I was fairly impressed, straight forward presentation. Having owned several wood & metal 'field' cameras over the last 25 years, I must say that the Chamonix is exactly what I would build for myself, feature for feature. The only upgrade I would like is titanium in place of the aluminum. It would bump the cost up a bit, but it's tensile strength to weight ratio is far superior. As for knowing what hole for what lens, do your math people. Focal length conversion metric to standard, film plane to optical plane. (i.e.: 75mm = approx. 2.95 in.) Will be looking to find one for a hands on inspection, Thanks Michael.
Now called simply the 45N-2, this is MY camera. I have owned Arca-Swiss, Ikeda, Wisner Technical Field, Wisner Pocket Expedition, and the Chamonix is the best of the bunch for simplicity, finish and aesthetic, and low weight.
Thanks Michael! Just purchased a used 045N-1 from Setadel! Getting lens board next! Looks promising! Portraits, and architecture! Your website is awesome! -Phil
@sinoperture You'd want a 120mm, 90mm, or even wider to emulate pano. Simply crop away the extra frame to achieve your results. The Chamonix ground glass is conveniently etched to show framing for 6x4.5cm; 6x6cm; 6x7cm; 6x9cm; and 6x12cm.
Nice model. Saw them all for sale in Beijing at their shop there. Thinking of it for use with a roll back for some pano shots. What is a good lens recommendation to go with? I liked shooting with the 45 on the XPAN so what equates in 6x11 or so format?
Daniel Duarte I cannot recommend the F1 for a beginner. I think you will find the N2 an easier camera to use with less room for error in movements. If you took a workshop with me, I'll show you why you WOULD use rear movements.
@healthpimp have you ever used one of these cameras? i have one and although i'm not as rough with it as he is, i fail to see what he is doing that could make the camera break with in a year. it's a VERY well made. On top of that, this isn't a camera that i bought with the intentions of passing down to my kids (i'm sure michael feels the same way), maybe a Linhof or an Ebony but not this one.
Is it possible to keep the bed out of the frame when you're using a 75mm? It looks like you would have to keep the rear standard at the back of the bed. With the front standard mounted for such a short lens, it looks like the front of the bed would be in the frame. Perhaps back-tilt on front and rear with front rise will improve the angle but that seems like a lot of manipulation.
What's the name of the camera again? I feel he should have repeated it more often ;) But really, thanks a lot, why do field cameras have to be so beautiful?
@MichaelEGordonPhoto Mr. Gordon: From your video, it sounds as if there is an indication of what hole goes with what focal length. But if there isn't, can you explain your trial-and-error process because it's not clear to me how one would quickly figure out which hole goes with what focal length. Thank you and I enjoyed the video.
I happen to own one of these cameras and one of the problems I have encountered is the front standard. There is no indication as to what focal length lens one should use in correlation to the hole for the front standard. Example, I have decided to use a 150mm lens, which hole do I screw the front standard into. Only through trial and error does one figure that out. In my opinion that is not the way to operate. The ground glass cover that comes with the camera keeps falling off.
good video, am starting large format photography (4*5) assume this is the camera you used to expose the film you develop in your 'pyro' video, can't comment in that one. is pyro a B/W process? or can you use it for colour ( I have purchased Fuji pro 160 N S ) and am looking for just this kind of " daylight_ tank" colour process; as I don't currently have a darkroom and very few 'labs' deal with 4*5 film, they sell, don't process :((((.
There is some crossover between holes as the back standard can also be extended. Widest angles (75-90mm) are mounted in the hole nearest to the rear standard. The next hole forward is typically 90-120mm or so. Next hole is 120-200mm or so. The next one is 200-300mm or so. Final hole (nearest front standard) is for 300-450mm. I hope this helps.
Michael, are there any detents for rise, fall, shift, etc? If there are no detents then how do you know where the zero points are? Thanks, Terry Thomas Photos Atlanta, Georgia USA
Hi Terry: There are marks/indicators but NO detents for rise/fall or shift. Neutral tilt on both standards is maintained with sliding lock levers instead of detents. I hope this helps.
@healthpimp I have several Chamonix's, and they're all more than a year old. How much is your bet worth? I respect my gear, but it's just gear. I handle my negatives delicately, but the Chamonix is merely a tool, as is any camera. Do you baby and polish your wrenches and hammer?
I am married, but I'm not that delicate with my wife either :) Just remember: it's a TOOL and not a delicate museum piece. The Chamonix is very well built and can handle it just fine.
Just got a 45N-2 today and the build, fit and finish are truly outstanding
I was fairly impressed, straight forward presentation. Having owned several wood & metal 'field' cameras over the last 25 years, I must say that the Chamonix is exactly what I would build for myself, feature for feature. The only upgrade I would like is titanium in place of the aluminum. It would bump the cost up a bit, but it's tensile strength to weight ratio is far superior. As for knowing what hole for what lens, do your math people. Focal length conversion metric to standard, film plane to optical plane. (i.e.: 75mm = approx. 2.95 in.) Will be looking to find one for a hands on inspection, Thanks Michael.
Thank you! Well done after all these years
Now called simply the 45N-2, this is MY camera. I have owned Arca-Swiss, Ikeda, Wisner Technical Field, Wisner Pocket Expedition, and the Chamonix is the best of the bunch for simplicity, finish and aesthetic, and low weight.
Very nice, clear demostration there, Michael.
Thanks for posting it.
Thanks Michael! Just purchased a used 045N-1 from Setadel! Getting lens board next! Looks promising! Portraits, and architecture! Your website is awesome! -Phil
photoconductive THANKS, Phil!
You rock. I think you sold me the Chamonix 045N-1 despite its difference. Love it.
Thank you very much for this professional presentation of this camera.
Excellent video.
