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#1
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Wisner 4x5 (Was ..best outfit for starting out)
First off, many thanks to those who took the time to respond to my
original post earlier this month. Now, to build on what I have learned so far in this ng and elsewhere. I am primarily interested in shooting landscapes, a la Dykinga and Muench. And of course, I want everything to be in focus, from foreground objects at 10 feet to the mountains in the background. Think of a yucca at White Sands! I frequently backpack to my favorite sites, eg Coyote Buttes in Northern AZ I want to be able to output crisp images at least 20 x 20 and up to the lightjet or epson 9600. It seems, therefore, that I need something lighweight enough to haul in on 5-10 mile hikes, and with sufficient movements to keep that foreground yucca in crisp focus while the rippled dunes in the mid distance and Black Top Mountain in the far distance are also in focus. So, I am seriously considering a Wisner 4x5 , with a lens like the 240MM APO Symmar. (These cameras do not seem very plentiful used, however.) My questions a 1) What do you all think of this choice, and 2) Where should I search to find this camera used? Thanks again, Jack Arnold |
#3
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Wisner 4x5 (Was ..best outfit for starting out)
On Sun, 25 Jan 2004 02:35:09 -0700, juanito
wrote: I frequently backpack to my favorite sites, eg Coyote Buttes in Northern AZ One camera that excells for backpacking use is a Toho FC45x. I have one and am quite pleased with it. I've taken it backpacking on Isle Royale and other places. Here's a very good review: http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/toho.htm You can buy them at www.badgergraphic.com Regards, Peter De Smidt |
#4
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Wisner 4x5 (Was ..best outfit for starting out)
juanito wrote in message . ..
First off, many thanks to those who took the time to respond to my original post earlier this month. Now, to build on what I have learned so far in this ng and elsewhere. I am primarily interested in shooting landscapes, a la Dykinga and Muench. And of course, I want everything to be in focus, from foreground objects at 10 feet to the mountains in the background. Think of a yucca at White Sands! I frequently backpack to my favorite sites, eg Coyote Buttes in Northern AZ I want to be able to output crisp images at least 20 x 20 and up to the lightjet or epson 9600. It seems, therefore, that I need something lighweight enough to haul in on 5-10 mile hikes, and with sufficient movements to keep that foreground yucca in crisp focus while the rippled dunes in the mid distance and Black Top Mountain in the far distance are also in focus. So, I am seriously considering a Wisner 4x5 , with a lens like the 240MM APO Symmar. (These cameras do not seem very plentiful used, however.) My questions a 1) What do you all think of this choice, and 2) Where should I search to find this camera used? Thanks again, Jack Arnold Jack, Seems like a reasonable outfit, but Dykinga uses an Arca and Muench a Linhof Technika IIRC. For a lightweight outfit, Dykinga uses a Wista DX. The 240 Symmar will be great but is a big chunk of glass. For hiking, I'd consider a Fuji 240A or a 240 G-Claron. There are a couple of Wisner 4x5s on FeeBay now. Also Midwest Photo Supply has a couple of used Wisners and a demo Ebony RW45 in addition to the new cameras - also a new Fuji 240 A. you can't go wrong at Midwest. You could also call Quality Camera in Atlanta. Thanks! Steve |
#5
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Wisner 4x5 (Was ..best outfit for starting out)
Thanks for the advice, all, especially pertaining to take my time and
learn! Just eager to get started, I guess. --jack |
#6
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Wisner 4x5 (Was ..best outfit for starting out)
juanito wrote (in part):
I am primarily interested in shooting landscapes, a la Dykinga and Muench. And of course, I want everything to be in focus, from foreground objects at 10 feet to the mountains in the background. Think of a yucca at White Sands! I want to be able to output crisp images at least 20 x 20 and up to the lightjet or epson 9600. It seems, therefore, that I need something lighweight enough to haul in on 5-10 mile hikes, and with sufficient movements to keep that foreground yucca in crisp focus while the rippled dunes in the mid distance and Black Top Mountain in the far distance are also in focus. So, I am seriously considering a Wisner 4x5 , with a lens like the 240MM APO Symmar. (These cameras do not seem very plentiful used, however.) I have a Wisner 4x5 Technical Field and it will not come onto the used market until I die, so you may have to wait another 35 years or so. I have seen these cameras offered for sale used, but if most owners feel as I do, they are probably not inclined to sell unless to upgrade to another model. My questions a 1) What do you all think of this choice, I carry mine in a Tamrak backpack that has been discontinued. It is probably the heaviest of the cameras of that general design around, but in return for the weight, I find I get rigidity which I find helpful. If you want light weight, Ron Wisner makes some lighter weight ones. You may find you do not need the rear rise and rear axis tilt. If that is the case, the Traditional model weighs a little less and costs a little less. When I do landscape with it, I find I do not use 240mm all that much, but YMMV. I tend to use a lot of focal lengths, and to save weight, I carry a 90mm f/8 SuperAngulon and a Wisner Convertable Plasmat Set that has 5 cells that you can use in pairs or singly giving focal lengths: 152, 182, 197, 212, 227, 242, and 258mm when using pairs of cells, and has single cells of 250mm, 350mm, 400mm and 450mm (for the 4x5 set). Even if I could afford a set of Symmar-Ss, I would have trouble carrying them. I do not usually use single cells, but I have done it. and 2) Where should I search to find this camera used? I would try places like Lens&Repro Equipment Corp in NYC, maybe Calumet, and the place in New Mexico (cannot remember the name). Probably one in SanFrancisco too. Thanks again, Jack Arnold -- .~. Jean-David Beyer Registered Linux User 85642. /V\ Registered Machine 73926. /( )\ Shrewsbury, New Jersey http://counter.li.org ^^-^^ 3:55pm up 19 days, 3:20, 2 users, load average: 4.05, 4.00, 4.00 |
#7
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Wisner 4x5 (Was ..best outfit for starting out)
There are as many former Wisner users who would not touch the product as there
are those taht are happy. In fairness to the camera, most of the unhappy folk are unhappy with Wisner service not the equipment. Ted Harris Resource Strategy Henniker, New Hampshire |
#8
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Wisner 4x5 (Was ..best outfit for starting out)
Subject: Wisner 4x5 (Was ..best outfit for starting out)
From: (Ted Harris) Date: 1/26/2004 10:15 AM Mountain Standard Time Message-id: There are as many former Wisner users who would not touch the product as there are those taht are happy. In fairness to the camera, most of the unhappy folk are unhappy with Wisner service not the equipment. Ted Harris Resource Strategy Henniker, New Hampshire I usually recommend finding a store that has a camera in stock. steve simmons |
#9
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Wisner 4x5 (Was ..best outfit for starting out)
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#10
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Wisner 4x5 (Was ..best outfit for starting out)
I take it the trade show is the same on Saturday and
Sunday? yes, same both days steve simmons the conference program is on our web site www.viewcamera.com |
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