Walker Titan 4x5 XL

[Mike Meal]

At the start of January 09 I decided that I wanted to ‘upgrade’ my current 4x5 wooden field camera and sat down to do some serious research into what options were available from the manufacturers of which I was aware.
I had already decided what I wanted and needed out of a camera so straight away that narrowed my choices considerably. After seeing the specs for the Titan XL 4x5 on Mike Walkers website I phoned Mike on the Friday and after a lengthy and very helpful chat I decided that it was the one for me!
Although Mike was busy fulfilling other order commitments my camera was built really quickly and I received it six weeks after I placed the order.

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr134/mealers1/234.jpg

Walker cameras are made out of ABS, which is moulded, matt black/grey in colour and uses stainless steel fittings. One of the benefits for me as a landscape photographer with these materials is that ABS doesn’t expand like wood can in the UK’s rainy climate. The first thing I noticed when I picked it up was how sturdy and rugged it felt.

It weighs 2kg, which is fine for me when I’m hiking.
Being a non-folder it is very quick to set up and use, I can now set up and focus my camera in half the time to when I used my wooden field camera.
To some, the cameras movements may seen restrictive, in fact the rear standard is completely fixed but for me this was another plus point. In the past I had issues with image sharpness. A couple of days ago I took identical images with my old field camera and my Walker, I then printed both negatives and even on 10x8 paper I could see a marked difference in sharpness. I can only put this down to the Walker being made a lot more precisely and having the rear standard completely parallel.
Focusing can be done on both the rear and front standard.
The front standard has rise/fall and swing with axis tilts, which lock tightly, although the front shift is an optional extra but I choose against it.
The camera has bubble levels on the side and top of the rear standard and one on top of the front standard.
The standard bellows has a maximum extension of 190mm and a minimum extension of 47mm. The lens in the pictures is a 90mm f/5.6 Super Angulon and I have had no problems with this lens and the standard bellows although any wider and I think the bag bellows would be a must.
On the rear standard there is an international Grafolk back which unclips at the top to change orientation from landscape to portrait.
The standard screen is a fresnel which gives an extra two stops but Mike didn’t have these in stock so he added a Bosscreen which I think is fantastic at no extra cost. A screen protector is then clipped onto the screen before being packed away.

More pictures and details can be found at www.walkercameras.com

To be honest, I’m like a kid with a new toy at the moment. I really like using this camera, it suites my style of shooting. It hasn’t got that lovely look and smell of a wooden camera but that doesn’t bother me, what is important to me is that I have precise tool which will take great photographs and I don’t think this camera will let me down!

[percepts]

Must confess I have been drooling over one of their 5x7s for some time. They seem to be designed for incredibly simple use without bells and whistles with just the movements you need. My only concern is that they are specifically designed for the shorter lenses. If you wanted to use a 300mm lens you couldn't. But if you have a preference for wide angle lenses, then that's not a problem.

[Martin Aislabie]

Congratulations Mike

Glad for you it has eventually arrived :D

Hope you produce lots of stunning images with it for many years to come

Martin

[Jon Butler]

Mike,
I've been looking at Walker Cameras for some time, I like the SF but is little
heavy at 3 kg. The XL is right weight for me but can't use my 210mm although
I could use a top hat board, I will have good think about it, as I do like your camera very much.
Then I also fancy an Ebony RW 45 that would suit all my requirements, we'll
see.
Thanks for posting and enjoy your lovely camera.
Regards JON.

[Dave]

I too considered this range of cameras, but couldn’t quite persuade myself to buy one made of plastic, even though I accept that it is a durable and versatile material eminently suitable for this task. There is just something about the tactile quality of a wooden camera that I couldn’t resist, so I went the Shen Hao route. I must try and remember not to take it out in the rain. In fact, the way things are at the moment, I must remember to take it out.
Thank for posting details of your purchase, and keep us up to date with how you get on with it in the field.

[CarlRadford]

I had a lovely green 5x4 XL - great all-weather camera. A pleasure to use and never had a problem with it ever - apart from it wouldn't morph into a 10x8 :)

[Tom Stanworth]

I have the 5x7. I wondered about the tactile wood vs ABS issue (as a former and current Ebony owner) and my personal verdict on whether ABS is worthy is YES!!!!!!!!!! The non-folding Ebony 5x4s are very rigid (such as the RSW, SW, 45s etc), but the Walker is quite simply in a different league. It is - S-O-L-I-D in a way that wooden cameras are not, even when made out of ebony and titanium. Changes to the wood due to temperature and humidity are not an issue with the Walker. Take a UK adjusted Ebony somewhere hot and dry and all of a sudden you will get wobbles, which you will have to adjust out. Take it back and it will be stiff and need adjusting again.

