Considering Large Format

[Tim Meisburger]

Cheapest for developing is D-23 (2 ingredients) and plain hypo (one ingredient). You can use vinegar for stop (mix one to three) but acid is cheap.

I would not get a Crown or Speed for a first camera, as they lack essential movements, and if you don't have those you will always wonder until you end up buying a camera with movements. Better to let the specialist camera wait till you know what you like and need. Same with monorail. Some people love them and shoot only with them, but if you buy one you will still want a field folder. So best to start with that. A Tachi or Cham or Wista etc. will do most everything and can be had in good used condition for $400 - $700.

I disagree that LF is expensive. Have you had a look a the cost of digital cameras and lenses?

[Ed Richards]

I do not see any mention of what you are take pictures of. If you are doing architecture, then you really need movements. But if unless you need a lot of movement, a Speed or Crown Graphic is a really nice way to start. You can get a handful of holders and have a portable, easy to use camera. If you hate it, you can resell everything and not lose much money. You can use your existing filters with an adapter, and you do get some movements with a Graphic. Even if you love it and stick with it, having that small light camera you can pack in a suitcase will prove valuable. Modern developers like Xtol are pretty cheap. Film is expensive, I would not try to save a few pennies a shot on developer.

"I kind of gravitate to the grainy, vignetted, lens flared artsy sort of stuff so high end, high dollar equipment probably won't be critical at first. I prefer wide angle."

For this, you are really wasting your time with LF - check out lomography:

http://shop.lomography.com/us/cameras

Or adapt an old crappy lens to your 35mm digital camera.

Unless you just want a time consuming hobby. LF is great for that. It will dramatically reduce the number of pictures you take, and you might even find that you just obsess on gear and never take any pictures at all. (Interesting how many ULF - 20x24 cameras, say - turn up used with the explanation that they were only used once or twice or not at all.)

[analoguey]

I suppose, the thing to do would be to buy a cheap but competent camera system - something you can grow from.
Monorails, imho are just that.

Like a starter bike, I'd say - you dont get a 200bhp monster but something that does most other things and is fun around the twisties.

George, it's often recommended on this forum that newcomers to LF have a long look at the LF Home Page tab at the top of every forum page. It's loaded with excellent info.

+1 to that.
I have them saved offline too!

[DrTang]

keep checking craigslist ads - some widow is always selling off her dearly departed's stuff for cheap..and you can get a whole set up at once..also..ask her to check the fridge/freezer for film boxes..you might get film too