Chamonix 45N-1 versus Shen Hao PBT-45

 

Superficially, these two cameras appear to be clones of one another. However, after having the two of them side by side for a while, I can report that there are some minor differences. The Chamonix has a few advantages over the Shen Hao, and vice versa.

The appearance of both is very nice. Finish and fit are excellent on both. The materials on the Chamonix are superior, in my opinion. The base plate of the Shen Hao is unfinished wood, while the Chamonix has a carbon-fiber base plate. Both are drilled to accept either ¼” or 3/8” tripod screws. Other parts on the Shen Hao appear to be anodized aluminum, and again, the Chamonix is finished with mostly carbon-fiber parts.

Both cameras require that lenses be removed before folding the camera for storage. To set the camera up to shoot, the front standard must be extended and a set screw tightens down into a threaded position on the focusing track. The Chamonix offers five positions, while the Shen Hao has four. The Chamonix I am using has the universal bellows and it extends about a half an inch farther than the Shen Hao. I don't know if that's a function of the bellows, of the extra standard position, or a combination of both. That doesn’t sound like much, however, that extra ½ makes a fairly significant difference in how close the photographer can get to the subject. It allows me to use a 14” Apo Artar as close as about 20 feet. A 300mm Fujinon can focus as closely as about six feet.

Front Standard, Shen Hao
Front Standard, Chamonix

The Shen Hao is just a trifle more difficult to fold when it’s time to put it away after a shoot. The front standard must be fairly precisely positioned or it is easy to crimp the bellows. This is one of those things that, once a person gets used to where to put the front standard, it will quickly become second nature.

As far as features go, once again, the differences are minor. The Chamonix shipped with a carbon fiber ground glass protector that slides beneath four nicely machined clips on the film back. A ground glass protector for the Shen Hao was an acrylic clip that was a $25.00 option (which I strongly recommend). The Chamonix also included a fresnel focusing screen—the Shen Hao is a simple ground glass.

Both cameras are fitted with Graflock-style backs. Sliding a film holder into the back was EVER SO SLIGHTLY easier on the Chamonix—but either one is easier to manage than my Crown Graphic. There is just a trace of “slop” in the fit on the Chamonix, whereas the Shen Hao’s back locks down snugly. Neither camera exhibited any trace of light leak from either the back or the bellows fit.

Front Panel, Chamonix
Front Panel, Shen Hao

There are a few things that the Shen Hao does better than the Chamonix. Although these both may be a matter of preference to many. The Shen Hao has a bubble level fitted to the top of the rear standard. On the Chamonix, there is a bubble level on the bottom of the rear standard. There may be a difference in accuracy for one position or the other—I’m not advanced enough to know that. But I find it significantly easier to get the Shen Hao leveled than the Chamonix. On both cameras, there is a side level and a level on the front standard. The Shen Hao has a fixed bubble level on the front, while the Chamonix is fitted with an accessory shoe with a level that slides in and out. This shoe also allows for a compendium lens shade (which I don’t yet own.)

Also, the front standard on the Shen Hao is fitted with a rule that allows the user to precisely center the front standard when setting the camera up. That is missing on the Chamonix. Instead, there are dots on the front standard that line up to even smaller dots on the support. For an old guy like me, that is not as easy to see. On the Shen Hao, the focusing rail is engraved with lines that allow easier alignment of the front swing to center.