Re: [pct-l] Hiking with 5 X 4 camera

[Gary Weinheimer <f64@source.net>]

I understand that Horseman makes a super light 4 x 5, the lightest in fact.  The
price tag for the little beastie is a bit out of my range right now.  I
understand the box alone is like 3 or 4 thousand.

Actually a 4 x 5 is lighter than carrying a 35mm or a medium format setup.   The
lenses for the 4 x 5's are inherently lighter than the smaller formats.  My pack
weighs near 40 pounds for a weekend.  I just switched my bogen for a lighter
cheaper tripod due to weight.  ( I can't afford a Gitzo carbon fiber right now).
I guess you would need a heavier tripod for the bigger camera but you could go
wood and those don't weigh as much.   Of course you more than likely wouldn't
take a lot of loaded film backs for the 4 x 5 either, I would think.  That would
mean a changing bag but that only weighs a couple of ounces.

Interesting topic.  I'd be interested in seeing the weight comparison between
the two types of camera setups and ways of making them lighter.  I carry a Nikon
N90s w/ a 35 to 70 3.5 & a 70 -210 3.5 on the trail, about ten rolls of film for
a weekend, a tripod, a flash, a small reflector and about three or four
filters.  I guess I should weigh just that stuff and see what I get.

Hummm,  I've gone off the original topic a little but I hope others find this an
interesting side track.

Peace;
Gary

PTODDF@aol.com wrote:

> Welcome Graham, (myotis@cix.co.uk)
> I caught your reference to 5 X 4, of course the US is backward and calls it 4
> X 5, no matter! This format for landscape is my main photo interest. I'm
> still using a Toyo Field Camera, excellent camera, but not light, certainly
> not ultra light. Do you have any suggestions for a much lighter field view
> camera? Right now it looks like I'm going to have to build, using maybe junk
> Graphic parts like spring back and front standard and some kind of homemade
> aluminum monorail. I use a ball head now for field views, would get a lighter
> one on a carbon fiber tripod for the lighter camera. (Copied you direct in
> addition to list, please reply to list.) Best, Todd in L.A.
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *

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