Sorry to still be obsessing/agonizing over this, but I have yet another 5x7 question before I fork over my hard earned dollars. Given a choice, would you grizzled LF veterans go for a used Linhof 5x7 (assuming it is in good, workable shape) or a NEW Tachihara 5x7? Your valued comments are appreciated.

-- Ben Calwell (bcalwell@aol.com), February 11, 2002

Answers

I have a 5x7 tech III which I'm really happy with (movements/shifts - enough already!). It's about as fragile as a cannon ball, only half as heavy, not more difficult to operate and much,much more pretty. Range focusing can be useful if you do candids - don't laugh! - and a viewfinder is an added bonus(expensive apart?). Just be careful - when you open it up the PeopleGapingAndWalkingWideCircles2000 magnetic perimeter defence system automatically activates with alarming suddenness.

-- Riaan Lombard (ryan3@workmail.com), February 12, 2002.

I have owned both cameras. The Linhof was my first 5x7 and I used it about one year before I got a little tired about the weight and the lack of front fall. In the tech cameras you have to use the drop bed function instead of lens fall, which I felt a little messy to use. Then I found in Sweden a lovely Nagaoka, so lightweight,that I could carry it in the pocket of my winterjacket. Well, this was otherwise nice, but because the lack of some sturdiness I bought a new Tachi. This was of rosewood,stainless steel knobs,and very stable, but not any lightweighter as the 4x5 and 8x10 Tachiis I've had. In my mind it is a very good camera, and I stopped using it only because I moved up to 8x10. I have always liked the fine fresnels of the Tachihara, and in fact, I have a Tachi fresnel mounted on my Phillips now. If you have the habit of shooting scenes that constantly needs a lot of fall (as I do )and want a rugged camera for nature/outdoor use, take the Tachi. In an urban mileu I would choose the tech, because of people recognicing it for a camera,and not any funny joke. But both cameras are ecxellent tools, and I don't think you can't do any big miss whichever you choose. Jan

-- Jan (jan.eerala@itameri.net), February 12, 2002.

If you're planning to use it anywhere other than the studio or possibly a few hundred feet from the car, to me there would be no question. The Linhof w5x7 weighs something like 15 pounds, the Tachihara probably weighs something like five or six pounds.

-- Brian Ellis (bellis60@earthlink.net), February 13, 2002.

Hmmm, Ben, I have to agree the Tachi would not at all be a bad choice either, and Brian has a point. But about dropping the bed - it is something you can get used to. Dang!!, I almost forgot - make sure the focus lock is still in good shape if you are planning on getting used to dropping the bed... gravity being what it is!

-- Riaan Lombard (ryan3@workmail.com), February 13, 2002.