35 year photographer wants to slow down to 4X5 format

[sgray150]

Long story short -- Shooting run and gun for last 35 years -- would rather stroll and sit now. I have a old Cambo SC model from years ago but need to acquire lens. Any suggestions on lens brand and focal length would be appreciated. Would like to shoot just B&W landscapes with a few color images thrown in. Link below shows what I would like to shoot with the LF camera. Thanks again for your help......Sam::




http://web.me.com/sgray1501/Sam_Gray_Photography/Black_%26_White.html

[Gene McCluney]

If you REALLY want to slow down get an 8x10 or larger camera. Really makes you think about what you are shooting.

[Joe O'Hara]

Get yourself a used Schneider or Rodenstock lens, 150 or 210mm. Doesn't need to be the latest model, but multicoating is a plus. I find I use those focal lengths the most. Your outlay should be well south of $450.

[Gordon Moat]

You might want to start off with a fairly normal focal length lens, just to get more in practice of using a large format camera. So a 135mm, 150mm, 180mm, or 210mm choice would put you into a good starting basis. Once you get that first lens, you will soon figure out what other lens you might want to compliment that. As a general rule, assuming all your choices are f5.6 maximum aperture opening, the 210mm would give a brighter ground glass image than the shorter focal length lenses. I use mostly a 135mm, and then a 180mm, though quite often a more common pairing is 150mm and 210mm. There are numerous lenses in this range that are very reasonable in price.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography (http://www.gordonmoat.com)

[sgray150]

Not sure about the 8X10 (even though it is thought provoking) but the lens info from Joe is appreciated. If a 8X10 shows up at my house I'll let my wife know she can thank Gene for that.:) Thanks for the info guys.

[Gem Singer]

PM sent

[Ash]

Buy a couple boxes of polaroid Type 55.... you'll spend so long making sure that the picture is worth the cost of the film that you may never take a photo :D

[venchka]

After looking at your black & white gallery, I think your skills and talent and eyes might be ready for 8x10 or larger. A lot larger. And platinum prints. I suppose you could sneak up on the larger camera by learning with a 4x5. Kinda like training wheels on your first bike.

Good luck!

[sgray150]

Thanks for all the replies guys -- and for the compliments for Wayne -- I do appreciate all replies.

[CG]

Get yourself a used Schneider or Rodenstock lens ...

Fujinons and Nikkors would be good too.

C

[Walter Calahan]

4x5 is too fast. I can shoot 4x5 almost as fast as medium format (grin). 8x10 or larger if you truly need to slow down.

http://www.walterpcalahan.com/Cheers/Info.html

[Gene McCluney]

I concur 4x5 is too fast, heck 5x7 is too fast. I regularly expose about 60 sheets per day with 5x7. Of course, I don't shoot every day.

[John Kasaian]

150 or 210 G Claron, 203 Ektar, 215 Ilex Caltar, 120 Super Angulon, 135 WF Ektar--all of these are pretty nice on a 4x5 IMHO.

[C. D. Keth]

If you're looking for something cheap to try the format with, I use 150mm and 210mm Rodenstock geronars on 4x5 and never saw a problem with them, even though they're some of the cheaper modern lenses you can get.

Edit: I see there's a 210mm geronar in the classified section of this forum right now for $175.

[John Powers]

Sam,

I am missing something here. In your “About Me” section you say you shoot with a 5D and a Crown Graphic 4x5. Your work says many of us could learn from you. Why are you asking us about 4x5 lenses when you clearly know a lot that many of us are discovering? Is there something else you really want to ask instead?

You don’t say if your physical condition is up to a larger format, but your work is. Many of the old guys here have found carts or baby joggers to push around bigger cameras. I am 68 and this jogger from eBay http://babyjogger.com/performancesingle.htm
with 20 inch wheels and 100 pound shocks lets me go two miles out with a 7x17 mounted on a big Ries tripod; 7 film holders and a bag of lenses, meter and lunch. It also works well with my 8x10. Though I would love to try, I don’t think either my budget or body is strong enough for a larger camera.

Do what you want to do. As you say, follow your passion, but know that you do have lots of options.

John