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Large Format Cameras

Tony Santo Photography

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In this video, I take a deep dive into the Zone VI Studios Large format cameras in both the 4x5 and 8x10 sizes.

Chamonix Alpinist X Convertible Camera: 8 x10 Chamonix Alpinist X Convertible Review

How to focus a large format camera: Large Format Focusing Technique

Exercise for photographers: Exercise for Photographers

30 lb. large format backpack kit: My 8x10 Large Format Photography Backpack Kit

Nikon Nikkor 150mm SW lens review: Nikon Nikkor 150mm SW Lens Review

Filmed on the Canon R5C.

00:00 - Introduction to Zone VI Studios Cameras
00:47 - Identifying Your Camera's Production Era
02:08 - Dating the 8x10 vs 4x5 Models
03:01 - Core Features & Design Overview
03:49 - Unfolding & Setting Up the Standards
04:47 - Front Standard Movements (Tilt, Swing, Shift)
07:11 - Working with Wide-Angle Lenses
08:23 - Challenges with Front Standard Controls
10:02 - Lens Board Compatibility & Adapters
11:59 - Mounting Lenses & Mechanism Details
12:33 - Rear Standard Movements & Controls
13:38 - Ground Glass, Bail Levers, & Viewing Screens
14:20 - Switching Between Horizontal & Vertical
14:41 - Servicing & Customizing Your Camera
15:20 - Bellows Materials & Interchanging (Bag Bellows)
17:32 - Bellows Extension & Minimum Draw
18:33 - Focusing Techniques (Front vs Rear)
20:30 - Closing & Transporting the "Lunchbox"
21:44 - Performance Downsides & Weight Concerns
23:10 - Weight Comparisons with Modern Cameras
24:23 - Durability & Making Repairs
24:56 - Final Verdict: Would I Buy These in 2025?

By clicking the links below, I may earn commission on any products that you purchase.

Film Stocks:
35mm Kodak E100: https://amzn.to/3J9L8Lw
4x5 Kodak E100: https://amzn.to/49lMptH
35mm Kodak Ektar: https://amzn.to/3U65StR
4x5 Kodak Ektar: https://amzn.to/4apyXGf
8x10 Kodak Portra 160: https://amzn.to/4cOHHY4
120 Kodak Portra: https://amzn.to/3vyTnxE
35mm Kodak Portra 400: https://amzn.to/4aGxlb2
35mm Kodak Portra 800: https://amzn.to/4aDRgYJ
35mm Kodak Gold 200: https://amzn.to/3PPinr2
35mm Ilford Delta 100: https://amzn.to/4aofGFm
120 Ilford Delta 100: https://amzn.to/4cLslnc
4x5 Ilford Delta 100: https://amzn.to/3xqQi34
8x10 Ilford Delta 100: https://amzn.to/3U7bnsb

Travel Gear:
Labels: https://amzn.to/4gUbH6g
Pelican 1615 case: https://amzn.to/4ahT3Cf
Pelican 1510 case: https://amzn.to/3PMa9A5
8x10 Film Changing Tent: https://amzn.to/441I2D7
4x5/5x7 Film Changing Tent: https://amzn.to/3U4FgcE
Film Changing Bag: https://amzn.to/3VP5cu7

Digital Alternative:
Fujifilm GFX 100II: https://amzn.to/4aKgDYo
Fujifilm GF100-200mm: https://amzn.to/3TQmd4J
Fujifilm GF80mm: https://amzn.to/3PQulRk
Fujifilm GF45-100mm: https://amzn.to/3xov5ab
Fujifilm GF20-35mm: https://amzn.to/43RCvPo

Camera Gear I use in my videos:
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85mm Lens: https://amzn.to/3v0Z0Ef
50mm Lens: https://amzn.to/3SWnzKJ
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Shotgun mic: https://amzn.to/3ThkA0M
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Light Stand: https://amzn.to/42YWA5I
Backdrop: https://amzn.to/4iXH69x
5-in-1 Reflector: https://amzn.to/3DBZqVL
Tripod: https://amzn.to/3SYUcaG
Tripod Head: https://amzn.to/49Sr0ZC
Travel Tripod: https://amzn.to/3wCZ8KH
Tripod Mounting Plate: https://amzn.to/3Irbd8h
Teleprompter: https://amzn.to/3YNA5jZ

