This is a combined guide and review. It is reprinted from our Ebay store pages. Written in the summer of 2005.

I got my Ebony 45S today. I have unwrapped many of these cameras before to check them prior to shipping. But this one is for me. It is an entirely different feeling. I experienced the excitement which everyone feels when getting a great new camera. Practically tore the box open, in fact. The Ebonys are packed in a beautiful thick black box with lots of very small bubble wrap inside for protection.

After a quick check to make sure that everything was working smoothly, I took the camera up on the roof with a  47 and 75 mm lens and a darkcloth.  With the 47mm you see not only what is in front of you, but to the sides as well.

 The screen is so bright that you can see enough to focus in the sun even without the cloth, though the cloth does make it easier. Ebony mounts clear glass over a fresnel to get the brightness. This camera has all the movements: rise/fall, swing, shift and center tilt on front and back.It is non folding which is convenient because you can leave on the lens. It will take a 47mm with a recessed board , and according to the factory, a 38mm as well. The back of the lensboard is 2" from the film plane when the 45S is at minimum extension.

Like all Ebonys the 45S is made of titanium metal parts with aluminum knobs. Titanium as lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel.To give you an idea of it,s costs, when shopping for things like eyeglasses and wedding rings, titanium costs more than gold. Because of the titanium, Ebony cameras are absolutely rigid.

The bellows is calfskin, the strap cordovan, and the wood real Macassar ebony--better than the African variety. The camera weighs 4 1/2 lbs on our scale. A lighter version is available in mahogany.

A graflock back is standard. So is a body cap and ground glass protector. The camera has an accessory shoe on top of the front standard, and a level. There is an additional double level on the back, encased in a titanium box with a mirrored lid. The mirror makes the levels viewable from below. The tripod socket is 3/8 with a 1/4 adapter included. Ebony is known for high resale value as well as a superior level of design and craftsmanship.

The 45S will focus a 180mm lens at 18" from the subject. The 210mm focuses at 30" from camera to subject at the closest, At that distance the subject height is 10".

How were the results? Absolutely sharp with both lenses--you may see the results in our store--proving that the Ebony has perfect placement of the film on the same plane as the viewing glass. This is a rare quality found only in the most expensive cameras.

Additional comments on 8/21/05. Just returned from a trip to California.Brought the 45S with a 47mm, 90mm and 210 lens. It was a light camera, easy to carry in a shoulder bag, with lenses and filmholders. Used it mostly for family portraits with the 210, a chore to which it is perfectly suited. I am very critical of the cameras and note any faults. The Ebony has none at all. It performed perfectly and got admiring looks from people who didn't even know how to use a light meter. It also got through airport security without attracting any attention at all.

Overall impression: A solid, beautifully designed and crafted camera. My first recommendation and personal choice for 4x5 wide angle photography. Check our Ebay store for stock and prices. http://stores.ebay.com/brucesfieldcamerastore.