Winnie
6-Jun-2011, 19:20
Hi everyone,
As part of my photographic evolution or perhaps de-evolution - tired of taking enormous numbers of crap photos with digital and frustrated at the inflexibility of 35mm film - I have decided to take the very great leap into large format and I ask for some advice from the great wealth of experience on this forum.
As I am most interested in wilderness landscapes, I want a light weight outfit, but I also want maximum camera movement. After some initial research I have considered purchasing a Shen Hao PTB 4x5 as it seem to be light, well made and reasonably priced with the added flexibility of being able to change to a bag bellows for wide angle lenses and with more movement than most field cameras I've seen - front rise, shift, axial tilt and swing and rear tilt and swing. So my first question is whether they are any good?
My second question is about movements. Other Shen Haos also have axial rear tilt and rear shift and rise. Are these additional movements more important than a 0.75kg weight advantage and additional 40cm bellows draw of the PB. The other models also seem to pack down better in an enclosed rear box, while the PB seems to be a bit more exposed when closed.
Am I on the wrong track?
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Regards
Winnie.
As part of my photographic evolution or perhaps de-evolution - tired of taking enormous numbers of crap photos with digital and frustrated at the inflexibility of 35mm film - I have decided to take the very great leap into large format and I ask for some advice from the great wealth of experience on this forum.
As I am most interested in wilderness landscapes, I want a light weight outfit, but I also want maximum camera movement. After some initial research I have considered purchasing a Shen Hao PTB 4x5 as it seem to be light, well made and reasonably priced with the added flexibility of being able to change to a bag bellows for wide angle lenses and with more movement than most field cameras I've seen - front rise, shift, axial tilt and swing and rear tilt and swing. So my first question is whether they are any good?
My second question is about movements. Other Shen Haos also have axial rear tilt and rear shift and rise. Are these additional movements more important than a 0.75kg weight advantage and additional 40cm bellows draw of the PB. The other models also seem to pack down better in an enclosed rear box, while the PB seems to be a bit more exposed when closed.
Am I on the wrong track?
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Regards
Winnie.