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Thread: Questions at moving from MF to LF

  1. #1

    Questions at moving from MF to LF

    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

  2. #2

    Questions at moving from MF to LF

    NOTE: I mean the Super Graphic, not the Speed Graphic I once mentioned in error.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Posts
    108

    Questions at moving from MF to LF

    I would choose your camera based on the lenses you will be using. For example, I shoot landscapes. I also enjoy architectural photography. And, I enjoy close-up shots of rock formations while backpacking.

    So, my lens choices were: 75mm, 90mm, 150mm, and 210mm. Just my 'personal' choices. So, not many field cameras will accept anything shorter than 90mm without either a bad bellows or a recessed lens board. And, when shooting close-ups, you really need the longer bellows. I don't use much movements, except with architecture.

    So, I decided on the Canham DLC 45, because of its ability to use really wide lenses without a bag bellows, and has about 21 inches of bellows for me to work with when doing close-ups.

    Voila. Decide on a camera that will accommodate the lenses, not the other way around. Also look into the Calumet Cadet.

  4. #4

    Questions at moving from MF to LF

    You might also consider a Horseman 6 x 9 cm VHR, which would give you everything you seem to need, albeit in a rollfilm forat. I use the VH, the same model, but without a rangefinder, and, IMHO, the quality, flexibility, movement possibilities, compactness, lightweight, and cost of roll film, offer a combination that is hard to beat.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Sep 1999
    Posts
    449

    Questions at moving from MF to LF

    David, unlike the improvement in going from 35mm to MF, going to 4x5 isn't going to do anything for you unless you plan on printing larger than 20x24. Sounds like you have a nice outfit now. I'd stick with it. (Going to 8x10 contact prints is a different story.)

  6. #6

    Questions at moving from MF to LF

    David, I agree with Bill if you are only going to produce contacts then 10x8 is the way to go for its an art form in its self. To get the full benefit from the 4x5 format you should be looking at producing enlagements and not just making co ntact prints, although 4x5 plantinum, cyanotypes etc are quite delightfu but 5x7 and 10x8 hold just that bit more information which is so important to a contact print. 10x8 "Street Photography" is probably not quite as spontanious as with the small er formats so this has to be taken into account. Like most things in life their is no universal solution its a case of 'horses for courses'. I wish you well and may the light be with you,

  7. #7

    Questions at moving from MF to LF

    David: Why not just pick up a used Graphic with one or two lenses and see if LF does what you want it to do before you trash your MF system. You may find that LF isn't for you or that it doesn't offer any advantages over MF for your subject matter. I love making photographs with LF, but to some it is as exciting as watching bumpers rust. In my opinion, which my wife says is worthless, keep the Kiev system until you are sure you can't live without LF, or keep both systems. MF is certainly easier if you shoot people pictures, and a lot more portable. You ought to be able to find a decent Graphic and a couple of older lenses for $300 to $500.

    Regards,

  8. #8

    Questions at moving from MF to LF

    Hello folks,

    Thank you for your tips so far. As far as the contact prints are concerned, I just wanted to say that if I bought a 4x5 camera, I would use enlargements, and if I bought a 8x10 one, I'd probably stick to contact prints only.

    I also took a more detailed look at the Calumet Cadet, and it also looks pretty fine. It's portable, with loads of movements, but in the Bender price class (considering that the set with lens and film holder is at 700 dollars) rather than in the Graphic one.

    It is true that I should test LF somehow. But I doubt whether I could afford buying a LF camera without selling some of my MF equipment (let's say, at least the shift and the fish-eye lenses). It would be useful if I could rent LF equipment for a weekend or so, but in Austria, LF is rather rare, so I doubt that you could do so. And then again, I couldn't rent the very cameras I'm interested in. That's a bit of a problem.

    Waiting for more tips and hints from you

    Cheers -David

  9. #9
    tim atherton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 1998
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    3,697

    Questions at moving from MF to LF

    If you are in Austria you have your own very fine LF camera maker - Lotus (not in the budget range).

    http://www.lotusviewcamera.at

    You might make contact with them and see if they can help you out. They were recently selling of a bunch of other brand LF cameras - wisner, Canham etc on ebay, which looked like they were maybe bought to help in their own design process. Maybe they have a few more lying around and might let you rent one... (just an idea). They might well be able to point you in the right direction.

    Tim A
    You'd be amazed how small the demand is for pictures of trees... - Fred Astaire to Audrey Hepburn

    www.photo-muse.blogspot.com blog

  10. #10

    Questions at moving from MF to LF

    Dear Tim,

    I did already hear about them, but instantly forget them as I saw their prices ;-) Nevertheless thank you for making me remember them, I just wrote them an e-mail describing my situation, whether they could help me. To be honest, I doubt whether they would want to help me at all, because I'm really no potential customer for them, but I thought I'd give it a go anyway.

    Cheers,

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