Field Camera Recommedations for Urban Environments/Abstracts

[timn420]

Hi all,
I've been shooting MF for a few years and would like to move up to LF. My budget for a field camera would be under $1500, but of course cheaper is better. At one time I had a crown graphic with a sticky shutter housing a 127mm Ektar, so it saw limited use.

I'm trying to find a camera that I can use for urban landscapes, in downtown situations. I shoot a lot of abstracts and get my inspiration from Aaron Siskind. I've tried to find information on his view camera and lens choice to no avail. I'm thinking maybe a 210mm or 300mm, but I'm not sure what would be best to use in the alley's and streets where I tend to shoot. I also need something that is quick to set up because I want to be somewhat mobile.

Reading the forums some of the cameras I'm considering are the Wista SP, Linhof Technika, Toyo 45, or Toho. I would appreciate any opinions or recommmendations.

[Alan Davenport]

I'm going to assume that you won't go down the Crown Graphic road again. Press cameras have a very limited subset of movements anyway and are somewhat less versatile than a "real" field camera. BTW, I consider any camera that has a drop bed to be a press camera...

A Tachihara (my personal choice) or Shen Hao will give you all the movements you'll need. IMO, the urban landscapes you're after will be better attacked with a wide angle lens: a 90mm f/8 Super Angulon in excellent condition can be had for around $300 these days, so even if you buy the camera brand new you're out less than a grand, leaving $500 for incidentals...

[kev curry]

Second the Tachihara its worth some consideration - light weight with plenty of movements, bright fresnel, quick to set up, affordable/replaceable, accepts 75-300mm lenses..... lovely camera.

[Dave_B]

I have two Toyo field cameras, the 45AII and the 45CF. I can recommend them both but for different applications. The 45AII is a great camera. Solid, reliable, all the movements one really needs and is built like a tank, made from metal. The camera is heavy but very well built. It will remind you of a modern, well built Speed or Crown. It will take a lot of abuse and still take fine photos. The 45CF is a lightweight camera I use for backpacking. It is made from a carbon fiber material that is relatively strong but nothing like the metal 45AII. With the CF you will need to be careful but for landscapes in the woods, it is a fine camera. For urban environments the 45AII is a good choice if the weight does not bother you. If push came to shove, the 45AII would be a pretty effective weapon in a bar fight.....
Good luck,
Dave B.

[David A. Goldfarb]

In the city, I like to be able to set up and put the camera away quickly and keep an eye on what's happening around me, so I recommend using a camera that has a folding focusing hood or magnifier with a bellows or prism finder, rather than a darkcloth. Sometimes I shoot larger cameras that require a darkcloth, and if possible I take someone with me, but otherwise, I usually use my Linhof Tech V. I have cammed lenses, so I can even shoot handheld in places that I can't easily go with a tripod.

[Merg Ross]

The work of Aaron Siskind is indeed wonderful. However,what makes his work unique is his vision; the equipment is really secondary. I believe he used a 4x5 Medalist for his work in the 1950's but any camera with adequate extension and movements would work well.

Much of my work consists of abstractions done in city environments. Early on I used a Calumet monorail with darkcloth, but for the reasons David mentions, I now use a Toyo AX. A used one might be within your budget and a lens from 150mm to 210mm would work well for close-ups.

[Brian Ellis]

"I'm trying to find a camera that I can use for urban landscapes, in downtown situations. I shoot a lot of abstracts and get my inspiration from Aaron Siskind. I've tried to find information on his view camera and lens choice to no avail. "

From the book "Aaron Siskind: Toward A Personal Vision 1935 - 1955"

"My camera is a 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 Linhof with a Speed Graphic back and I use a Cine-Kodak tripod which is light, steady, and a joy to handle. . . . All of these photographs were taken with aperture f29 (that's where my aperture stops because of a repair job on the shutter). I made three exposures for each picture, varying from 1X to 4X Weston depending on the importance of the darker elements in the subject. The film was not developed until I returned to New York - all normally and according to the manufacturer's charts and graphs."

No techie he. Siskind apparently managed to get along without the hinge rule, the zone system, or even a fully functioning shutter.

There's another interview conducted in 1977 that deals mostly with his teaching at the Institute of Design in Chicago. There he talks about why they used a 4x5 camera for teaching purposes. I like the following exchange between the interviewer and Siskind:

Interviewer: Speaking of equipment, the beginning classes were taught with a 4x5 camera.

