Good day from Australia

[P. Lynn Miller]

I have yet to jump into large format photography only because I am not sure what camera I need(want) to purchase for my photographic style.

I would love to hear from local Sydney and Australian LF photographers and their experiences and advice.

I am primarily looking for a light-weight 4x5 camera that I can use for general photography, including landscapes, street, and portraits. I am currently shooting medium-format almost exclusively and would like to replace my medium-format camera with a 4X5 camera. I travel by bicycle (http://chainringtransitauthority.com/cta_blog/cta_blog_images/2008_02_23_006crop_800.shtml) 90% of the time so I need to be able to fit the camera in a pannier along with a few film holders. I would want to be able to use the camera hand-held at times and at other times on a tripod.

I already shoot B&W almost exclusively and have been developing my film for a years, so I am fairly well prepared to deal with sheet film on the development front. I do not have a darkroom yet, but I am hoping to change that in the near future.

I would be looking to use Nikkor lenses if possible, a relatively fast normal and wide angle would be my first purchase. Then possibly a short telephoto for portraits.

My father used to shoot a mono-rail many years ago in the studio and for landscapes and architectural work, but that was so long ago that I have forgotten most everything I learned.

So any advice and input would be greatly appreciated,

[Lachlan 717]

Hi, P.Lynn!!

I'm based in Melbourne, so not quite Sydney (but closer than most on this forum).

As for suggestion, I would go with a 5x7" camera over a 4x5 for these reasons:

*It has a bigger images; almost enough to do contact prints;

*It allows longer lenses to perfom wider angled shots. This is a vast place, so wide is usually better... Also, you mitigate centre filters a bit more with the longer lenses. This can also mean access to more film types if you need a specialty film;

*You have the option of reduction backs if required. It's easier to downscale than it is to increase!!

*Finally, you have the option of a 6x17cm film back, i.e. panoramic images, that can use lenses longer than about 150-180mm. Handy for getting a bit closer.[/LIST]

The good thing here is that a 5x7" camera is not too much bigger or heavier than a 4x5" when packed.

Have a look at Shen Hao's range, or, if price is not a consideration, have a look at Walker's camera. Not as long in the bellows as some, but a bloody strong, light camera!

Hope that this is of some assistance!

Please zoom me a PM if you care to discuss further.

Lachlan.

[Michael Cienfuegos]

Welcome aboard, Lynn, Looks like the LF bug is biting you too. I'm hoping to have at least a speed graphic soon. I want to build a field camera, probably won't get to that til later in the year. Too many things happening right now. :(

[Kirk Gittings]

Welcome!

[kev curry]

This article lead me to buy a Tachihara and I don't have any single regret.... great little camera.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/tachihara.htm

kev

Just reread your question.... hand holding the tachi would be a no goer!

[SMBooth]

Peter, As you know I just got a Wista 4x5, so if you go down this route we can learn together. A speed graphic with the range finder may be something worth looking at if you want to hand hold, but theres proberly nothing to stop you putting some distance scale on the rails of a folding camera and guessimate the focus.

[Michael Wynd]

I have had a Nagaoka and a Shen Hao 4x5. The Nagaoka was extremely lightweight, but a great beginner's camera. The Shen had more movements but was heavier and more solid. I sold the Shen to another LF group member, Mick Fagan, if you want to contact him about how he feels about it, send him a pm. I only used the Shen for a year and a bit before going up to 8x10 but I enjoyed using it very much.
I would advise buying your film in bulk from the US. Prices in Oz are astronomical.
Mike

[Vaughn]

Well, I am not an Aussie, but I married one, so I'll toss in my opinion.

Since you mentioned a push-bike and wanting to occasionally to hand-hold the 4x5, the best suggestion I have is a Crown Graphic, or even better yet, a Super Graphic. (Speed Graphics with their rear curtain shutter are a bit heavier). A press camera by Busch such as this one... http://cgi.ebay.com/Busch-Pressman-D-4x5-Synchro-Compur-Culminar-135mm-lens_W0QQitemZ160252126490QQihZ006QQcategoryZ15247QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
are even more suitable (more movements) than the Graphics.

Have fun!

Vaughn

I suggest these cameras because they are designed to be hand-held and fold up in their own protective case (with the lens), which makes them great for the push-bike, and quick to set up and use.

[Leonard Metcalf]

Hi,

I would second the Tachihara, as it is a cheap and light start. It would allow you to learn LF before investing all your money in a more expensive and heavier camera. But it isn't set up for hand held shooting. If you really want to shoot hand held you will need to consider a Technica, crown graphic, speed graphic. You might consider a Fotoman if movements aren't going to be a requirement. You can always come up the Blue Mountains and try some of my cameras. I'd get a Nikkor W 135mm 5.6 or 150mm 5.6 particularly as you are already set on a Nikkor. I used the 150mm one for ages and loved the images that came from it.

Scott at Mainline Photographics in Crows Nest is also a great resource for large format equipment in Sydney, and often has some second hand equipment going. For film you can get it at Vanbar.

Welcome to the large format community, and in particular from the local large format crowd in and around Sydney, you will find there are quite a few of us.

If I can ever be of help...

Regards,

Len

[Michael Roberts]

Lynn, Welcome!
I, too, would recommend a Crown Graphic for a first camera given your needs. It is made for photographing on the go and typically comes with a wide-normal 135mm or 127mm lens, and the lenses are typically smaller, lighter, faster than modern LF lenses. If you decide you need more movements you can always add a full-movement camera later. Since you want to shoot handheld and do streetscapes as well as landscapes, you may nevertheless decide you need to keep a CG on hand.

