Regarding the Nagaoka closing with a mounted lens, if you remove the original tripod plate and drill out a large hold in the bottom bed you can close it with a lens mounted. But you will need to make a new tripod mount and move it more towards the rear of the camera which isnt as well balanced but since the camera isnt that heavy it isnt much of a problem. I saw photos of one modified like that.
If you only carry one lens that might be good mod to make. I like to carry 3 or more and the installation and removal is so quick and easy I don't see any need to close with a lens mounted. JCO -----Original Message----- From: Collin Brendemuehl [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 3:29 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Nagaoka Seisakusho Woodfield 4x5 I tried a Tachihara for a while and found it too simple and not that well built. The Nagaoka (spelled correctly this time!) has easier movements, easier folding, and that thin design is something else. It's about 2/3 the thickness of a Graphic. My only issue is the inability to fold up a thin lens inside. Every lens is too thick. But alas. The only shortcoming is a minor one. A 300mm lens is too much for it and 240mm should be a person's practical limit. For doing closeup portraits or macro work a long monorail rig is more suitable. Rear movements are easy to accomplish. The only mechanical criticism is that one needs to be careful of knobs becoming too loose when moving forward and backward frequently. The left tightening knob seems to have a propensity to go way to the outside. (But that happens on the 2D as well. Maybe it's common on wood fields.) ALSO, Equpment I forgot about: the G-III QL17 carry-around and the Canon 1.1MP digital. The G-III has sat in a drawer the past 6 months. KX has been out to play more often. Sincerely, C. Brendemuehl -------------------------------- 'Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.' Ronald Reagan ________________________________________________________________ Sent via the WebMail system at mail.safe-t.net
