Hello from Utah [Archive] - Large Format Photography Forum

nickademusss

9-May-2011, 10:31

HI all,

I have been in photography for about 7 years, It grew from a digital hobby to an obsession in film.

I have several medium format cameras and a couple top of the line digital for sports and action.

I have just gotten into large format, having bought a Graflex Graphic view, I now realize that I dont want to pack that heavy rig around on the trail, so I am in the market for a good field camera in 4x5.

Any recommendations?

budget should be around 1200US, any help in this decision would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Zac

Vick Vickery

9-May-2011, 10:38

Welcome to group therapy! :) I use my Cambo in the field regularly, but since I do mostly architectural work, I don't have to carry it far; if I were going further than normal and didn't think I would be needing the movements of the Cambo, I keep a Super graphic around. Note: the Cambo has an adapter lensboard that allows me to put a lens on it in a Super lensboard...most of my lenses are on Super boards so that they can move between cameras.

nickademusss

9-May-2011, 11:23

Welcome to group therapy! lol, :)

thats for sure,

being a digital guru, I know the limitations of my D300 and the D700...

I know the type of film body I want, just not the brand that will last, hows the life span of a Shen Hao? Is a zone VI that looks just like the Shen with out the brass any good?
I have also been eying the Toyo 45FC, I think it looks like a great field camera, but it doesnt have rear adjustments...

Also am I wrong to think that a good lens for landscapes would be about 90mm?

I adore the process of using the 4x5, it makes me concentrate on the subject endlessly.
I needed to slow down, its good for me :)

Vick Vickery

9-May-2011, 20:05

The Shen Hao and the Toyo are both popular and reputedly well made cameras (I've not used either) of fine quality; same can be said of the Zone VI, but it has somewhat of a "cult" following that can raise its price somewhat. You will find all three to be good field cameras.

As to lenses, I would recommend starting with something around 150 to 160mm ("normal" length for 4x5)...this approximates your normal perspective and makes a good all-around lens. Most folks find wide angle lenses a bit harder to focus on a ground glass than longer lenses...I'd start longer and add a wider lens if you find you can't get enough on the negative with the normal lens; of course, as I say this, bear in mind that in shooting architectural subjects I shoot wide angles from 65mm to 90 mm a great deal of the time, but I always use the longest lens I can for any given scene in order to avoid the problems built into the wide angle perspective. Of course, having been doing this for awhile, I have a choice of about a dozen lenses ranging from 65mm to 450mm.

You're right that sheet film will slow you down and make you concentrate. Years ago, shooting 35mm, I used to shoot three of four of every shot...now I rarely shoot more than one unless the lighting is really problematical.

Kimberly Anderson

9-May-2011, 21:15

If you want to see a Canham 8x10 'Traditional' camera (wood and aluminum), I am in Riverton. I head out to the lake regularly...

nickademusss

9-May-2011, 21:35

If you want to see a Canham 8x10 'Traditional' camera (wood and aluminum), I am in Riverton. I head out to the lake regularly...

I would indeed like to see an 8x10 in action, and pick your brain for some tips?
It will be a few weeks before I have my 4x5 rig started I would like to wait till then.
thanks for the invite!

And thanks everyone for the lens recommendations, I will start out with a 150mm or around that. My light meter should arrive this week, I didnt want to use my SLR for a light meter.....

eddie

10-May-2011, 02:47

Chamonix 4x5 (check with hugo Zhang here on the forum) and a schneider super angulon 90mm f8. BOth great values and light.

msk2193

10-May-2011, 10:16

Welcome aboard.

nickademusss

13-May-2011, 11:39

Picked up my lens, a 90mm F8 Super Angulon, waiting on my auctions to end to buy the body.....

I cant find a dealer for Chamonix here in the USA, anyone no of one?

Greg Y

16-May-2011, 09:06

Hi Zac. There were recently several used Chamonix 4x5s in the FS. Hugo Zhang (on the forum) is the US rep for these cameras. I've used Ebony 45RW, Canham 57 &810 trad and Deardorff 57 & 810. I just got a Chamonix 57 a week ago. I sent Hugo the money, went to Escalante for some slot canyon hiking & photography & had the camera sitting at the post office when I came home. Could not have been more painless. They are a terrific camera. Well made and very user friendly. Do take advantage of the chance to visit Michael S. I recently sold him some 4x10 film and regret I wasn't able to meet up with him in Riverton. His Great Salt Lake work is inspiring. Enjoy the 4x5 journey

dperez

16-May-2011, 11:05

My advice is to try and see if you can borrow or rent a field camera before you make a purchase. Once you've played under the dark cloth for a bit with a couple cameras you'll make a better purchase. Look into the lightweight DLC Canhams (http://www.canhamcameras.com/)which you'll find on the used market (https://www.badgergraphic.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=3547) every now and then. Toyo has a lightweight 45CF (http://www.toyoview.com/Products/45CF/45CF.html) priced under $1000.00. I have no experience with this camera other than holding it and playing with the controls in a showroom. The nice thing about it is that you get a lightweight and compact camera that will do most anything you want, but it won't destroy your wallet, so if need be later on down the road you can upgrade to an Ebony or some other camera.

