From: geoff@pmafire.inel.gov (Geoff Allen)
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 92 15:08:48 GMT
Organization: Roller Coaster fanatic with no hope for a cure
Subject: Re: Benders and Technikardans and other arcana (Re: view cameras in foul weather)
Summary: 
Followup-To: 
Organization: Roller Coaster fanatic with no hope for a cure
Keywords: 

clev@cisco.com (Robert Clevenger) writes:
| In article <1992Sep24.182601.15324@pmafire.inel.gov> geoff@pmafire.inel.gov (Geoff Allen) writes:
| 
|    clev@cisco.com (Robert Clevenger) writes:
|    >I tried the Bender 4x5 and _hated_ it.
|    >IMHO I found it virtually impossible to do any sort of critical work.
|    >Trying to fine focus the thing is an exercise in futility 
| 
|    Even though it's just friction focus, I have *no* problems nudging the
|    standard(s) enough to get acceptably sharp focus.
| 
| Maybe so, but geared focus is soooo nice.

Granted.  But is it fair to therefore call friction focus ``virtually
impossible to do any sort of critical work'' with?

|    >and the structural rigidity is a joke
| 
|    I just had mine out last weekend in 20-30 mph winds (sustained).  No
|    problems whatsoever.  (Well, the darkcloth was a problem, but that's not
|    the camera's fault. ;^) )
| 
| I found that inserting a film holder would sometimes move the camera.

I've found that the camera ``gives'' a little when I insert a holder,
but it bounces right back.  It's wood, I expect some give in it.  As
long as it ``ungives'' there's no problem, is there?

| Also, I don't feel the camera would last very long - some of the
| screws (i.e., the ones holding the lensboard in place) are only tapped
| into the wood and feel as though they will strip out in time.

Well, I didn't use those brass l-screws for anything, since I didn't
trust them either, so I guess we agree here.  I used window screen
retainer clips for lensboard and bellows retention, and a Real Live
latch (well, two, actually) to hold the back on. 

|    >not to mention the camera's propensity
|    >for light leaks.  
| 
|    Never noticed a problem with light leaks, either.
| 
| The surface that the film holder mates to has no light gasket.  One
| must be very careful to ensure that the film holder is seated
| correctly or light can leak at the edges (this happened on 4 of my
| exposures). 

True.  So you take an extra second and make sure the film holder is
seated properly.

|    >I would never recommend this camera to
|    >anyone wishing to do serious large format photography.  I feel the
|    >camera is a toy.
| 
|    I cannot distinguish photos taken with my Bender or a Technikardan.
| 
| Maybe it's because I am used to using a good metal camera.  It is
| always hard to use tools that you are not familiar with.

You were awfully critical of a tool you simply ``aren't familiar with''!

| My point was to state that unless you really like building things,
| IMHO, a second hand rail or field camera can be purchased in the
| ~$1000 price range, that is much more convenient to use and will
| probably last a lot longer. 

Perhaps.  But the Bender is also lighter (nice for those of us with a
propensity to take photos any distance from the car), only ~$200, and
works just fine.  I've never used a ``true'' field camera, but I'd
imagine that the Bender is easier to use, since there are no compromises
in the movements.

| The Bender is not the only solution and IMO not the best.

Perhaps.  It all depends on your needs and budget.  I maintain that the
Bender is:

	fun

	lightweight

	cheap

	and quite capable of taking excellent 4x5 photos.

Geoff

-- 
Geoff Allen          \ The main difference between me and the student
uunet!pmafire!geoff   \  is that I have simply made more mistakes.
geoff@pmafire.inel.gov \    --George Drennan on teaching photo workshops.
Newsgroups: rec.photo