Nicely made and lightweight. Excellent back.

Limited movements. Lensboard and camera match-up causes very thin wood on camera to start splitting.

I bought one of these, but could not justify the price once I received it. It is nice but not that nice. I sold it and got a Shen Hao. Half the price. More movements. Interchangable bellows. Better/denser wood. You can but the Shen Hao and an excellent Rodenstock lens and wooden tripod for less than the Wista camera-only. Don't get me wrong - the Wista is an excellent piece of equipment. Dovetail joints instead of metal bracing. Well made. The back is an excellent revolving back. And it weighs next to nothing. But, for the price, you can do better with a Shen Hao.

Lots of movements and if you purchase second hand, really a very good bargain. Folds down flat for easy transport.

Not as rigid as the more expensive models and the rear screen is a bit dim with my f8 optic.

I have used this camera extensively with 6 x 7 Wista back using 120 roll film. I use this camera for shooting buildings where the extensive rise and fall is great. I use a 90mm lens. For landscape I often use a bit of forward tilt to maintain depth of field right up to my feet! And using 120 film, it is quite economical.

Customer Service

None needed so far

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Hasselbald Flex Body

Looks pretty. Light and compact. Perfect for 75mm-135mm lenses in the field.

As rigid as a jelly with the baseboard extended. Rigidity suspect even with short extensions. Fresnel screen could be brighter.

If you want a light relatively cheap 4x5 for field use with shortish lenses this is as good as any.

Customer Service

No reliability problems (4years use)

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No other 4x5. Hasselblad with 80 and 250mm lenses. Like for like tests (film, image enlargement) unsurprisingly favour t

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Sorry, there are two errors in my write-up above--the standard "weakness" of this camera is a relatively short 12" bellows draw--this will seldom if ever pertain with lenses wider than 210mm; I think the camera is best matched with lenses in the 135mm-210mm range anyway. Also, Badger Graphcs is as www.badgergraphic.com--no final "s." Sorry for the error, but check them out anyway.

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An ideal combination of good looks, excellent operability, light weight, good construction quality, flexibility, and durability.

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This is one of my all-time favorite cameras, and it makes a great recommendation for anyone wanting an excellent folding flatbed field camera for large-format fine art work. Wista has several versions (see www.wista.co.jp), but my favorite is the cheapest--the cherrywood DX II, without the back shifts (seldom if ever needed in fieldwork). The cherry version is more than 500 grams lighter than the rosewood version. The camera is very close to an ideal distillation of a basic design that"s been around for more than a century, having been constantly refined to a very high degree of excellence. I find the Wista to be better made than many more expensive 4x5 field cameras, and I love the way it operates--smoothly and sensibly. It"s a delight to use. Very pretty, too--virtually everyone I know who has one feels considerable pride of ownership. Try Badger Graphics in Wisconsin (www.badgergraphics.com) for great prices on these--you can buy a 4x5 camera and a very good lens for LESS than many medium-format lenses, and less than many top 35mm cameras. A real steal, and a great camera. Warmly recommended!

Customer Service

Try Badger Graphics in Wisconsin--a direct importer--for the best prices and great service

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Too many to list--I'm a professional camera reviewer, having written numerous articles for American and British pho

Compact and light. Quick to use. Very flexible. Great value for the money.

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The perfect camera for the beginner 4x5 shooter or the backpacker. It's relatively small, light, and a breeze to use.
It accomodates lenses from 65mm to 300mm tele and has all the necessary movement.

I use Wista DX on a Berlebach Tripod. If the wind doesn't blow it is quite solid. Good range of movements. Light and compact for backpacking.

1. Short bellows. With 150 mm lens and Horseman Teleconverter 2x I can shoot at infinity and long distances only.
2. Camera out of balance with long lenses because tripod thread is too behindhand.
3. Tripod thread small: I would like 3/8"

I work in the western Alps at high altitude. My little Wista DX is the best combination of operability and light weight. Some of my pictures are exhibited on my site: http://www.geocities.com/mvacchiano

Customer Service

No service in Italy (coming soon).

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Graflex Super Graphic is more solid but without movements on rear standard. Linhof Technika have long bellows and large movements but it's too heavy. I use a Sinar F2 when I can work close to my car.

I wouldn't want anything else anymore. The Wista is as light as a 4x5" camera can be. A simple but effective design which has proven itself for more than a century. Sturdy enough for outdoor photography and hiking trips. I just fold it in a small backpack along with two lenses, film and a few accessories. The whole doesn't weigh more than my Nikon F4 with three lenses and a few accessories. With extension tube it even fits a 360 mm. But I use it with 75 - 300 mm lenses.

Not as rigid as a metal 4x5".

Beautifull, light, and practical. Ideal LF camera for hiking. Enough movements for outdoor photography with lenses between 75 and 300 mm. Great value for money.

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Linhoff. Cambo. Sinar.

Low cost; light weight; solid joints

Not to solid on a breezy day.

The camera's light weight makes it delightful to haul on long treks but this is a mixed blessing. This same quality also makes it difficult to shoot on windy day out here in Nebraska. The heavier metal 4x5's fare much better. However, for anyone who wants to move into large format, this camera is perfect especially if you buy it used as I did. The dealers above are absolutely honest with great prices.

Customer Service

None so far.

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Toyo 45II