Books and other educational resources for large format beginners

**Wishegan** · 31-Mar-2022, 15:10

Originally Posted by Sal Santamaura

+a googolplex

Then, after digesting that (written by a real expert), perhaps reading the books several times, search the archive here. There's not much that hasn't been covered extensively at this Web sit over the last quarter century or so.

Maybe a paragraph explaining how to search - each time I do it, I get hundreds of matches and 99% have nothing to do with the reason I searched.

**r.e.** · 31-Mar-2022, 16:02

There's a pinned thread at the top of the Resources sub-forum called Large Format Channels on YouTube. The channels are listed in post #1. A number of them make videos that are helpful for beginners.

**Wishegan** · 31-Mar-2022, 16:11

Originally Posted by r.e.

There's a pinned thread at the top of the Resources sub-forum called Large Format Channels on YouTube. The channels are listed in post #1. A number of them make videos that are helpful for beginners.

Thanks! Will watch.

**Sal Santamaura** · 31-Mar-2022, 16:29

Originally Posted by Wishegan

Maybe a paragraph explaining how to search - each time I do it, I get hundreds of matches and 99% have nothing to do with the reason I searched.

Use your search engine of choice (Google, DuckDuckGo, etc.). Search terms as follows:

site:largeformatphotography.info subject of interest

The subject of interest can be one word, multiple related words or an exact phrase. If an exact phrase, put quotation marks around it in the search terms. Specificity of results is usually a reflection of the search terms' degree of specificity.

I'm often amused when looking for something that way I end up directed to an old post of mine here.

**sharktooth** · 31-Mar-2022, 17:07

Expanding on what Sal said, here's how to get a Google search of this Large Format Photography site.

Click on this link, and then bookmark it. https://www.google.ca/search?num=25&...otography.info

In the Google search page opened from the link, change the hash marks (######) to your search query phrase, and then click on the search magnifier symbol at the right end of the search bar to execute the search.

**Dan Fromm** · 31-Mar-2022, 17:26

Hmm. The approach suggested in post #15 above is one way to get better-focused searches on any site.

Here's another way to use Google that allows even better control of the search. Use Google advanced search. https://www.google.com/advanced_search After you're in, go to the bottom of the page and click on Customize your search settings. My preferred settings are 100 results/page. Move the slider. And Open each selected result in a new browser window. Click the box. The save the settings, go through the googlish security nonsense and set up your search.

Since few beginners start out by reading anything on the site, sharktooth's suggestion and mine, which is in "the list," are both fine examples of pissing into the wind.

I agree with the importance of reading. But and however when I've suggested this to beginners I've usually got pushback to the effect of "just answer my question", "I don't learn by reading," and naked insults.

Every poster in this thread is pissing in the wind, me included. Also preaching to the choir. The real problem is getting heathens to pay attention to sermons.

**BrianShaw** · 31-Mar-2022, 17:28

No wonder some folks just ask questions, and some even refusing to believe correct answers!

**Drew Wiley** · 31-Mar-2022, 17:56

If you're specifically interested in Sinar, they had excellent well-illustrated user manuals, mainly studio-oriented, of course, just like their flagship P series cameras. And they had a supplemental "Sinar Code" - basically a catalog of their huge selection of options and accessories of any particular era. I personally have a fair number of interchangeable P and F components, but was out in the hills this afternoon with my very favorite Sinar series, the classic ole Norma.

Stroebel's book served me well when I first started out. Of course, the selection of cameras in the spec section is now largely obsolete per current products, but still helpful if you are thinking about something used.