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miklosphoto
31-Jan-2011, 12:09
Hello, I am new to LF and this forum. So my question probably very basic, but I hope that someone would not mind to answer such a basic question.
I bought my first view camera now, it is a Wista 4x5. I've been using 35mm for 15 years, developing my own B&W and tried also MF, but really wanted to try out LF too.
Here is my question. This camera I got is 4x5 and the film holder goes into it in vertical position, so the negatives will be in "portrait" orientation. Now if I wanted to use this camera for landscapes in "landscape" orientation, is there some trick to it? Or I have to simply crop my negatives and accept a final 4x3 size, i.e lose 2 inches form the top of the frame (or one inch from both the bottom and the top for that matter)? So my real dilemma is that this way I would be getting just slightly bigger negatives than what I could get from MF - 10x7 vs say 6x9 in centimeters), so is it worth it?
Or is there a trick I do not know about? Like there is a way to take photos with a view camera in vertical position? (this last one was just a joke:) )
Or is it that the Wista 4x5 was really invented for portraits mostly?
I read through all the articles on LFPhoto.info but could not find any information on this?
Any comment, suggestion is very appreciated,
Thanks
Miklos
IanG
31-Jan-2011, 12:14
The back on your Wista can be removed & be turned 90° and re-attached. You don't say what model but on the 45DX there's two sliding fasteners either side top rear edge.

If you tell us the model we can help a little more :D

Ian
miklosphoto
31-Jan-2011, 14:11
The back on your Wista can be removed & be turned 90° and re-attached. You don't say what model but on the 45DX there's two sliding fasteners either side top rear edge.

If you tell us the model we can help a little more :D

Ian

Thank you Ian, that is cool, I discovered that the back can be removed but did not realize that it can be turned.
As for the model of my Wista, I'd like to know that too. It does not say on the body, but it looks pretty much like this:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63358-REG/Wista_214604_45DX_Rosewood_4x5_Wooden.html
Thanks
Miklos
Bob Salomon
31-Jan-2011, 14:52
Thank you Ian, that is cool, I discovered that the back can be removed but did not realize that it can be turned.
As for the model of my Wista, I'd like to know that too. It does not say on the body, but it looks pretty much like this:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63358-REG/Wista_214604_45DX_Rosewood_4x5_Wooden.html
Thanks
Miklos

Describe it:
Type of wood? Cherry, Rosewood, Quince or Ebony?
Bellows unclip or not?
Graflock back or not?
Rear shift or not?
Weight?
miklosphoto
31-Jan-2011, 15:17
Describe it:
Type of wood? Cherry, Rosewood, Quince or Ebony?
Bellows unclip or not?
Graflock back or not?
Rear shift or not?
Weight?

Hi Bob,
it is Rosewood, Bellows permanently attached, about the Graflock I don't know, I know that the back can be detached, Rear shift, yes.
I believe it is the Wista 45DX Rosewood 4x5 Wooden Field Camera,
B&H # WI45DXRW
Mfr# 214604

By the description and the photo at B&H, it looks just like mine.

Miklos
Bob Salomon
31-Jan-2011, 17:42
Hi Bob,
it is Rosewood, Bellows permanently attached, about the Graflock I don't know, I know that the back can be detached, Rear shift, yes.
I believe it is the Wista 45DX Rosewood 4x5 Wooden Field Camera,
B&H # WI45DXRW
Mfr# 214604

By the description and the photo at B&H, it looks just like mine.

Miklos

With a permanently attahed bellows it is the DX. If it had the removable bellows it would be the SW.