View or Field Camera? On which type did you start?

[Emmanuel BIGLER]

I'm an amateur and I started with a used Arca Swiss 6x9 F-line compact monorail camera. Some day I'll upgrade to the 9x12-4"x5" International back + tapered bellows, something close to the so-called 'view-field' 6x9-4"x5" configuration. So following this route (thanks to this forum) I'll hopefully escape from the "trap" of purchasing a 4"x5" wooden field camera as a beginner's camera ;-)

[David Karp]

My first 4x5 was a Calumet 45NX, although I had a very little bit of prior experience playing with a Sinar P2 and a Toyo 45C. Next, I picked up a Cambo 45SF, which uses my 45NX accessories. In between the two, I was given a Crown Graphic, which I did not use until after grabbing the 45SF.