Found 4x5 OR 2.25x3.25

Hello all,

I am looking to purchase a either a 4x5 or a 2.25x3.25 camera but not both as my budget is limited at the moment to $250 (not including s/h). Doesn't need to be fancy or pretty just needs to be functional with at least one film back.

There’s a few good options in your budget over at keh.

Right now they have a calumet 45N for about $100. Exactly the same thing as a cambo sc but costs half as much. Very capable monorail.

You could get that, two excellent fidelity elite film holders and still have a bunch money left over.

You’d be hard pressed to find a less expensive way to get into 4x5

Um, look at this listing on here, which is practically a gift....

A crown graphic 4x5 (graflock)would leave you the option of downsizing to 2x3 or other sizes, I should have gone this course in retrospect, getting from 2x3 up to 4x5 is limited, the only advantage to 2x3 is you could use 6x4.5, to conserve film, as that option is limited for 4x5.but with 4x5 you could have a few 4x5 film holders and roll backs with color or black and white
The crown is limited in movements but it let's you use wide lenses without the headaches of other systems, for example a horseman 2x3 kind of sucks for a 65mm lens.
As for lenses don't forget about a pinhole, very economical.
You may find a lens with an old shutter that seems to work well at room temp but outside in the cold, you might have an unpleasant surprise.
The best thing about a field type(or press) is portability, if the lens fits inside you are ready to go...

This will get you there. Not my sale.

Graflock everything, in retrospect, it will save you money in the long run

What use do you have in mind? Portraits? Landscape? Studio? Car? Backpack? $250 is sufficient for at least one of these. Location? Shipping cost is a factor.

I see there are a lot more options than I was fully aware of. My main intent is portraits and landscapes. I've always liked the the idea of creating postcards or carte de viste of my friends/family as keepsakes. I list the 2x3 as an option as it is a good size for photos people can carry in their wallet, which is something my father does and I love that concept.

While I do like monorails and may even get one further down the line, I'd prefer something portable that I can carry in a backpack. Although I must admit that the B&J 4x5 Saturn is very tempting. Surprised no one has purchased it yet.

I have played around with a 9x12cm camera but unfortunately it's starting to show it's age and finding a 9x12 camera is difficult and limited, even though I do like the 9x12cm format.

Another option is 3x4. A while back I picked up a speed graphic 3x4 in excellent condition at a great price. Both shutter work and the rangefinder is accurate. I cut 4x5 down to 3x4, it's cheaper than buying 3x4. The camera is well worth the effort.

I have a 4x5 Crown Graphic, a 2x3 Speed Graphic, and a Wisner Technical Field. I love, and use, them all. For sheer portability and availability of inexpensive lenses, the 2x3 Speed wins hands down. It can use both rollfilm (via RH backs) and sheetfilms (via the GG back) and both are still readily available.

Howl23 said:

I have played around with a 9x12cm camera but unfortunately it's starting to show it's age and finding a 9x12 camera is difficult and limited, even though I do like the 9x12cm format.

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Most 9x12 cameras are capable of taking 3.25 x 4.25 film with the appropriate film sheath.

I have had little difficulty finding many examples of these cameras on Ebay and in Craigslist ads, but as with any camera nearing 100 years old, they can have issues with pinholes in bellows and in finding accessories like film holders and ground glass backs.

If you are willing to put up with the effort required to assemble and refurbish one of these cameras, you'll find they are like small view cameras with some movements on the front and typically a nice, vintage lens with matching look.