3 Ferns

If it's any consolation I also regret selling mine. ;)
 
I don't think i'll ever part with mine, unless something drastic happens!

Mike
 
I tried an Ebony (not sure which model) and was very underwhelmed. In the end I bought a brand new Chamonix for two thirds of the used price of the Ebony and couldn't be more pleased. The on axis tilt front and back are a joy to use and everything moves a lot smoother. Try before you buy if at all possible.
 
The thing I don’t t like on the Chamonix is the central focus system , there are others that use the the same as well, Intrepid being another, much prefer to focus with my hands outside the camera, just seems a very awkward way to work
 
martin henson said:
The thing I don’t t like on the Chamonix is the central focus system , there are others that use the the same as well, Intrepid being another, much prefer to focus with my hands outside the camera, just seems a very awkward way to work
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Honestly it's fine when you get used to it. I use both types of camera and don't give it a second thought.

The Chamonix H models however ARE based on the non-folding Ebony design so have focus at the sides. I recently compared my H1 to the Ebony 45SU (which the H1 is effectively a knock-off of) side by side. The Chamonix was better in practically every way; namely it was about 600g lighter and significantly more rigid. The Ebony DID smell nicer though.
 
I have always thought that ebony was an odd choice of wood for a camera. Very heavy, and not particularly stable.
 
Having front focus at the front makes all the regular controls rise,tilt,swing fall naturally to hands while you are hugging your loved one under a blanket , the locking of rise usually needs both hands so keeping one one hand on/near central rear focus rarely works out .
All that being said I think you get used to it but switching between the two styles is irritating, I only have an Intrepid 57 that has rear central front focus which I am not really getting on with for more reasons than that.
 
martin henson said:
The thing I don’t t like on the Chamonix is the central focus system , there are others that use the the same as well, Intrepid being another, much prefer to focus with my hands outside the camera, just seems a very awkward way to work
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Exactly as Dave_P said, I use both types of focussing designed cameras and I don't give it a second thought. Where I prefer the rear focussing is when I'm not using any movements at all because I've made a dark cloth which is like a big t-shirt where I insert my arms into the sleeves, one hand holding the loupe, the other focussing and my head through the neck opening. This design of dark cloth gives me complete black out on the ground glass and works really well especially in bright conditions where light might be reflecting up from the ground or if there's a breeze.
 
Well, people have to disagree, but to me, having your head under the Dark cloth, one hand using a focus loupe and the other outside adjusting the front standard – focusing, tilting, swinging – seems like the most natural way to work. I guess it's just a case of each to their own! I just can't think of one good reason for the focusing screen to be at the back of the camera, other than keeping the weight and cost down. Happy New Year :cool:
 
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I have found that the central lead screw is excellent for fine focus, but tedious for large movements (as when changing lenses for instance). Would it be possible to devise some sort of clutch mechanism, so that both methods could be used as needed?
This is a hint for other camera designers. I’ve given up making cameras myself.
 
David M said:
I have found that the central lead screw is excellent for fine focus, but tedious for large movements (as when changing lenses for instance). Would it be possible to devise some sort of clutch mechanism, so that both methods could be used as needed?
This is a hint for other camera designers. I’ve given up making cameras myself.
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What I do is just slide the rear standard to the full extension for a long lens, push the base screws into the rear of the slots and push the standard up to them for a 150mm lens, and do the same but with the screws at the front end of the slots for a 90mm. So I never have to rack the focus very far, and I can always in fact leave the front standard in the same screw hole, and the rear is always square to the front.
 
martin henson said:
Well, people have to disagree, but to me, having your head under the Dark cloth, one hand using a focus loupe and the other outside adjusting the front standard – focusing, tilting, swinging – seems like the most natural way to work. I guess it's just a case of each to their own! I just can't think of one good reason for the focusing screen to be at the back of the camera, other than keeping the weight and cost down. Happy New Year :cool:
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I'm wondering whether the single focussing knob design came about because it's easier to use than the other design of having to unlock the front focussing knob with the knob on the left, focus with the knob on the right then lock the focus with the knob on the left again? I'm just talking about focussing here, not applying front movements. If I want to apply front movements I sometimes just wear close-up reading glasses to view the image on the groundless without needing to use a loupe. I don't use movements on every shot.
Cheers :)
 
The modern centre focus is used because of the ease and availability of thread based axis used on small cnc laser and 3D printers which are all used in the manufacture of modern view cameras , the older geared rails and beds are more expensive and harder to integrate in design.
There were also friction driven systems that are remarkably effective ie mk111 Kodak specialist/cambo? .
Traditional rear standard “focus” does not have the same intention as it changes the image size as well as if you were moving the whole camera but the impact depends on the subject ratio from macro - most to landscape least.
We are blasting the original topic again.
I still like the 3 ferns
 
As far as I can tell the centre rear focus knob design originated on Philips cameras in the US. Their design was for a compact and lightweight camera for hiking and didn't use any 3D printed parts. The rear knob moves the front standard for focusing. The Philips design seems to be what Chamonix, Intrepid and others copied.
You're right, this is moving away from the original topic.
 
Yes I forgot to mention the Philips design from USA, who were very innovative and even used chain drive ,it’s just that the parts are easy cheap an intuitive now.
If I was contemplating a diy the screws and guide rails available off the shelf give many options.
 
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