4x5 help/worth??

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 11, 2014

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

the negative's of 120 look killer, so, therefore the 4X5 and 8X10 must be to kill for! I would shoot anything, when money, time, and ability permits! its going to the back burner unfortunately, as I can't exactly afford this route yet!

paul_c5x4 · Nov 11, 2014

Methinks you might benefit from spending a bit of time with a local LF shooter (perhaps offer to schlep the gear on a few field trips). If nothing else, it will give you some idea of the effort involved.

pbromaghin · Nov 11, 2014

Fixcinater said:
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.

Well said.

removed account4 · Nov 11, 2014

aRolleiBrujo:

i can understand the allure of a LF camera .. bigger negatives, not having to use a loupe to look at them and all that ..
... and yes lf cameras can be expensive but they don't have to be ... places like the surplus shed can sell you
a lens for like 2-3$ ... it is the same lens that is / was in box cameras .. a planoconvex lens.
if you make a tube to slide the lens into and a 2nd lens cell, you have yourself a home made barrel lens ..
some are very simple designs ( others more fancy like plasmat, rapid rectalinaer &c ) and in the end it cost you maybe 12$ total
you can buy a sheet of foam core at a craft store and make a box camera any size you want .. and put that home made lens on it
and you have yourself a camera that might have cost 20$ to make ...
you need to make a film holder ( or buy one cheap ) and figure out where it is on the back of the camera-box so you can know where to put a sheet
of waxed paper, that is your focus screen / ground glass ... you focus by sliding the barrel lens in and out of the front of the camera
(or if you made 2 nested boxes you slide the boxes back and forth ) and focus on the waxed paper ( or scuffed up plexiglass or whatever you want )
then you remove the focus screen, and attach the film holder ( elastics? pegs? ) and remove the darkslide and make your exposures.
you can do short exposures by using your darkslide as a shutter, or make a lens cap out of cardboard and tape if you want to shoot slow film
or ifyou want to use xray film or paper you leave the shutter open and make a longer exposure. you can make fstops with foamcore or whatever ( a washer? )
if you want sharper negatives, deeper DOF .. &c ....

i have made probably 10 cameras similar to the one i just described, some are 12x24 or bigger, some are 2x3 .. and they didn't take a long time to make
and they are a lot of fun to use ... i have made book-style paper holders too, took less than a half hour ..

if you want to shoot LF and can't afford a fancy camera, just make one !

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 27, 2014

I found a very cool 4x5 for $180 total!

4X5$_57 by a.rodriguezpix, on Flickr

LJH · Nov 27, 2014

Good starting point. What's the lens?

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 27, 2014

LJH said:
Good starting point. What's the lens?

Well I just bought it last night and once it is in hand I'll let you know!

analoguey · Nov 27, 2014

Nice! Good luck!
Get a decent tripod for it - if you don't have one. And a couple more holders.

paul_c5x4 · Nov 28, 2014

The Christmas budget is now allocated to film & accessories

If you are quick, jss has a pair of (there was a url link here which no longer exists) tanks for sale at a silly (low) price - I'm surprised someone hasn't already snapped them up.

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 28, 2014

[QUOTis mpaul_c5x4;1730042]The Christmas budget is nI'm allocated to film & accessories

If you are quick, jss has a pair of (there was a url link here which no longer exists) tanks for sale at a silly (low) price - I'm surprised someone hasn't already snapped them up.[/QUOTE]
That sounds nice i might try to swing these soon! Im

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 28, 2014

I can't believe they're not making 4x5 Polaroids anymore. Next up is finding film especially black and white to self destroy er develop

MartinP · Nov 29, 2014

You might still find some peel-apart Fuji if you look around. And isn't there something from Impossible Project that would fit? Good luck !!

A cheap-and-cheerful option is Foma sheet film which comes in two traditional versions, 100 and 400, and a sort of "new technology" version, the 200. It is perfectly decent stuff and might be available in the US (if that's where you are) as Arista EDU. The speed ratings can be taken off the data sheet and vary with developer.

bdial · Nov 29, 2014

The holder shown in the picture is for single-sheet loads. Fuji didn't make a compatible instant film for those.

