Re: New guy, no camera :(
Welcome to the group, Andy. Hang around here for a while and you'll learn a lot. Don't be too analystical about your decision to start shooting LF. Its much better to start using something like a humble press camera than to wait for "the ultimate" and never get started!
Re: New guy, no camera :(
You should be able to get started for not too much money. I would use a few cameras before designing your own. Read through the old threads here and see what cameras you find appealing. I think the Chamonix is a great hiking camera because of the weight and movement capabilities. The nice thing about used large format cameras and lenses is you can usually sell them for what you paid for them, so it's very cost effective to try them out for a few months.
Re: New guy, no camera :(
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BrianShaw
Welcome to the group, Andy. Hang around here for a while and you'll learn a lot. Don't be too analystical about your decision to start shooting LF. Its much better to start using something like a humble press camera than to wait for "the ultimate" and never get started!
I agree, and yes you can learn alot from this forum, some of the greatest photographers in the world belong to this forum and you can and will learn alot from them. i have been shooting LF for around 5 years, started with a press camera, now im shooting a C1. its hard to beat large format. good luck on your new adventure.
Re: New guy, no camera :(
Welcome to the asylum.
Bit of advice: You can only choose two of the three following attributes: Cheap, light/compact, and supporting significant movements. (I'm assuming that "cheap" means less than $500 rather than more, but everyone has to make that assessment for themselves).
There are lots of cheap, flexible cameras that are a little heavier and bulkier (monorail cameras dominate this category). There are a few compact cameras that are cheap but don't have much flexibility (press cameras come to mind). But the compact and lightweight foldable field cameras that are also flexible tend to cost more. Proper technical cameras (as defined by the Linhof Technika) cost much more. Lightweight and compact rail cameras, which are fiddly and wobbly in use, are still not that cheap.
So, you might just want something good to learn on that is cheap and flexible, and then add to that or sell it for something more suited to where you end up. Lots of people say they will backpack with a large-format camera and then rarely or never do, after having spent a lot to optimize for that activity. Lots of (in some cases, different) people say they want lots of movements and then mostly take pictures of distant landscapes or portraits of their friends for which extensive movements are not needed. You may not really know which way you'll go just yet.
If you spend several hundred for a press-camera kit or for a monorail view camera kit, they will still be worth that if you decide you really do want one of those pricey compact foldable field or technical cameras. But most folks end up with both. Cameras are so cheap these days that spending a lot for one that does everything well is maybe not optimal.
I would suggest just buy something cheap and get some experience. Learn if you really want to do large format before you spend grocery money.
Rick "been there, done that" Denney
Re: New guy, no camera :(
Welcome! Don't be too concerned about what lots of people say (mostly they say "Is that a Hasselblad?)
Re: New guy, no camera :(
Welcome to the forum, Andy.
Might be worth letting us know where you're based. You never know - you might have a LF shooter just around the corner who can let you get your hands on his/her camera!
Re: New guy, no camera :(
Before committing yourself to the self-flaggelation of large format potography you need to actually try it out. There are many less reasons for doing it than there used to be.
Re: New guy, no camera :(
The minute that Leica comes out with a digital camera that copes better than the M9 does with higher ISO, I plan to sell my film cameras except maybe the Mamiya 7II.
Re: New guy, no camera :(
Quote:
Originally Posted by
r.e.
The minute that Leica comes out with a digital camera that copes better than the M9 does with higher ISO, I plan to sell my film cameras except maybe the Mamiya 7II.
Any Leica better than an M9 will be proportionally that much more expensive. I can barely afford glass for my M2, much less a digital body to use the few lenses I already have. I'll continue to have fun with it and with my Graflex and my Speeds. :)