the size of the image changes when you change the distance from the subject to the lens.

It's not really such a big deal until you try to focus on something close. Even at head and shoulders portrait distances, the change in image size when focusing the front is annoying.

Thanks, it makes sense.

[ic-racer]

Even at head and shoulders portrait distances, the change in image size when focusing the front is annoying.

The image size will still change as you focus with the back standard.