Riverteeth
3-Jan-2008, 04:02
Hi all,
As I've contemplated the move from medium and small format up to large, I've realized that the freedom of perspective and DOF control are as if not more attractive to me as the increased size of the negative. Thus, at this point, even though I love to hike and have idealized the thought of the Ansel Adams-like photographer trekking his way through the national forests with his complete kit... I've recently become much more interested in the monorail systems than the fold-up field cameras. Although it wouldn't hurt for it to be on the lighter side, as I would plan on taking it outdoors as often as possible, maybe hiking as much as a mile or two from the car. I shoot everything, from landscape to weird experimental stuff and everything in between, but mostly outdoors if I can:)
4x5 seems like the best format to get started in, and I've recently found very good looking used Sinar and Arca-Swiss view cameras on ebay for less than $1100, mostly with either a normal lens, boards and or other goodies to boot. My question is simply what are the pros and cons of these systems, and what are some others in the same class that I should also look for? What are the differences between the Sinar F1 and F2? Are parts and service still difficult to find for Arca-Swiss in the US? Anybody know about in Asia (I'm currently in Taiwan, don't know for how long)?
My budget for everything including two lens (one normal and one wide I guess) to get me started, a tripod and head, film holders and all the extras is probably about $1600, maybe a little more, and it'd be nice if the whole package weighed less than 25 lbs. (though I really don't know what to expect here).
Thanks a lot!
David
As I've contemplated the move from medium and small format up to large, I've realized that the freedom of perspective and DOF control are as if not more attractive to me as the increased size of the negative. Thus, at this point, even though I love to hike and have idealized the thought of the Ansel Adams-like photographer trekking his way through the national forests with his complete kit... I've recently become much more interested in the monorail systems than the fold-up field cameras. Although it wouldn't hurt for it to be on the lighter side, as I would plan on taking it outdoors as often as possible, maybe hiking as much as a mile or two from the car. I shoot everything, from landscape to weird experimental stuff and everything in between, but mostly outdoors if I can:)
4x5 seems like the best format to get started in, and I've recently found very good looking used Sinar and Arca-Swiss view cameras on ebay for less than $1100, mostly with either a normal lens, boards and or other goodies to boot. My question is simply what are the pros and cons of these systems, and what are some others in the same class that I should also look for? What are the differences between the Sinar F1 and F2? Are parts and service still difficult to find for Arca-Swiss in the US? Anybody know about in Asia (I'm currently in Taiwan, don't know for how long)?
My budget for everything including two lens (one normal and one wide I guess) to get me started, a tripod and head, film holders and all the extras is probably about $1600, maybe a little more, and it'd be nice if the whole package weighed less than 25 lbs. (though I really don't know what to expect here).
Thanks a lot!
David