MartinP · Nov 29, 2014

bdial said:
The holder shown in the picture is for single-sheet loads. Fuji didn't make a compatible instant film for those.

Drat.

Well, at least the OP can concentrate his efforts on sheet-film for the near future then. Eventually I suppose he could look around for a filmpack holder, once materials availability has become clearer.

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 29, 2014

[QUOTEsounds rtinpromising You might stil. Xd find some peel-apart Fuji if you look around. And isn't there something from Impossible Project that would fit? Good luck !!

A cheap-and-cheerful option is Foma sheet film which comes in two traditional versions, 100 and 400, and a sort of "new technology" version, the 200. It is perfectly decent stuff and might be available in the US (if that's where you are) as Arista EDU. The speed ratings can be taken off the data sheet and vary with developer.[/QUOTE]
This sounds promising thank you

Rick A · Nov 29, 2014

aRolleiBrujo said:
[QUOTEsounds rtinpromising You might stil. Xd find some peel-apart Fuji if you look around. And isn't there something from Impossible Project that would fit? Good luck !!

A cheap-and-cheerful option is Foma sheet film which comes in two traditional versions, 100 and 400, and a sort of "new technology" version, the 200. It is perfectly decent stuff and might be available in the US (if that's where you are) as Arista EDU. The speed ratings can be taken off the data sheet and vary with developer.

This sounds promising thank you[/QUOTE]

If you are going to shoot Foma, buy the Arista EDU branded from Freestyly. It's rebadged Foma, and less money.

aRolleiBrujo · Nov 30, 2014

So, I will need to load this sheet film in my film loading bag, or a complete dark restroom? Is this for every 4X5 film, minus Polaroid? Thanks everyone, I can't wait for this behemoth! I hope I don't screw up the at home development either!! It will most likely be Caffenol™ as well!! :eek:

paul_c5x4 · Dec 1, 2014

The polaroid holder, you may as well stick on a shelf as a curio until such time as someone starts making compatible film again (if you can afford it). Regular panchromatic sheet film must loaded in total darkness. So either use a jumbo changing bag with a cardboard box inside, a Harrison tent (a pup is big enough for 5x4), or seal your darkroom light leaks - The last option is probably the best as you will need total darkness if you are processing in open trays.

If you decide to use ortho or x-ray film, you can get away with working under red light conditions - For real low cost shooting, you could even shoot paper negatives.

P.S. You will mess up quite a few sheets of film, it is all part of the learning process

aRolleiBrujo · Dec 6, 2014

Do I need a darkcloth? And if so, why, and where can I find one, should I just use a random cloth from home, or the craft store? Thanks all! Off to work I go! xD

BrianShaw · Dec 6, 2014

A random piece of dark cloth generally works just fine.

Old-N-Feeble · Dec 6, 2014

Two dumb blonde southern bells from Georgia (USA) were having their portraits made. The photographer ducked under the cloth to compose the image. One girl looked at the other and asked in a thick southern drawl, "Sugar, what in God's creation is that man doin'?" To which the other replied, "Sweet Peach, he's gonna focus". The first gal was astonished and asked, "BOTH us?!?"

Alan Gales · Dec 6, 2014

Old-N-Feeble said:
Two dumb blonde southern bells from Georgia (USA) were having their portraits made. The photographer ducked under the cloth to compose the image. One girl looked at the other and asked in a thick southern drawl, "Sugar, what in God's creation is that man doin'?" To which the other replied, "Sweet Peach, he's gonna focus". The first gal was astonished and asked, "BOTH us?!?"

Alan Gales · Dec 6, 2014

aRolleiBrujo said:
Do I need a darkcloth? And if so, why, and where can I find one, should I just use a random cloth from home, or the craft store? Thanks all! Off to work I go! xD

A black oversized T-shirt or sweat shirt will work.

LJH · Dec 6, 2014

aRolleiBrujo said:
Do I need a darkcloth? And if so, why, and where can I find one, should I just use a random cloth from home, or the craft store? Thanks all! Off to work I go! xD

It worries me that you need to ask these questions...

MattKing · Dec 6, 2014

LJH said:
It worries me that you need to ask these questions...

It is better than if he was convinced that he didn't need to ask these questions.:munch:

4x5 help/worth??

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