Toko Wooden Folding 4x5 camera comparisons
First, a word (OK, several) and a few diagrams about camera movements.
View cameras are said to have four "movements" -- labelled "Rise and Fall", "Shift" (AKA "Slide" and "Lateral Shift"), "Tilt", and "Swing" -- and different cameras will differ widely in which movements they incorpirate, as well as how much of each movement they allow.
But actually, there are really only two movements on large format cameras because Rise/Fall and Shift are really the same thing, just as Tilt and Swing are the same thing. The only difference is the plane that they affect -- whether vertical or horizontal. Tilt and Swing are measured in degrees, while Rise/Fall and Shift are measured in millimeters.
First, let's take a look at Tilt and Swing. Tilt means slanting the front (AKA lens or lens holder) standard or the rear (AKA film or film holder) standard -- forward or backward. Swing means turning the front (AKA lens or lens holder) standard or the rear (AKA film or film holder) standard -- to the left or to the right. The only difference is the plane that they affect. Tilt is used to correct, or alter, the depth of field or image perspective on the vertical plane, while Swing is used to correct, or alter, the depth of field or image perspective on the horizontal plane -- as shown below:
Now, let's look at Rise/Fall and Shift. Rise/Fall means moving the
front (AKA lens or lens holder) standard or the rear (AKA film or film holder)
standard -- upward or downward. Shift means moving the front (AKA lens
or lens holder) standard or the rear (AKA film or film holder) standard --
to the left or to the right. The only difference is the plane that
they affect. Rise/Fall moves the image up or down on the film, vertically,
while Shift is used to move the image to the left or right on the film,
horizontally -- as shown below:
So large format camera movements are not as complicated as some are led to believe. After all, there are really only two movements. Of course, these movements can be used in combination to achieve the effect you want -- assuming that your camera allows the movement(s) that you need, that the bellows has enough flexibility to allow the movement(s), and that the lens has enough covering power to still cover the film after the movement(s) are made. And it should be noted that while Rise/Fall and Shift are basically the same if performed on the front or rear standard, Tilt and Swing will have very different results depending on which standard is moved. Tilting or Swinging the front or rear standard will adjust the subject plane that is in focus, while Tilting or Swinging the rear standard (not the front) also adjusts the shape of the image.
Keep this in mind, because if you need to adjust both the shape of
the image and the plane of focus, you should adjust the rear standard first,
and only then adjust the front standard.
A different movement, of sorts, that is very important to consider is the
bellows extension of the camera. While most shoppers simply look at
the shortest and longest settings of the bellows, it is more involved than
that.
FIXED REAR STANDARD CAMERAS
The simplest, and least expensive, wooden, 4x5 field cameras have a fixed rear (film) standard. Typically, these cameras also have a maximum bellows extension of 12" -- which also reduces cost -- but, as a result, will only allow a 300mm (non-telephoto lens) lens -- focusing at infinity. The front (lens) standard is used -- moving forward or back -- to control the focus, such as with this Tachihara with a fixed rear standard:
You can easily determine if the rear standard is fixed because it lacks a control knob on the rear, while it has one on the front. With most of these cameras, the front focus is controlled by a gear & knob, but some are simply pushed back-and-forth by hand. This is even less expensive, but not as easy to use, nor as accurate.
The main, possible, drawback to a fixed, rear standard is with the use of wide-angle lenses. If the front standard is drawn back far enough -- assuming it will retract enough to focus the lens -- the front bed of the camera will stick out so far in front that it will appear in the bottom of the picture! This can be controlled IF the camera has enough tilt on the rear standard and enough tilt AND RISE on the front standard -- which many inexpensive cameras don't allow. This will not be an issue, of course, if wide-angle lenses are never used, but if they are, here is what the camera will need to handle.
