4x5 Camera: Where to start?

Tyler Fukuda · Jan 2, 2026

Hey there! -- New to this forum so Hello to everyone!

I apologize in advance if this is a tired question, but i'm looking to delve into the 4x5 system: Mostly to be used for environmental portraiture and the occasional landscape.

I need something that isn't insanely expensive (I know this is relative), but very reliable --Think Nikon F3, Canon F1.

I had my eye on a Cambo SC as it looks fairly straight forward and can be found a decent prices.

Would love to know what everyone has to say or advise. Thank you!

mshchem · Jan 2, 2026

Welcome to Photrio!

I would look for a decent Crown Graphic and see how you like handling sheet film etc.

Chuck1 · Jan 2, 2026

Ditto

xkaes · Jan 2, 2026

You'll get a lot of "this is what I use" type of responses. It's safe to say that most people who shoot large format no longer use the camera that they started out with. To avoid that, I'd suggest you do some research, like getting a book about large format photography which will discuss the various types of large format cameras and there pluses and minuses for different types of photography.

Since you seem familiar with 35mm cameras, it's much the same situation. Do you choose a rangefinder or SLR? What features do you want? Etc.

And in both 35mm and large format some shutterbugs have more than one camera for different situations.

Tyler Fukuda · Jan 2, 2026

mshchem said:
Welcome to Photrio!

I would look for a decent Crown Graphic and see how you like handling sheet film etc.

I've seen quite a few of these for decent prices, I will certainly put it up there for consideration--Thank you!

What about this camera do you recommend?

Daybreak135 · Jan 2, 2026

+1 to crown graphic. You can get one for decently cheap and it will allow for most of beginning large format stuff. That was the camera that introduced me to large format and I loved mine a lot.

One thing of note is that with large format you will need a few extra items (loupe, dark cloth, sheet holders to name a few) to begin. And to load sheet film you need some sort of darkroom or dark bag. So the extras can add up super quick.

Tyler Fukuda · Jan 2, 2026

xkaes said:
You'll get a lot of "this is what I use" type of responses. It's safe to say that most people who shoot large format no longer use the camera that they started out with. To avoid that, I'd suggest you do some research, like getting a book about large format photography which will discuss the various types of large format cameras and there pluses and minuses for different types of photography.

Since you seem familiar with 35mm cameras, it's much the same situation. Do you choose a rangefinder or SLR? What features do you want? Etc.

And in both 35mm and large format some shutterbugs have more than one camera for different situations.

To answer the 35mm question, well I mostly use an FM2 and a Leica M4. Rangefinder is just a lot quicker for me to use and smaller since one less mechanism in the camera (and lenses).

I guess i'm looking for general consensus, but I also understand where the "It depends" answer comes from.

Tyler Fukuda · Jan 2, 2026

Daybreak135 said:
+1 to crown graphic. You can get one for decently cheap and it will allow for most of beginning large format stuff. That was the camera that introduced me to large format and I loved mine a lot.

One thing of note is that with large format you will need a few extra items (loupe, dark cloth, sheet holders to name a few) to begin. And to load sheet film you need some sort of darkroom or dark bag. So the extras can add up super quick.

I own a Harrison film tent because I work a lot with motion picture film, so that is one less item that I can check off my list at least haha

Daybreak135 · Jan 2, 2026

Tyler Fukuda said:
I own a Harrison film tent because I work a lot with motion picture film, so that is one less item that I can check off my list at least haha

That’s great! A lot of the other items you can get for cheapish and most of the time some listings online will come with some film holders so you can get started that way

RalphLambrecht · Jan 2, 2026

Tyler Fukuda said:
Hey there! -- New to this forum so Hello to everyone!

I apologize in advance if this is a tired question, but i'm looking to delve into the 4x5 system: Mostly to be used for environmental portraiture and the occasional landscape.

I need something that isn't insanely expensive (I know this is relative), but very reliable --Think Nikon F3, Canon F1.

I had my eye on a Cambo SC as it looks fairly straight forward and can be found a decent prices.

Would love to know what everyone has to say or advise. Thank you!

the Cambo is more of a studio camera. I would start with ametal fieldcamera,which is∑ay more ortable. for example, look for a Toyo 4x5

Tyler Fukuda · Jan 2, 2026

Daybreak135 said:
That’s great! A lot of the other items you can get for cheapish and most of the time some listings online will come with some film holders so you can get started that way

Okay thank you for the info. I'll begin going down this rabbit hole as i'm fairly excited of new territory.

xkaes · Jan 2, 2026

Tyler Fukuda said:
I guess i'm looking for general consensus, but I also understand where the "It depends" answer comes from.

