Question about Cambo 4x5 (not RF)

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gdi

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I have had a lot of fun with my Speed Graphic and now I am thinking of moving up to a Cambo 4x5 (not sure of the model, but it looks a 45 N that I see on their site, but it is probably 7-10 years old. It is in really good shape and has a 135 schneider lens with it.

Here is a link to the Calumet site and the new 45NXII
5d2cf4fb40614d8fb1e6d6b9a607e6ab.jpg


Could anyone advise me of the a decent price range for such a thing? I understand it may be critical to have the model number - but best guesses would still help. I am betting it is an older model, but the back that rotates, if that helps,

Thanks
 
Pretty much 'whatever he can get for it'. Cambos are big, heavy and all but 'assistant proof', i.e. very, very strong. They were never as well regarded as Sinars (personally I prefer Cambos, except for the old grey Sinar), Linhofs, etc. and with the near-disappearance of 4x5 from professional studios, old Cambos are a drug on the market. Price guess? A (very) few hundred. That's without lenses, holders, etc., which have often held their value better than the cameras themselves.

Incidentally I assume it's a reversing back (take it off, turn it 90 degrees, put it back) rather than a revolving back (twists without removal), as revolving backs are even bigger and heavier.

Unless you're restricting use to the studio, I'd look hard at something lighter, or at least, easier to carry. I like my Linhof Technikadan and Gandolfi Variant. Even a Variant Level I will give all the movements you're likely to need, and although a Level 3 is heavy, it's easier to carry than any monorail except a Toho (I have one of those too) and can run any lens out of movements.

Cheers,

R.
 
Thanks Roger - I believe it will be in the 3-400 dollar range with the lens. So maybe it is a decent price.

As I understand it, it does have a rotating back -and weighs over 8 pounds. So it will not be a grab and go affair. Of course I like the idea of a light field camera, but from what I have seen I'll pay significantly more for the Linhofs or Gandolfis, but maybe it's worth the wait...
 
Yeah, $300-400 with a lens (assuming it's a half-decent lens) is about right. Better still if there are any film holders.

Purely personally, yes, I'd say it was worth the wait for a lighter, smaller, easier-to-carry camera. A Cambo is a BIG bar steward to carry, not least because it doesn't collapse and needs a very large carrying case.

Cheers,

R.
 
Thanks again, I think I'll do a little more research in the next couple of days to decide if there are other inexpensive field camera alternatives before committing.
 
Another thing to consider:
Will you hike with the camera, or would it be a walking distance from the car affair most of the time?

If you will hike with the camera, a monorail would not be a good idea, obviously. But if you are like me, always within reasonable walking distance from my car, a monorail is preferable. Advantage: rigidity.

I had a Shen-hao field 4x5 which is very cool and compact, but the controls felt flimsy compared to my old Calumet monorail (much older version which I paid almost nothing for).
 
shadowfox said:
Another thing to consider:
Will you hike with the camera, or would it be a walking distance from the car affair most of the time?

If you will hike with the camera, a monorail would not be a good idea, obviously. But if you are like me, always within reasonable walking distance from my car, a monorail is preferable. Advantage: rigidity.

I had a Shen-hao field 4x5 which is very cool and compact, but the controls felt flimsy compared to my old Calumet monorail (much older version which I paid almost nothing for).
Click to expand...

A lot depends on the camera. I'd back a Gandolfi Variant as more rigid than some monorails. There's a three-cornered fight between light, rigid and cheap: choose any two.

Cheers,

R.
 
If you will hike with the camera, a monorail would not be a good idea, obviously. But if you are like me, always within reasonable walking distance from my car, a monorail is preferable. Advantage: rigidity.
Click to expand...

I call BS. Two days ago I hiked over a mile, along rolling foothills, with a homemade wooden 8x10 box camera, backpack and heavy Bogen tripod. I only wished I were toting a mere 4x5 monorail. It's all in how motivated you are to getting the shot.

~Joe
 
JoeV said:
I call BS. Two days ago I hiked over a mile, along rolling foothills, with a homemade wooden 8x10 box camera, backpack and heavy Bogen tripod. I only wished I were toting a mere 4x5 monorail. It's all in how motivated you are to getting the shot.

~Joe
Click to expand...


It looks like I'll find out how motivated I am - I went to check it out and it is in great shape - some model Cambo like the picture above with no wear evident, an rotating back, massive foot locker, a Convertible 135/235 Schneider Symmar, and a some film holders, polaroid back with a few boxes of film and a bunch of expired color film.

I'll play with it for the summer and see if I can find a nice field camera later. Thanks for the tips...
 
JoeV said:
I call BS. Two days ago I hiked over a mile, along rolling foothills, with a homemade wooden 8x10 box camera, backpack and heavy Bogen tripod. I only wished I were toting a mere 4x5 monorail. It's all in how motivated you are to getting the shot.

~Joe
Click to expand...

Joe, so where is this shot then?
Share it with us, would you? :)
 
I have gotten a chance to play around with the camera and here is a straight landscape shot - of a very dark stream (blown highlights). I need to play with movements more, I can seem to get any Scheimpflug effect ( I may be trying to tilt tthe lens plane too much).

Here is F22 1/25 HP% Scanned on a 4870 Epson. Any tips or comments are very welcome.

4489196007_918df689a1_o.jpg
 
Nice photo.

Scheimflug in the field is very subtle. roughly, you want the lens plane to intersect where the film plane intersects the ground.
 
I bought a Sinar F (F is supposedly for field). It is a big pain to hike with a monorail camera that is for sure. They are heavy and bulky. If I were to do it again I'd dish the extra $200-300 and get a field camera.
 
Thanks finder - I find the shifts to be very useful, but I'll practice Scheimpflug around the house.

dfoo - I can't say I wasn't warned! It is bulky, I have a nice Speed Graphic, which is compact enough, but eventually I will find a decent and proper Field camera.

In the meantime, I think I may be able to fit the Cambo in a large Billingham - if I get a 12" rail. It is very easy to disassemble/reassemble. Or maybe an old mountaineering pack....
 
I bought the kelty redwing. It fits the the 4x5 Sinar F back with a 12" rail without any disassembly.
 
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