Can one “dabble in” 10 x 8 large format photography (I’m referring to myself) ? Probably not - this content creator shows a level of dedication and knowledge which is commensurate with what appears to be a first class piece of equipment - I’ve still to use an Intrepid 10 x 8 I bought a while ago (did some 4 x 5 large format years back) - nice to see a “Rolls Royce” piece of equipment all the same but I’ll just content myself with an “economy car” in the form of the Intrepid - and do a bit of “Sunday driving” with it !!!!
great video Ben, and love the fact at 3:37 you do the folding the right way; not many people, including the makers own videos do this (folding the front frame 180 Degrees), its a little known hack, that saves the rear standard hinge from wear when shut, as the wood\carbon\plastic supports the rear standard frame against the bottom plate, saving wear from vibrations when shut, and as it's now a 'solid' assembly, it protects that side of it during transport, and from hand\car to the tripod, as less freeplay is there to begin with.
Thanks for the tour Ben. I want one!!! 😭. I told my daughter I'd buy one if I can lose 10kg and keep it off before I'm 60 (18 months away). She approves. Better motivation and probably cheaper than a personal trainer!
They sure are expensive! I could see the benefit for an extended backpacking trip where bulk and weight are a significant issue, but even for my own use, 4 of their film holders is about all I need for my multi-day backpacking trips. I've been thinking about getting two more of their lightweight standard 8x10 holders for my backpacking trips. In a perfect world though, it sure would be nice to have a set of their new ultra thin ones.
I have the Chamonix 4x5 (45-F2) and LOVE IT, I do agree about the lines on the ground glass being faint, my complaint as well, other than that these are AMAZING.
I bought this camera about 2 years and half ago. Great camera for backpacking in montains and walk all the day .highly highly recomended. The original chassis (I got five) gives you an additional low weight. Camera is really extremely rigid and lght (compared to other 8x10). If you walk a lot in the mountain its the natural choice....but not cheap.
Hi Ben. I took 4 shots this morning with my Alpinist X. Three were fogged. I then watched your review and noted the potential issue with my Toyo holders! Took four more shots ensuring. holder was properly seated and no problems! Seems youve saved me some future headaches! Much appreciated! Great camera though! I have the 4x5 too. Do you shoot any 4x5?
I'm so glad you were able to figure out the issue by watching the video! I don't currently have a 4x5, but I started shooting large format on a Toyo 45AII and was immediately hooked. I moved to a 8x10 after that and haven't had a 4x5 since then. I very much enjoy the size, weight, and cost of working with 4x5 though.
Have you considered using a piece of transparency film to make a grid? Like just with a laser printer? Someone else has probably already said this... i cant see the comments before i am writing this am on small device. Very nice review, thank you for walking through this camera.
That's an interesting idea and one that I hadn't thought of. I imagine it would work quite well, though as I have used the camera more and more I've become accustomed to the faint grid. It's certainly not as good as the grid on my previous cameras, but it doesn't feel as awkward as it first did. Thanks for watching Bruce!
I currently have a Gibellini 8x10, I adore the camera, however the bellows extension is lacking for the Nikkor T ED kit I got that has a 1200mm element to it and requires about 750mm of extension required. I’m torn between a Canham 8x10 metal for the durability on my frequent ocean adjacent shots vs a Chamonix alpinist for the significant weight savings, there is a decent price difference between the two but the benefits for each are very difficult to choose between. I’ll admit I’ve put my camera through a lot over the last 5 years so durability is a nice thought, but hauling 3-4 less pounds is also very convincing.
My Intrepid 8x10 makes my 4x5 seem so dinky... I do like the quality of the Chamonix. The film holders are works of art and very light in 4x5 as well. 🙂 Also, Target doesn't seem to sell the 8x10 film holder for Epson scanners pet feeding mat anymore. I'm really having trouble sourcing a similar product. I've cut a 4 ply museum mat but they wear out from all the taping. And the Northbooks notebooks are awesome, thanks for the tip!
At 1 minute 33 seconds of this video you show the Kessler Kwik Stand XL. The screws holding the XL to the bottom of the camera bed do not look like the "stock" 1/4" and 3/8" screws that came with my XL. Any tips on where to purchase the exact ones you have? They seem to be of a higher quality craftsmanship. Cheers Ben!
I believe those screws came from a long RRS plate I had ordered in the past. I agree that the ones that come with the Kessler stand are far from ideal.
I’ve never used 8*10 but wish I had, back before film costs got so, so huge! I can’t justify 4*5 these days and even 120 roll film stings. Though can be worth it. Looks like a lovely camera.
That's the Fujinon C 300mm f/8.5 lens. It's part of a lightweight and compact series of lenses from Fujinon that's well suited for 8x10. My other favorites from that series are the Fujinon A 240mm f/9.0 and the Fujinon C 450mm f/12.5. They all have a tiny 52mm filter size and are more the size of a 4x5 lens than a usual 8x10 lens. I seldom use my Nikkor W 300mm f/5.6 these days. That lens is close to 3lbs.
Hi Ben and thanks for the in-depth review. I know you were using the arca. I have the F-meteic 4x5 and would like to upgrade with the 8x10" module. Whats your view comparing arca swiss with chamonix? Ciai
Hi Ben. I bought a bunch of Toyo holders when I bought the camera. Wishing I'd gone with the Chamonix now. Before I buy some of those, I wonder if you feel there's any issue with the wooden frames distorting or warping over time with atmospheric conditions or exposure to weather? I suspect not but would be interested in your view.
Hi Nigel! Both film holders are excellent and you can't really go wrong either way. When it comes to the Chamonix holders, I've never experienced any issues in the conditions I've used them, ranging from dry deserts to temperate rain forests. They're extremely well made, and perhaps the modern finishes are the reason they are so stable. I've heard people warn about using wooden holders in the past, but my suspicion is that this is based on people trying to use OLD compromised vintage film holders that have seen better days and might have been stored in basements or other bad places. My favorite film holders these days are from Chamonix, both because they are lightweight, but also the carbon fiber darkslides are more rigid and easier to insert and remove. I also have a bunch of Toyo holders and they're also fantastic.
Thanks Christopher! The bellows are lightweight and pliable, so I don't think they would be a limiting factor. I've used my 150mm lens only once on this camera, and that photo required very little in terms of movements (a bit of front tilt), but they're designed very well and very flexible. Of all the cameras I've used, these are the best bellows since they are so adaptable.
Really thinking about ordering one of these. I’ve been using a vds folding 8x10 and it’s getting kinda old and not solid. This would be great for my hiking trips.
Do you ever miss not having asymmetrical movements? Debating between this camera and the Arca Swiss 8x10. Main use would be landscape, but some architectural, old 'barns', etc.
They come in handy when setting up in the dark, but honestly with a bit of practice, I've built some decent muscle memory where I can turn the focus with one hand, and with the tilt knobs loosened, I can adjust the tilt with the other in a way that's nearly as fast as working with asymmetrical movements. Overall the lesser weight and more compact and portable size of the Alpinist X more than makes up for the lack of asymmetrical movements.
Thanks for your response. I have located a used Alpinist. I am just making the jump to large format; am I making a mistake going directly to 8x10, bypassing 4x5? I guess the fact I already have a 8x10 Devere enlarger is tempting me to make the jump. Thanks