Consensus? Good luck with that when there are hundreds of different 4x5 cameras in use.

Tyler Fukuda · Jan 2, 2026

RalphLambrecht said:
the Cambo is more of a studio camera. I would start with ametal fieldcamera,which is∑ay more ortable. for example, look for a Toyo 4x5

I briefly looked at the Toyo Field Systems. There seems to be quite a bit of price variation that I imagine is model related. Anything from 300-1500. Are there any you'd recommend on the more affordable end?

Tyler Fukuda · Jan 2, 2026

xkaes said:
Consensus? Good luck with that when there are hundreds of different 4x5 cameras in use.

Sure, this is a different space for me so i'm sort of walking into this blind.

For instance, a lot of people might say "Start with a Canon AE-1 for 35mm" or "RB67 for Medium Format" as they tend to lean slightly more conservative for not only price but flexibility/reliability.

So my hope was maybe this forum had some better info but it seems like the Crown Graphic is a good place to start so thank you to the good people on Photrio for pointing me in the right direction.

Daybreak135 · Jan 2, 2026

Tyler Fukuda said:
I briefly looked at the Toyo Field Systems. There seems to be quite a bit of price variation that I imagine is model related. Anything from 300-1500. Are there any you'd recommend on the more affordable end?

What’s your budget? Because prices can fluctuate a lot based off of what camera you are looking at

Tyler Fukuda · Jan 2, 2026

Daybreak135 said:
What’s your budget? Because prices can fluctuate a lot based off of what camera you are looking at

Since i'm getting into this format, i'm not willing to go all in at the moment so a system contained around 300-500 might be a good place to start for me--If that is possible.

chuckroast · Jan 2, 2026

Tyler Fukuda said:
Hey there! -- New to this forum so Hello to everyone!

I apologize in advance if this is a tired question, but i'm looking to delve into the 4x5 system: Mostly to be used for environmental portraiture and the occasional landscape.

I need something that isn't insanely expensive (I know this is relative), but very reliable --Think Nikon F3, Canon F1.

I had my eye on a Cambo SC as it looks fairly straight forward and can be found a decent prices.

Would love to know what everyone has to say or advise. Thank you!

Fully concur on Crown Graphic

Daybreak135 · Jan 2, 2026

Tyler Fukuda said:
Since i'm getting into this format, i'm not willing to go all in at the moment so a system contained around 300-500 might be a good place to start for me--If that is possible.

I would say something Graflex in that case. In the higher end you could maybe get a Toyo or something more.

Andrew O'Neill · Jan 2, 2026

Yup. I would say to look at a Graflex. There are many on ebay.

Tyler Fukuda · Jan 2, 2026

Thank you Photrio! Will update you hopefully soon with a new (old) system

Arthurwg · Jan 2, 2026

mshchem said:
Welcome to Photrio!

I would look for a decent Crown Graphic and see how you like handling sheet film etc.

Me too, or maybe a Speed Graphic. Very cost effective, and amazing what you can accomplish.

Paul Howell · Jan 2, 2026

Along with a Crown I would look at a Graphic View. Unlike the Crown which is a press camera with limited movements the View made by the same company that made the Crown, is a monorail camera and prices are quite good. Just made sure you get the clamp that secures the camera to the rail and has the tripod connection.

Daybreak135 · Jan 2, 2026

Paul Howell said:
Along with a Crown I would look at a Graphic View. Unlike the Crown which is a press camera with limited movements the View made by the same company that made the Crown, is a monorail camera and prices are quite good. Just made sure you get the clamp that secures the camera to the rail and has the tripod connection.

View attachment 414922

+1 to graphic view! I have one as a view camera and it’s one of my favorites to shoot with!

xkaes · Jan 2, 2026

There are lots of inexpensive studio and field 4x5 cameras. You'll find that the camera is usually the least expensive part of "the deal" -- unless you just want to use one old lens, and will only make contact prints.

Tyler Fukuda · Jan 2, 2026

Paul Howell said:
Along with a Crown I would look at a Graphic View. Unlike the Crown which is a press camera with limited movements the View made by the same company that made the Crown, is a monorail camera and prices are quite good. Just made sure you get the clamp that secures the camera to the rail and has the tripod connection.

View attachment 414922

Very interesting! Will certainly add that to the list.

4x5 Camera: Where to start?

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