Anyone use 35mm in conjunction with LF?

[Mike Anderson]

(Another new guy question. I've yet to shoot a single shot in LF - waiting on pieces for my camera - and may be overthinking things here.)

I was thinking of using a 35mm camera along with a 4x5, loaded with the same (B&W) film and an equivalent lens (28mm on the small camera, 90 on the 4x5) and filter. Then whatever I shoot with the 4x5, take the same shot with the 35mm with the same EV.

Then develop the 35mm film first, examine it and maybe adjust the development of the 4x5 film. (I know to be aware of how reciprocity will effect things given that the LF may have longer exposures.)

Does this make any sense?

Or should I quit goofing off, get a light meter and learn the zone system?

...Mike

[bobwysiwyg]

For what it may be worth (possibly very little ) I would be inclined to go get a meter and start shooting.. and learning that way.

[Preston]

"Or should I quit goofing off, get a light meter and learn the zone system?

That's the ticket, Mike. At least that's the way I would approach it if I was just getting started in LF. You've got a learning hill to climb, so it's best, I think, to keep things as simple as possible.

--P

[Drew Wiley]

Preston, with all due respect (one Mother Lode hillbilly to another) - I think the best
way to learn how to climb hills is just to start climbing them. Leave the small camera
at home. It has a different perspective ratio anyway. Just get in there with the view
camera and start learning from the school of hard knocks. Forget the training wheels.

[Preston]

I think we're on the same page, Drew. My meaning was for Mike to just get going, and learn by doing.

--Preston

[sidmac]

I don't use my 35mm cameras anymore but I do sometimes use my Digital SLR for an instant proof shot.

[Chris Strobel]

I usually shoot 2 sheets.Then adjust the second in development in case I screwed up the first

[BetterSense]

I've been known to take the same shot with a MF or 35mm camera, just in case. It's come in handy before when the LF suffered some tragedy.

[Vick Vickery]

I use both 35mm and 6x6 in conjunction with my 4x5, but not for testing purposes. I often shoot the main architectural shots with the 4x5, both exterior and interior, and use either the 35mm or 6x6 for detail shots, especially when items I want to shoot are in odd, hard to reach locations like details of the top of a Corinthiam collumn, mouldings, etc. I most often use a hand-held meter with all of the cameras.

[Wayne Crider]

I'm inclined not to carry anymore then I have to unless working out of a trunk.