Selecting and finding a camera

[Chris Richards]

Hi Everyone,
I'm an experienced photographer, but I've never used large format. Next year I want to make a family album for my wife's family, especially her parents, who are in their mid eighties. I would like to make black and white portraits, and to try out large format for the purpose.
I don't know whether I'll continue with large format afterwards, so I don't want to invest too much. I do have access to a 5 x 4 enlarger, and have the skills to use it.
I would be grateful for your advice as to the most appropriate equipment, and where I can find it.

By the way, I live in France.

Thanks!

Chris

[Jim Noel]

Since you are looking for a 5x4 I suspect you are in Britain.
For family portraits you don't really need an expensive camera. A good old flat bed, wooden camera serves the purpose very well. I have far too many cameras, but I use an old un-named flat bed 5x7 for such things. I am not familiar with brands or sources in other parts of the world, but I am sure someone will kick in with those suggestions. Lenses are similar. For portraits I do not like newer sharp cutoff lenses, but prefer older ones which produce more modeling of features, and are considerably less expensive.
Jim

[E. von Hoegh]

An inexpensive Cambo monorail, a 210mm Plasmat - type lens, tripod, trays to develop,filmholders and you're good to go. Others will chime in with more detailed reccomendations, but that's about the size of it. With any luck at all, you'll be able to sell the equipment for what you paid for it. Good luck.

[Steven Tribe]

Interesting project!
I would go to a tailback french chambre de voyage or a german reisekamera. Choose either a 13x18 or 18x24 size. The camera doesn't have to have many movements.
Easy with dozens of contacts prints for multiple family members . This would be a type of camera they remember their parents/grandparents owning. Perhaps with an appropriate Goerz Dagor lens?
You might be able to loan a set (minus tripod) from someone here (with suitable security deposit!)?

[unixrevolution]

An inexpensive Cambo monorail, a 210mm Plasmat - type lens, tripod, trays to develop,filmholders and you're good to go. Others will chime in with more detailed reccomendations, but that's about the size of it. With any luck at all, you'll be able to sell the equipment for what you paid for it. Good luck.

This is truth.

Cambo, Calumet, and Toyo monorails on the used market are the screaming, jumping-up-and-down bargain of the 4x5 world nowadays. Not far behind are the Graflex Speed/Super/Super Speed/Century/Anniversary/Top-Handle Speed/Anniversary/Pacemaker Graphic cameras. I should know, I have one of each.

[Steve Smith]

Since you are looking for a 5x4 I suspect you are in Britain

Close.

By the way, I live in France.

Steve.

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I do have access to a 5 x 4 enlarger, and have the skills to use it.
By the way, I live in France.

Since you are on the continent you might get lucky in acquiring a 9 x 12 cm camera which is very close to 4" x 5". There are quite some older French and certainly German cameras to choose from in the 9 x 12 format, and as I just recently discovered, there is still b&w and color film for that format you can acquire in Europe. If lucky the camera comes with a nice set of double film holders. Because you are mainly interested in using this camera for portraits, you don't need one of the more advanced technical cameras mentioned above since you don't need all possible adjustments they can provide.

[Paul Fitzgerald]

"I don't know whether I'll continue with large format afterwards, so I don't want to invest too much."

Not to worry, if you keep it clean you can resell it at the same price.

Caution: 4x5 IS a gateway drug, you can get addicted.

the 'Mod Photo" insert from England for a Paterson 3 reel tank is the easiest way to develope 4X5, just google or check eBay.

[Chris Richards]

Thanks for all the replies and useful info. My local dealer has an MPP Mk 8 for sale, in nice condition. Would this be appropriate to my project ?

The camera is body only, and he tells me the lens board is copal 0. If I wanted to fit, say a 210mm lens, would this fit ? If not, would it be possible to find the lens board necessary?

Cheers

Chris

[ghe67]

HI Chris, the MPP MKVIII is a beautiful camera, just a step under the Linhof in my opinion..and it would be a great camera to shoot portraits.
Yes, the lens board for the MPP are available from specialist and on ebay, just for curiosity, how much is the request for the camera?
Ciao
Giorgio