Would this be a good starter 4x5?

[fireman32]

Looking for some advice. I see this on Ebay and was wondering if this would be a good starter view camera for the price or do I need to keep looking. Thanks in advance

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOYO-4x5-Vie...item33a2e97cb0

[Kevin Crisp]

If under $400, then I'd say sure, considering you're getting a lens and film holders too. But only if you definitely want to go with a monorail camera, which is less compact and more trouble to carry around though lots of people do. If you're thinking you'll be well away from your car, then a "starter" you can spend a career with would be more like a Tachihara aka Woodcraft or Zone VI or Wisner or a Chinese folding camera. Would run more like $500-$600 for the camera. Lenses are cheap these days. A 150mm lens is a good all round lens to start with.

You'll still need a meter, dark cloth or t shirt, tripod, cable release and a loupe.

[fireman32]

Thanks Kevin. I have the meter and tripod so a loupe and cable release will be easy to obtain. I still have a day on the auction so I dont have to decide right away

[Jac@stafford.net]

Sure it would be good. It is a fine lens and camera. If you plan to schlep it through the woods is something you might research. In my experience single-rail cameras are a pain.

Good luck!

[Kevin Crisp]

I've seen the cameras go as low as $200 or so. The lens is worth $175 easy.

[cikaziva]

prices are low today. this is my camera that i have for sale. perfect starter kit but i dont know if its in your price range.

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...-outfitted-Kit

i had to offers one ant 250$ and one at 300$ i dont understand this! i know that there is a lot cameras out there but somehow its a given that anyone can pick up monorail for next to nothing today. My Sinar is worth 4 boxses of 4x5 Velvina today!
when i look at it like this i get depressed

[Bill_1856]

Excellent starter, and good company selling it. Go for it.

[fishbulb]

Nikon makes good lenses, and if you get it for less than $400 that's pretty good. $200 lens, $150 camera, $50 film holders. 150mm is a good focal length as an all-arounder. It's about equivalent to a 40-50mm on 35mm, depending on how you do the math.

[fishbulb]

prices are low today. this is my camera that i have for sale. perfect starter kit but i dont know if its in your price range.

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...-outfitted-Kit

i had to offers one ant 250$ and one at 300$ i dont understand this! i know that there is a lot cameras out there but somehow its a given that anyone can pick up monorail for next to nothing today. My Sinar is worth 4 boxses of 4x5 Velvina today!
when i look at it like this i get depressed

This is the problem with this forum's for sale rule, where new members, who are most likely to be interested in that setup, can't access the for sale forum for 30 days. So, like me, they buy on eBay or locally. It is a real disservice to members and I'm surprised there hasn't been a mutiny. Sell that kit on craigslist or eBay and you'll get it sold easily.

[David Lobato]

My first 4x5 was a Toyo 45E just like that one. I learned a lot about LF with the camera. Good price too, with lens and film holders.