New to 5x4 photography

Hello Pete,
I suggest getting a hold of a copy of Steve Simmons Using The View Camera and reading it before spending money. It will explain the various piecesof gear and what it is for, and serve as a primer.
Cheers!

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Originally Posted by Brian C. Miller

Check this thread (link) for a YouTube channel for novice LF photographers. There are a number of YouTube videos on large format cameras.

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The link is dead. Do you know if the videos are available somewhere else?

Maybe confusing is the wrong word, I suppose my Polaroid Land camera is similar, you move the bellows backwards and forwards to focus, set the apeture, prime the shutter and then shoot! I understand that I need a lens board, shutter aperatus and lens, maybe a loupe, I understand that I would need a lens board with a hole the right size for the lens. I guess what I need guidance on is what's a good general purpose lens, Do I need to get a lens board specifically for the camera type I buy or are they all interchangable, that will do for the moment! thanks for any help, not brought anything yet, trying to get a feel for what is a good price and get the best for the cash I have, I will probablly get the camera without lens assembly to start with.
Thanks John, I'll look the book up on amazon.
Ta

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Originally Posted by petebolt

I understand that I need a lens board, shutter aperatus and lens

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Most modern lenses will come mounted in the appropriate shutter, most commonly a Copal these days, older lenses in Compurs or Prontors. If you opt for something more esoteric like an ancient brass lens then you'll have to engineer an adapter for mounting into a shutter.

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Originally Posted by petebolt

I understand that I would need a lens board with a hole the right size for the lens.

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With a lens mounted into a Copal shutter you'll require a lensboard with the corresponding hole to match the size of your Copal shutter - Copal 0, 1, or 3. Similarly with other shutters. Often lenses are sold installed on a lensboard.

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Originally Posted by petebolt

Do I need to get a lens board specifically for the camera type I buy or are they all interchangable,

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Various manufacturers share the same sized lensboards - e.g. Ebony, Toyo, Horseman, Linhof share the same size. Sinar lensboards are larger.

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Originally Posted by petebolt

I guess what I need guidance on is what's a good general purpose lens

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You need to specify the subject matter which you intend to specialise in. A good 'general purpose' lens will have different characteristics for landscape, architecture, portraiture, macro work etc

Rob