Hi, all!
Just got a Cambo 4x5 monorail. Just the basic model. (SC, I believe.)
I've been spending some time reading up and studying. Practiced dry-firing the camera a few times. As soon as I get a chance, I'll start shooting with it. When the weather clears up in the spring, maybe I'll take it out and shoot outdoors.
I feel pretty confident with the process of shooting large format. At this point, I think I've studied as much as I can. All I've got to do now is go shoot it... and make lots of mistakes.
I shoot 35mm and 120 format and I develop my own film. Although I don't have a processor or a 4x5 film tank, I feel confident that I can do basic developing with the equipment I've got. (From what I read, it would be called the "Taco Method.") As I progress, I can buy or trade for more of the things I need but, for now, I'll stay frugal until I get some experience.
I have an Omega D-II enlarger with all the film holders and lenses I need. Again, but for the idiosyncrasies of 4x5, I'm confident that I can do it. As I am planning, right now, I think the results of my first few outings will be contact printed until I get over the first hill of the learning curve.
I guess I only have two questions before I jump in with both feet:
What is a good film to start out with? Is choosing a 4x5 film similar to choosing 35mm and 120? (My favorite films, so far, are Fuji Neopan and Tri-X. Developed in D-76 or XTOL.)
What kinds of pitfalls should I be on the lookout for? I expect to make mistakes but that doesn't mean I shouldn't try to avoid them if I can. Right?
Looking forward to learning a lot and hoping that the knowledge gained will filter back to my shooting with smaller formats, too.
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