Film Scanning Gear
Wet Mounting Tray: https://amzn.to/3VAUeIr

20 Comments

@Shiunbird 1 year ago

I've been shooting 4x5 for a year now and had a dream for a project that would require 8x10. I blew my whole photography budget on a Intrepid 8x10, a box for E100, a box of Velvia 100 and a box of Foma 200. =))))

I found your videos by accident and, well, I wish all teachers were like you. Excellent cadence, just enough depth, good length, beautiful pictures and, at the same time, straight to the point and very sympathetic.

Great stuff, really! Super helpful!

The sad part is, indeed, that I am not 13 feet tall. Until I grow that much, the daily carry camera will remain the F6. =)

@edwardburlew7375 1 year ago

I have the Wisner 8x10 and 11x14, Wisner made the Zone vi for many years and then Zone vi set out on their own. The cameras are fantastic. Medium heavy but for formal portrait work and taking them to place not far from a vehicle that are great. I do have lightweight Swiss Arca 8x10 and tha tis immensely versatile and portable. I can say that when I set up the Zone VI people just love it and relate to it. There is no way to really have a lightweight 8x10 packing set. It all is huge and you can see in the past photographers used vehicles and horses as pack animals to bring their cameras and all the lenses and holders with them. And the tripods. If you are going to many beautiful landscape areas it si wise to hike with companions. They can carry some gear and will help you with the fun of photography. Using 8x10 is an occasion for socializing and enjoying photography.

@CraigSheaks 10 months ago

Absolutely fantastic breakdown of the Zone VI cameras! Extremely helpful to me. I am/was considering acquiring the 8”x10” version.

@synlfo7828 1 year ago

I was on the look out for one as i wanted a wooden 4x5. I ended up on the chamonix H1 And I am so glad i did! The H1 is such a beautiful camera, light and easy to set up. I also had a linhof but sold it as it was too bulky and I hated the front rise system with the lever. It took ages to set up!

@williamsingman1489 1 year ago

Great video. I never owned a Zone VI 4X5 camera but I do have Fred Pickers Zone VI Workshop book which I found to be extremely helpful back in the day. I originally started my 4X5 adventure with a Speed Graphic. I ultimately bought myself a brand new beautiful Ebony 4X5. I especially miss Polaroids type 55 4X5 film which yielded both a print and negative which I used along with traditional film.

@zarmindrow5831 1 year ago

I'm going to wait for the Zone VII.

@samue1991 1 year ago

One of my favorite Forrest Gump quotes, one that I use all the time!

@filmkip3437 1 year ago (edited)

Great Video! I bought my Zone VI 4x5 brand new (in 1990, I think). The Serial # looks like W2998. It was my main camera for a few years. I never took it hiking so the weight didn't matter. I used it mainly for architecture and interiors. And, the occasional formal portrait. It's still in excellent condition but I only use it now a few times a year. It's one of two items of photo gear that's never let me down. I do still have the original certificate it came with. I love that camera! I'm gonna have to acquire the 8x10 version at some point! I also got the Zone VI newsletters to go with it. Lots of useful info in there. And they're an interesting time capsule as well.

@techietypex 1 year ago (edited)

I own a Wista 4x5 DX camera, a Wisner 4x5 technical camera, and a Chamonix 45-F2. They were purchased in that order. The Wista was my go to field camera for at least 30 years. The Wisner was acquired mostly because it is such a beautiful piece of hardware. Unfortunately, the weight and it's general finickiness with wide angle lenses has relegated it to infrequent use. The Wista is much lighter and more straightforward to operate. Last year I saw my friend's Chamonix and ordered one for myself. It's light weight, has brilliantly thought out innovations over the other two. The compound pleated bellows eliminates ever needing bag bellows with wide angle lenses. The carbon fiber construction makes it very light weight. My only complaint is that having to screw the front standard to the focusing bed seems like an extra step, but I am used to it.

