Hello from Manchester UK

[wriggles]

Hi.. I really appreciate the chance to participate in such a great forum.. A random search for lightweight 4x5 lenses brought me to this neck of the woods..

I'm based in Manchester UK. I first shot film back in the 80's.. mostly 35mm.. unfortunately.. kids and life got in the way.. and I didn't pick up another film camera until fairly recently..

I think like most photographers... we turn to gear when our creativity or motivation takes a dive.. I got sick of trigger happy DSLR's and jumped to a Fuji GFX system to try and slow down and rekindle some love for this hobby.. needless to say the GFX didn't do anything for my passion.. just put a very large hole in my bank balance.. lol... and so I turn to film, my first true love.

I've been shooting with a Pentax 645NII and have really enjoyed the camera.. It's a beast of a thing and isn't too friendly for backpacking.. I've been considering other MF options for field use... but find myself itching for LF. So.. here I am.. building a small field system to get me started.. Toyo 45CF, Kodak Extar 203, Congo 90mm. It's a mixed old bag.. granted.. but it's super light and super cheap.. I'll be adding a lightweight standard lens when something pops up on my radar.. buying LF lenses in the UK is somewhat limited.

What do I like to shoot... anything.. I'm a huge Raymond Moore & Fay Godwin fan.. I like landscape... but not the postcard vista stuff all over Youtube..

Anyhow.. enough waffle.. My name is Steve... nice to meet you..

[Tin Can]

Welcome!

[mpirie]

Welcome Steve.

You're right, equipment choices in the UK are more limited than in the US, but keeping an eye out and patience will get you what you need.

There are dealers in the UK that can provide almost everything you need or there's always forum classifieds and the auction site.

Mike

[CreationBear]

Excellent, it seems as if you ought to have both Snowdonia and the Peak District in your backyard. (Big fan of John Blakemore's work down in Ambergate, here.)

Of course, Americans can have a different understanding of distance than y'all--I must have talked 30 minutes to a customs guy there in Manchester who happened to be the world's biggest Elvis fan and who seemed thrilled to meet a bloke from Tennessee. Didn't have the heart to tell him that he no doubt lived closer to, say, Aberdeen, than I did from Graceland...

[wriggles]

Yes I have some great places to visit within an hours drive... (weather and crowds permitting) Blakemores work is very unique.. I must admit.. I haven't seen a lot of his work..
I was fortunate to work and travel around the states about 20yrs ago.. It's hard to grasp the scale until you actual visit... we're so used to being few hours drive from anywhere in the UK.

Excellent, it seems as if you ought to have both Snowdonia and the Peak District in your backyard. (Big fan of John Blakemore's work down in Ambergate, here.)

Of course, Americans can have a different understanding of distance than y'all--I must have talked 30 minutes to a customs guy there in Manchester who happened to be the world's biggest Elvis fan and who seemed thrilled to meet a bloke from Tennessee. Didn't have the heart to tell him that he no doubt lived closer to, say, Aberdeen, than I did from Graceland...

[Ironage]

Welcome to the forum. Love the little 203mm on my camera.

[John Kasaian]

Welcome aboard Steve!
The 203mm Ektar should be a fine lens.
You're in for quite an adventure

[Ulophot]

Glad you're here! It's a great place to be for serious photographers of any stripe. Godwin's and Moore's work differ considerably in style and content; we'll be interested to see what you come up with.

LF is a learning journey, and this forum offers a vast range of expertise on which to draw.

[wriggles]

Thanks for the warm welcome..


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ajmiller]

Hello from North Yorkshire. Godwin and Moore fan here too. Used to live in Salford (often going to Peak District to photograph) before heading back here where I was brought up.