The K.B. Canham DLC45 is a robust and versatile 4x5 field camera.  While wooden field cameras - like the Ebony or Tachihara - often (and justifiably) get most of the attention, there is a genre of all-metal field cameras that also rightfully deserve a closer look and, of that class, the Canham DLC45 should be near the top of the list.⁠

⁠Made from anodized aluminum, the DLC45 boasts both strength and light weightedness.  Rigidity is often a major factor when shopping for a field camera; oftentimes designs will sacrifice some sturdiness in order to create a lighter weight camera.  Not so with the DLC45.  We were impressed with just how firmly its standards lock down, all the while weighing in at less than 5 pounds (4lbs and 11oz to be exact, not counting lens).  ⁠

Perhaps its most impressive feature is the range of bellows draw of which it is capable.  The DLC45 will accommodate lens focal lengths ranging from 58mm to 500mm, without the use of a bag bellows or recessed lens board on the short end.  We have the camera pictured here with a Super-Angulon 65mm and, while the compression gets tight, the camera can indeed focus this lens to infinity with little issue.⁠

⁠Throw in a huge range of movements: rise, fall, swing, shift, and tilt on the front standard and everything except rise and fall on the rear standard, and you can get pretty creative with how you flex and twist this camera.  At the end of the day, it folds up into this super compact package, easily carried to your next photo destination.⁠

Who could ask for more in a 4x5 field camera?

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Meet the K.B Canham camera...or at least one of them.  This American camera manufacturer (based in Arizona) has been hand-crafting metal and, the more traditional, wood large format cameras for several years now. The selection of cameras they have put out on the market is remarkable: 4x5, 5x7, 8x10, 4x10, 5x12, 11x14, 7x17, 8x20, 12x20, 14x17 and 20x24. We're pretty sure that covers every possible size in which you might want a large format camera.

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While Kodak certainly does not make cameras anymore, nor does Graflex even exist; there are still a few film cameras being produced in the U.S.  Two companies, in particular, come to mind: Deardorff and K.B. Canham, both of which make a variety of large format cameras.   We currently have two Canham cameras in inventory - this DLC 4x5 and a wooden 5x7 (which is indescribably gorgeous).  Canham makes a whole series of large format cameras, including a 4x10 and 20x24 version.  Additionally, they have a partnership with Kodak that allows them to custom order ultra large sheet film in any size 40" or smaller on the long edge.  Meaning that you can, theoretically, get 20x24 sheet film in Kodak Portra 400 or Ektar 100 if you so wish.

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