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Thread: moving to LF newbie questions

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    140

    moving to LF newbie questions

    I hope this post won't be met with 'do a search' or 'this has been discussed loads of times' you people in here seem nicer than that
    (and I have done a lot of searching)

    I've sold all my digital gear, which I fell into like a lot of people last decade, and have taken up my old MF rangefinder and loving being back into only 8 shots per roll slow and contemplative photography, and light meters I'd forgotten how much fun they can be. However for a lot of the shots i want to make the movements on a view camera would be very useful/essential - I like wild and wooly landscape work, usually having a hike to the photo site.
    I'm currently developing my own B+W, sending out E6, and then flat bed scanning for an average contact type sheet before sending negs out to be professionally scanned if they are worth it, this is sort of working well at present.

    Now the questions:

    I need to get my hands on some cameras which isn't as easy as it sounds as all the local camera shops are almost purely digital, and my old fave shop that did all the film work has sadly closed down.
    I think because of the need to walk a few miles before taking the pics might restrict me to wooden folding field cameras, but there are a few Linhof technikas around that come with 90mm and 150mm focal lengths which appears to be a good starting off point - will they be prohibitively heavy - do any forum members hike around with them?

    I'd quite like to start by using a 6x12/6x9 back, I appreciate that there will be a steepish learning curve as I last used a view camera under close supervision around 20 years ago. I can process 120 myself, for some reason 4x5 looks tricky - I haven't a dark room (anymore) and when i search for 4x5 processing I see lots of people with problems and not solutions, can you get the equivalent of a day light tank for 4x5s?
    I'm confused which back fits what, are they one size fits all for 4x5 or are there peculiarities between different body manufacturers? I have got the lens board issue sorted. Same question about interchangeability for the dark slides.

    Lenses - am I ok looking at the ubitiquous Schneider 90 f8 (I'm discounting the 90 f6.8 as I may want to do 617 in the future), will that be too dark for focusing and composition? I did very well selling my 35mm stuff, so a nikkor 4.5 although heavy/more expensive doesn't look too frightening, would this be significantly easier to use?


    Oh and if anyone is selling up and has a light view camera with some lenses - I'm interested!

    Thanks for any help you can offer

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Glendale, AZ
    Posts
    102

    Re: moving to LF newbie questions

    Wooden field cameras are usually considered to be the best for packing. I have an Arca-Swiss Field which is a monorail but is light weight and as easy (or easier) to set up than a wooden field camera. It has fewer restrictions but is considerably more expensive.

    Jobo tanks are great for developing 4X5 film by hand. The 2500 series is what most people use. I have never had any significant problems developing sheet film.

    When I started I wanted a 120 roll back. Looking at the price of a decent one I never pulled the trigger and have no regrets. 4X5 sheets are nice large negatives so why limit yourself to the smaller film when you have most of the weight and expense already with the camera and lenses.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    140

    Re: moving to LF newbie questions

    I guess its the familiarity aspect - 120 roll film is easily process in my work flow, I know that I am going to make mistakes, my plan is to practice on 120 and then go to 4x5 - the chinese make 120 backs offering 6x6,6x9,6x12 at reasonable cost

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Knoxville, Tennessee
    Posts
    1,789

    Re: moving to LF newbie questions

    David,

    Welcome to large format! Using a view camera is a very enjoyable experience once you get comfortable with it, which won't take too long.

    Technikas are fine cameras, and many people use them in a variety of ways. But they are on the heavy side for what people normally consider "packable" weights. The Technika weight isn't that bad for a couple of lenses and a couple of miles, but things do start to add up. Filmholders are heavy, and since the demise of packet film this has to be considered - weight add up fast in LF.

    The usual wood field suspects are the Tachihara, Shen Hao, and Chamonix. Badger Graphic offers Tachihara and Shen Hao intro kits:

    http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/c...oduct_list&c=2

    My preference for an into camera leans more towards the Ebony RW45 because of it's conventional controls, and like the Chamonix, many people never go any further up the camera "food chain" than these two models, depending on their preferences.

    I'd go ahead and grab a few film holders and get started with sheet film. In many respects it will be as easy or easier than roll film on a 4x5 camera. I used a bathroom for some time, and daylight tanks are available.

    As far as backs go, you'll have to have a camera with "Graflock" bars to hold a roll film back. Graflock bars are sliding bars that slide into slots on the roll film back. So the camera has to have Graflock bars and the roll film back has to have slots for them to slide into, with the exception of some Calumet backs which just slide under the film back like a film holder.

    One caution, I'd avoid any older camera or lens that needs service unless you plan on doing the service first. You don't need to be worrying about leaking bellows, balky shutters, and hazy glass while you're learning and appraising large format - dealing with those issues can be frustrating and expensive, so whatever you end up with, make sure it's serviceable and dependable out of the box. If you want to get into vintage cameras and lenses later, you can and it is fun.

