4x5 help/worth??

Old-N-Feeble · Nov 8, 2014

aRolleiBrujo... After reading this entire thread it seems to me you want to buy a complete setup ready to go. I can piece one together for a low price but I can't sell it too cheaply. This kit would include everything except film and a tripod. Post a reply in this thread if you're interested and I'll post a complete kit with price.

This offered... I agree with the above post. Get out of debt first especially with the Nazi IRS.

Old-N-Feeble · Nov 8, 2014

APUGuser19 said:
Absolutely maddening. A complete outrage. GL

What is maddening and outrageous?

Light Guru · Nov 8, 2014

If money is tight you can shoot on xray film. A pack of 100 sheets of 8x10 xray film will run around $30, after cutting to 4x5 size you would have 400 sheets of film for about $30. Head over to the Large Format Forum for more info in using xray film.

A cheep and easy way to get started developing large format film would be in trays.

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 8, 2014

LJH said:
Any reason this is in the Ultra Large Format section?

I didn't know where it belong, and I have very poor spatial ability! Please accept my apologies! I have received many fine idea's here nonetheless, and I am very thankful for such! Sorry for the bother my fellow film users! happy photography! -Americo

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 8, 2014

Old-N-Feeble said:
aRolleiBrujo... After reading this entire thread it seems to me you want to buy a complete setup ready to go. I can piece one together for a low price but I can't sell it too cheaply. This kit would include everything except film and a tripod. Post a reply in this thread if you're interested and I'll post a complete kit with price.

This offered... I agree with the above post. Get out of debt first especially with the Nazi IRS.

please send offer any offer's to my PM! Skip the IRS they are an evil that is a must, as I enjoy THEIR roads! xD

Old-N-Feeble · Nov 8, 2014

Okay, I'll PM the offer if you prefer. I just like keeping my dealings open and transparent.

BTW, are you sure you want a monorail? They're more versatile than something like a Crown or Speed Graphic but the latter is far more portable.

removed account4 · Nov 8, 2014

A -
if you use the xray film make sure it is single sided
otehrwise you will load up your fixer with silver ..

Light Guru · Nov 8, 2014

jnanian said:
A -
if you use the xray film make sure it is single sided
otehrwise you will load up your fixer with silver ..

Chemicals are fairly cheep so I don't see that as an issue with double sided xray film.

removed account4 · Nov 8, 2014

it might be cheap, but if you were running out of it 2x as fast it tends to add up,
besides the OP mentioned he doesn't have a lot of $$ so in the end single sided might
be less expensive seeing the chemistry to process it won't cost more ...

personally, i see no point of xray flm, photo paper is as cheap / cheaper and just as easy to print with/scan
and has the same sensitivity to light ... and is easy to make oneself with bottled or home made emulsion...
and it won't use up your fixer 2x as fast

to each their own

mgb74 · Nov 8, 2014

jnanian said:
A -
if you use the xray film make sure it is single sided
otehrwise you will load up your fixer with silver ..

But with double sided x-ray film you can get 2 shots on each sheet.

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

To the OP, I sold one a while back for about $65 plus shipping with a (flat) lens board. These are not easy to sell so it's a buyers market. A local shop has one for $85 and I bet they would knock $10 off of that. You can check KEH for another data point. This one is now $65 plus shipping.

You can develop in trays and contact print. A jacket or scrap of cloth is your dark cloth. But you will need (as mentioned) a lens and lens board ($75-150, or more), a sturdy tripod, 3-5 film holders ($8-10 each), meter, and film. So the view camera is just the beginning in terms of cost.

The 2 big lens manufacturers (Schneider and Rodenstock) had both a higher and lower quality line. Even the lower quality line would be just fine.

I'm the last person who should be giving GAS advice (like Noah, I seem to want 2 of everything photographic), but I think it might be time for you to take a deep breath and a cold shower.

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 8, 2014

I no longer will afford one, thanks everyone! I guess once I get more hours then I'll be more able!

pbromaghin · Nov 9, 2014

aRolleiBrujo said:
I no longer will afford one, thanks everyone! I guess once I get more hours then I'll be more able!

Very good decision! Stick to 35mm. It has so much potential for quality image making. I shot 35mm for 30 years before ever thinking I needed more.

I love medium format and am pretty much concentrating on that now. I do and will continue to mainly shoot both 35mm and 6x6 as I stretch my skills. I do love shooting with my 4x5, but hardly ever do because there is still so much to be learned from 35m and MF. Large format is just plain fun for me now. If I'm serious about capturing an image, my Mamiya C-33 6x6 is the tool of choice. It's as solid as a brick and the lenses are so sharp they make my eyes bleed. Seriously, large format can wait. Get a 6X4.5, 6x6, 6x7, or 6x9 - They all offer extraordinarily good image quality.

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 9, 2014

pbromaghin said:
Very good decision! Stick to 35mm. It has so much potential for quality image making. I shot 35mm for 30 years before ever thinking I needed more.

I love medium format and am pretty much concentrating on that now. I do and will continue to mainly shoot both 35mm and 6x6 as I stretch my skills. I do love shooting with my 4x5, but hardly ever do because there is still so much to be learned from 35m and MF. Large format is just plain fun for me now. If I'm serious about capturing an image, my Mamiya C-33 6x6 is the tool of choice. It's as solid as a brick and the lenses are so sharp they make my eyes bleed. Seriously, large format can wait. Get a 6X4.5, 6x6, 6x7, or 6x9 - They all offer extraordinarily good image quality.

