Lithuanian 8 x 10 Field Camera. Anybody Have Knowledge of It?

[F4U]

I just happened upon this ebay listing. Looks like a pretty neat camera. Is somebody making these new? If so, price is competitive with the Intrepid, but it seems nicer. What's the story? Thank you.

8x10" "Compact" camera | eBay

Tripod thread 1/4 ". Lightweight (3.25kg), compact (body, without screw heads 31x32x7cm). Slight differences from the photo are possible.

www.ebay.com

 

[Kino]

Yes, there is a thread on the LPF Forum here:

Got me a new version of Vist 8x10

I had written a review of the Vist 8x10 when it first appeared a couple of years ago. I purchased the latest version (version 3 I believe) since the new features appealed to me. Plus given that the cost (< $600) was less than a couple of 4x5's I have owned, I wanted to give it a shot. I have no...

www.largeformatphotography.info

I fully intended to purchase one when more came back into stock, but they sold out before I could scrape the money together. He listed 5 of them last time; hopefully more are on the way. He makes them by hand and releases them in small batches.

Looks like he has just the one for sale now.

I really need to sell my Calumet C2 "black beast" to fund the purchase, so I will probably miss this one as well.

EDIT: Interesting; he's also offering a 4x5 folding pinhole camera.

 

[F4U]

How does it focus? Is there a knob of some kind, or does it just slide and lock down like pulling out the front standard of a speed graphic? Wonder what it weighs. I don't have facebook and don't want it.

 

[Kino]

The focus is usually the make/brake feature (lack of feature?) of this camera.

It relies on pushing/pulling the slide back and forth; locking on the side with the chrome strip and knurled knob. Others have claimed a "friend" made a fine focus modification to the camera, but never responded with pictures when asked to show it.

Did you read the Large Format Photography thread? Do so; a lot of details in there...

As for weight it weighs 3.25kg or 7.16 pounds.

 

[F4U]

The focus is usually the make/brake feature (lack of feature?) of this camera.

It relies on pushing/pulling the slide back and forth; locking on the side with the chrome strip and knurled knob. Others have claimed a "friend" made a fine focus modification to the camera, but never responded with pictures when asked to show it.

Did you read the Large Format Photography thread? Do so; a lot of details in there...

As for weight it weighs 3.25kg or 7.16 pounds.

Yes I read all of it. Heck. I thought I might have happened on a nice alternative to the Intrepid. But with no focus mechanism I guess it's a deal killer. Problem is, I finally got he Intrepid people to return my inquiry. They're wanting AT LEAST 2 months, and most likely a lot more. I'm not going to pay a sum of money like that and sit on my hands for 2-3 months or more. I do have my Horseman anvil, at least. Although it's mihty limiting to try to go out in the field hauling an anvil and all the other stuff.

 

[Kino]

Been comparing the two myself; still leaning toward the Vist, though. The focus "issue" is concerning, but a lot of other issues reported with the Intrepid have cooled my ardor somewhat, so it's almost a draw.

Anyway, it's a moot point at the moment until I get my C2 sold. Talk about an anvil; the C2 is a fabulous studio camera or field camera for strapping young photographers, but this old man struggles with it and I need a lighter camera.

Oh and here's another thread I started on LFP, asking someone who bought the current "upgraded" version:

feedback on 8x10 camera from Vist camera in Vilnius?

Has anyone here purchased or used a 8x10 camera from Vist camera? I would love to get a feedback. I see it on eBay and it seems there is a facebook page as well: https://www.facebook.com/vistkamera The camera has limited movements (front rise and tilt only) and lacks fine focusing. It...

www.largeformatphotography.info

This thread probably has a lot more of the details I was thinking were in the first...

 

[F4U]

I guess I'll just muddle through with this Horseman, which should have been named an Elephantman. I had already done he modification to get rid of the rear L-arm. I bet that took off 8 pounds. But it's still a beast. I can't believe there's only the 2 choices that don't cost the national debt, just to shoot an 8x10 negative. Of course I could get a negative scanner and a nice printer, probably for less than one of these cameras, and just photoshop up a negative to contact print. Goodness knows i can do photoshop like a champ. But it's just not photography Not at all.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I don't think that slide-focus would be terribly hard. I do wonder about the thinner laminate base more than focusing problems.

 

[F4U]

Well it's already gone, anyway.

 

[blee1996]

I'm saving money for an ultra compact and lightweight 8x10 camera. I'm willing to pay a bit more money for quality (compared to Intrepid), but not the kind of money for Canham or Chamonix.

Vist is definitely one strong candidate, as well as Stenopeika Airforce (Pro). I asked Vist recently and he said that a new batch should come this spring. The Stenopeika guy on youtube sounds too much like a salesman though.