Hi, I'm an 'aspiring' LF photographer. I would like some advice for a first LF camera and related gear.
The reason I have started looking at LF is for landscape photo's I've been taking. I am wanting more depth of detail. Back in a 1990's I was using a 35mm film camera, and on a whim, bought some 25 speed slide film on my way to Denali Natl. Park, which just happened to have very beautiful colors on the fall tundra. At that time, I was a total novice, but that semi-accidental combination of events has left an impression on my mind by the amazing slides I got from that trip. After using 35mm thru. the '90's with very little understanding about photography basics, I got a dSLR (Nikon D80) about 4 years ago, and also some classes, and have been progressively learning and having great fun.
I have now convinced myself that LF will give me the extra depth of detail (beauty) that I'm looking for. I am primarily thinking of wilderness landscapes, using standard or a little wide angle. (hopefully more lenses & subjects with time) Short hikes, but not all day backpack trips (yet). Not studio work. I do have some uncertainty about the very different, slow and methodical approach enforced by LF, one picture at a time, totally manual, etc, but am enthusiastic to give it a try.
I want to be able to print at least 20x30" or more. As an example, I have a landscape panorama of Utah's Delicate Arch taken in 7 frames with my dSLR, stitched together in PS, and printed 12"x48" that I'm quite happy with.
Here are my questions:
What camera and lens?
I think I want a camera that will allow me to 'try it' and not break the bank. I'm not thinking I need lots of features. I would regularly carry it around outside. I will be first trying color landscapes.
From my landscape desire & my reading, it's my current thought to buy a 4x5 Field or Press camera with a standard lens. ie. Cheap and portable. 137mm seems to often be standard with some of those cameras, I don't think I want to go narrower than 150mm. Should I be concerned about color accuracy of the lens if I got an older field or press camera?
I've also seen a couple posts about some of the rail cameras being packable? It would seem that they might be a bit fragile unless you had a sturdy (heavy) case for them.
I would have thought to get 5x7 since both the increased size and the wider aspect ratio seems preferable for my landscape desires. But the availability and lesser prices of 4x5 cameras and film are making me think that a 5x7 will be a 2nd camera if I hang in there with this adventure.
I've seen this recommendation (and a couple similar) that I like, primarily since it appears this would be among the lowest low cost…
Hmm, accessories?If I wanted a 4x5 camera for an urban environment I might look for a decent Crown or Speed Graphic. Something I could use hand held or on a tripod. One that came with a decent Kodak 127mm Ektar lens. The lens approximates 35mm on 35mm film. We all know that the 35mm lens is the darling of street photographers everywhere. You won't have all the movements that a monorail or field camera offers. You will have significantly more "movement" as in portability.
- a black cloth cover to stick your head under for focusing;
- Multiple double sided film backs;
- Is my dSLR a good enough light meter to get me started?
- Loupe / magnifying glass to help focus. Someone said a pair of reading glasses works? (what power?)
- Tripod - I would try my current tripods first, and decide if they are stable enough, and change if I (probably) need to.
- Shutter Cable release
Less necessary:
- Fuji quickload system or a changing bag?- easier to reload film in the field ?
- A polaroid film back - looks great for a novice to figure out if the picture is going to be in the ballpark - but can I still get film?
- A dSLR back - I've seen on eBay - could help me learn - with instant feedback - about focusing and focusing effects on the movements, but too small for composition? Might reduce the wastage of the first 10-30 shots.
How to develop?
For developing, there are a few labs in my city that advertise processing and scanning LF, and I could have them develop, but if continue the adventure after the first 20 photo's I'm definitely going to want to develop myself in color. There are a couple posts I've seen recommending the "HP Combi 4x5 Sheet Film Developing Tank" as a simple system which it appears that I can get for about $85US. The recommending people are developing B&W though. I'm not sure if it's intended for color. I would be happy to just start with some trays if I could find some directions, and also believed that I could get consistent results. (is that a bad idea?) I have space in my basement that I can allocate to a darkroom as needed.
For printing, I plan on scanning with my personal 1200dpi for examination and quick printing, then use the photo lab's high res. scanner to scan for any photos worth the extra quality. Darkroom printing will have to come at a later time.
So I'm looking for critiques of my thoughts, and advice on choosing a first camera, basic necessary accessories, and how to get started developing. But I would appreciate any other tidbits too. If I can get a 'try it' setup for $200-300, and assume that costs would go up to $500-800+ as I decide that I'm sure about this, those would be okay. But less is always better.
Best Regards & Happy Holidays!
Gary.
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