Who is using LF commercially?

[Photojeep]

Hello,
I am trying to gather some info about how many people are using a view camera in their commercial photography business. The format doesn't matter. I'm trying to get a feel for how many commercial photographers are using view cameras.

Thank you,
Randy

[Kirk Gittings]

I am using a view camera solely for my personal work these days. All commercial work is done digitally.

[B.S.Kumar]

I use a view camera with film (mostly 120 color negative), a Betterlight scan back or a 22MP back for everything.

Kumar

[darr]

I am now using an Arca M-Line 2 with a P45 back.

[r.e.]

As part of this question, and with the permission of Photojeep, could I ask whether anyone has run into magazines lately that want negatives or chromes or an assurance that digital files are based on negatives or chromes. I ask because a friend who is a young architect in New York tells me that his impression, and he stresses that it is an impression, is that some publications want this for reasons relating to image integrity.

[Walter Calahan]

Unfortunately the last assignment shooting LF was 3 years ago. The client called saying "I am so bored with how digital looks. Can you shoot this assignment on your 8x10?"

Oh the joy in my heart that day.

[Gordon Moat]

I mostly use a 4x5, though sometimes rollfilm, and more rarely now 35mm. I own one digital set-up, though I have rented digital backs a few times. What I feels helps with the 4x5 is the movements, and the view on the ground glass. It is less about using film cameras, and more about the ergonomics of the gear I use, because none of my gear gets in the way of my creative vision. I have never delivered film to a client, only post processed (usually ready to print/publish) digital files. I also have over fifteen (15) years PhotoShop experience. I am relatively new to commercial photography, and graduated with a BFA (painting actually) in 1998, so I had no long term experience with view cameras to compel me into using them.

Rather than what I use, I though you might find it interesting to look at the work of a few large format using commercial advertising photographers:

http://www.matscordt.com/ - who also uses Medium Format film cameras

http://www.olafveltman.com/

http://www.dananeibert.com/ - old Crown Graphic, to Linhof, and more recently a digital back set-up

http://www.chrisgordaneer.com/ - bit more DSLR lately

http://www.andric.biz/ - mostly 4x5

Anyway, that's enough for now. Most of these guys are high end shooters, and rarely ever talk gear, nor mention gear. It is only from meeting a few of them, or reading interviews, that I have found out what they use. All of them deliver digital files, which means scanning. Add in the cost of scanning, or running a scanner, to your equipment expenses, and your starting set-up could cost as much as a digital only set-up. However, when you figure the fees some of these guys command, and that they are not all old guys, you might wonder why these use gear some consider obsolete. The answer is in the results, because that is what matters. Any camera is between you and the results, so if you find gear that works with you, use it.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography

[cjbroadbent]

I am, this week. Eight boxes of 4x5 Ektachrome 64T.
Because:
Long exposures.
Perspective control without interpolation.
Drum scan quality.
Thats what I'm telling my client.
In fact my digital back is away having the scratched filter replaced.
There are no polaroids and the lab now takes all night to process E6 so no lunchtime tests. I'm having to break the sets without seeing results.
Maybe this is going to cost me reshooting Satuday.

[Greg Blank]

Why don't you proof with the digital back? At least to check light positions and general color balance.

I am, this week. Eight boxes of 4x5 Ektachrome 64T.
Because:
Long exposures.
Perspective control without interpolation.
Drum scan quality.
Thats what I'm telling my client.
In fact my digital back is away having the scratched filter replaced.
There are no polaroids and the lab now takes all night to process E6 so no lunchtime tests. I'm having to break the sets without seeing results.
Maybe this is going to cost me reshooting Satuday.

[BetterSense]

You are shooting 4x5 color so why not use FP100C45?