Well, I do crave the large negatives of a 4X5 and an 8X10, and eventually I will go both routes, but, not any time soon, unfortunately! For now, i will stick with my Pentacon Six TL with its 6X6, and most likely a different 35mm that is affordable, in order to pay a bill or two! I like the 35mm because I could develop same day at the local drug store, whether it is of great quality or not, i will never know, although, I do enjoy having the negatives usually same day! I have the Nikon F100 for sale here, but, i will most likely take it to eBay next!

removed account4 · Nov 9, 2014

you can always MAKE a 4x5, 8x10 (or larger ) camera ..
pinhole or images with a meniscus lens.
the lenses cost a few dollars the box is from the recycle bin ...

Rick A · Nov 9, 2014

If you want large negatives, look for an inexpensive 6x9 folder. I am partial to Kodak Tourist models, but I'm particular about which ones I buy. You get one with a decent lens and shutter, and BA-BAM huge negative on cheap 120 film. Disclaimer-you will have to either respool onto 620 spools or mod the body to accept 120, either way will get you into the lower end of LF size negatives(2 1/4x3 1/4).

LJH · Nov 9, 2014

6x9 is NOT the "lower end of LF size negatives". It's not even close to the upper end of MF; 6x17 or 6x24 take that title.

Arklatexian · Nov 9, 2014

4x5 help/worth?? I owned the one made by Kodak!

bdial said:
It's a great starter view camera. It does everything the "better" and more expensive cameras do at the cost of a little convenience. For money vs. value it's hard to do better. Like Rick, I've hiked around with them, it's a little challenging, but no worse, really, than carting something like an RB with a lens kit around, you're probably dealing with the same sort of weight.
For doing 4x5 cheaply, you can process in trays and contact print with very little in equipment.
Serviceable lensboards can be made with matt board or foam core and an X-Acto knife, or thin modeling plywood and the same X-Acto or a utility knife. Or they aren't expensive to buy, probably 10 or 15 from KEH and perhaps ebay.
For cheap, the lens possibilities are enormous.

At one time I owned the Kodak version of this Calumet camera called, if I remember correctly, Kodak 4 x 5 Master View. Everything you have read so far is correct. It was a fine camera and I especially liked the 360 degree rotating back and bail (sp) to open the back for a holder to be inserted. Sold it to buy a Graphic View 2 because I wanted a Graflok back. As to price, do what I have done many times. Buy one part of the kit, wait a while then buy another part. You'll be surprised how much equipment you can accumulate that way...Regards

Old-N-Feeble · Nov 9, 2014

This may be quirky advice but I'll write it anyway. If you buy very inexpensive camera and lenses (but good ones) then you won't be tempted to sell them to pay bills because it won't be worth your time.

pbromaghin · Nov 9, 2014

Oh, you already have a Pentacon 6? You're doing just fine then. You will probably continue to want to get into large format, but I advise taking that jump only when you are really prepared. There is such a big difference in how the different systems work and it's easy to get something that is just wrong for you and how you will want to shoot.

Dennis S · Nov 10, 2014

Also you'll have to understand the Scheimpflug principle with LF photography. It is a lot of homework but after a few months I think I have the basics of it. Just spelling the name properly was a battle ;o)

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 10, 2014

dances_w_clouds said:
Also you'll have to understand the Scheimpflug principle with LF photography. It is a lot of homework but after a few months I think I have the basics of it. Just spelling the name properly was a battle ;o)

Is it they same as chimping because I don't like to do that much unless it's a must. I don't have the skills and abilities like a lot of folks here but I guess my inability to hold a camera Down is a huge factor here xD one things for sure after messing with 120 negatives and playing with Polaroids with the fact that I have seen an online comparison of 35mm 6X6 120 negatives 8x10s and 4x5 side by side I see what I like

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 10, 2014

aRolleiBrujo said:
Is it they same as chimping because I don't like to do that much unless it's a must. I don't have the skills and abilities like a lot of folks here but I guess my inability to hold a camera Down is a huge factor here xD one things for sure after messing with 120 negatives and playing with Polaroids with the fact that I have seen an online comparison of 35mm 6X6 120 negatives 8x10s and 4x5 side by side I see what I like

Whoa that's cool it's like tilt shift then! Thanks for introducing me to a new term and method now I can't wait to afford anything from 4x5 to 8 X 10 or alllll

pbromaghin · Nov 11, 2014

dances_w_clouds said:
Also you'll have to understand the Scheimpflug principle with LF photography. It is a lot of homework but after a few months I think I have the basics of it. Just spelling the name properly was a battle ;o)

Oh, my god. That wiki would be frightening to a beginner. Glad I did well in Algebra.

"Graphic Graflex Photography" might guide you through it. "View Camera Technique" by Stroeble is the classic text. It's a bit dense and impenetrable, but if you read it and understand it, you will completely understand Large Format Photography. But the absolute crowning achievement, not just the best large format photography book, but the finest instructional book I have ever seen on any subject, is "Large-Format Camera Practice - Image Control for Professional Photographers" by Joseph Foldes. Every word in this book is necessary and matches perfectly to the illustrations. No word is missing, no word is superfluous. Every aspiring technical writer should read this book.

Fixcinater · Nov 11, 2014

What exactly is drawing you to larger formats? Are you sure you are able to wring every last bit of image quality out of your medium format kit? A 4x5 camera may be impressive to bystanders but it surely takes exponentially more dedication and knowledge and you'd better know *why* you want to go down that path before starting to collect all the pieces that can get you there.

Said another way: Shooting 4x5 is a pain in the neck, even with a Speed Graphic and doing things "simply." In my first few months of 4x5, I made more mistakes and lost more images than I did when I started in 35mm and it took quite a bit of work to surpass what I can do with my Pentax 6x7.

analoguey · Nov 11, 2014

Might actually help if one's wanting to shoot buildings. But, if not 4x5, can buy 2x3 and roll film.

4x5 help/worth??

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