On the left is a wide-angle lens where the front standard will cut-off the bottom of the scene. On the right, the bed is "dropped" in order to remove the camera bed. In reality, the camera bed is not dropped. The front and rear standards are tilted backward, and the front standard is raised up to match the rear standard position. Even if you can accomplish it, it is time-comsuming and cumbersome. With other cameras, you can avoid this situation completely, as you will see.
WIDE-ANGLE -- WITH bottom CUT-OFF VERSUS WIDE-ANGLE -- WITH "DROPPED-BED" AND WITHOUT bottom cut-off
FORWARD-MOVING REAR STANDARD CAMERAS
The most common, wooden, 4x5 field cameras have a rear (film) standard that moves -- as well as a typical, front (lens) standard that moves -- which allows BOTH standards to control the focus. Typically, these cameras also have a slightly longer maximum bellows extension of 13" -- allowing for closer focusing with a 300mm lens. Here is a Tachihara with this DUAL focusing capability:
You can easily determine if the rear standard focuses because it has a control knob on the rear, in addition to one on the front. With most of these cameras, the front and rear focus is controlled by gears, but some are simply pushed back and forth by hand. This, of course, is less expensive, but not as easy to use, nor as accurate.
The forward motion of the rear standard allows the use of wide-angle lenses without "dropping the bed":
But not all "Rear-Focusing" cameras are created equal. Most only allow the rear standard to move FORWARD. That's great and solves most problems -- again, assuming the camera allows the other movements that are needed -- but it doesn't solve all of the problems.
FLEXIBLE-REAR STANDARD CAMERAS
More advanced, wooden, 4x5, field camera have a more flexible rear standard -- one that not only moves forward, but that moves BACKWARD as well! This accomplishes two things. First, it adds extra extension, so these camera typically have 14" of extension -- or more! As a result, lenses longer than 300mm are much easier to use.
But it does more than allow for longer lenses. The front standard can be used of course, as usual, for focusing, but with a fully-flexible rear-standard, focusing can be controlled by the rear standard. Why is this important? It makes it much easier to get the picture that you want.
For any scene or subject, first select the point-of-view/direction.
Then select the lens of choice for the desired perspective -- wide,
normal, or tele. Next, set up the camera and front standard with an
approximate amount a bellows extension -- enough extension to use the ground
glass image -- to reposition the camera, composition, and magnification,
as needed. Finally, use the rear standard to achieve fine, final focus
-- forward or backward. This will keep the image perspective, composition,
and magnification basically the same, plus focusing on the rear standard
is much easier -- especially with higher maginifications. Changing
the focus with the front standard will change the lens-to-subject distance,
and thus the composition and perspective.
This table displays these movements, and other details, about several wood,
folding, field 4x5 cameras. Wooden 4x5 cameras are not listed if the
don't fold up -- there are several, such as pinhole cameras. Likewise
4x5 cameras with metal or plastic bodies are not listed even if they do fold
up -- there are several, but tend to be heavy. Please note that many
of these cameras were available in several different styles, even though
the model number might be similar -- or exactly the same. So don't
be surprised if the specifications shown here are different from the
specifications of the camera you are looking at.
