Finally, a review and tutorial on the lovely Chamonix 045F1 4×5 field camera. This video might cause some minor controversy because this is not a fully glowing review (it’s not a trashing, either — I’m keeping this camera).
Pros: 12:30
Cons: 14:28
Wrap-up: 15:51
“Out and about” shooting video:
Chamonix site:
Corrections:
A commenter pointed out that the camera has sliding “stops” on the bottom of the front standard that can be used to prevent tilt while adjusting rise and fall. I’d have softened that aspect of my criticism a bit if I’d only known of this useful feature (Chamonix apparently does not deliver documentation for their cameras).
For anyone coming to this some 3 years later: the F-2 is different.
You are just like most of us, an enthusiast that wants to teach, thanks.
Your review is not fair, you are thinking in the back of your head and comparing it to the Arca Swiss, which is the perfect camera.
Instead of using a fiddly screw type mechanism to lock the front standard in place (such a long screw thread is unnecessary) why didn't they just come up with a quick and easy bayonet type screw??
Did I miss the Vertical view set-up? I am assuming for the vertical set-up the camera is placed on its side using the tripod mount, is this right? If so, then it is like the 8×10 view camera they make…and the reason I crossed it off my list. I much rather have a back that allows the film holder to go in vertically or horizontal.
Great Review Mr. M. Thomas
As you may well know the front standard issue has been resolved with the new F2. The new feature is a double knob now with one controlling the rise & fall and one controlling the swing. I recently purchased and it is a great new feature for sure.
a few wee bits of fiddling to trade-off for a featherweight camera. Nice review!
nice review, but as people have said the locks on the front standard hold the tilt during rise/fall, ALSO this acts as a detent in this axis, and the ones on the rear act as detents too, and the focus rail acts similar (only few holes to put the bolt of the standard into).
Thanks for the review. Watching this in October 2017, I've just ordered an F2.
Thanks for the review, I also have a Chamonix 045F1 and learned a few things.
I own a Cambo monorail which has detents almost everywhere and the lack of them on the Chamonix really disappointed and surprised me. Really, how much weight would be added if detents were in place?
The thing that I find odd and still don't understand is why the Chamonix designers went with lens boards that have offset holes. I suppose the Linhof camera where these originated had a reason for needing to be offset but why did Chamonix use them?
Yes, I know I can buy center hole OR offset hole Technika lens boards from various suppliers (and I have both types). But it just confuzzles me why the boards are offset.
Maybe you know the answer?
Oh, if I do install a lens on a center hole board how am I supposed to know when it is centered on the front standard? There is no mark … maybe I should make my own mark.
Terry Thomas…
the photographer
Atlanta, Georgia USA
Skype: AtlantaTerry
Actually your complaining to this camera helps a lot!! Thank you sir!! 🙂
Thanks for the review. I just ordered this very camera last night. I will use it for hiking into locations so being so light weight was the main attraction. I shoot a lot so I am sure I will become a Jedi master setting it up and doing movements. 🙂
Nice review! How do you feel about the intrepid cameras?
I'm getting more and more interested in getting a 5×4 large format and I'm finding your videos fascinating. The way you spoke about the studio camera and field cameras I'm presuming there are much more defined lines in LF? I struggle with profound upper body pain that is caused by a neuropathy around my lungs, but surprisingly fiddling would be a lot more painful than lifting a camera a bit heavier. After that it's a matter of which would be more tiring for me because of the respiratory problems. I can manage a Bronica ETRSi 120, with certain compromises, but this is the world's least fiddly camera and is quite light. Thank you very much for the video, it has helped me a lot.
HI mike , I have one question : what"s different between F1 and N2?I am new for LF carmera , which one is better?
Hi Mike. I've had more shooting time with the camera now and I decided to make a modification. I've fitted guide rails on the baseplate using lengths of quarter inch aluminum quadrant molding to lock the rear standard brackets laterally. So the rear standard still slides backwards and forwards in the rails for focal length adjustment, but I've sacrificed rear swing; something I never seem to need for my landscape photography anyway.
Mike, thanks for the very informative review. I have been lusting over this camera for a while and will need to decide if I want to go for it. I, too have an Arca Swiss (f-not field) that I use the AS 110mm lens boards for so I would probably need to move to a different lens board with the Chamonix. Well, hey, I'm not in a bad position now, but something lighter would be nice at times. Thanks!
another point, the asymetric tilt you are describing has a name, Arca Swiss call it "micro-metric-orbix" quite a mouth full but they DO have it on a few of their monorail cameras ( 'f' line I think, not sure if the 'M'line has it, or if they are push/pull on that axis)
I am a 4×5 fan, the focus hole used ( I am assuming a bit here) is determined by the focal length of the lens you are mounting, or going to;
the theory is that the back stop of the focus rail is in sync with the lenses' designed Infinity Focus Point (IFP). thus if you measure a distance from this point [the lenses focal length], assuming it's measured from the back of the front standards recess – the one the lens board abuts ( this is the point we are refering to ; the IFP )) to the front of the focus screen on the rear standard and screw the front standard in the nearest hole to this distance; you should in theory have the ability to infinately focus your mounted lens, the closer distances are focused by mooving the focus rack forewards- aka like extension tubes in 35mm cameras.
Mike, I have the camera now. Wow, really light and feels quite insubstantial compared to the Toyo!
I get your point about the 'loose' feeling of the perspective controls. Some care with setup needed there.
Thanks again for your helpful review.
Hi Mike, really nice review; thanks. I have a Toyo 45Aii (my first LF), but have just ordered this camera, mainly due to the weight advantage as I hope to be travelling with it quite a bit. The price seems pretty awesome too, if the quality is as good as it appears.
The camera is based on a Dick Phillips design, Shen Hao has one that's very similar. This camera was engineered to be as light as possible, hence the preponderance of carbon fiber, SS & aluminum. Anything that wasn't absolutely necessary was omitted to save weight. When using the universal bellows, it can be extended far enough to take a 300mm, and can also take as wide as a 75mm or wider depending on the lens mfg. I own the 045n2 and the only difference is the added tilt on the rear standard. It is a joy to use and has seen 15 or 20 backpacking adventures and has performed beautifully.
Once you used to it,, everything became second nature. They are wonderful cameras and Hugo Zhang at Chamonix is excellent to deal with. I wish others' customer service was this good. You've got a superb camera I hope you enjoy it as much as I have mine.
With regards to the rise and fall, can you not slide the locking pins out under the lens board to stop it tilting when applying rise and fall ?