Large Format Equipment – The Arca-Swiss Discovery is an affordable 4×5 monorail camera that is small and light enough for travel and walking. It has a full range of movements, including lateral shift – something lacking in most field cameras. It is made of metal, and everything is a component that can replaced or extended. The Discovery is very well made, like a Swiss watch, and all the parts move smoothly and effortlessly, but stay rigid when locked down. It comes with a very nice case: big enough to hold the camera, several lenses, a meter, filters, accessories, and at least 10 holders. The case is strong and light. It is designed so that you can leave the camera in the carrying case with the lens on the camera: just put it on the tripod, and you’re ready to shoot. Arca Swiss does not have a web site, but you can read about their entire line at the F STOPS here. Another great place to buy one is Badger Graphc Sales It is priced below many wooden field cameras, and unless you’re planning to climb mountains with it, you’ll probably find it much easier to set up and use. |
The 150 mm Rodenstock Sironar and Fujinon A Series lenses are tack sharp, but very small and light compared to other lenses of equivalent length. They are excellent for hiking. Noted large format expert Kerry Thalmann has described the Rodenstock 150 and Fujinon 240 A as Future Classics. |
Concerning the Rodenstock 150, Kerry writes: “Out of all the lenses I own, this is the last one I would ever part with (you’ll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands)”. Many photographers agree that there is something special about this lens. This image was made with a Rodenstock 150 lens. The tonality and detail is…delicious. Here is a detail section of the original. As you can see, this lens is so good, it’s nuts ! It weighs only 230 grams, and takes tiny 49mm filters. Yet, it covers 231mm – quite a lot for use on a 4×5 as a normal lens. |
The Fujinon 240 A is actually a highly color-corrected “process” lens, performing well at very close range as well as distance. This photo was taken with a Fujnon 240 lens. In the 12×15 print, you can clearly see details in the legs and wings of the fly on the lower right. It weighs only 245 grams and takes 52mm filters, yet it has a 336mm circle of coverage: enough to cover 8×10. With plenty of room for view camera movements, it’s a delight to carry into the field, and ideal for portraits. |
Like the others in the A series, the Fujinon 300 A is a “super-apochromatic” process lens, and is remarkably small and light, considering its performance. It has an astounding 420mm circle of coverage. It takes 55mm filters, and weighs only 410 grams: much less than comparable lenses for the 8×10 format. When used on a 4×5, it becomes a wonderful longer lens with tremendous accomodation for view camera movements (Check out this vertical rise). This lens was discontinued by Fuji, but you can see it listed in this 1981 catalog. This image was taken with the 300A, with moderate rise. A small section from the top shows plenty of detail, way off-center. |
Special thanks are due to Christopher Perez for his Large Format Lens Tests where Chris and Kerry have evaluated many fine lenses. Thanks to Ted Harris, for telling me about the Fujinon 300 A ! |