The 5x7 will take a 400mm Tele so you still have some long lens options. I intend to get the SSchenider 400mm at some point... I hope.

The swings and tilts feel a lot better on the walker due to the lack of annoying detentes yet easy zero register.

I have the 5x4 back which is handy and easy to use (although you need to refocus).

I am not a long lens user in the main and so this camera is great for me, but with the ability to use a tele-xenar if I wish. I can still use a 72 on a flat panel so going wide on 5x7 is not a problem.

The best bit remains the solidity and easy of use. There are no real idiosyncrasies to slow you down or make you doubt yourself. It just does what it is supposed to do with no fuss. That is worth a lot to me.

PS, the ABS and stainless steel is actually rather pretty...

[Trevor Crone]

Nice one Mike. So have you retired the Shen Hao?

Their spec. is very good and perfect for wide angle photography (similar to the Ebony SW45) but as mentioned limited with the longer focal lengths, but can be done with the use of the 'top hat' panel and extension tubes.

Their 8x10 is also a super camera which Andrew Sanderson reviewed in a recent issue of B&W.

When I was looking for a suitable 8x10 camera I was not aware that Mike was producing one otherwise I probably could have saved myself a fair bit of cash:mad:

[CarlRadford]

Nice one Mike. So have you retired the Shen Hao?

Their spec. is very good and perfect for wide angle photography (similar to the Ebony SW45) but as mentioned limited with the longer focal lengths, but can be done with the use of the 'top hat' panel and extension tubes.

Their 8x10 is also a super camera which Andrew Sanderson reviewed in a recent issue of B&W.

When I was looking for a suitable 8x10 camera I was not aware that Mike was producing one otherwise I probably could have saved myself a fair bit of cash:mad:

I am sure the ebony looks lovely on the tripod indoors even when it is not in use :)

[Trevor Crone]

I am sure the ebony looks lovely on the tripod indoors even when it is not in use :)

It does look lovely indoors, far too nice to take out doors;)

[Martin Aislabie]

Mike - have you used the Walker in anger yet ?

Whats it like ? :)

Martin

[Mike Meal]

Hi Martin, how are you? :)

I was at Glencoe and Rannoch Moor last week for 4 days and everything went really well.
What with work and other commitments I didnt really get that much time before hand to get used to it but it is very simple to use and caused no problems at all.

To be honest I cant really think of any flaws with the camera, as others have mentioned bellows extension and the limited focal length of usable lenses could be seen as a problem for some but for me its a case of 'what you havent got you dont miss'.

I've just finished developing last weeks negs and I'II be sure to add some prints to the gallery when I get chance.

Cheers
Mike

[Martin Aislabie]

Glad to hear it Mike :)

There is nothing like a field test to find out if a Camera works for you or not.

The limited bellows thing is much over hyped – you know what you are buying when you sign the cheque.

Look forward to seeing the results

Martin

[Paul Owen]

Thought I'd chip in as I'm a recent convert to Walker cameras having cut my LF teeth with Ebony; first the SW45 and then the 45SU. However, a recent move to 5x7 saw me end my affair with Ebony :shock: and I purchased a Titan 5x7 XL.

This is without doubt the most underestimated LF camera! It is rock solid, intuitive to use and what's more the ABS material has a look and feel that is unique and dare I say "sexy" :eek:

I'm using mine with a 5x4 reducing back and a Canham 6x17 motorised roll film holder with a Schneider 110mmXL, Schneider 150mm Apo-Symmar and a Fuji 250mm. I have a lovely Nikon 75mm f4.5 but will probably replace it with a 72XL (when my credit acrd recovers!) for the extra coverage it offers.

I agree with Trevor - the 10x8 XL has got to be a serious contender! I am already thinking how much I "need" to try 10x8 contact printing :D

[Barry]

...