Siskind: And they were miserable.

[Ed Richards]

Look at his pictures, there is not much evidence that he used movements. One gallery notes that he also used a Rollie SL66. What is it you want to do that you cannot do with MF?

[scott_6029]

I enjoy Siskind's work very much as well and like to shoot similar images. I use ULF, however...For $1500 the 4x5 shen hao would work well. I might opt for a longer lens than a 90 however as the 90 may be to wide to move in and crop appropriately. And you may not be able to physically move in as close as you would like. This is based on my cropping in camera. I would agree with previous posts that vision and careful placement of tonality throughout the photograph are key to Siskind's work. I have a lot of abstract on my website, much of which is 7x17 or 8x10 contact prints.

[Captain_joe6]

For the urban kind of work you're wanting to do, I don't see why you don't get yourself a cheap monorail (some of which, like Calumet) can be had quite readily, offer all the movement you want, and, with the right tripod, are sturdy and light enough to do whatever you want.

[Jordan]

Go for one the metal toyo field cameras. They are really well made and super durable.

[Ron Marshall]

Linhof Technika or Wista RF, with rangefinder. Probably a bit out of your price range, but you might get lucky!

[eddie]

i do not know? for what you are asking a crown or speed graphics sound perfect. they set up very fast, are durable, and take wide angle lenses pretty well. and the best part is they are cheap. if you get the speed you can use the old barrel lenses...again saving lots of that 1500 for film or beer:: :). i use an old korona view. i love it. but it is limited to 165mm lenses and longer because the bellows do not allow it to squeeze much smaller at infinity and a 165 with little movements is all i can get out of her. but again it was cheap.

eddie

[paulr]

I think you're on the right track looking for a field camera. I used my college's monorail cameras when I was starting out in LF, and it was a miserable experience. Even when I was driving, if I had to walk a couple of blocks from the car, the case was big and heavy and bulky, and everything was unweildy.

My first field camera was a revelation. I still use it. It's an old Toyo. I think just about any field camera with the required movements would be fine. This would be my checklist:

-Fast and easy to set up/take down.
-big enough knobs to use with light gloves in the winter
-reasonably solid and sturdy
-healthy amount of front rise

I can't make specific recommendations, because I haven't shopped for a camera in ages. But if you keep these things in mind when you look at all these other recommendations you'll probably do fine.

[Gary J. McCutcheon]

What no one seems to mention any more is the Wisner. Although no longer manufactured, they are a great camera and if repairs are needed Richard Ritter or others can handle the work. The key advantage, as I see it, is the bellows extension. The Tech Field has 23 inches of bellows and I think the traditional has 19 or 20. I use mine with a 210mm lens for close up abstracts quite often and the bellows extention is wonderful. The camera is quite sturdy. You just may want to investigate this choice further, I've found it to be the answer to 90% of my 4x5 needs.

[otzi]

The toyo 5x4 CF has been already covered on this thread but has any one got experience with the titan SF 4x5. Some of the reviews seem to spruik it up.

[timn420]

"My camera is a 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 Linhof with a Speed Graphic back and I use a Cine-Kodak tripod which is light, steady, and a joy to handle. . . . All of these photographs were taken with aperture f29 (that's where my aperture stops because of a repair job on the shutter). I made three exposures for each picture, varying from 1X to 4X Weston depending on the importance of the darker elements in the subject. The film was not developed until I returned to New York - all normally and according to the manufacturer's charts and graphs."


Thanks for the Siskind information. I've been searching all over for what kind of equipment he worked with. Obviously, it didn't really matter to him. I'm leaning towards the Toyo, since they seem to be pretty durable but still light. I also like the look (black and a little subdued). Maybe I will pick up a 180mm or 210mm lens. The Crown Graphics are great cameras, but I would like to try something different.

[gregstidham]

I am very happy with my Super Technika IV I bought on this forum.

I sent it in to Martin in North Carolina and had my Rodenstock 150mm Sironar N cammed for it. Now it is a very sharp handheld camera even at f5.6. There is something about the build tolerances and construction of the Technika that in my opinion really work well. Reminds me of my Leica rangefinders.

My total price into this package is $1550.00