I have spent weeks baffling about what to do
I have been using a medium format camera system a Bronica SQAI 6x6 to shoot interiors.Mainly homes. My work has appeared in magazines like House & Garden and Dwell. Ive used my camera to its limits.Im a freelancer and mainly my work is self financed which means laying out film costs and scanning costs which i try to keep to a minimum. The first issue I have with 5x4 is the film is expensive and I thought the only way to finance projects would be to shoot roll film unless commissioned.
I am British living in Sweden shooting architectural homes and have wondered if a field camera would hold too many restrictions for me.
My aim is to move on to shooting exteriors and interiors of large architectural buildings so I would think a monorail view camera would be more appropriate.
I looked at a Sinar F1 and SinarP2 and realised the construction of the P2 was robust and strong...however a studio based camera based on the weight..
Sometimes I shoot long exposures of 10mins-1hr and am worried about the wind moving my camera and also I shoot in the rain and snow so interested on opinions of shooting in these conditions.
I want to buy a 5x4 kit on the web, however I find all the people i phoneup to speak with unfriendly and patronising and always in a hurry.
So I have held off from buying anything.
wide angle and standard lenses are what i need ive been used to using 40mm+80mm lenses on my 6x6 so I guess thats like buying in 5x4 terms a 65 or 75 lens and a 150 lens.
I am also worried about the whole composing the image whilst being upside down ..however Ive been told i need a bino reflex for this and it will flip the image.
I have looked through this site and read articles however it still does not help me make any decision as to which camera i need.I phoned up Mrcad in the UK which say they ship all the Sinars to BHphoto in the US.They said that the Norma was abetter camera than the Sinar.But got angry i asked questions so I need help..
good suggestions and any suggestions about Sinars or Swiss Arca any camera system I dont mind. I dont want money to be an issue as this will be a system that I will have for years. I bought a Bronica years ago and it has been great for what i needed it for but it never had shift lenses and used a spirit level on my tripod to keep parrallels.So i dont want to compromise any more however the P2 system i know is too heavy
this kit below I picked up on myself is what i need to get going
F1 Sinar ground glass screen polaroid back standard lens/150 1 wide angle lens 65 or 75 lens bino reflex monorail bag bellows a couple of dark slides 6x9 roll back dark cloth
I dont know why if id be better getting Sinar F or F1 or F2 or any other camera.
Please can any interior + architectural photographers enlighten me as I dont have anyone to ask who i can get advice from
I look forward to your responses
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