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Wista Technical Cameras Large Format

4.5/5 (2 Reviews)

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Product Description

Three all metal folding technical camera models: The RF with Micro Swing and rangefinder, the SP without rangefinder but with the Micro Swing back and the VX with neither rangefinder or Micro Swing. All have interchangeable bellows, a 12" bed that accepts longer and shorter beds, a Graflock back. All are supplied with a folding focusing hood.


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Reviews 1 - 2 (2 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:5
Submitted by massingham a Expert

Date Reviewed: December 19, 2003

Strengths:    Compact, strong, metal casing, vastly superior to the Cherrywood field camera. Very quick and easy to use. Great in the landscape. Solid leather carrying strap. Do try out the sliding back: my friend owns the Linhof T. and is really envious of it. Easy maintainance. They hold their value very well.

Weaknesses:    Avoid the plastic ground screen! You need an expensive panel and wide angle bellows if you want easy access to the shutter and aperture controls on a wide lens: the older recessed panel is immensely irritating to use. You cannot use the new panel on the old wide bellows. Limited movements with the wider lens. Difficult to see the allignment marks in dim light. Rear swing is somewhat stiff. Obviously fewer rear movements with this design.

Bottom Line:   
I bought my Wista Technical45 second hand in Bristol10-15 years ago complete with metal case, lenses, darekslides, and unintelligible instruction manual. It has given me great service. I later purchased the sliding back for it from Teamwork. I have found this to be a real bonus and pleasure to use when not requireing the 4x5 format, but still wanting movements. It has been used for both landscape, architectural, and portrait work, and though I addmit that it's movements do not compare with say a Linhoff Technikarden, it's specifications provide good value for money! Overall, it is a tough, robust camera with a generally easy handling. Micro adjustments are useful!

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Price Paid:    $900.00

Purchased At:   KJP Bristol + Teamwo

Similar Products Used:   Toyo 4x5, Linhoff Technikarden.

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Q B a Expert from UK

Date Reviewed: November 12, 2002

Strengths:    Easy to use, strong and durable

Weaknesses:    Focusing screen in a little dim,and made of plastic. But it works

Bottom Line:   
This is my first foray in to large format, but it seems to be a long term relationship. The camera is sturdily built, easy to use, with a useful range of movements.

Used with Schneider Super Angulon F8 90mm, Schneider 250mm F5.6 Symmar-S, and a 305mm G-Claron F9.

Being metal, its tough.

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Duration Product Used:   11-20 years

Price Paid:    $1500.00

Purchased At:   Teamwork Photo, Fole

Type of photography:   Outdoor


Reviews 1 - 2 (2 Reviews Total)

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