|
Nikki I |
Nikki II |
FL-451 |
FL-452 |
|
Wista 45 DX |
Wista 45 DX-II |
Wista 45 SW |
Bulldog 4x5 |
Calumet |
Calumet |
Zone VI |
Gandolfi Precision G45 |
Osaka 45GF |
Horseman Woodman |
Iston |
|
Tachihara 4x5 (model 1) |
Tachihara 4x5 (model 2) |
Tachihara 4x5 (model 3) |
Rajah Cub |
Rajah Junior |
Ikeda 4x5 |
Anba Wood View |
Nagaoka 4x5 |
Nagaoka 4x5 |
Nagaoka 4x5 |
Ebony |
Ebony SV45U |
Ebony SV45Ti |
Ebony SV45TE |
Ebony SV45 |
Ebony SV45E |
Shen Hao PTB45-B |
Shen Hao |
Shen Hao |
Shen Hao |
|
Minimum |
65mm (2.5") |
65mm (2.5") |
65mm (2.5") |
65mm (2.5") |
Minimum |
|
|
|
|
same as Nagaoka #1 |
same as Tachihara |
same as Wista? |
65mm (2.5") |
45mm (1.75") |
65mm (2.5") |
Minimum |
65mm (2.5") |
65mm (2.5") |
65mm (2.5") |
65mm (2.5") |
65mm (2.5") |
65mm (2.5") |
65mm (2.5") |
65mm (2.5") |
65mm (2.5") |
65mm (2.5") |
45mm (1.75") |
75mm (3") |
110mm (4.25") |
50mm (2") |
Minimum extension |
|||||||
Maximum |
300mm (12") |
360mm (14") |
300mm (12") |
360mm (14") |
Maximum |
|
|
|
|
|
|
18" |
|
330mm (13") |
315mm (12.5") |
330mm (13") |
Maximum |
330mm (13") |
330mm (13") |
330mm (13") |
330mm (13") |
330mm (13") |
330mm (13") |
330mm (13") |
330mm (13") |
330mm (13") |
330mm (13") |
390mm (15.25") |
340mm (13.25") |
360mm (14") |
360mm (14") |
Maximum extension |
||||||
Front |
140mm (5.5") |
140mm (5.5") |
140mm (5.5") |
140mm (5.5") |
Front |
135mm (5.25") |
140mm (5.25") |
140mm (5.25") |
140mm (5.25") |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Front |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Front focusing |
||||||
Rear |
None |
Forward: 50mm (2") |
None |
Forward: 50mm (2") |
Rear |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
Forward only |
Forward only? |
|
Rear |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None |
Forward: 80mm (3") |
None |
None |
Rear focusing |
||||||
Front Rise/Fall |
75mm (3") up |
75mm (3") up |
75mm (3") up |
75mm (3") up |
Front Rise/Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70mm (2.5") up |
60mm (2.25") up |
|
Front Rise/Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45mm (1.75") up |
23mm (1") up |
45mm (1.75") up |
37mm (1.5") up |
Front Rise/Fall | ||||||
Rear Rise/Fall |
None |
None |
None |
None |
Rear Rise/Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
Rear Rise/Fall |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None |
55mm (2") up |
45mm (1.75") up |
45mm (1.75") up |
Rear Rise/Fall | ||||||
Front Swing |
20o left |
20o left |
20o left |
20o left |
Front Swing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17o left |
20o left |
|
Front Swing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60o left |
25o left |
30o left |
17o left |
Front Swing | ||||||
Rear Swing |
12o left |
12o left |
12o left |
12o left |
Rear Swing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23o left |
20o left |
|
Rear Swing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30o left |
10o left |
10o left |
20o left |
Rear Swing | ||||||
Front Tilt |
90o forward |
90o forward |
90o forward |
90o forward |
Front Tilt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30o |
50o |
|
Front Tilt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60o |
90o forward |
40o forward |
90o forward |
Front Tilt | ||||||
Rear Tilt |
20o forward |
20o forward |
20o forward |
20o forward |
Rear Tilt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40o forward |
40o |
|
Rear Tilt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90o forward |
90o forward |
90o forward |
90o forward |
Rear Tilt | ||||||
Front Shift |
none |
none |
none |
none |
Front Shift |
16mm (0.6") left |
none |
none |
none |
