About
We are the importer for Ebony, which will cease production after 6/2016. There is time to get another order placed. We also have aged tobaccos and Dunhill & other estate pipes.
Reviews (2)
Dec 05, 2007
Ebony 45SU camera
Of all the different 4x5 cameras made by Ebony, this is the most interesting. It is a non folding camera with an ebony wood body. The metal parts are titanium for toughness, lightness and non corrosion. It has a cordovan (horsehide) strap and aluminum knobs. The 45SU will take the widest lenses made for 4x5 such as a 47mm Schneider. It will focus a 360mm lens at infinity. The weight is 5 lbs and it will fit in a medium size camera bag. The lens does not have to be removed between uses.
For those of you not familiar with view cameras, it takes a 4 inch by 5 inch sheet of film, either color or black and white. The film is loaded in a filmholder in the darkroom in advance of the shoot. It will also accept Polaroid and ready pack films. You mount almost any view camera lens on it, do a reading with a (separate) light meter, and expose the film.
The U designation means that it has asymmetrical tilts. This is a system which permits you to focus, tilt the camera back, and have the picture remain in focus. It is a time and nuisance saver.
Ebony is one of the most respected names in cameras. They are made in a small workshop in Tokyo Japan by a group of fanatically dedicated craftsmen working under the supervision of Hiromi Sakanashi, the camera designer.
Jan 13, 2017
Ebony 45S
Ebony is a film camera which may be used with a digital back. The factory is closed since mid 2016. So it is near impossible to buy a new Ebony anymore.
The 45S is a 4x5 non folding field/view camera made of Indonesian Ebony. Metal parts are titanium, knobs are aluminum. A photojournalist has used an Ebony since it was made made in the early 1980s. The only wear on the camera was the grips on the aluminum knobs which were a little worn down. These are known to last a lifetime.
The camera has all movements including a double rear tilt, base and center and a rear rise. It will take a 47mm lens on a flat board, wider on a recessed board. It can also open enough to use a 300mm. Portraits and are possible with up to a 240mm and there is plenty of bellows for a 120 macro used close.
The performance is perfect. All knobs are in the expected places, locks on the left, focus on the right. Few brands of view cameras have a perfect location of the ground glass to permit really sharp focus. Ebony is one of those brands. I have had a few 45S Ebonys. It was used instead of a Linhof Master Technika in my studio. The reason is that it was much faster to operate and not tricky like the Linhof. Also a Linhof requires a recessed board for a 90mm or wider lens, and they are a real nuisance. So the 45S is a better camera: easier to use and just as good results. And the Ebony weighs a few pounds less, which really matters when you are carrying it.
What else can I tell you about it? The ground glass is ruled, without black lines but engraved lines instead. It is very bright. There are two levels, front and back. The rear level comes protected by a little titanium box, the inside lid of which has a mirror, in case you are working with the camera over your head. The carrying strap is made of tough horsehide.