Thanks for the great video, I enjoyed watching it.

@MLGochnauer 6 months ago

Zone VI also produced a 'lite' version of the 4x5. Mine weighs about 1.9 kg. I don't know what wood or metal was used, but it appears to be the same basic design as the standard 4x5.

The only weakness I know of is in the centre of the springs for the back. Each is secured by a single screw through the spring. When my (used) copy arrived, the springs had bent at the centre, and held the GG assembly in place only weakly.

I added two partial springs on top of the originals to solve the weakened centre. I made these auxiliary springs from a hacksaw blade, ground to shape on a bench grinder. To drill the holes I first heated the pieces with a propane torch and let them cool slowly. That made them soft enough to drill. Since they had lost their 'springiness' I could also shape them with a slight curve to engage the primary springs progressively. Then I heated them as hot as possible and cooled them in oil (I think... it was years ago). When they were cool I heated them again just to the point where they were starting to show a dull glow, and let them cool slowly over a few minutes by applying the propane flame to them for diminishing periods. (My idea of tempering the steel.) All very rough and ready, but it seems to have done the job. :-)

Although these cameras don't have Graflok backs, they easily accommodate Calumet 6x7 holders for 120 film. At some point I thought Calumet made a 6x9 version of these holders, but I've never seen one.

@montycraig5659 1 year ago

I loved my Picker 4x5, and wish I still had it! Had to sell it when I fell on hard times, and had to sell it. I use a no name 4x5 now, but it isn’t half the camera that the Zone VI.

@andyvan5692 1 year ago

Tony, one tip, Fred Newman on his channels recommends on closing these 'field cameras' to pull out the front rack about a hands width to avoid some of the bellows damage, aka keeping a good distance between parts.

@edwardmartinsphotography 11 months ago

Around 1997 I ordered a Walnut Zone VI 4x5 from Zone VI new, and it was serial number 4554. I currently own a Mahogany 4x5 Zone VI SN: 4642 which I bought used in new condition about 3 years ago. But I regularly use an Intrepid Walnut these days which is half the weight.

@andyvan5692 1 year ago

Tony there is a way of using this tilt/rise system, Chamonix in their instructional videos describes a "slightly locked" workflow for this, you snug one side, leaving the other lose, thus having some tension, which allows you to push things around, then lock both tightly.

@drb9705 1 year ago

Thanks, Tony!

@CalumetVideo 1 year ago (edited)

I have the Calumet XM 4x5 camera and it’s a great camera. It’s actually the same as the Tachihara 4x5. I have also heard that Zone VI are good cameras.

@andyvan5692 1 year ago

great video Tony, by the way, for the tilt function, at 9:09 what Chamonix recommends in its videos, is a slightly locked philosophy; in which one knob is lostened fully, the other just barely enough to allow motion, keeping the system under control, and for the base swing knobs this acts as a pivot point for this motion, a hinge as it where, so quite a clever idea, but Yes, a better idea to have two knobs, or at least a detent (ball bearings on springs, which click into divots on the other side, allowing positive 'feel' of center position); my sinar monorail does, even on the rise and fall posts, so its easy to feel where you are, even considering the F2 I have has a massive plastic scale and index line, so only the blind (not intending offence here 🙂) could miss it.

@paulodefeyter 1 year ago

Epáaaaa!! Ainda bem que te vejo de novo Tony..... Vais continuar a fazer videos? É que estiveste uns tempos "fora"....

@andyvan5692 1 year ago

Tony, at 17:29 there was one such camera, that extended to 530mm that was the press style linhof Technika, this was termed "triple extension" as far as I am aware (three times standard lens for the format, in extension)- but this was only due to the focus ext. rack and the back glass extension system. [ capacity of I think 360 or 450mm tele lenses].

@chesslover8829 3 months ago (edited)

Great video, Tony!

I have a Zone VI (ZN2000) 8x10 Ultra Mahogany Camera with the following: information:

Front Plate: "Made by Zone VI Studios, Vermont, U.S.A."
Serial Number: 7106
Black anodized hardware
Aluminum bail lever on rear standard