Hello,
I would like in the near future (let's say next year) to try the LF photography. I have some experince with 35mm format and digital cameras and I would classify myslef as amateur with some reasonable technical knowledge, but not too much practical experience. If you ask why I want to try LF - here is my answer: The movements. If you say that I should practice the basics on 35mm - yes - I do that. Anyhow I am not going to replace 35mm with LF.
So, what I am after and why am I wasting you time with such a long thread (at least I suppose it will be long)
My main interest was (and is)landscape photography, but after I got through the book Thw View Camera by Steve Simmons (thank you, Steve, many things are much clearer to me now) I think that I would like to try also some studio shots (don't you call it tbaletop photography), a bit of macro photography and maybe some architecture.
Before I will go into details, I want to mention that as for many other pedestrians, my budget will be limited. I am not saying how much as the gear will grow slowly in time, but I just can not afford something like Ebony Ti45 or so (although I would like to). Anyhow I would rather buy one lens more or better tripod than having more expensive camera.
I would definitely like the camera (4x5) to be rather small and light, as I would like to take it along for longer trips (a few days). According to my fawourite lenses in the small format (24 - 135) - I would like to be able to use the camera with lenses 75 - 300 (non tele), although I would probably start with something around 150.
I have looked around this forum and got a feeling that Tachihara 45 would be a good solution. But I also ralised that I would like to be able to use the camera also with a roll film back (6x9 or even 6x12) and here comes my first question. The opinions about using the Tachihara with different roll film backs varies a lot. Some people say - " no Graflock back , only the holders like Calumet C2N will fit:, another say that although the Tachihare has spring loaded back it can go far wnough to acomodate for example the Horsmann film back. So..
1) What is your experinece with Tachihara and rollfim backs and what are the possibilities (price and wight wise)
2) Another point - would you witk you experience advice me to go for other camera (though probably not monorail)?
Please keep in mind one important point. Whatever camera I will choose, I will not have a possibility to try in in person before I will buy it, I am located in Germany (near Frankfurt) and till today I do not know anyone shooting LF (partially thanks to my not very good german)
I would be maybe even considering 2x3 camera, but the price is the same, weight also and if I want - I can not make nice big 4x5 chrome.
If you thing that my problem is that I take it too "technicaly" - you are probably right, but I am trying to fill the gap till I will get the camera (and the weather is so awfull outside now) getting as much informed as it gets.
I will be gratefull for any comment or advice. Sorry for being so long.
MAtus..
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