My son will attend New England School of Photography in Boston in the fall and w as told he needed a 4x5 format camera. Any suggestions on what is appropriate as a student camera? Thanks.
My son will attend New England School of Photography in Boston in the fall and w as told he needed a 4x5 format camera. Any suggestions on what is appropriate as a student camera? Thanks.
Something cheap. Best way to learn how to use the 4x5 camera. He will also get to sample a lot of cameras while at school and will find one he likes to use. The place to spend any money would be on the lens this can be remounted on an type of lens board. If you want to help your son education buy a camera with bad bellows and let him figure out what is wrong and how to perform the cheap fix to keep the camera working.
Richard T Ritter
www.lg4mat.net
The Linhof Karda M on the school program is $895.00. This is a full featured all metal monorail camera.
Dealers like EP Levine, WB Hunt in the Boston area can help you with student programs.
there are similar savings on Rodenstock lenses, Heliopan filters, etc.
Graflex Super Graphic with a 120mm Osaka lens- about $250-300 for the camera (used), $350-400 the lens (new).
I don't think its a good idea to get your son a camera with a bad bellows. He will have enough to learn without starting with a problem camera. There are dozens of old 4x5 press cameras that come up for sale on E-bay. You can get one such as a Speed Graphic or Crown Graphic in good shape for around $300 with a lens. This is where I would start unless the school specifically requires a monorail type 4x5 or something with larger amounts of movements.
I would think that the school would specify what type of camera they wanted...i.e. field or monorail. It's going to make a huge difference in what type of photography he can study. Personally, I'd say to go with a monorail, and would steer clear of the bargain cameras like speed graphics etc. The Linhof is a good deal, but even something like a Calumet/Cambo 45N, Cadet, or the entry level Toyo would work as well.When I was in college we had to use basic Calumet CC cameras, and later on got into Sinar Alpinas. But it depends on what the courses are like. If it has any studio shooting, or architectural work, he's going to need a monorail with full movements.
If they are recommending a monorail camera: the Arca-Swiss Discovery (base tilts) or the beginner level Toyo make good starting cameras. There is also the Calumet Cadet, another fine starter camera.
i dont think you can beat a good used cambo/calumet 45NX. my apprentice just picked one up for $500. she got a schneider 135/5.6 for $250, and a bogen 3021 w/3047 head for $150. the older crown and speed graphics are great cameras, but for learning, i would recommend something that has good, full movements and more flexibility.
If money is a problem, get a used Graphic View 2 with the Graflock back. For a lens get a clean, used Kodak 203mm f7.7 Ektar in supermatic shutter. Suggest that you buy it from a photo dealer who will provide a warrenty, rather than over eBay. He will also need a tripod and half a dozen cut film holders. And good luck to the young man.
Consider EBay as a place to purchase your camera. They always have loads of cameras in their large format section. When bidding, I always like to make sure that the seller has at least 50 or more, upwards to a couple of hundred feedbacks, and no negatives. (Or, check any negatives carefully to make sure that you're not taking a chance.)
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