4x5 Camera: Where to start?

I'm a big fan of Crown Graphics too but look for one in excellent condition with the later top rangefinder and ideally a Schneider 135mm Xenar lens in a modern Copal shutter. If the seller is knowledgable and can vouch the rangefinder and shutter still working correctly then pay more than the usual "I don't know nothing". Also bear in mind that the 135mm lens on 4x5 is slightly wider than normal, roughly equal to a 40mm lens on 35mm film.

Another option is to go with a monorail, knowing it will be bulkier but also that you'll be able to freely use "all the movements". But rather than a 1950s monorail look for something newer, from the 1970s or 80s, ideally from a high quality brand like Linhof, Omega, Sinar, etc. All have their pros and cons but many are $300 to $500. You will probably want a longer lens with a larger image circle for such movements, like the popular 210/5.6 Rodenstocks, Schneiders, Nikkors, Fujinons. The longer lens would also give you a more classic portrait focal length.

Over at the largeformatphotography.info site there is a primer on all this plus archived material and an active, friendly forum.

Tyler Fukuda said:

Correct, Environmental Portraiture will be the primary use for what i'd like to do with large format -- at least to start. Occasional landscape work would be done depending on location but mostly if i'm traveling in a new city or country.

I understand these systems aren't the easiest to travel with and I usually leave my SLR behind since my rangefinder is typically a lot smaller and light to carry, but i'm opening up myself to new possibilities with LF, so sacrifice must be made.

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Maybe I missed it. But you never explained why you want to shoot large format. Why? What's wrong with what you have?

If you set a low budget # for a view camera, you should look carefully if you want to commit to LF photography. A couple of boxes of film will set you back $500... a few lenses.? Then consider the cost of paper for enlarging.

GregY said:

If you set a low budget # for a view camera, you should look carefully if you want to commit to LF photography. A couple of boxes of film will set you back $500... a few lenses.? Then consider the cost of paper for enlarging.

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When I stepped from 35mm to LF, everything outside the camera and lens remained usable. But yeah, the jump from MF to LF requires of lot of new support equipment--loupe, dark cloth, film holders, dev tanks, etc.

If you're shooting B&W and are ok with Foma, they are still pretty cheap, but still expect to pay close to $2 per shot just for the film itself. Tmax 100 is a little under $4 per sheet, and Tmax 400 is a little greater than $4 per sheet, and 50 count box of each, together would cost close to the $500 @GregY mentions. (but shooting TMX is so nice! I'll try TMY one of these days.)

It cost me $1200 to upgrade my Epson V600 scanner to a V850 so I can scan 4x5 and larger film.

Alan Edward Klein said:

It cost me $1200 to upgrade my Epson V600 scanner to a V850 so I can scan 4x5 and larger film.

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That's why I still use an Epson 3000 (in a virtual XP machine on Windows 11)

Since my scanning device is a Pentax K1ii with a macro lens, mounted to a Sinar rail, it cost me $30 for a rail extension to move the camera further from the light box.

Jonathan-sv said:

That's why I still use an Epson 3000 (in a virtual XP machine on Windows 11)

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Love those virtual machines. No big deal to set up -- and completely free. Keeps the old gear (printers, scanners, cameras, etc.) running fine -- and avoids costly headaches.

I have more of them than actual Windows systems, because they keep old software -- that works great -- running, such as Adobe Acrobat. Microsoft's Compatibility software only goes so far.

I think the last couple generations of Epson scanners barely changed other than the plastic shell and film holders. They claimed amazing resolution numbers but it was interpolated mush.

That said, the larger the film the better the results, 8x10 scans from an Epson were pretty good especially since you wouldn't enlarge it as much as smaller film.

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.

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I see that no-one has mentioned specific books. One of the most often recommended books for people starting out with large format is Steve Simmons: "Using the view camera". It's a very good introductory text. If you're the nerdy type, and want lots of in-depth material, you'll probably like Leslie Strobel: "View camera technique".

-tih

Kodak produced a good book as well -- two editions. The second edition adds "digital". It's called "Photography with Large Format Cameras". Just the basics, but good for a beginner.

tih said:

I see that no-one has mentioned specific books. One of the most often recommended books for people starting out with large format is Steve Simmons: "Using the view camera". It's a very good introductory text. If you're the nerdy type, and want lots of in-depth material, you'll probably like Leslie Strobel: "View camera technique".

-tih

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xkaes said:

Kodak produced a good book as well -- two editions. The second edition adds "digital". It's called "Photography with Large Format Cameras". Just the basics, but good for a beginner.

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I'll second these two great recommendations and add one more for completeness...

I'll add that the Kodak book had two versions, and Stroebel's book has several editions. I don't know of Adam's book having more than one -- other than hard & soft cover.

If I wanted a 5" X 4", I would buy a MPP

cliveh said:

If I wanted a 5" X 4", I would buy a MPP

MPP 5x4 Micro Technical Large Format View Camera With Schneider Xenar 150mm f4.5 | eBay UK

The lens also shows signs of internal haze.

www.ebay.co.uk

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Since OP is in Los Angeles, he is much more likely to find a 4x5 Speed or Crown Graphic available in the US.

djdister said:

Since OP is in Los Angeles, he is much more likely to find a 4x5 Speed or Crown Graphic available in the US.

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Yes, point taken. Just trying to express my view from accross the pond.

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!

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Tyler..... unlike 35mm cameras of the 90s or current digital cameras..... LF cameras don't automatically tie you into the upgrade game. So I would look at the entire cost of shooting LF. In the time I used 4x5/5x7/ & 8x10.....i used thousands of dollars of film in each format.....more than the camera cost. When I downsized, in every case the sheet film i sold from my refrigerator always brought more money than the camera sale. & I'm talking Deardorffs, Canhams, Ebony.....