Camera Recommendations for a newbie?

[walter23]

3. light monorail cameras - I haven't done enough research on this part but I think I'll be able to handle it if it's under 10lbs. I just found Horseman LE on eBay and this also looks like a reasonable choice. (is it?)

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Horseman-LE-4x5-L...QQcmdZViewItem

All comments are welcome... Thanks for viewing!

Don't forget the Shen Hao. It's like 1/4 the cost of an ebony and almost as good (ebony has longer bellows extension, finer movements, etc). Way more movements than most field cameras have, both front & back. In most cases my lenses run out of coverage before I run out of movement, and I have lenses with reasonable coverage (Rodenstock Grandagon-N 90/6.8 and Apo-Sironar N 210/5.6). If you get lenses with much more coverage they're going to cost you over $1000 a piece (maybe $2000), and will be extremely huge and heavy and not very good for use on a field camera.





It's the camera I started out with and I don't have a single regret. It's a very capable beast and quite well made. I had to fix one problem with the back not locking down properly when swung in one of the two directions, which I guess is very common. The solution is a $0.25 washer that you can buy at a hardware store and install in the locking mechanism - the one it's built with might not be thick enough to allow enough friction to lock tightly. If you decide on the shen and have this problem PM me and I'll tell you how to fix it, and if you get it from badger graphic I think they can fix it for you before shipping - just ask them about it.

[walter23]

I get bored and lazy if I have to worry about too much things

Haha, then maybe large format photography won't be your cup of tea. Think spending half an hour cleaning and loading your seven film holders so you can go take 14 photographs at half an hour per photograph It requires a lot of dedication, it's a hell of a lot easier to shoot rollfilm on a medium format SLR system or a digital SLR, no matter what LF camera you end up buying.

I knew that large format cameras all work in a same way, and it's the quality of lenses with correct exposure and focus that matters but there are some reasons why I considered Ebony as my first camera. One being above, there's the other two:

1. I love using a machine that is well-built, especially cameras. I am also happy to use something with tradition for a sentimental value, and the use of ebony wood in Ebony cameras really got my attention.

My shen hao uses black walnut or teak (I'm not totally sure which). Those are fine woods with great sentimental value. And the style of camera is traditional, whether it's a Kodak or a Deardorff or an Ebony or a Shen Hao. My shen hao was also very well built, like a fine piece of furniture. This isn't really much of a reason to spend 4 times the money.

2. Investing big money helps - using expensive equipment prevents me from being lazy in weekends. I go out shooting rather than taking a nap because I dont' want my multithousand dollar equipments sitting in my closet.

My full ensemble of LF gear including a shen hao, lenses, filters, holders, backpack, etc, cost me well over $2000, not including film (which is fairly expensive). This is less than I've spent on my canon DSLR system and pricey L lenses, I'll grant you, but it's still a significant investment. You'll probably want some B&W developing materials (if you don't have them already), and a scanner, which adds to the cost. You have lots to spend your money on, don't worry.

[Emmanuel BIGLER]

3. light monorail cameras - I haven't done enough research on this part but I think I'll be able to handle it if it's under 10lbs.

There are several light weigth monorails on the market.
e.g. the TOHO 45
http://www.toho-machine.co.jp/FC-45Mini.htm

and the Arca Swiss F-line series... and others.
Sure, in the fifites and sixties there were many heavy 4x5" monorails, but there has been significant progress since !

For example the weigth of the arca swiss misura is only 2.3 kg, 5 lbs (without case & lens)
The F-classic "field" with full rear movements weights about 2.5 kg / 5.5 lbs. (no lens)
http://www.galerie-photo.com/arca-swiss-misura-us.html

There is detailed list of various Arca Swiss 6x9 and 4x5" camera weights here
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...t=11065&page=2

and various discussions :
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=11731
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=11674
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=12017

[Frank Petronio]

I got an email last week from a guy who clearly had never seen a large format camera, saying he wanted to do detailed portraits with an Ebony 8x10 and Fuji Velvia and get "maximum" GB+ drum scans, etc...

I sent him to MPEX and Badger. If he comes through and drops $50K on the gear I'm expecting a nice commission.

(Actually I sent him here but haven't seen him yet...)