Hi everyone, new to the forum here.
My name is Steffen - I caught 'the bug' about 5 years ago and started off down the digi route, but quickly became interested in film photography, moving from an Olympus 35sp to a Mamiya TLR and now finally an Arax 6x6 modified Kiev 88. While I do enjoy the convenience of digital (I have a couple of the Fuji X cams), working with film provides me with the greatest satisfaction, particularly when printing in the darkroom.
For a long time LF has been beckoning to me and I've ignored the call, but as time goes on I think it's time to make the plunge; hence I'd like a little advice with regards to setting things up. I live in the UK by the way, where it seems the supply of LF gear is not as plentiful as over in the states; perhaps I'm looking in the wrong places.
In terms of shooting, my MF lenses of choice are a 50mm and an 80mm. I've not found the need for a longer (or shorter) lens as yet as my legs have sufficed, while the extreme wide angle doesn't appeal. My subject(s) of choice are landscapes (no architecture for example) I used to live on the south coast but am now in Hampshire where the land is generally flat, with lots of grass- and woodland. Water fascinates me and is usually found in the frame so I look for rivers. Some of my work can be found here:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/10391028...9/photos/p/pub
I don't know too much about view camera movements; while I understand the Scheimpflug principle at a basic level I tend to learn things best by doing them. Tilt and shift effects such as those emulated by Instagrammers are not my thing, so presumably I don't need those movements? Maximising depth of field would be important however.
Would someone be able to advise me with regards to the current LF market in the UK: what sort of budget (roughly) would I be looking at for a camera (5x4/4x5), two lenses (50 & 80mm MF-LF equiv) and a suitable enlarger? Where should I be looking? I'm no pro - I don't need an Ebony or 'the best', but something that works and will make my eyes pop out of my skull when I nailed the light. I'd rather steer clear of the Auction Site if possible.
I've been looking at some of the press cameras so far, but the field cameras like Shen Hao etc look great. New equipment would be out of the question financially I think.
I'd be looking to get the camera first and then the enlarger down the line - I work almost entirely in BW so am happy to process and print in my bathroom. The enlargers I've seen are very expensive though, even second hand on dealers' websites..
The weather in the UK obviously tends to be 'unfortunate' - and can be quite windy - would this affect the ability to use a field camera?
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