Omega View 45D
The Toyota of 4x5 cameras.
Omega 45D on a Gitzo R. No. 4 tripod head. (Color photos of the camera were made with a Nikon F, 55mm f/3.5 Micro-Nikkor-P.C, and Portra 400.)
The Omega has some Toyota spirit
Japanese build quality.
Thoughtful, practical features beyond the basics, that users can appreciate.
‘Design for production’ seems to have controlled manufacturing cost without sacrificing essential performance.
Lord & Taylor Building A mid-century architectural landmark in the Friendship Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 4x5 Omega 45D, 210mm f/6.8 Caltar-HR, Tri-X, 2005.
Omega 45D with a Toyo Linhof lens board adapter, on a Majestic tripod.
Omega 45D
Design features
Fixed (non-removable) bellows.
Rough and fine focus on both the front and rear standards.
Locking knobs for rough focus and separate locking levers for fine focus.
Most full-featured back of my 4x5 cameras. The back revolves, is removable, has a bail back, and has a Graflok mechanism. The bail back design is more refined than on the Cambo and Calumet.
More plastic parts than my other 4x5 cameras, including some structural parts such as the rail clamp, clamps holding the standards to the rail, and others.
Compatibie with Toyo parts and accessories.
Omega 45D: Revolving back
Focus controls. Blue: lock knob for rough focus. Red: control knob for geared fine focus. Green: lock lever for fine focus.
References / further reading
Camera manual: orphancameras.com
More references:
Stroebel, L. 1993. View Camera Technique, 6th ed. Boston: Focal Press.