A few day in ....

[Pavel+]

Thank you everyone. Amazing amount of information. I was trying to see what the tilt did ... and so I think I overdid it

I think I will keep this and whether I keep the 6.8 or 5.6 will depend on a few more test setups to see if the focal length is one that feels comfortable. Otherwise I will invest the extra money towards the eventual purchase of other focal length lenses.

Is there a large differnce between for example the caltar IIN and this HR version?
I probably should know better, seeing how much there can be a difference in 35 lenses - but what aspect would be better? Flatness of field? contrast? Are the differences strong or subtle?

As for buying used, I've learned long ago to spend a bit more and support the local shops or recomended specialty stores run by individuals who are knowledgeable and passionate about the medium. It is worth it in the long run on several scores. First of all - we all want them to be here ten years from now, right?

Like I said, I don't mind slowly investing money into this. I don't have a lot right now but if my interest sustains and I find that LF is something I can have some success with then in a few months I will put some money into it.
Sure bargains are nice. But I tend to be particular (in 35) and would rather always get what I believe I want rather than a "bargain" just because its there. What I hope to avoid is buying the wrong stuff altogether - and having to in effect start all over again.

Yesterday when trying to take my first shot .... I had the thought .... that "this" is real photography. I wanted a challenge again. I think I've found it!

[Pavel+]

Lenser ... which of those two books would you start off with?

[tim810]

I have the book by Steve Simmons. It is great and awnsers any questions I have to ask.


Also, I started using a Sinar f1 4x5 and loved it, someone wanted to trade my fugi 6x8 for a Cambo scx 8x10 with extras. I took the opp. Anyway the only lens I use as to date is a Caltar 240 II S f5.6. This lens covers with any movments I could want.

The 210 f 5.6 is a great lens and the SCX camera is easy to use and teaches alot. Patience being the most important thing the camera taught me.

Enjoy
TIm

[lenser]

Hi, Pavel.

You might be able to get both right away, and very cheaply from ebay.

If I were to chose, I would get "Using the View Camera" by Steve Simmons first and "The View Camera" by Harvey Shaman second, but they are both invaluable so I would be greedy and get them both if you can. They play very well off each other in teaching you the basics and much, much more.

Kodak also published a pamphlet called "Photography with Large Format Cameras" back in the sixties and seventies that has tons of great information, but fewer illustrations about the actual positions of the view camera controls and their effects. Still, it's a terrific source of detailed information including a wonderful chart that tells you lens focal length and working distances for portraits based on film size and the type of portrait (heads, full length, or groups. It's publication number is O-18 and the Kodak catalog number is 152 7894.

Currently on ebay, there are several copies of Simmons' book starting at $.99 and topping out at $19.93 on a 'buy it now' offering.

There is one copy of Shaman's book starting at $12.50 and one copy (hard cover?) of the Kodak publication starting at $1.00.

You will also find a huge amount of knowledge in Ansel Adams' "The Camera" regarding cameras of all formats (but concentrating on large format), lenses, exposure control and composition. Follow that up with "The Negative" and "The Print" and you will have most of what will sustain you in your own fine art black and white large format photography.

Adams autobiography is also a great inspiration and a fun read. When I get less than creative feelings, that will charge me back up pretty quickly.

As to your concern with used lenses.....in a forty-three year career as a young teen amateur and through a lifetime as a professional portrait and commercial shooter, I have only purchased two view camera lenses brand new (I currently own about twenty view lenses including several ancient users).

In my opinion (for what little it's worth) the key to buying a good used lens is the condition of the glass. If there are only very minor cleaning marks and the shutter functions at all....if I want that lens and the price is good, I will buy it and have the shutter serviced with a good Clean, Lube and Adjust (CLA) person. The best I have found so far is Carol Miller at Flutot's in the LA area. For that service, she only charges $50.00 and sends you the refurbished shutter with a chart giving the comparative accuracy of the marked shutter speeds and their actual physical speed under shooting conditions. That allows you to make accurate exposures based on the true speed along with it's corresponding f stop.

She has done about six lenses for me in the last year + and I am delighted with the results on each.

Do be sure to look at the diaphragm (the iris in the shutter assembly) while you rack it open and closed to be sure it is smooth with no missing or bent blades. Those have to be replaced and cost more for repair. If it just hangs a bit or is stiff (DO NOT FORCE IT), that gets cured in the CLA.

The things I don't want in a used lens are cell separation, fungus, large chips or bad scratches in the glass anywhere, or haze that can't be removed by simple cleaning of the surface. (For cleaning, the best item I've found yet is the Lenspen, but good old lens cleaning fluid and lens paper do work well. The lenspen has a brush for dust at one end (step one) and a special treated pad at the other to remove fingerprints, haze and other marks with safety (step two).)

Signs of slight impact such as a minor dent in the filter ring don't worry me (they can be rounded out), but a really bad dent suggests very hard impact and would make me cautious about alignment problems between the front and back cell sets or how they "sit" in the shutter.

Out of alignment means off focus in at least some regions of the image.

It's always wise to shoot a used lens before buying if you can, but I have had successes on ebay with just good Q and A between me and the seller. I will not buy cameras or lenses from someone who doesn't have a very high rating with ebay.....not only their percentage, but a good many actual sales. You can open their info by clicking on their user name and read the purchasers' actual comments about items and shipping from that seller.

One other thing in buying a used large format lens. Always try to buy lenses that include the mounting ring. It is possible to find rings for many old shutters, but they go for a premium as a single item and may take quite awhile to find.

Good luck.

Tim

[Pavel+]

Thanks everyone who responded. It is very nice, very comforting to have a community such as this one when starting out. I'm taking your advice and now have "Using the View Camera", "The View Camera" and "The negative" ordered through Amazon - and a subscription to "View Camera". Just the wait now - let the fun begin. :-)