[LargeFormat] RE: Horseman or Gandolfi?

[Jim Hemenway]

Dan:

I think that you should have given yourself to the disease completely by
getting a nice, solid, Deardorf 11x14. 

Or, (like me) a less solid Korona 11x14.

If only I could procure and process 16x20 chrome film!

-- 

Jim - http://www.hemenway.com



Dan Kalish wrote:
> 
> Thanks, Stuart Phillips, Vincent Dobson, Clive Warren, Jim Brick, Daryll,
> Tim Atherton and Steve Simmons!
> 
> Its apparent that each person has his/her favorite.  I went to a local
> dealer today and wound up getting a Linhoff Kardan-M.  Unfortunately, I'll
> have to wait until a weekday to use it because I can't figure out how to
> attach the bellows, and the instructions are in German.
> 
> The dealer discouraged my getting the Horseman (not in the major leagues)
> and the Gandolfi (not as good as they once were and it, like all field
> cameras, doesn't have rigid, precise movement).  He doesn't carry the
> Technikardan 45S because of price; the Technika is not suitable for my needs
> (its main feature is folded-up size and I won't be doing any backpacking),
> and Ebony didn't come up in our discussion.  A Plaubel looked appealing but
> he said parts are hard to find and anyway, I already have a vintage camera.
> We looked at the Wisner wood field camera ($1500), Arca-Swiss F-line ($2400)
> and Linhoff Kardam-M ($800).  I think I'm not ready for a wood field camera.
> Darryl has some good points.  Between the Arca and Linhoff, price was the
> determining factor.
> 
> I think what I really wanted is a real LF camera that gives me many options.
> I still like the Graphic View and can continue to use it, especially to get
> my feet wet.  After all, the Linhoff is on Steve Simmons' list of
> recommended cameras for under $1,200.
> 
> Vincent and Stuart: I share your sentiments.  I'm not really a Luddite: I
> understand and am quite comfortable with computers but also use slide rules.
> However, I much prefer analogue photography to digital.  I was using a
> Voigtlander Avus (bellows, circa 1927-1933) camera when I was about 10.
> When I got my first 35mm SLR (Minolta SR-T101), I wanted one that has an
> exposure meter in the viewfinder, but I resisted automatic exposure cameras.
> Forget automatic focussing: manual focussing is second nature to me.  I
> haven't had any trouble using a Rollei SL66 without an internal exposure
> meter.   Isn't it ironic that my newest camera is large format, the oldest
> design there is?  I also use a Nikon F (circa 1970), the Rollei SL66
> (1966-1970), the Minolta (1967) and Graphic View II (1950 or so).
> 
> Now to load some film holders!
> 
> > From: "Dan Kalish" <kaliushkin@att.net>
> > To: <largeformat@f32.net>
> > Cc: "Kalish, Dan" <kaliushkin@postoffice.worldnet.att.net>
> > Date: Thu, 29 May 2003 22:22:05 -0400
> > Subject: [LargeFormat] Horseman or Gandolfi?
> > Reply-To: largeformat@f32.net
> >
> > I'm new with Large Format and have been setting up a Graphic View II
> > (monorail) with a 210mm Rodenstock lens.  I'm already tired of it: its
> > enormously cumbersome and somewhat sloppy.  It's also lacking some
> > movements, in particular, front fall (is that the right term?) and rear
> rise
> > and fall.
> >
> > I imagine it would be a real pain to take the Graphic to an outdoor site.
> > Therefore, I've been looking at field cameras.  I can get what I think are
> > good prices on a Horseman 45HD and a Gandolfi Variant 3.
> >
> > Any comments and comparisons of these cameras would be appreciated.  I've
> > handled the Horseman and it feels light and easy to use.  It has limited
> > movements.  The Gandolfi appears to be a more professional camera and has
> > all movements, but I'd have to buy it sight unseen.
> >
> > I don't know what kind of pictures I'll be taking.  I imagine all amateur,
> > urban landscapes.
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > Dan (in NYC).