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Nagaoka Seisakusho 45D / 45D II

The Nagaoka Seisakusho 4x5 is an ultra lightweight, large format field camera made by Nagaoka, in Japan. Made from cherry wood, this camera continues a tradition of beautiful, wood, Japanese field cameras. The Nagaoka Seisakusho 4x5 is similar to Wista and Tachihara field cameras.

The Seisakusho's biggest selling point is its weight and compact size. It weighs roughly 2.6 pounds without a lens, making it one of the lightest 4x5 field cameras available. Similarly, when folded up, the camera measures a mere 8 inches by 7 inches by 2.5 inches. This is an easy camera to lug around, even after you factor in the film holders and lenses. Speaking of lenses, most Seisakusho use the Linhof Technika lens board, though some earlier models may use slightly different lens boards.

There are two models of the Seisakusho 4x5: the 45D and 45D II - sometimes referred to simply as the Model II. Both are similar in function and appearance with the Model II having slightly more movements. The 45D II features the following movements: front tilt of 45° backward and 25° forward, rear tilt of 18° backward and 55° forward, front swing of 8° in each direction, front rise/fall of 2.3cm up and 2.8cm down. The camera lacks both front and rear shift and also lacks rear rise and swing.

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Nagaoka Seisakusho field camera

Field cameras are sort of the go-between, if rail cameras are at one end of the spectrum and press cameras at the other. Field cameras tend to be more versatile than press cameras, but less so than rail cameras. They are lighter and faster to use than rail cameras but not quite as much as press cameras. They are light and portable and would be the camera of choice if you are a large format photographer and a hiker.

Typically field cameras are made of wood; such as the Wisner, Tachihara, Wista and Intrepid cameras of the world. There are some, such as Toyo, that make field cameras in carbon fiber or other materials. Because they are typically made from wood, field cameras tend to be the most beautiful large format cameras. They also tend to be the lightest. In our experience, they are not as rigid as some other large format cameras; their front standards can often have a bit of play to them. Field cameras are relatively quick to set up as well, especially once you learn the sequence of unfolding them. They are nowhere near as quick as press cameras and, if you've never assembled or disassembled a field camera, it can be a bit tricky to learn. Go slow, be patient, and don't force anything. Another advantage to field cameras is that they typically have a good range of movements. Usually their front standard can do all four: rise, tilt, swing and shift. Their rear standards also often have one or more of these movements.⁠

In terms of limitations, there are a couple. First, field cameras, like rail cameras, want to be used on a tripod. You generally cannot hand-hold these, in large part because they almost never have rangefinders for focusing. Also, they tend to be the priciest of all the large format cameras. If you are on a budget, you typically won't find deals with field cameras, although this Nagaoka Seisakusho at $600 is a decent deal, as far as wood field cameras go.⁠

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Blue Moon Camera and Machine llc

sales@bluemooncamera.com
(503) 978-0333
(503) 978-0370
8417 North Lombard Street
Portland, OR 97203