Hello folks,
I started photography with a Lomo, before the marketing hype was initiated. The first big system I owned was a Canon 35mm one, and after some years, I moved upw ards to MF. I got a Kiev-88CM and today, I own five lenses, among them the fish- eye and a 55mm shift. Nevertheless, I feel very attracted by LF. I will now try to show you my favourite subjects:
Most of my pictures are made during travelling. I love travelling, and I shoot b oth landscapes and street scenes. MF has been a big leap forwards, especially be cause of the composition possibilities of the waist level finder and because of the shift lens. In addition, the larger format has lead to a substantial shift i n quality, not only because of the bigger format, but also because of the more c oncentrated and more artistic way to create a photograph.
I don't want so spend that much money on a new camera, so I consider a 8x10" Ben der or a 4x5" Super Graphic. I feel attracted to the Bender because of the movem ent possibilities and because of the large format allowing for contact prints. P roblems are that the camera is not very sophisticated and that it is a bit bulky . The woodworking seems not to be a problem for me. On the other hand, I feel at tracted to the Speed Graphic. Because it's possible to use it with a tripod, or in "action". Because it's very portable (which is quite important for me), and b ecause it's a very affordable sophisticated design. The only "lack" is the "smal ler" format not really allowing for contact prints.
In a way, I think that LF would not be a bigger effort than MF (in means of equi pment size and weight), but it would offer me the advantage of movements and eve n better quality, although I'm very satisfied with the quality of my Kiev system and the photos I have done with it so far. So my plan is to substitute the MF s ystem for LF, and to keep a 35mm system as a small reporter camera in addition t o LF.
So I just want to know what you think about my plans, whether LF would be of adv antage for me, and which camera of the two I consider would be better. As I like to shoot landscapes, the many movements of the Bender would be of advantage, bu t in general, I tend towards the Graphic and I travel and hike a lot.
Thanks for your help in advance!
Cheers -David
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