The SV45Te is an incredibly versatile folding camera comfortably adapting to lenses ranging from 80mm up to 450mm with no change in bellows or configuration. I bought new in 2007 with universal bellows and soon changed to the Maxwell HiLux screen which has been excellent. I like the quick set-up time and the dual mirrored levels which make setting the camera up flat and level a doddle. I have a long arca plate (designed for a 600mm tele lens foot) attached via both tripod holes which gives good balance vs only single point attachment. What prompted me to explore the metal side has been the lack of precision in movements (rear tilt particularly) and the need to undo/tighten multiple knobs for tilt. Even when clamped down the camera is not really really solid (although I have never had camera shake).
The 2 alternatives I was most of were the Arca F Line and the Linhof TK45. I photograph regularly with Jon Brock who has a TK45 and although he produces excellent results the camera doesnt 'talk' to me whereas the Arca has always held a very strong almost hypnotic appeal. The TK would make an equally good picture taking machine.
In September 2009 I purchased a s/h F Line outfit to finally make a comparison and to decide which limitations I most want to live with and what view camera will be pryed from my cold or arthritic hands whichever comes first !
The Arca kit was well thought out and very flexible (for which I can take no credit). It is based around a pair of 171mm standards (one with micrometric orbix) with standard back and choice of lens panels and an Arca to Linhof adapter. The back has the standard Arca screen with fresnel. 3 bellows were provided with the std pleated bellows, a leather loose pleated bellows and true bag bellows. Pleated comfortably handles 300m and 400mm T lenses, leather will just handle these with focus to about 10ft. Rails (optical benches) are 2 15cm and a 30cm rail. The base extension brackets are 30cm with 2 locks and the short bench with one lock. The 30cm bracket with 2 15cm rail is most flexible as you can extend the standards out beyond 15+15 to comfortably focus 45cm. The bracket fits directly into an Arca style quick release system. There are 2 standards which are the non metric variety ( ie not geared). The config I carry around is the 2 15cm rails and the 30cm bracket with both stds collapsed onto one 15cm rail and the optical bench and second rail kept locked together. A single 15cm rail isnt long enough to focus the 110mm XL so a lightweight solution with a 15cm rail, the short bracket and 110mm lens is not an option as I had hoped.
For the record, new Arca kits come with 141mm standards or with a 141mm / 110mm combi in the Field variant leading to slightly less weight.The newer Arca kits come with either a telescopic 30cm rail or a collapsible 30cm rail (2 joined - hinged if you like) and the short bracket.
Comparisons:
1) The arca kit weighs approx 1.3kg more than the Ebony. In absolute terms the Ebony comes in at 3.2kg bagged with plate and the Arca at 4.5kg. The ebony feels much smaller and lighter with a very petite transportable footprint by comparison. The ebony is better protected. With 171mm frames the Arca looks and feels big.
2) Set-up time is about the same except for levelling the camera which is a PITA for the arca. Holding the rail is good for front to back level but not for side to side and vice versa for the stds. You have to move eye position between the two level positions and cant see both together so it can be a bit of an iterative process to get right. I should add that I use a ball head so this wouldnt apply with a geared(405 or 410) or P & T head but you cant buy a geared tripod head with an arca fit.....
3) Bellows solution isnt as flexible on the Arca - one size doesnt fit all, you really need to change bellows for the 300mm lens and for c/f with the 200mm lens. However no jiggery pokery is needed with the 80mm lens unlike the Ebony. I can use a 450mm non tele with the Ebony, without extra bellows I cant with the Arca hence the recent purchase of a Fujinon 400T.
4) Screen isnt as good as the Maxwell and I find gradding harder. A Maxwell screen can be purchased but isnt a DIY fit apparantly. Jury out at the moment on this point.
5) Focus is on the left hand with the Arca and the right with the Ebony. I am right handed and after years of conditioning instinctively pick up the the loupe with the left hand so I can focus with the right. I will crack this soon..... The micrometric orbix is on the right (as are the tilt levers) and the focus on the left which means that genuine 2 hand synchronous focus and tilt is possible - this is really really nice. As an update I have been told rightly that this can (and should be) be reversed and it maybe my camera that is set-up back to front.
6) Tilt is a one hand operation on the arca - undo the lever and you have a beautifully smooth weighted base tilt. Using the orbix is a dream, lovely geared movement that is very easy. One of my main issues with the Ebony has been the 2 hands needed to unlock the tilt which is prone to movement until it is locked. Its small but quite a key usability difference especially when trying to hold a loupe under a darkcloth - a third hand is needed with the Ebony.
7) The arca is flexible... to upgrade to 10x8 I could buy a new rear frame and bellows and that would be it. Untested as yet !
Either is a fantastic solution and is photographer limited rather than camera limited. For a 1 box solution the Ebony probably cant be beaten for flexibility and portability. And then there is the smell of the leather on the Ebony
The dual level mirror arrangement for levelling the camera on the Ebony is almost a deal breaker as it is so easy and so convenient to get the camera into the base position.I can only afford to keep one unfortunately so a decision will have to be made but I dont know how I am going to make it.......
I'll post some piccies soon which may make some of this easier to understand if you are unfamiliar with either system.
