Hello,
I am brand new to the forum as I am looking to get (back) into LF photography after a 30 year absence. To my chagrin, I've forgotten most everything I allegedly knew.
Back when I was an apprentice, my master used a Sinar 4x5 for studio work and as it is the only line I know and as there appear to be a decent variety in the eBay world, I'm looking at this line. I see F, F+, F2, C and P models for sale. As best I can tell the F2 is the latest of the field models, the C is an F front and P rear and the P is the first in the P lineup. It looks to my untrained eye that the P have the most granular levels of control. I have the brochure from butkus.org, but lack of knowledge is leading me to non-conclusions so I wanted to ask experts. My use cases (initially) are some studio type still life images (for practice) and then outdoor landscapes, on black and white film as I suspect (but have not checked) that Ektachromes are long since gone. My intent is to process my own negatives and then scan them for post processing. I believe that there are digital options for 4x5 but I admit to some confusion here. With the patience of members, I have a number of questions.
1. For my described use cases, is one system better than another, ie F2, C or P?
2. All the cameras listed except one, do not have lenses, lens boards, shutters, dark cloths or film holders. When I worked 4x5 before I loaded film holders and got to release the shutter on the second camera. I have no expertise to speak of so I don't know what else I would need to be operational.
3. I see many lenses mounted on Sinar DB lens boards. I think that these require a digital back and presumably some level of electronic controls. Should I be looking at this route instead of film? Where would I look for a digital back and what would people recommend?
4. If I chose to start with film, and later wanted to go digital, what if anything would be reusable at that time?
5. I see a variety of sizes of Copal shutters. Is there a simple reference that explains what the numbers mean and how one would choose which one to use?
6. Does each lens require its own unique shutter and lens board?
7. I've looked on Amazon for books and there is nearly nothing still in print. Are there older books I should be looking for used?
8. The people I've sent questions to from eBay are all camera resellers and seem helpful. Is this a safe place for a newbie to be buying? I live north of Toronto and the large "pro" retailers don't do any LF at all. There may be smaller specialists, I found one nice fellow but his focus is 8x10 wood frame cameras, not really my interest at this time.
9. What's the perspective on the availability of film? I can readily find B+W negative chemistry, but not whatever is needed from a gear perspective to develop 4x5 negs. I still have an old patterson tank for 35mm but know it won't be suitable.
10. My intent is to use LF as a means to rebuild my "eye" Since switching to digital after nearly two decades away from film about five years ago, I think I am making better images than I have in the past, but have noticed an increased tendency not to "see" the image properly before releasing the shutter. I am hopeful that the disciplines involved in LF will help me achieve a better balance. Opinions requested. Am I nuts?
Thank you all very much for your patience.
Ross
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