First Large Format Camera

[lowleft]

I am finally getting around to selecting a LF camera but don't want to spend too much it case it turns out it's not for me. I have been searching for a decent Speed/Crown Graphic but most in good condition aren't much cheaper than a new Intrepid 4x5. I'm looking at doing some random street stuff (not my strong suit but it's fun sometimes) and landscape/middle of nowhere abandoned roads type stuff. I might have to haul it around a bit, but not too far.

1. Is it worth sticking with a field camera if I'm not going more than a mile on foot?

2. There's an Omega 45D locally, how do those usually hold up?

3. My tripod is the Promaster XC-M 528CK, would this be sturdy enough for a monorail 4x5?

4. The 3D printed 4x5 cameras are definitely interesting but unsure how well they actually hold up. Does anyone have experience with these?

 

[mshchem]

What's your street photography plans?

 

[lowleft]

What's your street photography plans?

Nothing in particular, the cliche gas station at night, old pay phones, abandoned buildings/cars, maybe some classic car meets as well.

 

[AnselMortensen]

Intrepid cameras seem to have a reputation for being fiddly, and not locking down the front standard securely.
A Crown/Speed Graphic is more robust/ heavier, and set up more quickly.

Omega 45D is a monorail & doesn't fold up compactly. The bellows are notorious for pinholes.

 

[lowleft]

Intrepid cameras seem to have a reputation for being fiddly, and not locking down the front standard securely.
A Crown/Speed Graphic is more robust/ heavier, and set up more quickly.

Omega 45D is a monorail & doesn't fold up compactly. The bellows are notorious for pinholes.

I know the Omega has fixed bellows, are they easy to replace? It is at a local shop, I can confirm the bellows are good but I'm sure I can make a better deal if they need replacement.

 

[Kino]

You can usually get a complete Crown/Speed Graphic kit with a lens, holders and maybe even a roll film back for about the cost of a Intrepid body alone.

An added bonus is that you can always resell it fairly easy if it doesn't turn out to be what you want.

A monorail is very fiddly for most and not a great camera for use in public spaces where tripods are frowned upon.

 

[lowleft]

You can usually get a complete Crown/Speed Graphic kit with a lens, holders and maybe even a roll film back for about the cost of a Intrepid body alone.

An added bonus is that you can always resell it fairly easy if it doesn't turn out to be what you want.

A monorail is very fiddly for most and not a great camera for use in public spaces where tripods are frowned upon.

Yeah I've been hopeful for a Graphic kit with a roll film back, that would be a lot of fun with the panoramic stuff.

 

[mshchem]

Why not medium format?
If you're determined to get a 4x5 I would try and find a Crown with original lens and a functional rangefinder. Can be used on tripod or handheld

 

[tcolgate]

The intrepid is very light. If you're walking around that makes a difference. You might find one second hand too. The handling isn't great though, especially getting the front standard straight and keeping it there.
A new one won't hold it's value though. And a crown graphic might be less likely to give you frustrations that the intrepid can present.

 

[AnselMortensen]

I know the Omega has fixed bellows, are they easy to replace? It is at a local shop, I can confirm the bellows are good but I'm sure I can make a better deal if they need replacement.

Not particularly easy to replace, they're glued to the frames.
If you get the inexpensive bellows from Asia, you have to glue them.
If you get bellows from UK, you need to send them your bellows for replacement.

 

[lowleft]

Why not medium format?
If you're determined to get a 4x5 I would try and find a Crown with original lens and a functional rangefinder. Can be used on tripod or handheld

I already shoot medium format, using a Bronica GS-1 currently. Ideally once I'm familiar with large format I'd like to try dry plates.

 

[lowleft]

Not particularly easy to replace, they're glued to the frames.
If you get the inexpensive bellows from Asia, you have to glue them.
If you get bellows from UK, you need to send them your bellows for replacement.

Ok that's really good to know! Thanks for the heads up. I don't mind a bit of a project, but that might be more than what it's worth if it's not in good condition already.

 

[lowleft]

The intrepid is very light. If you're walking around that makes a difference. You might find one second hand too. The handling isn't great though, especially getting the front standard straight and keeping it there.
A new one won't hold it's value though. And a crown graphic might be less likely to give you frustrations that the intrepid can present.

Yeah I figured they'd loose value faster than a Graphic. There's a few local to me but they are super clapped out and just falling apart while asking a premium price for them unfortunately. Been looking for a deal online.

 

[Rick A]

Here's someone's take on the Intrepid.

Moving on from Frustrating 4x5

I need to move on from my Intrepid because it's sucking the life out of me. Among other things, the lack of detents and the fact the front standard doesn't stay put no matter how tight you turn the screws...I'm just not getting along with it. I spend more time using a bubble level to make sure...

www.largeformatphotography.info

 

[lowleft]

Here's someone's take on the Intrepid.

