New to large format; questions!

[tar4heel2]

I saw a Calumet 4x5 that seemed to be in pretty good shape, but I have no idea. She wanted $450 for it, but on Ebay I'm seeing anywhere from $150 to $400. It had 6 holders, a Polaroid attachment w/ 6 "films" but they appear to be old.

I have been shooting digital for almost 10 years, and have never done LF.

1) Where do you guys buy film
2) Where do you do your processing
3) " " " do your scanning

Thanks! Any thoughts would be appreciated!!

Phil

[AJ Edmondson]

Sort of depends on which model... as far as film, Freestyle or B&H are great sources and are reliable! As far as processing and scanning, home darkroom.
As far as the Polaroid - my opinion only - I wouldn't pay the shipping if it was free (again, that is only my opinion). You don't indicate whether you are leaning towards monorail or folding so it is difficult to offer advice.

Joel

[biedron]

Phil,

Welcome! Do give LF a try - it is very rewarding.

1) Where do you guys buy film

Badger: http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/c...uct_list&c=235

plus the usual suspects like B&H and Adorama

Some folks here also use Freestyle: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/category/1-Film

2) Where do you do your processing

I use Edgar Praus: http://www.4photolab.com/

But there are many others

3) " " " do your scanning

At home on an Epson V700/V750 for modest-size prints. For that special shot printed large, get a quality drum scan from Lenny Eiger: http://www.eigerphoto.com/services_technology_ep.php or James Beck: http://www.jamesbeckdigital.com/jbdscans/home.html

Bob

[Tin Can]

Does that camera come with a lens?

Almost the most important part of a camera.

I prefer to buy complete rigs with working everything, lens, shutter, camera, light tight bellows, good holders, even a case. I don't worry about ground glass as I often replace it with new.

Start cheap and the spending starts as you learn what you want.

It is good to list your location as local members can be very helpful.

[tar4heel2]

Sort of depends on which model... as far as film, Freestyle or B&H are great sources and are reliable! As far as processing and scanning, home darkroom.
As far as the Polaroid - my opinion only - I wouldn't pay the shipping if it was free (again, that is only my opinion). You don't indicate whether you are leaning towards monorail or folding so it is difficult to offer advice.

Joel

Thanks for the reply; monorail...

[tar4heel2]

Does that camera come with a lens?

Almost the most important part of a camera.

I prefer to buy complete rigs with working everything, lens, shutter, camera, light tight bellows, good holders, even a case. I don't worry about ground glass as I often replace it with new.

Start cheap and the spending starts as you learn what you want.

It is good to list your location as local members can be very helpful.

Yep, comes with a lens... two cable releases, case, 6 holders, and a crappy tripod, which I already have. Lens appears to be excellent, camera seems clean and well taken care of.

Thanks, everyone for the quick responses!!

[Lachlan 717]

What lens?

[photobymike]

The lens could be worth well.... nothing to thousands .... the camera probably with holders 150 to 300 ...the lens is the wild card

actually i would consider another camera body if i were you.... i have a Calumet 4x5 at my feet now and i cant even get a hundred for it.... and it has a lens.... consider an omega or newer japanese made 4x5 rail camera..... make sure the bellow are in good condition and the movements work and lock properly... Consider buying the camera and lens separately. That way you can get a good lens. There are plenty of them here and on ebay.... film holders ....you dont need to pay more than 5 bucks apiece for good working film holders.... the lens can be had for around 200 300 for a super lens... a good starter lens would be a 150 or a 180 or maybe a 210. these are all pretty cheap now....nikkor or fujinon are fabulous lenses for the money. Omega or Toyo bodies can be bought for 200 250 even here.... i sold and omega for 150 and it was still in the original box... so look at it from a component mind set and you might be better of.... then again there are deals out there

[AJ Edmondson]

There are quite a few monorails available at really decent prices in today's market. The older Calumet 400 Series are almost "give-aways" and are decent cameras... true, they aren't the most sophisticated choices but the fact is that they will do just about anything - perhaps not as easily - at bargain basement prices! If you are only interested in shorter focal lengths (up to about 120mm) the short or wide angle models are really good with one of the best (read: most flexible) bellows around. The "normal" or intermediate was about 16" and the long rail about 26"... using the two longer-rail models with shorter focal lengths can be aggravating due to the monorail being in your way while focusing/adjusting the camera. If you are just starting out with LF (and haven't already decided that you are primarily interested in wider angles-of view) you probably want to consider a 6" lens as a normal focal length and, again there are a lot of really good lenses available at good prices. Good luck!

Joel

[John Koehrer]

Yes, so much depends on condition, quality, brand and really usefulness. In my mind $450. is about $200.00 too high, at least for me to even look at it.
Of course for a decent Sinar it would be pretty good.

Calumet had several versions of their cameras some very good, some, more in the beginner class. All of them are rebadged
cameras. Same situation with lenses. If they're Caltar branded.

You will need to watch for oil on shutter blades, shutter hanging up or giving very long slow speeds, pinholes or light leaks and condition of the bellows.
Stiff or frayed is not a good sign.

Markets vary but a basic view can be less than $100. holders $5.-$10 each, lens $50-$hundreds or more. Crappy tripod = 0