Just got a view camera

[Zach In Israel]

A friend just gave me a Sinar Camera (Not 100% sure which actual model it is). I've only recently gotten into photography and these friends have been giving me quite a bit of equipment, (so far a Rollei TLR, a Pentax K-1000 and a Bogen 3036 tripod, in addition to this view camera).

While he did give me the camera, it did not include a lens, so I need to get one.

So my challenge now is to find a lens (and some film holders) for this. Right now I've mostly been shooting landscapes. Any ideas on lens choice, it has to cover 4x5, and pass muster with my wife (In terms of budget).


FWIW this will be my first time using a view camera.

[Ash]

Wow!! If only my friends were that generous!!

Good luck with the kit. Rollei TLR's are brilliant, and Sinars are meant to be pretty good.

I recently posted a thread on a modification to a Cambo monorail camera - you may want to look into that if your budget is low. It involves really old barrrel lenses that are usually cheaper, and also one old shutter (but they're still available new).

If you have a big budget then you may want to look at the new lenses that have built in shutters. I could never afford it though. Check ebay for film holders

[Zach In Israel]

Wow!! If only my friends were that generous!!

Good luck with the kit. Rollei TLR's are brilliant, and Sinars are meant to be pretty good.

The Rollei is great, I love it. I expect that it will continue to be my main camera, just because it is small enough that I can carry it with me and is a total joy to use. I can also use it hand held, and mostly do. I need to get a smaller tripod for it for when I want to do something that the Bogen would be overkill for, but that i don't want to hand hold.

The Sinar seems pretty solid, I had it up on the tripod in my office to try and figure out the various dials etc.

As for why they are giving me all this stuff, they are an elderly couple who don't really have anyone else to leave stuff to. (Their daughter has downs) and I think they don't want it to go to a total stranger.

[Ash]

That's really sad about their daughter. But at least you are both profiting. You could do some really nice portraits for them, with the cameras they have given you - that way they can see you making use of the gift, and they have something pleasant in return.

Get a low neck strap, so the Rollei (I'm guessing Rolleiflex? or did you get a Rolleicord?) sits aroung belly-height. You can use a cable release and it stops camera shake from pressing the shutter with it held in your hand. I used my rolleicord for some long exposures on a tripod, but otherwise I keep it in-hand.

Edit - look into getting a monopod for the TLR. They're pretty handy for that stable touch but without the bulk of a tripod

[steve simmons]

Sinar has a how-to book on large format that shows how to use their cameras. Try and find a copy.

There are several articles that might be helpful to you in the Free Articles section of the View Camera web site


www.viewcamera.com


steve simmons

[Ralph Barker]

Welcome to the world of large format, Zach.

There are several ways to approach selection of your first lens:

1. choose a focal length generally "equivalent" to what you are using on a smaller format. For example, if you shoot with a 50mm lens on 35mm, a 150mm lens on 4x5 would be close. If you prefer a slightly-wide lens on 35mm, then something in the 125-135mm range on 4x5 might be better than a 150mm. Because of the difference in aspect ratios between formats, "equivalent" focal lengths can be misleading.

2. try walking around with a framing aid doing "air photos" to get an idea of what you like in the 4x5 format (see attachment, the knots are tied at standard focal lengths, and held to the face while looking through the cut-out).

3. buy something "standard" (e.g. 150mm) and add to that as time goes by (note that this approach may have additional "spousal repercussions" ).

Research, of course, helps with understanding the choices. The "LF Home Page" link in the blue navigtion bar takes you to the home page here, where you'll find various articles about the basics of LF, along with comparison charts of many lenses.

[David Karp]

I don't know what the availability of used lenses is for you locally. If you need to go overseas, I recommend Jim Andracki at Midwest Photo Exchange in Ohio for used equipment. He has used lenses that he will sell you for very reasonable prices. In my experience, no matter how he describes them, they look like new. Very honest as well.

Hard to know what lens to start with. Even if you like wide angles in smaller formats, you might not like them in LF. Probably the most common lens people start with is a 210mm. One of the benefits of starting with a 210 or 150 is that there are so many of them out there, the prices for used lenses in these focal lengths are very reasonable.

My recommendation is to start with a used 210 or 150 to get your feet wet. Any modern lens from Fuji, Nikon, Rodenstock or Schneider is likely to be an outstanding optic if it was well maintained. Use your first lens to learn and figure out what you like. If you are like most of the rest of us, it will be like crack, and you will be addicted to LF.

[Vaughn]

Congrats on getting the equipment and welcome to the world of large format!

I will second David's suggestion of a lens between 150mm and 210mm to start with. Also look for Caltars lenses -- quality lenses made by Rodenstock and Schneider...they just have the Caltar name on them. They are usually much less expensive.

I also own a Rollei TLR -- great cameras!

Vaughn

[steve simmons]

There are several generic books on large format. By generic I mean not specific to Sinar which does have a unque focusing system.

User's Guide to the View Camera by Jim Stone
Using the View Camera that I wrote

But I would suggest the Sinar book because it will be the most specific to the camera you have.

As to specific lenses I would read the articles on the View Camera web site, There is an article on getting started and a lens focal length comparison chart that will be helpful.

If you will be shooting transparencies to give to a client then you should probaby stay with one brand of lens. If not then you can generally mix and matchbrand names to get the focallengths and sizes you want. Don't get caught up in the brandX vs brand y
debates that sometimes go on. Any multicoated lens made in the last 20 years will do fine.

steve simmons
www.viewcamera.com

[Enrico Faini]

as others have said any multicoated lens in a modern shutter from one of the big four will be an excellent choice