cheap large format

[Iga]

Hi ! You can get old grey Calumet 4x5 monorail for $80 - 100. Great camera to start with. $100 - 150 used 150mm lens. Black t-shirt, a pair of holders, Foma film... Yes, it could be cheap.
Igor.

[the beginner]

thanks for all you input

i have a kodak no.1a but dont think that will be good for lanscape use

i will have a look for the camera you said.



the beginner

[the beginner]

i have seen this one but looks to good to be true
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Calumet-4x5-Mo...item3efbbeb871


the beginner

[Joanna Carter]

i have seen this one but looks to good to be true

1. The reserve price hasn't been met yet, that is just an early bid.

2. The camera is in the U.S.A., that means you will have to pay shipping (likely to be around £30), import duty (6,5%) VAT (17,5%) and customs collection fee (£10-20)

Whereabouts are you in the UK? Have you thought of joining us in the UKLFPG ?

[the beginner]

i will join and post the same question, i did not know if this was a uk or us forum



the beginner

[ret wisner]

foma 8x10 100 asa 65 euro (50 sheets)
developer rodinal 10 euro (200 sheets + dev)
fixer 5 euro for 1 litre
foma fibre 12x16 - 45 euro (50 sheets)
three trays 10 euro

thats as cheap as you can be in 8x10

[Kirk Fry]

Try to find a whole kit with a CC400 calumet (like the one in the picture). It is all the OTHER stuff that is expensive.
If you do a hybrid approach you can scan your B and W negatives and send the digital files off for printing at whatever size. I use Costco for prints. KFry

You can develop B and W in your very dark (black) bathroom in 5X7 pans very cheaply. KFry

[DeBone75]

Can you get in to the hobby for what you want to spend, almost. If you aren't in a big rush you can find a complete kit for what you are looking to spend. Sometimes even with the film, but be patient. As far as developing it will be about that much again if you want to enlarge. If you want to do just contacts then it will be about 1/2 or a 1/3. I bought a 5X7 Burke and James with lens holders and case plus a few odds and ends for $160.00. It is my every day user and I love it. I bought all my darkroom stuff except enlargers from a guy going out of business for about $120.00. This included enough raw chemicals to make what ever formulas I want for the rest of my life. Watch for auctions in your area. Like I said be patient. With so many people getting out of film there are good deals out there.

[john collins]

I'm with Steve. Would you consider using a rollfilm camera in place of the large format?
You will come out ahead in terms of cost - there is a learning curve to this...

[John NYC]

I certainly don't want the OP to take my earlier comments about costs as negative or discouraging. I definitely think if you have the urge to try large format, you should. It is frustratingly wonderful. It's just that to do it well, you will find out it is a bit of a money pit compared to buying an old medium format roll film camera as some have suggested. Best to know that going in. I didn't really do the calcs beforehand myself.