Moving on from Frustrating 4x5

I need to move on from my Intrepid because it's sucking the life out of me. Among other things, the lack of detents and the fact the front standard doesn't stay put no matter how tight you turn the screws...I'm just not getting along with it. I spend more time using a bubble level to make sure...

www.largeformatphotography.info

I know they've gone through a lot of iterations on that, wonder which one they have and if it's been fixed on the more recent offering. Good to know though.

 

[IpseLux]

Ken Rockwell of internet fame does a lot of his fine art and landscape photography with his large format. I believe it is a 4”x5”. You may want to google his advice on the matter. I know giving photography advice, especially on equipment is his thing.
I only shoot 35mm and medium format, and the latter does everything I need film to do, except perspective control, but from what you describe your interests to be, particularly street photography and gas stations, the Crown would be my most sensible choice.
If you wanted to do plates, maybe renting a few different cameras on weekends might point you in the right direction.
Large format equipment in the used market is very reasonably priced. Folks nowadays prefer digital formats.
Any how, good luck.
Post your choices, and when you can, your images. Would love to see them.
Kind regards.

 

[blee1996]

I started with a Crown Graphic many years ago, and many cameras later I still think a press camera was a good starting point. It is limited in movement, but really gets you started without too much fuss. Since you talked about street and outdoor landscape, I will try to avoid monorail for the time being. They will come later, when you really have the need.

Any press camera will do, even very old Graflex Press, Speed, Buschman Press, Linhof (I/II/III), MPP. Ideally you can find a local deal that includes everything for you to get started (camera, lens, film holders, etc).

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have a Pacemaker Speed Graphic because it can be used as a hand held camera as well as a field camera. The focal plane shutter is a great alternative from the lens shutter.

 

[torleif]

I have had my Intrepid 4x5 MkV since late 2022. Even though it is not the most elegant camera out there, it has never failed me. The only thing I have done with it is to rub the underside of the clamp for the front standard so that it is more firmly fixed to the bottom plate without the use of too much force on the fixing bolt. I do not use very heavy lenses. A fuji 250mm, f 6.3, being the largest.

 

[tcolgate]

I have had my Intrepid 4x5 MkV since late 2022. Even though it is not the most elegant camera out there, it has never failed me. The only thing I have done with it is to rub the underside of the clamp for the front standard so that it is more firmly fixed to the bottom plate without the use of too much force on the fixing bolt. I do not use very heavy lenses. A fuji 250mm, f 6.3, being the largest.

That sounds like a good idea, just with a rough sand paper?

 

[Ian Grant]

I started with a Crown Graphic many years ago, and many cameras later I still think a press camera was a good starting point. It is limited in movement, but really gets you started without too much fuss. Since you talked about street and outdoor landscape, I will try to avoid monorail for the time being. They will come later, when you really have the need.

Any press camera will do, even very old Graflex Press, Speed, Buschman Press, Linhof (I/II/III), MPP. Ideally you can find a local deal that includes everything for you to get started (camera, lens, film holders, etc).

I had a Crown Graphic, I bought it in 2007 for hand held work but found the very limited movements frustrating, I'd been shooting LF first with a monorail and then a Wista 45DX from 1987.

By chance, I picked up a cheap Graflex Super Graphic in 2008, while still not the degree of movements of the Wista, still way better than a Crown or Speed Graphic, and enough for my landscape work.

For hand held work the Super Graphic is great, not too heavy, robust, really quick to set up and use. They were later made as Toyo Super Graphic cameras in Japan.

Ian

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

My first LF was a Cambo 4x5 monorail camera. I liked all the movements, but it was a pain setting it all the time, even after a short walk with it. I quickly picked up an old Linhof Tech IV field camera. Wanted to move up to 8x10, so picked up a Canham. Got a 4x5 reducing back for it so that I could continue to take 4x5 when I fancied it. Field cameras are the way to go, especially if you plan to hike a bit.

 

[AnselMortensen]

Nowadays, I personally wouldn't even think of trying to use a Crown/Speed Graphic hand-held using the rangefinder unless it was *known* to be properly set up & calibrated ...many of them have been cobbled together from a mish-mash of parts by well-meaning amateurs since the early 1970's, when the newest ones left the showroom. YMMV.

 

[GregY]

I'd go with any old press camera. I used a 1930s Deardorff 5x7 for years....original bellows and still worked like a charm. A new camera that costs about the same as half a dozen holders and a couple of boxes of film, holds no attraction for me. Intrepid....marketing term for penny wise, pound foolish IMO I don't see longevity as part of its package....

 

[torleif]

That sounds like a good idea, just with a rough sand paper?

Yes - a bit of sand paper and it was done in 5 minutes.