Hi there, I haven't been on here for some time, but the yearn for a dream 8x10" LF camera setup for environmental portraiture is getting stronger every day.
I'd really appreciate your thoughts on a great LF camera outfit for environmental portraiture for personal portrait photography. Not much walking around, but may want the option to take it outdoors without much fuss.
Your input is much appreciated.
deardorff/14" commercial ektar
done and done
Pretty hard to beat that combo.Originally Posted by DrTang
One man's Mede is another man's Persian.
I second that!
While looking through the group archives for info on the care and feeding of my new Norma, I've come across posts on the Agfa/Ansco that may be worth reading:
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=14888
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=16162
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=45051
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=41386
Some of the posts are more oriented toward 5X7 Anscos, but are relevant to the 8X10 version. I'm certainly not arguing against any of the other cameras mentioned by previous posters, but if you run across the right Agfa or Ansco 8X10, it may be worth your consideration. A few advantages of the Agfa/Ansco:
Fast setup- The lens can be left on the folded camera, the tailboard dropped down and locked in place with quick turn of the lock knob, then the rear standard racked back and you are ready to focus. Some people say speed doesn't matter with view cameras, but with fading evening light or some people situations, fast set up can be important.
Most (but not all) Agfa/Anscos have built-in front tilt movement which is important in getting the foreground sharp (if you want it sharp). Eastmans lack this feature. There are rare front tilt lensboards for 2Ds, and 2Ds can be modified for front tilt, but with most Agfa/Anscos, the tilt is already included. 2Ds can achieve front tilt by using back tilt and front rise. Maybe a 2D owner can comment on that. It may give as much tilt as is needed for most situations.
A/As have the rear extension track built in, rather than an add-on piece. I think this tends to make them sturdier at longer extensions. The down side is, I believe most won't give quite the extension length of a 2D with its add-on track. There is a version of the A/A 8X10 with both built in extension track and an add on track, but I don't think these are easily found.
A warning about the later model gray/grey (http://www.greyorgray.com/) painted Anscos - some or all used a plastic material for bellows that hardens with age. Makes it difficult to get max. bellows draw and use the movements, and eventually leads to pinholes in the bellows corners. An earlier version with leather bellows would probably be a better choice, unless the gray one has had a new bellows sometime in life.
Final thought, since most of your work is people photography - I suspect your subjects will have a more positive reaction to being shot with an old-looking wooden camera than a modern looking metal one. Most folks won't know a Deardorff from an Eastman from an apple crate, but they will think the wooden looking whatever is way cool. Maybe not an important thing, but I suspect it may be.
Len
Nicole - took a quick look through your website, your work has many similarities to mine, and based upon these apparent similarities, I suspect that you will love 8x10 portraiture. I recommend that you consider a simple camera, e.g., a 8x10 Kodak 2-D, start with a single lens and handful of film holders. It gets simpler from there...
What DrTang said....a match made in heaven!
I would have to second the Deardorff nomination. It is sturdy and great to use. It handles some really big lenses. My favorite is a 15" Jamon Darlot Cone Centralisateur.
Thank you Jay. Your portraits are beautiful.
Nicole... long time no speak!! Andy M (apug) here. Bill Schwab uses a Deardorff for his wetplate camera of choice... Works well for that and for sheet film. That said, I am not convinced a Deardorff is as sturdy as the newer Chamonix 8x10. The'Dorff's are also getting up in cost, and I think I would spend my money on a used Chamonix. There was one for sale on here actually. Weight wise, they are pretty light, and sturdy as hell.
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