What model of Horseman 4x5 do I have?

[stevegomes]

I just bought a Horseman 4x5 camera from a friend who originally purchased it at least 20 years ago. I asked him today what model camera it is, but he bought it so long ago, he doesn't remember. He says it was top of the line at the time, though.

I can't find any markings on the camera itself (except for the Horseman logo on the knobs), but there is a serial number on the bottom of the tripod block: 8315223.

Does anyone know if there's a way to figure out what model I have from this serial number?

Thanks very much,
Steve

[ic-racer]

http://www.cameraeccentric.com/info.html

Scroll down to the 1988 Horseman catalog. It is probably listed in there.

[Lachlan 717]

I just bought a Horseman 4x5 camera from a friend who originally purchased it at least 20 years ago. I asked him today what model camera it is, but he bought it so long ago, he doesn't remember. He says it was top of the line at the time, though.

I can't find any markings on the camera itself (except for the Horseman logo on the knobs), but there is a serial number on the bottom of the tripod block: 8315223.

Does anyone know if there's a way to figure out what model I have from this serial number?

Thanks very much,
Steve

Can you post a photo or 2 of it?

[stevegomes]

Thanks for the responses so far. I'm on a train heading out of town at the moment, but I'll post some shots of the camera in question when I get back.

Steve

[Lachlan 717]

Can you narrow it down?

Is it a monorail? Folding?

If folding, is it metal or timber?

If monorail, does it have a small computer on the back standard?

Answers to these will help a little...

[stevegomes]

I'm attaching a photo of the camera in question.

I'm not that familiar with which features would distinguish one model Horseman from another. But if you need to see a particular angle or view of the camera to tell which model it is, please let me know and I'll post more photos.

Thanks again for the help,
Steve

[Lachlan 717]

L-Series (eg. L-45, LE-45).

Really, really nice camera. I couldn't justify having this and a timber 4x5, so sold my Horseman.

Beautifully made, great design, and uses Sinar kit (read "shutter").

Hope you enjoy it!

[Richard Raymond]

Steve, Looks like a 450 or a 450B. I would need to see the other side of the camera to know a little better. However, the main difference is that the 450B is a more entry level camera in that it does not have rack and pinion drives on the front standard, only on the rear standard. So, most likely a 450 from your description. The upgrade from the 450 would have a two level extendable rail system.
Nice camera.
Best of luck with it.
Ric

[gmarion]

Hi all,

Sorry, but I've the same problem of identification.

I just have a Horseman 4x5 technical camera : S/N 8310567

Can you help me to have the model (450, L, LE, LS etc...). I'm in the clouds :(

Thank you,

[Robert Jonathan]

gmarion, from the picture, it looks like you have a 450 or LE of some sort, but not sure.

It doesn't matter though:

All you need to know is that you don't have the top of the line LS or LX models, because they have base tilts (you can tilt the entire L frames).

What you DO have is one of the better models that you'll find because you have both geared rise/fall and geared shift.

Other models, including the LB, DO NOT have geared rise/fall and shift. On those, you'll find instead of the round geared knobs, they just have a locking knob like you have for tilts.

What you DON'T have are base tilts (I never use mine on the LS) and the extendable monorail. Big deal. I have an extendable monorail, and I'd rather have the 400mm basic rail that you have pictured. Other than those two things, you have all the best features of the Horseman L-series line of cameras.

One more thing: The LX had some sort of main frame displacement feature (probably of not much use to me) and the LX-C has a digital focusing computer.

Edit: looking at an old Horseman catalogue, you definitely have a regular 450. (400mm monorail, geared rise/fall/shift, removeable main frames).