    Cheers, Steve

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Lexington, KY
    Posts
    109

    Re: moving to LF newbie questions

    If you are just starting with large format you might think of getting an old speed or crown graphic, you can find them cheap on e-bay. they can accept many types of holders and although limited to a few movements would be easy to learn on.

    This is the way I started (they were still making them then) and I have never regretted it.

    As far as processing equipment this is where you should spend some money and stay away from cheap tanks they will only make learning harder.

    Hope this helps

  6. #6
    ki6mf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    593

    Re: moving to LF newbie questions

    It sounds like panoramic is what is of interest and for this a good choice is one of the 4X5 wooden field cameras with the 6X12 or larger adapter. You probably will need to buy the pano back new you can find used cameras with no problem. This combination will let you move up to 4X5 if you so desire. Another choice is to buy a dedicated Pano camera and the link above to Badger Graphics will let you look over several choices. I have not seen to many used pano LF cameras.

    I don't have a camera recommendation as its only a box to hold light in. I do shoot a 4X5 Shen Hao and am happy with it. I do recommend both Badger or Mid West Photo as they carry MF and LF gear. Also if buying film is a Freestyle photo in California is a good place to shop. Adorama and B&H also always stock film. A good source for used gear is KEH.com
    Wally Brooks

    Everything is Analog!
    Any Fool Can Shoot Digital!
    Any Coward can shoot a zoom! Use primes and get closer.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
    Posts
    1,261

    Re: moving to LF newbie questions

    I second Tintype Bob's comment - I got a Busch Pressman cheap off the Dreaded, it's easy to work with (and has rise & tilt for fancy shots), light and virtually indestructable, uses standard 4x5 holders, and takes good pictures. What more could I ask for the money?

    As for 4x5 processing - I tray process in my bathroom, on top of the sink. After a bit of practice it's dead simple, easier than cooking (in the dark,heh).

  8. #8
    ki6mf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    593

    Re: moving to LF newbie questions

    Good choice on the Press type of camera. The only thing they do not do is allow range of movements that a view or press camera does. This allows you to correct perspective on the film. If its a graflex style back it chould also take a pano type of attachment. If you want to lean more about view camera movements go to your library and borrow
    Using the View Camera by Steve Simmons
    Wally Brooks

    Everything is Analog!
    Any Fool Can Shoot Digital!
    Any Coward can shoot a zoom! Use primes and get closer.

  9. #9
    ki6mf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    593

    Re: moving to LF newbie questions

    Good choice on the Press type of camera. The only thing they do not do is allow range of movements that a view or press camera does. This allows you to correct perspective on the film. If its a graflex style back it could also take a pano type of attachment. If you want to lean more about view camera movements go to your library and borrow
    Using the View Camera by Steve Simmons
    Wally Brooks

    Everything is Analog!
    Any Fool Can Shoot Digital!
    Any Coward can shoot a zoom! Use primes and get closer.

  10. #10

    Re: moving to LF newbie questions

    Quote Originally Posted by David Higgs View Post
    I hope this post won't be met with 'do a search' or 'this has been discussed loads of times' you people in here seem nicer than that
    (and I have done a lot of searching)

    I've sold all my digital gear, which I fell into like a lot of people last decade, and have taken up my old MF rangefinder and loving being back into only 8 shots per roll slow and contemplative photography, and light meters I'd forgotten how much fun they can be. However for a lot of the shots i want to make the movements on a view camera would be very useful/essential - I like wild and wooly landscape work, usually having a hike to the photo site.
    I'm currently developing my own B+W, sending out E6, and then flat bed scanning for an average contact type sheet before sending negs out to be professionally scanned if they are worth it, this is sort of working well at present.

    Now the questions:

    I need to get my hands on some cameras which isn't as easy as it sounds as all the local camera shops are almost purely digital, and my old fave shop that did all the film work has sadly closed down.
    I think because of the need to walk a few miles before taking the pics might restrict me to wooden folding field cameras, but there are a few Linhof technikas around that come with 90mm and 150mm focal lengths which appears to be a good starting off point - will they be prohibitively heavy - do any forum members hike around with them?

    I'd quite like to start by using a 6x12/6x9 back, I appreciate that there will be a steepish learning curve as I last used a view camera under close supervision around 20 years ago. I can process 120 myself, for some reason 4x5 looks tricky - I haven't a dark room (anymore) and when i search for 4x5 processing I see lots of people with problems and not solutions, can you get the equivalent of a day light tank for 4x5s?
    I'm confused which back fits what, are they one size fits all for 4x5 or are there peculiarities between different body manufacturers? I have got the lens board issue sorted. Same question about interchangeability for the dark slides.

    Lenses - am I ok looking at the ubitiquous Schneider 90 f8 (I'm discounting the 90 f6.8 as I may want to do 617 in the future), will that be too dark for focusing and composition? I did very well selling my 35mm stuff, so a nikkor 4.5 although heavy/more expensive doesn't look too frightening, would this be significantly easier to use?


    Oh and if anyone is selling up and has a light view camera with some lenses - I'm interested!

    Thanks for any help you can offer

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