Time to Get a View Camera?

[chuck94022]

I develop 4x5 black and white myself, and color goes to the lab. It's pricey per shot, but Medium Format gear eats more money in a given time frame.

Lenny Eiger recently convinced me to do my own color at home, and not to be intimidated by the temperature control issues. You don't need a Jobo to do color. I now develop my own C-41 using a wash tub to hold the temps, using the same drums and hand agitation I use for B&W. Try it, you'll get better quality and achieve lower cost. The only thing you need to add to your equipment is a .2 degree glass thermometer to keep your temps in the ballpark.

[Dakotah Jackson]

Three of the greatest LF photographers (Paul Strand, Ansel Adams, and Brett Weston) gave up on their big cameras and switched to 6x6 reflexes for the last several years of their lives.

Yep, they did so. Partly due to age and the weight they were carrying.

Every format his its use, advantages and disadvantages.

One attraction of the view cameras is the tactile nature of the work. The feeling of control.

Just as one doesn't really need to explain why they got a Lotus Elan, a Triumph TR4 or an old BMW R90s motorcyele or Norton Commando - you don't have to explain why you have or use a View Camera. You just do it.

You can get camera, lens, holders, meter, developing trays and a box of film and be in business for less than the cost of a Nikon D3200. It isn't about the cost and you don't need a $2,000 camera to shoot this stuff. If you are somewhat serious already you most likely have a tripod. Might need a heavier or better one but used tripods are relatively easy to find.

As has been mentioned time and again, most of this stuff can be re-sold later without losing much at all.

If you want to try it, do so and enjoy the process.

[John Kasaian]

Yep, they did so. Partly due to age and the weight they were carrying.

Every format his its use, advantages and disadvantages.

One attraction of the view cameras is the tactile nature of the work. The feeling of control.

Just as one doesn't really need to explain why they got a Lotus Elan, a Triumph TR4 or an old BMW R90s motorcyele or Norton Commando - you don't have to explain why you have or use a View Camera. You just do it.

You can get camera, lens, holders, meter, developing trays and a box of film and be in business for less than the cost of a Nikon D3200. It isn't about the cost and you don't need a $2,000 camera to shoot this stuff. If you are somewhat serious already you most likely have a tripod. Might need a heavier or better one but used tripods are relatively easy to find.

As has been mentioned time and again, most of this stuff can be re-sold later without losing much at all.

If you want to try it, do so and enjoy the process.

To recap:
"If you want to shoot a view camera then stop being a nancy and shoot a bloody view camera."

[E. von Hoegh]

To recap:
"If you want to shoot a view camera then stop being a nancy and shoot a bloody view camera."

Yes! And, do it because that's what you want to do.

Just, don't actually "shoot" the camera.

[mitomac]

Also don't forget the 'Gambler's addiction' aspect. For each shot you have a lot of time and money (film and developing costs) riding on it, and you are truly gambling that you remembered to stop down the aperture or whether you metered the scene right. You then have to wait days/weeks for developing in house or out (which can also be a gamble) to see if anything worked. Some times the results are truly disappointing (oops forgot to account for the polarizer), but sometimes, just sometimes, you are rewarded with the jackpot! With practice the jackpots come more often, but there is still enough failure (especially in things you can't control - weather) to keep things interesting and bringing you back for the next jackpot. LF does come at a cost, but it is addictive as hell.

mitomac

[Alan Gales]

I still can't decide if I should get a view camera. It is not necessary, since I have a lot of MF equipment (Bronica 6x7)

Today, a lot of people would ask why you need the Bronica. Doesn't your cell phone have a camera?

Pick up a cheap used monorail with a 210 lens and try it out. You may get hooked. If you find sheet film is not for you then sell it and get most if not all your money back.

[E. von Hoegh]

Also don't forget the 'Gambler's addiction' aspect. For each shot you have a lot of time and money (film and developing costs) riding on it, and you are truly gambling that you remembered to stop down the aperture or whether you metered the scene right. You then have to wait days/weeks for developing in house or out (which can also be a gamble) to see if anything worked. Some times the results are truly disappointing (oops forgot to account for the polarizer), but sometimes, just sometimes, you are rewarded with the jackpot! With practice the jackpots come more often, but there is still enough failure (especially in things you can't control - weather) to keep things interesting and bringing you back for the next jackpot. LF does come at a cost, but it is addictive as hell.

mitomac

Dude,

If you're making all these mistakes, you need to use a checklist or something. One sheet of film = one picture.

[Jim Andrada]

Don't I wish! Let's see, where on my checklist did it make sure I actually put film in both sides of all the holders? Or grabbed the full holders instead of the empties on the way out? Maybe there's an iPhone app for that. Admit it, it's the nagging uncertainty that adds spice to the game!!!

1 worm = 1 fish??? If it were that easy nobody would fish for fun as opposed to fishing for fish!

[BrianShaw]

I don't see it that way (LF as a gamble). It really isn't very difficult to build both the knowledge, equipment collection, and disciplined methods to come very, very close to "One sheet of film = one picture" with virtually nothing left to chance. The gambling analogy is cute and I understand the intent, but have never felt like a gambler in all of my years shooting LF (or MF or 35mm either) ... except when going way out of my way to "experiment" or learn a new technique. Mistakes and errors happen, but that's not gambling... those are mistakes and errors.

That's from the technical perspective. "Visualization" skills are a totally different issue.

[unixrevolution]

Don't I wish! Let's see, where on my checklist did it make sure I actually put film in both sides of all the holders? Or grabbed the full holders instead of the empties on the way out? Maybe there's an iPhone app for that.

There is an app for that.

http://www.iphoneappstorm.com/iphone...p?id=445527423

I use it. When I remember to.