I agree with Trevor - the 10x8 XL has got to be a serious contender! I am already thinking how much I "need" to try 10x8 contact printing :D

Slippery slope Paul :D

[Dave]

Slippery slope Paul :D

Too late, he's already halfway down it. :)

[Paul Owen]

A question for Mike (or anyone who has an "engineering" mindset! - do you use the Walker Recessed lens board (not the standard recessed panel) but the device shown on Walker website under "Accesories"? Please see link for image :

http://www.walkercameras.com/a_board.html.

The reason I ask is that I have one BUT find it impossible to use a Lee Filter Holder in front of the lens - it won't squeeze past the front standard locking knobs :(

The idea is sound - similar to the Wista recessed lens board- as it makes it very easy to access the lens controls! However, not a good idea if you plan on using a filter holder?

[Barry]

Paul,

Perhaps you could persuade Mike to make a front mounted filter holder for it?

[Paul Owen]

Hmmmm .... now there's a thought ;)

[Dave]

Hmmmm .... now there's a thought ;)

It's worth asking, you can't be the only one to hit this problem.

[B&W Neil]

It certainly looks a very durable and useful camera and I can see why you were attracted - enjoy :-)

Neil.

[Paul Owen]

Mike - Not your Walker XL for sale on Ebay UK?

[Tom Stanworth]

I have the 5x7 and it is incredible. I too have found the Walker the preferable camera over ebony having used the ebony for years (RSW45 and 45s).

You dont know the meaning of the word 'solid' with respect to LF until you use one of these.

PS the 5x7XL can use a 400 tele with ease. Thats gives you a flat pane capability of 72-400, which is more than enough. I got the 5x4 reducing panel to make life easier for when I want to use quickloads.

still, seem to be shooting only 35mm/120 these days. When i am back in civilisation I will be quick to bust out the walker thats for sure. Wonderful and I agree, totally underestimated. Mike W lives down the road from me (when I am in the UK) and you could not deal with a more pleasant or dedicated person. The camera may be plastic, but they are surprisingly impressive to the eye. I was skeptical at first but if I ever go back to 10x8, or even a smaller 5x4, it will be a Walker. I have a suspicion the 5x7 will be all I will ever need, however.

[JimW]

Does the lack of movements on the rear standard cause any grief or limitations? I only ask this because I have two options for my home built Arca/cambo 10x8; one is a fixed rear standard, the other is to use the function carrier of the arca toprovide shift, tilt and swing (no rise/fall). It's just that the fixed option is so much more stable...

[Trevor Crone]

Hi Jim, if I may interject. I don't have a Walker Titan but I do have an Ebony SLW810 which has a fixed back. I went with this option for the very reason you mention, stability.

[JimW]

Thanks Trevor. You dont find it limiting then? As a litho printer for my day job the idea is to get it right first time. I don't want to finish the build job and have to take it apart to do it again. As most of my photography is lansdscape (away from people who are liable to ask me what I'm doing-and as I dont know myself yet....) I think I should be okay. What limitations if any have you found? Thanks for your help.

[Trevor Crone]

Jim, I haven't found the lack of back movements limiting for the type of photography I do. My 4x5 camera has back rise which I do use if I run out of front fall, but this is rare. Lenses designed for 8x10 don't have an enormous amount of coverage anyway. The only limitation I have found is a lack of front shift which I find useful when photography buildings square on and I need to shift viewpoint to the left or right. Most of my photography uses, front rise, fall and tilt.

[A Sanderson]

My 10x8 which is the same design as the 5x4 shown at the start of this thread is a dream to use. I have not found the rigid back to be a problem, though I would prefer a little more drop front. Other than that, it is easily the best large format camera I have ever used (and I've used quite a few). Mike is a great guy and a craftsman with a photographic background. so you get a quality product. If you are thinking of buying a camera from him, get in quick as he has other projects which may begin to take up more of his time soon.

[Keith Tapscott.]

My 10x8 which is the same design as the 5x4 shown at the start of this thread is a dream to use. I have not found the rigid back to be a problem, though I would prefer a little more drop front. Other than that, it is easily the best large format camera I have ever used (and I've used quite a few). Mike is a great guy and a craftsman with a photographic background. so you get a quality product. If you are thinking of buying a camera from him, get in quick as he has other projects which may begin to take up more of his time soon.

I nearly bought one of those, but backed out. I have a Sinar 8x10 monorail which works very well, despite being on the heavy side. I still like the Walker 8x10, but would need to sell the Sinar and MPP 5x4 cameras and lenses first.