For weight considerations, look for a stripped down version--they can weigh 3 lbs versus the 5+ lbs of rangefinder-equipped versions.

[P. Lynn Miller]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and sound advice. I have spent a week away and am just catching up on the posts.

Shane, I did not remember the you had just bought a Wista, but this could be fun for both of us.

While I was out and about, I had lots of time to ponder and think about my next photographic venture. And I have been thinking that I may jump in way over my head. Tell me if I have completely lost the plot.

I am thinking of getting a reasonably light-weight and packable 8x10 field type camera with a normal lens only. I have decided that with large format I really want to slow way down and concentrate on each exposure, so I have moved away from wanting a hand-held camera. I need to pair it with a tripod that can taken on my bicycle as well.

Why 8x10, well, someone in their reply to my introduction made mention of moving up to a 5x7 so that contact prints of a reasonable size can be made. So this sent me down the path of thinking that with an 8x10, I can make nice large contact prints without a huge darkroom expenditure. In the rare instance that I want a larger print, I can get a local printer to do the work for me.

Probably showing my ignorance!

Is there anyone in the Sydney basin using an 8x10 that would be kind enough to allow me a 'look-see' to know what I am getting into?

Again many thanks,

[Lachlan 717]

Why 8x10, well, someone in their reply to my introduction made mention of moving up to a 5x7 so that contact prints of a reasonable size can be made.

Sorry, mate, me bad!!!

Anyway, good on you for the new idea.

Have a look at the Feisol cameras that Kerry is selling. I just got one for travel, and with the ball head that I'm getting, it comes in at 1.6kg. Should hold up to 10kg (i.e. half a bag of spugs). I'm sure that this will be enough for a bike-bound camera! Look at http://reallybigcameras.com/Feisol/Feisol.htm/ These are also as cheap as I could find for a decent carbon fibre 'pod.

Just to play Devil's Advocate (again)m have you thought about a 4x10 reducing back for the 8x10??!?!?!?

Lachlan.

[John Kasaian]

Welcome from smokey California!

For a lightwieght 8x10 take a gander at the Gowland. Very light and breaks down for transporting if you can live with a monoraail. Nagaoka makes (or made) a very light wooden 8x10---I have no idea what the bellows length is on one of those though.

[SMBooth]

Jumping in is fine Peter, but just look at the price of 8x10 film in Australia, you will have to import it....

[Leonard Metcalf]

Try Gordon Undy at Point Light Gallery. He uses an 8 x 10 Ebony non folder. He would also know who else is using them in Sydney Town. He also runs workshops with Bob Kersey at Black Mountain Photographic Workshops.

Enjoy,

Len

[P. Lynn Miller]

Thanks, everyone. Now I am off to find an affordable 8x10 outfit.

Shane, 8x10 sheet is not cheap, but I would expect that I would need to get most of my film from overseas anyway. I plan to start with the cheap ERA stuff which is about $1.50 a sheet.

Next I have to get the goodies I need to develop my 8x10 sheets...

[Michael Wynd]

Lynn,
I went to buy 8x10 film from local store two wekeks ago. I bought some 4 months ago from them and paid $98. When I went there this time, they were going to charge me $136. I knew that I could get film from Badger Graphics a lot cheaper than that. I ordered 5 boxes and including postage ($70) and exchange rate the total came to $495 AUD and it took just 4 days to get here. I works out to $99 per box.
If you're looking for a really lightweight 8x10 you should look at the Camera Richard Ritter is making. Daniel Buck has photos of one on his website. Go to the Show us your camera thread in the Resources section of this site.
I have a Tachihara 8x10 and it does get heavy when your hiking, but I wouldn't be without it.
Good luck
Mike

[P. Lynn Miller]

Mike,

Thanks, I am bit overwhelmed since making the decision to move to large format. The options and choices are so many, that I have had to be very deliberate about the why and how of this choice.

One constant is the format, 8X10. I have settled on a lens, the Nikkor-W 240mm f5.6 or possibly the Nikkor-W 300mm f5.6.

Not sure about the camera, there are a zillion choices and most way out of my budget. So at the this point, I am getting the lens and a few film holders.

Of course, there is also the little issue of developing in the sheets, so I am on a search for tanks, etc to get set for development.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

[Matus Kalisky]

Hi Lynn,

So you start with a 8x10 you say. I envy you a bit ;) My 4x5 contacts are indeed a bit too small for my taste. The only advantage (apart from size and weight - I am backpacking) is that it hurts less if you realize after pullin ot the darkslide that you forgot to close the shutter :eek: .
But I actually wanted to point you attention to other than Nikkor lenses. Fo close-to-normal ones (and reasonably priced) have a look at Fujinon W 250/6.7 (not the 6.3) - it ahs great coverage and reasobale weight. Also process lenses like Nikkor 300/9 M, Fujinon A 240/9, 300/9, Fujinon C 300/9 or G Clarons 240/9, 305/9 have all great reputation and are very light.

For the cameras (if you go lightweight) there are also Wehman and Canham (and of course others) - depends on your budget too.

Be sure not to hurry - large format is too large to run away :D .

[roteague]

Jumping in is fine Peter, but just look at the price of 8x10 film in Australia, you will have to import it....

Check with Richard White, from Mansfield, Victoria; he might clue you into where he get his film from. I know he does a lot with Blanco Negro, which I believe is in Sydney.