I have a toyo 45AX field camera and have used it for 2 years. I believe that I got some experience of using 4x5 camera. I mainly like to shoot landscape and sometimes architecture and tabletop (in Winter). Now I am thinking to buy a good camera with enough movements for my shooting objects. I like Linhof very much. However, I could not make a decision for buying Technikarden 45s or another field camera, Master Technika 4x5 which has better movements than that of Toyo. It will be my last investment for my large format photo equipment. So I need some kind advice from you. I appreciate all your suggestions. Thank you very much for your help!

-- Yong-ran Zhu (yzhu@mcw.edu), September 14, 1999

Answers

What do you want to do?

Wide angle? The TK takes 35mm lenses up.

Macro? The TK has 4" more bellows.

Handhold? The MT has a rangefinder.

Etc.

-- bob salomon (bobsalomon@mindspring.com), September 14, 1999.

The TK45s is a better all round camera than the Master Technika for your purposes.

-- Ellis Vener (evphoto@insync.net), September 14, 1999.

I have owned a Linhof Technica for 20 years with a full set of lenses. I find that it is too heavy, clunky for field use, and the lens/back movements are more hype than real. Keep your Toyo to use in the field (landsacpes, etc) and get a (good used) Linhof 45S for around $600 for when you need lots of movements. Lensboards/lenses are interchangable. You will have the best of both worlds.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), September 17, 1999.

I have not seen many 45S cameras for sale used and the 45 model goes for $2000 or so used. I have one and love it and use it for ALL of my 4X5 work but you are not going to get a $600 camera anywhere I know. I do use my Tech board-mounted lenses on Toyo every now and then (borrowed from work for fun)and it is a good suggestion but my TK45 does it all for me.

-- Rob Tucher (rtphotodoc@juno.com), September 20, 1999.