Re: Good day from Australia
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.
Re: Good day from Australia
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. :(
Re: Good day from Australia
Re: Good day from Australia
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!
Re: Good day from Australia
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.
Re: Good day from Australia
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
Re: Good day from Australia
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...QQcmdZViewItem
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.
Re: Good day from Australia
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
Re: Good day from Australia
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.