You'll find that the lighter cameras tend to offer fewer movements in order to achieve weight savings. For example, I don't think the Toyo 45CF has any rear standard movements. That is something you'll want to think about before purchasing a camera. For most landscape photography, you probably can get by without the rear standard movements, although if you want to shoot architecture or scenes with strong vertical and/or horizontal elements, then maybe you'll want to reconsider purchasing a camera with restricted movements. Search this forum for reviews as people much more knowledgeable have written nice reviews on various cameras, and that might help you along the way.

-DP

Sirius Glass

16-May-2011, 11:49

Welcome to Large Format Photography Forum!

nickademusss

17-May-2011, 20:28

Thanks for the advice and welcomes guys, I have made the leap after selling some unused hobbies on ebay, I unfortunately dont know of a local retailer that would carry any large format gear, I did call around and the little digital geeks who only see pixels didnt have a clue, So after much review reading and video watching, hunting and pecking, I decided on the Shen TZ45-IIB I also ordered a 90mm superA lens, and will add another lens a little later once I find my place with this lens.

I gave the Toyo 45cf a hard look, but didnt like the missing back movements, and I chatted with an owner of one in Australia, he had nothing but good things to say about it.

I am sure I will be posting many questions in the other forums soon, thanks again!

Kimberly Anderson

17-May-2011, 21:48

nickademusss

17-May-2011, 22:57

What lensboard does that Shen take? All of my lenses are on Canham boards if you want to see what they'll do. I have a 90, 120, 150, 210, 355, 480 and a 21 inch... It might give you a good idea what different lenses may or may not do for you.

Thanks for the offer! Its #0 shutter sized, I should get the Shen this Friday and take a few weeks to get used to it, but I would like to see what yours would do on it.
Can you tell me if their are any clubs in the area for LF users or just plane photography?

sgelb

18-May-2011, 11:19

nick. get a top quality crown graphic.. not a ton of movements, but very lightweight and folds up very small.. rugged and durable for outdoor shooting..

I would buy to go along with it:

90mm f/8 super angulon
150mm f/5.6 symmar
210mm docter germinar

3 fast inexpensive lenses.
color negative film
black plastic film holders

best of luck!

sg

Kimberly Anderson

20-May-2011, 08:19

I'm not sure if there are any LF clubs in SLC. Plenty of shooters, but not many 'clubs'. I have my own club. There's only one member. We all get together and go out photographing quite often. There is some politics and in-fighting, but all in all it's not a bad group.

nickademusss

20-May-2011, 08:43

There is some politics and in-fighting, but all in all it's not a bad group.

lol, I understand!

some clubs are like that....

nickademusss

27-May-2011, 09:04

I received my Shen Hao 4x5 last week and took a short hike, and got a few shots, here is my favorite from that day, I have to say I am very pleased with the Shen Hao, it seems well built and very ridged, since the bottom is a 1/8" thick plate of aluminum.
Its a good back pack camera I plan to use it for a long time!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickademusss/5763275209/in/photostream

Rick A

31-May-2011, 04:09

Jason Brunner lives in your area. He has several videos out on using LF cameras as well as darkroom processing. These can be found over at Apug in the video section. H e can be contacted through them also, maybe he can point you to a local club.

Andrew O'Neill

31-May-2011, 14:59

Hello Zac, and welcome to the world of LF photography and this great forum!

nickademusss

3-Jun-2011, 13:13

nickademusss

11-Jun-2011, 11:17

I love LF !!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickademusss/5794864616/in/photostream

DJG

11-Jun-2011, 15:49

scm

19-Jun-2011, 00:02

Thanks for the offer! Its #0 shutter sized, I should get the Shen this Friday and take a few weeks to get used to it, but I would like to see what yours would do on it.
Can you tell me if their are any clubs in the area for LF users or just plane photography?

I'm not certain how active they are anymore but the Photographic Print Society (http://ppsslc.wordpress.com/) has been around in the Salt Lake area for many years.

nickademusss

19-Jun-2011, 17:14

Nice shots! How's your Shen Hao working with the 90? I'm thinking of getting a new 4x5, as the widest lens I can really use on my old Bender is a 135mm I have (the bellows don't give me much movement, and I can't even really use an old Angulon 90 on it), and I've been looking at the TZ45-IIB and XPO models. Either that, or maybe a used Sinar F.

I'm in Utah County, by the way. I don't know of any local clubs, but I haven't really looked either.

--Doug

The IIB is the one I have now, the 90 works very well, not much movement though, the bag bellows would be needed. I am just getting started in LF, but I love my Shen Hoa, it is built very well. I also picked up a 210mm, its seems to give great views, its also a no1 shutter so its a heavy lens and the Shen supports it easily.

Thanks for the kins words on my Photo's, LF is so much fun!