I am a phtot student and I have to have a LF camera next semester. I have no idea what to get. All the cameras I have looked at dont have lesnses on them just lens boards. What is a lens board? And what lens should i get if I am going to be doing mostly portraits. Basically, I have no clue what I'm doing.
THanks
P.S. Cost plays a big factor in all of this too.
Ohhhh...you need to do some serious reading! :-) Your questions are down at the most basic level! OK, lets try a few basic answers assumming that you will end up with a 4x5 view camera (one that uses 4"x5" film in sheet film holders):
1. Lens boards are detachable plates on the front of the camera upon which various lenses can be mounted for use. Look at the photos of view cameras on eBay or elsewhere and you'll find that they have a piece of glass on one end (the ground glass focusing pannel) and a board or sheet of metal on the other with either a lens on it or a small hole thru it (the lens board...the hole is the place to attach a lens).
2. Lens for portraiture...most folks shooting 4x5 tend toward a lens of around 210mm focal length. This is a bit shorter compared to the "normal lens" (a lens equal to the diagonal of the film...about 160mm on 4x5) since most people use a lens of around twice the normal focal length when shooting smaller format cameras. Twice normal on 4x5 would be about 320mm, which would model fine for portraiture, but which would also require much more room for shooting and would require a longer than normal bellows when shooting close shots. Lots of people use a normal lens for most everything and are quite happy with that. Longer lenses usually cost more money!
Cameras that sell reasonably on the used market would include the Cambo 45 (now imported and sold by Calumet) and the old Calumet View Camera. The Cambo has the advantage over the older camera in having interchangable everything (fronts, bellows, backs, rails, etc.). Have fun, and do some reading in books like Adams' "Camera and Lens" and other books about using view cameras. I mention Adams' book because many school libraries will have copies of it.
Just out of curiosity, which school requires students to buy an LF camera?Originally Posted by mynewromantica
A school that can't afford to buy their own.
Our college (see long thread on morals of pro photography) has at least 2 sinar 5x4's, and a parts body, plus a couple old boxes of Type 55 and a 545i, and then holders, b&w and sheet film to purchase sheet by sheet.
Our latest brief was on 5x4 so I used my kit, the other people used the Sinar.
Look for a GRAPHIC VIEW II, with a 203mm KODAK EKTAR lens. You should find a nice, clean one for under $150.
Wilhelm (Sarasota)
1. Call Jim at MidWest Photo Exchange.
2. Read Steve Simmons book Using The View Camera.
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White
If you can find just the 203 Ektar for $150, that would be pretty slick but a GVII and an f7.7 Ektar for $150? Thats pretty impressive shopping, Bill! A few years ago Calumet was closing out a bunch of used CC-400s with some old Caltars on board for $150 a pop. That's a heck of a deal. It wouldn't hurt to call and see if any are left (but I'd doubt it!)
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White
John, times are tough, and IMO he recent surge in LF prices on ebay is about to take a nosedive back to where it was three years ago when I bought mine for $150.
Anyhow, whatever the price eventually ends up, it's still the best combination for the money. My first one lasted me over 30 years before I foolishly traded it for a LInhof.
The Calumet (rebadged Kodak Master 4x5) is another excellent low-cost option.,but I think they don't age quite as well as the GVII.
Wilhelm (Sarasota)
Begin by reading this:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/matos-begin.html
and this:
http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/Produ...BCL=&GBC=&GCC=
Bill, I'm with ya' on GVIIs and the f/7.7 Ektar. I've got one tucked away---one fine peice of equipment it is!
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White
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