Toyo 45A II

History

Toyo View has manufactured large-format cameras in Japan since the 1960s, producing both studio monorail cameras (the View 45G series) and folding field cameras (the 45A series). The 45A was introduced as a field-capable alternative to the View 45G monorail, sharing the Technika-format lensboard as a practical means of leveraging the large ecosystem of lenses and boards in that standard.

The 45A II represents a refinement of the original 45A, with improved standard locking and movement range adjustments. Toyo produced multiple iterations in the 45A line across the 1980s and 1990s as the large-format market for Japanese metal field cameras competed primarily against the German Linhof Technika on one side and the Wista 45 on the other.

The Toyo 45A line was eventually succeeded by later Toyo field models, and the company continued to produce large-format equipment through the digital transition period. The 45A II is now found primarily on the used market in Japan, the United States, and Europe.

Why It Matters

The Toyo 45A II occupies a practical middle ground in the 4x5 market: more rigid and capable than wooden field cameras such as the Tachihara or Wista SP, more portable than a Sinar or Toyo View monorail, and substantially less expensive than a Linhof Master Technika. The Linhof Technika lensboard compatibility is a significant practical advantage, because the Technika board is the most widely available large-format lensboard outside of the Sinar 140mm standard. Used boards with quality glass - Schneider, Rodenstock, Nikon - can be sourced cheaply.

For photographers transitioning from 35mm or medium format to large format, and wanting a portable but serious camera, the 45A II represents a capable and practical choice at a moderate used price. It handles location work and studio use adequately, though its movement range is more limited than a full monorail.

Lenses & Accessories

The 45A II accepts all lenses on Linhof Technika lensboards. Standard focal lengths for 4x5 work:

• Schneider Symmar-S 150mm f/5.6 - standard normal
• Schneider Super-Angulon 90mm f/8 - wide angle; check that rear element clears the front standard when using bag bellows
• Rodenstock Sironar-N 150mm f/5.6 - normal alternative
• Rodenstock Grandagon 90mm f/6.8 - wide, good coverage
• Nikon Nikkor-W 150mm f/5.6 - Japanese normal
• Schneider Tele-Xenar 360mm f/5.5 - telephoto design for use on short bellows; useful on field cameras with limited extension
• Bag bellows - required for wide lenses shorter than ~90mm on this platform
• Toyo roll-film backs - 6x7, 6x9 on 120 film; verify compatibility
• Toyo Polaroid back - for proofing
• Standard 4x5 film holders - Fidelity, Lisco, and Toyo holders are all compatible

Sample Photographers / Notable Use

• Used by location photographers in Japan and internationally for commercial and editorial work requiring a portable 4x5 system.
• Common in Japanese photography schools as a teaching camera for large-format technique.
• Adopted by photographers who needed Technika lensboard compatibility for cost reasons while wanting a new or newer camera body.

References

• Camera-Wiki: Toyo