The Big Camera Set Up Contest
Good Evening, Ladies & Gents,
as we all know there are a lot of possible reasons that make one want to have a fast working style: be it the junkyard dog`s approaching, or the fading of a rainbow - astonishingly, things tend to not stop in awe before a big camera.
As I am presently in the need for a new camera (no more 5x7" colour film) and have to decide between a monorail or a folding camera, I want to start The Big Camera Set Up Contest. So, please: Get your stuff on your backs or whereever you carry it, pretend you are in the situation of just having found the intended picture; then measure the exact time from when you start unpacking until you are under the darkcloth and behind a leveled camera.
Go!
I will tell you about my own embarassing results tomorrow - it`s late.
Good night,
Michael
Re: The Big Camera Set Up Contest
This is why I also carry my Minolta CLE with a 28mm, 40mm & 90mm when I'm out and about with my 8x10 camera. There are times when time won't wait.
I'll have to take this test soon.
Re: The Big Camera Set Up Contest
I don't level unless there is a building involved and then it is by eye.
Re: The Big Camera Set Up Contest
Another eye leveler, here. After many years in the construction trades, I'm pretty good at it.
Re: The Big Camera Set Up Contest
Re: The Big Camera Set Up Contest
The viewfinder and rangefinder on a Technika (or Graphics or Busch) make possible very "quick and dirty" setups, hand-holding for real emergencies, and a Grafmatic speeds it up a lot, too. (Of course, you must also calculate the exposure, and you may not always have a full Moon whose luminance you happen to remember is exactly 125 Lumens per foot candle per kilogram, etc -- forgive me, Ansel.)
I think that the biggest speeder-upper would be flip-locks on the tripod legs, and a QR head.
Re: The Big Camera Set Up Contest
Bill, that negative is very thin. Old Ansel buddy should have realized that that scene was very high contrast and that the moon was the brightest thing there. I wonder if the print would be as good if he hadn't flubbed the exposure.
Re: The Big Camera Set Up Contest
Well, in a 10 hour day, I have shot 70 sheets, 16 bridges, 1 to 3 views per bridge,
with my 4x5 Super Graphic and a selection of lenses. this also involves traveling to each bridge. Approx. 300 miles total mileage.
Re: The Big Camera Set Up Contest
I've practiced setting up in my living room before, just to make sure I am familiar with the gear. It's a fun excersise to do while watching TV.
From backpack on my back with everything packed away and a collapsed tripod in hand to having the image composed and focused on the ground glass (no movements) takes me about 1 minute 45 seconds on my first try tonight. That was including hanging the Gnass film holder and fully extending the tripod. I'm using a Wista DX 4x5 wood field camera.
If I skip the Gnass film holder and only extend one section of tripod legs, I can get the setup time down to about 1 minute 10 seconds.
That's just enough time for the light to fade, me to drop a lens in the mud, and forget to close the viewing lever when pulling the darkslide.
:)
Re: The Big Camera Set Up Contest
If I'm in these types of situations, I often carry my B&J Press mounted on a tiltall prefocused on infinity, and either the lens already tripped on T or the preview lever opened, a pouch over my shoulder with filmholders and a spot meter around my neck on a lanyard. total time to compose, load and shoot is under 45 secs assuming to tilts or shifts needed.
erie