4x5 help/worth??

[aRolleiBrujo]

Calumet 4X5 Monorail how much should i pay? oh no i think its missing the lens!

4x5$_57 by a.rodriguezpix, on Flickr

4x5 $_57 by a.rodriguezpix, on Flickr

jhgff$_57 by a.rodriguezpix, on Flickr

 

[aRolleiBrujo]

a hundred dollars.

i think its missing a lens!

 

[aRolleiBrujo]

Find a 150 Symmar Convertible and buy/make a lensboard.

its really sad, because my income is strictly limited as my uncle Sam has garnished my wages, however, the sad thing is, I Want this!:crazy: 4X5 NEGATIVES:devil:

 

[aRolleiBrujo]

Find a 150 Symmar Convertible and buy/make a lensboard.

Is this the same thing?
[h=1]Copal No.1 Shutter & Schneider Symmar 150mm f/5.6 Lens[/h]

 

[aRolleiBrujo]

Buy it and wait till till you can get a lens. Rome wasn't built in a day. It's a fine camera. Not the perfect field camera, but perfectly usable for that purpose anyway. Made like a tank and does anything you'd need a view camera to do. I've had my Calumet 36 years. Still solid as a rock. As far as the other... don't get me started.

So, How would I go about finding the lensboard, eBay, because I cannot build water! Is there a Polaroid instant film 4X5 back available for these? I am so near selling my Nikon F100 now!!!

 

[aRolleiBrujo]

Make a lensboard from Spruce plywood at the hobby shop. I don't know anything about a Nikon F 100. Nikon's last camera was the F2 and Nikkormat, far as I'm concerned. GL

I think I need to research further, and find the best price to quality ratio! Like what is this worth, plus, is everything on it, aside from a lens? 4x5 Calumet (Orbit) Camera Body w/ 25" Extra Long Rail

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x5-Calumet...732?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item33979f7c34

 

[MattKing]

Have you priced 4x5 film? Particularly colour film?

Do you have an enlarger (or failing that, a scanner) that can handle 4x5 film?

Have you a meter, a dark cloth, a developing tank for 4x5?

Have you experience with 4x5?

An F100 is a lot cheaper to use, and when used well, will give tremendous results!

 

[aRolleiBrujo]

Have you priced 4x5 film? Particularly colour film?

Do you have an enlarger (or failing that, a scanner) that can handle 4x5 film?

Have you a meter, a dark cloth, a developing tank for 4x5?

Have you experience with 4x5?

An F100 is a lot cheaper to use, and when used well, will give tremendous results!

Matt, I have an Epson V500 Photo Pro alone. I see that the 4X5's are around $30, so, I would basically shoot sparingly, but, with gusto! I think the tanks are a bit expensive, so this would be a lengthy process, however, I have longed to hold my very own 4X5 and eventually 8X10 gargantuan negative! I sound as if I have been hit by the Confundus Charm asking about prices, however, I understand that these camera's can be had for song these day's, however, I can't sing well. but, money does!

 

[MattKing]

That scanner will not scan any film larger than 35mm.

 

[aRolleiBrujo]

That scanner will not scan any film larger than 35mm.

Not so, I have scanned my 120 as well! It has a removable top portion to fit the tray.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

+1

 

[Dennis S]

I have a Epson Perfection V500 scanner where I do my 4x5 scans using stitching of the negatives with the Epson software. Works fairly good on most scans but I have only had problems on a few.

 

[MattKing]

Not so, I have scanned my 120 as well! It has a removable top portion to fit the tray.

Sorry, you are right about 120.

But it has no 4x5 scanning capacity. The negative scanning light source in the cover is too small.

 

[alanrockwood]

Several Calumets have recently sold on ebay for around $100, including lens. Shipping typically runs about $30.

 

[alanrockwood]

By the way, if you can have the tripod included the deal becomes much more favorable.

 

[alanrockwood]

An additional note. I mentioned that some have sold on ebay for $100, with lens, shipping extra. It is also possible to pay more.

 

[aRolleiBrujo]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the kind words of experience! I am not too good at accepting great advice, so, I most likely will photograph my self in the foot! :w00t::crazy:

 

[LJH]

Any reason this is in the Ultra Large Format section?

 

[fotch]

The Calumet 4X5 Monorail is a great studio camera, well made, worth every penny in what looks like excellent condition. Would not recommend that camera for out of the studio use however. Good luck.

 

[Rick A]

My first 4x5 was a CC-401(long rail) and I took it everywhere, it didn't just sit in the studio. Granted, it was a PITA to pack around, but I was determined to use it for anything and everything.

 

[paul_c5x4]

its really sad, because my income is strictly limited as my uncle Sam has garnished my wages, however, the sad thing is, I Want this!:crazy: 4X5 NEGATIVES:devil:

Once you have sourced a lens & board, you will also need film holders.

You may be better off waiting for a functioning kit to turn up in the price range you are willing to pay.
5x4 negatives are indeed wonderful things to hold, but it is not cheap, and then the hankering for something even bigger kicks in.

 

[bdial]

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.

 

[Rick A]

If you do buy one, make sure you have a sturdy enough tripod to handle it. They are a bit heavy, and the bellows act like sails in a breeze. A Tiltall is a great pod to use.

 

[Bill Burk]

The Calumet 4X5 Monorail is a great studio camera, well made, worth every penny in what looks like excellent condition. Would not recommend that camera for out of the studio use however. Good luck.

Haa yes, photograph yourself in the foot...

aRolleiBrujo,

I would not trade-in my experience with a studio 4x5 camera, even though I rather would have had a field camera or press camera to start with. For the low cost, you cannot go wrong.

But if you plan to walk about with the camera and take casual shots, it would be difficult. I am a backpacker, and I would take it but I would ask "why carry 15 pounds of camera". It can be done but it was not practical - I have carried a similar camera into the mountains. So I'd recommend you talk through ideas you have for using the camera.

 

[pbromaghin]

This purchase is not a good idea. You have an extremely acute case of GAS accompanied by camera fever. I bought a 4x5 2 years ago after 4 years of research, and even then was not prepared for how different and more difficult it is than 35mm and MF. Nearly none of my existing darkroom and computer equipment can be used with it and still haven't accumulated all the right stuff.

But way more important, you want this thing so bad you can taste it while you have the KGB/Gestapo/IRS on your back. I strongly advise that you get them out of your life before doing anything like this.