|
|
|
|
|
20mm (0.75") left |
|
Front Shift |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38mm (1.5") left |
12mm (0.5") left |
36mm (1.5") left |
None |
Front Shift | ||||||
Rear Shift |
20mm (0.8") left |
20mm (0.8") left |
20mm (0.8") left |
20mm (0.8") left |
Rear Shift |
16mm (0.6") left |
16mm (0.6") left |
16mm (0.6") left |
16mm (0.6") left |
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
Rear Shift |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None |
None |
None |
40mm (1.5") left |
Rear Shift | ||||||
Bellows |
Black |
Black |
Black |
Black |
Bellows |
Leather |
Leather |
Leather |
Leather |
Leather |
Leather |
Leather |
Leather |
Leather |
Leather? |
|
Bellows |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leather? |
Leather? |
Leather? |
Leather? |
Bellows | ||||||
Metal |
Brass |
Brass |
Brass |
Brass |
Metal |
Brass |
Brass |
Brass |
Brass |
Brass |
Brass |
Brass |
Brass |
Brass |
Chrome |
|
Metal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chrome |
Chrome |
Chrome |
Aluminum? |
Chrome |
Chrome |
Aluminum? |
Metal components |
||||||
Films |
4x5 sheet |
4x5 sheet |
4x5 sheet |
4x5 sheet |
Films |
4x5 sheet |
4x5 sheet |
4x5 sheet |
4x5 sheet |
4x5 sheet |
4x5 sheet |
4x5 sheet |
4x5 sheet |
4x5 sheet |
4x5 sheet |
|
Films |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Films | ||||||
Lensboards |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Lensboards |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Lensboards |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Wista field, Toko, |
Lensboards | ||||||
Accessories |
5x7 sheet adapter |
5x7 sheet adapter |
5x7 sheet adapter |
5x7 sheet adapter |
Accessories |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
Bellows extender, |
4"x4" to 3"x3" lensboard adapter |
? |
Accessories |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
Accessories | ||||||
Woods |
Rosewood |
Rosewood |
Rosewood |
Rosewood |
Woods |
Rosewood |
Rosewood |
Rosewood |
Rosewood |
Rosewood |
Rosewood |
Cherrywood |
Cherrywood |
Cherrywood |
Rosewood |
|
Woods |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cherrywood |
Cherrywood |
Cherrywood |
|
Cherrywood |
Cherrywood |
Cherrywood |
Woods available |
||||||
Weight |
1.6 kg. (3.5 lbs.) |
1.7 kg. (3.7 lbs.) |
1.6 kg. (3.5 lbs.) |
1.7 kg. (3.7 lbs.) |
Weight |
1.5 kg.(3.25 lbs.) |
1.5 kg.(3.25 lbs.) |
1.5 kg.(3.25 lbs.) |
|
6 lbs. |
1.7 kg. (3.7 lbs.) | 1.5 kg. (3.25 lbs.) |
Weight |
1.2 kg. (2.6 lbs.) |
1.2 kg. (2.6 lbs.) |
1.2 kg. (2.6 lbs.) |
1.4 kg. | 1.9 kg. (2.6 lbs.) |
1.9 kg. (2.6 lbs.) |
2.4 kg. (2.6 lbs.) |
Weight | |||||||||||||||||
Dimensions |
185mm (7.25") x |
185mm (7.25") x |
185mm (7.25") x |
185mm (7.25") x |
Dimensions |
|
mm (7.75") x |
210mm (8.25") x 210mm (8.25") x 80mm (3.25") |
mm (8") x |
Dimensions |
? |
? |
? |
170mm (8.25") x 180mm (8.25") x 90mm (3.25") |
190mm (8.25") x 190mm (8.25") x 110mm (3.25") |
190mm (8.25") x 190mm (8.25") x 110mm (3.25") |
170mm (8.25") x 170mm (8.25") x 100mm (3.25") |
Dimensions (closed) Height x Width x Depth |
||||||||||||||||||||
Years of |
1984(?) |
1984(?) |
1985 - ? |
1985 - ? |
Years of |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
Years of |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
Years of manufacture |
||||||
Comments |
1984(?) |
1984(?) |
1985 - ? |
1985 - ? |
Comments |
? |
? |
? |
Build it yourself kit |
? |
? |
Made in the UK |
May be the same as the Wista DX II |
? |
same as Tachihara? |
First 4x5 from Shen Hao |
Comments |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
Made by Ikeda |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
Comments |