Wading into large format

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Hello Large Format Photographers,

I'm about to embark on my first LF adventure, and members here were very helpful with my first question about a tripod head, and so I thought I'd do the right thing and introduce myself.

I've been photographing for ~4 1/2 years, first with a small DSLR and subsequently with DSLR/mirrorless digicams with old manual lenses (1930s-1980s). I started shooting film 3 years ago, first with 135, and then with 120 (on 6x6, 6x45 and 6x9 cameras). I was stunned by the depth and tonal detail in the MF negatives when compared to the 135 negatives. My shooting currently is probably 70:30 film:digital.

Recently a very good friend offered to donate his Sinar Norma 4x5 (with 90mm and 180mm lenses) to me. As I tend to shoot predominantly handheld, I was not sure about accepting his very generous offer. But then I decided that I would like to try shooting with a view camera - the slowness, precision, camera movements and large negative were factors that swayed me to accept. I'm scheduled to get my hands on the camera and shoot with it (under the guidance of my friend) this weekend, and I'm rather excited about it.

Thank you for reading this blurb (if you managed to get this far), and thanks in advance for answering any (probably basic and sometimes silly) questions I may come up with as I continue on my new large format adventure. Please feel free to say hello via this thread, email, or my website.

Thanks again, and all the best,
Raj :)
http://rajmohan-fotograf.com/

[Alan9940]

Welcome to the world of LF photography. IMO, no question is silly when starting out because we all were beginners at one point...ask away. I predict that once you get used to working with a 4x5 camera and see the quality this size offers, you'll be very pleased! Trouble is...it's a slippery slope! :) I made the same progression many years ago, then thought "Hmm, what would 8x10 be like?" I bought one and for over a decade during the 1980's it was my primary camera. To this day, I still enjoy shooting with it; and, contact prints? Whoa!!

Good luck and have fun!

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Thank you very much, Alan!
I hope, for the sake of my prolapsed intervertebral discs, that I don't go any larger than 4x5!! Even the Norma may prove a challenge in terms of weight, but I won't know until I use it for a while.

[Alan9940]

Thank you very much, Alan!
I hope, for the sake of my prolapsed intervertebral discs, that I don't go any larger than 4x5!! Even the Norma may prove a challenge in terms of weight, but I won't know until I use it for a while.

If weight becomes an issue for you, there are many lightweight alternatives out there; the Intrepid, for example, weighs in at something like 2 lbs!

[rajmohan-fotograf]

If weight becomes an issue for you, there are many lightweight alternatives out there; the Intrepid, for example, weighs in at something like 2 lbs!

Absolutely! Since the Norma is a gift, I'll give it a shot to see how I fare with it, and then make a decision on the next step. I might end up loving it :)

[Alan Gales]

Welcome to the forum, Raj, from another Alan.

There are plenty of Photographers on here like you and I who shoot various film formats and digital too. Plus some shoot alternative processes like wet plate which is very interesting. You can learn a lot on here. I know I have.

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Welcome to the forum, Raj, from another Alan.

There are plenty of Photographers on here like you and I who shoot various film formats and digital too. Plus some shoot alternative processes like wet plate which is very interesting. You can learn a lot on here. I know I have.

Alan - thank you very much. This is good to know :)

[B.S.Kumar]

Good work on your site!

Kumar

[Peter Lewin]

Welcome! I looked at your website, you have quite a few images that lend themselves to view camera work, for example your abstracts and architectural work. View cameras love subjects that stay still! Of course the main virtue of this site is that you have quite a few members who have been doing this for a long time (I am shocked to realize that I got my first 4x5 some 50 years ago!) and enjoy being able to pass along some of what we have learned. Which is another way of saying, as someone else posted, that there are no foolish questions (just occasionally, foolish answers).

[David Schaller]

I just had back surgery, and am prohibited from lifting more than ten pounds. But I found a 4x5 kit can be broken down into a number of smaller packages, with a few extra trips to and from your car, with satisfying results.
Welcome,
Dave

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Good work on your site!

Kumar

Thank you very much :)

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Welcome! I looked at your website, you have quite a few images that lend themselves to view camera work, for example your abstracts and architectural work. View cameras love subjects that stay still! Of course the main virtue of this site is that you have quite a few members who have been doing this for a long time (I am shocked to realize that I got my first 4x5 some 50 years ago!) and enjoy being able to pass along some of what we have learned. Which is another way of saying, as someone else posted, that there are no foolish questions (just occasionally, foolish answers).

Thank you, Peter - you're right, many of my favourite subjects are still! I'm grateful that there are so many experienced people who are willing to share their knowledge. And since I have no answers at this point, I suppose I can't possibly say anything foolish :) - I can only hope that this is true!!

[rajmohan-fotograf]

I just had back surgery, and am prohibited from lifting more than ten pounds. But I found a 4x5 kit can be broken down into a number of smaller packages, with a few extra trips to and from your car, with satisfying results.
Welcome,
Dave

Thank you for the welcome, Dave. I have had disc issues for a few years, and it is good to know that the modularity of 4x5 kits allows piecemeal transport. Hope your surgery was successful!

[Andrew O'Neill]

Welcome to the LF forum, Raj. Best of luck to you!

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Welcome to the LF forum, Raj. Best of luck to you!

Thank you very much, Andrew! :)

[David Schaller]

Thank you for the welcome, Dave. I have had disc issues for a few years, and it is good to know that the modularity of 4x5 kits allows piecemeal transport. Hope your surgery was successful!
Thanks. I probably can also transport my 8x10 kit piecemeal too, but I haven't tried yet. I would still recommend starting with 4x5 to learn large format photography, even if you had an assistant to carry your gear!
Dave

[John Kasaian]

Intriguing images on your website!
Welcome aboard.

[Alan Gales]

I just had back surgery, and am prohibited from lifting more than ten pounds. But I found a 4x5 kit can be broken down into a number of smaller packages, with a few extra trips to and from your car, with satisfying results.
Welcome,
Dave

Good luck to you, David! I had a back fusion back in December of 1994. I have permanent limitations plus I've got arthritis in my back that has worsened over the years. I shoot an 8x10 Wehman camera and use a Klein wheeled tool bag to haul everything around. I still don't get very far from my vehicle. It is what it is and I make due the best I can and the bag really helps.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BZXA35I/ref=asc_df_B00BZXA35I4992553/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00BZXA35I&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167133658256&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8938274563063141587&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022857&hvtargid=pla-316285031515

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Intriguing images on your website!
Welcome aboard.

Thank you, John! :)

[rajmohan-fotograf]

Thanks. I probably can also transport my 8x10 kit piecemeal too, but I haven't tried yet. I would still recommend starting with 4x5 to learn large format photography, even if you had an assistant to carry your gear!
Dave

I'm content starting with (and quite possibly stopping at) 4x5, as even this is beyond what I imagined I would do. Perhaps in a few years, I may feel the 8x10 itch! :)

[David Schaller]

Good luck to you, David! I had a back fusion back in December of 1994. I have permanent limitations plus I've got arthritis in my back that has worsened over the years. I shoot an 8x10 Wehman camera and use a Klein wheeled tool bag to haul everything around. I still don't get very far from my vehicle. It is what it is and I make due the best I can and the bag really helps.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BZXA35I/ref=asc_df_B00BZXA35I4992553/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00BZXA35I&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167133658256&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8938274563063141587&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022857&hvtargid=pla-316285031515
Thanks Alan. Saved to my wish list. I don't go very far from the car with 8x10 anyway.
Thanks again,
Dave