@sinoperture You'd want a 120mm, 90mm, or even wider to emulate pano. Simply crop away the extra frame to achieve your results. The Chamonix ground glass is conveniently etched to show framing for 6x4.5cm; 6x6cm; 6x7cm; 6x9cm; and 6x12cm.
I bought my Chamonix F1 after watching this video a couple years ago :)
I want one 🤩👍
What a great video. Simple, straight forward. Thank you
Great video.
Nice model. Saw them all for sale in Beijing at their shop there. Thinking of it for use with a roll back for some pano shots. What is a good lens recommendation to go with? I liked shooting with the 45 on the XPAN so what equates in 6x11 or so format?
I wonder if its worth getting the 45F1... not sure if I'd ever use the rear movements but would be nice to have if I ever need them.
Daniel Duarte I cannot recommend the F1 for a beginner. I think you will find the N2 an easier camera to use with less room for error in movements. If you took a workshop with me, I'll show you why you WOULD use rear movements.
+Michael E. Gordon Hi Michael, why you think N2 is less room for error for beginners? I am thinking order one of these. Thanks.
045N-WHAT?? COULD YOU REPEAT THAT PLEASE?
JUST ORDERED ONE - CAN'T WAIT - I'LL GET IT JUST IN TIME FOR THE SUMMER.
THANKS FOR THE POST - VERY HELPFUL!
@uconnjames Not for 90mm. Standard bellows are fine. The 75mm may require bag bellows to use movements.
@healthpimp have you ever used one of these cameras? i have one and although i'm not as rough with it as he is, i fail to see what he is doing that could make the camera break with in a year. it's a VERY well made. On top of that, this isn't a camera that i bought with the intentions of passing down to my kids (i'm sure michael feels the same way), maybe a Linhof or an Ebony but not this one.
Is it possible to keep the bed out of the frame when you're using a 75mm? It looks like you would have to keep the rear standard at the back of the bed. With the front standard mounted for such a short lens, it looks like the front of the bed would be in the frame. Perhaps back-tilt on front and rear with front rise will improve the angle but that seems like a lot of manipulation.
@SG - thanks. I thought they do not produce walnut 45N-2s...
I'm fucking sold!
What's the name of the camera again? I feel he should have repeated it more often ;)
But really, thanks a lot, why do field cameras have to be so beautiful?
Good review but would have liked to seen an exmample POV shot of focusing and taking an actual picture.
@MichaelEGordonPhoto
Thank You.
@MichaelEGordonPhoto
Mr. Gordon: From your video, it sounds as if there is an indication of what hole goes with what focal length. But if there isn't, can you explain your trial-and-error process because it's not clear to me how one would quickly figure out which hole goes with what focal length. Thank you and I enjoyed the video.
I happen to own one of these cameras and one of the problems I have encountered is the front standard. There is no indication as to what focal length lens one should use in correlation to the hole for the front standard. Example, I have decided to use a 150mm lens, which hole do I screw the front standard into.
Only through trial and error does one figure that out. In my opinion that is not the way to operate.
The ground glass cover that comes with the camera keeps falling off.
Does Chamonix need some extra accessories to work with a wide angle lenses (e.g. 75mm, 90mm, etc.)?
good video, am starting large format photography (4*5) assume this is the camera you used to expose the film you develop in your 'pyro' video, can't comment in that one.
is pyro a B/W process? or can you use it for colour ( I have purchased Fuji pro 160 N S ) and am looking for just this kind of " daylight_ tank" colour process; as I don't currently have a darkroom and very few 'labs' deal with 4*5 film, they sell, don't process :((((.
andy van Pyro is a b/w-only developer. Good luck.
could you pm me what you think of the camera when you get it, i am looking to get one too
The holes which you place the front standard into - which focal lengths correspond to which holes?
There is some crossover between holes as the back standard can also be extended. Widest angles (75-90mm) are mounted in the hole nearest to the rear standard. The next hole forward is typically 90-120mm or so. Next hole is 120-200mm or so. The next one is 200-300mm or so. Final hole (nearest front standard) is for 300-450mm. I hope this helps.
Michael
Do you still use this camera
just wondering if you ended up getting this camera
is the color teak or maple (I mean the one in the video)? thanks for a reply
Michael, are there any detents for rise, fall, shift, etc?
If there are no detents then how do you know where the zero points are?
Thanks,
Terry Thomas Photos
Atlanta, Georgia USA
Hi Terry: There are marks/indicators but NO detents for rise/fall or shift. Neutral tilt on both standards is maintained with sliding lock levers instead of detents. I hope this helps.
What’s the fldifderence with the F model?
IIIRC, it is primarily axis tilt vs base tilt.
@healthpimp I have several Chamonix's, and they're all more than a year old. How much is your bet worth?
I respect my gear, but it's just gear. I handle my negatives delicately, but the Chamonix is merely a tool, as is any camera. Do you baby and polish your wrenches and hammer?
Are they still selling these? Cool.
Thanks for this, very informative :)
nice video, thanks a lot!
amazing
how many lenses are included?
does one have to morgage the house to get one? how expensive is this hobby? I'm just your average weekend shooter here.
@mackonrad It is WALNUT.
sure thing... I should have it by the beginning of May -
I am married, but I'm not that delicate with my wife either :) Just remember: it's a TOOL and not a delicate museum piece. The Chamonix is very well built and can handle it just fine.
June 2012
Thanks. Just bot my 45n-2
It's $900 for the body. Bellows, Lenses, film holders, tripod, will cost you more. I would say $1500-2000 would be the price for a full set.
What's that model number again? LOL
None, Chamonix sells camera bodies, lens boards, and film holders. You'll need to buy lenses and shutters elsewhere.
Oh my god, can you say Chamonix 045N-2 one more time?
i hope this guy is more delicate with his girlfriend