all the pieces and prices

[Ed_Davor]

I'm unaware of cheap Nikon LF lenses - what ones do you have in mind? Most of the LF-dedicated contemporary lenses would work with Toyo, the main question is a choice of lensboards. The shutter sizes are well standartized, so if you have two flat lensboards with holes for Copal 0 and Copal 1 size (that's the sizes of Copal shutter, de facto standart), and a recessed lensboard with Copal 0 hole (for your wide-angle lenses), it would be pretty enough to fit almost every lens you need. Some lenses come in biiiig Copal 3 shutter, but that's not an often case in 4x5 - unless I'm mistaken.

Nikon lenses should be better than Geronar - they possibly use an another optical deisgn, allowing for more sharpness, coverage (an important thing with view camera), and contrast.

I ment lenses like this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...62&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

 

[Ted Harris]

That lens won't cover 4x5

 

[Ed_Davor]

That lens won't cover 4x5

oops, didn't see that,
but this one will:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...84&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

There are also cheap Nikon lenses for LF, would they work with Toyo-View cameras?
And are they better than those that usually come with Toyo (forgot the name)?

You're thinking like a small/medium format photographer here.

There is generally no connection between lens manufacturers and camera manufacturers in the LF world. There are generally no proprietary lens mounts, with a few exceptions, usually for ultrawide cameras that have special focusing lens mounts, and there is the Sinar DB mount for barrel lenses designed specifically for use with the Sinar shutter. Even in the case of Linhof, which tests lenses made by other manufacturers and engraves their name on them, these lenses can be used on other cameras, and non-Linhof lenses can be used on Linhof cameras.

Most LF cameras use lensboards that can be drilled for any size lens, though most modern lenses tend to come in one of three sizes (Copal 0, 1, and 3). You can use basically any LF lens made in the history of photography on any LF camera, as long as it can physically mount to the camera (i.e., it isn't too big), and as long as you have a way of controlling the exposure (normally with a shutter into which the lens is mounted, but there are other options, some as simple as a lens cap that is removed and replaced to make the exposure), and as long as it covers the format you're shooting.

So if you get a Toyo and want the sharpest newest glass out there or vintage glass for a vintage look, you can use whatever you want and can afford.

 

[medform-norm]

oops, didn't see that,
but this one will:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...84&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Yes, but I don't call that cheap - not even if my wallet wouldn't be so tight.





Judging from all the pro-LF comments posted, you'd start wondering why someone ever bothered to even make a MF camera - we make it sound like it's good for nothing, which isn't true - within its own rights, MF cameras can be fine pieces to pick up and use.

 

[Ed_Davor]

Yes, but I don't call that cheap - not even if my wallet wouldn't be so tight.





Judging from all the pro-LF comments posted, you'd start wondering why someone ever bothered to even make a MF camera - we make it sound like it's good for nothing, which isn't true - within its own rights, MF cameras can be fine pieces to pick up and use.

Well compared to a Hasselblad lense at 1500-2000 or more dollars, that's really cheap

 

[Jerry Thirsty]

Hi Ed,

I didn't see anywhere that you mentioned what type of subjects you plan to photograph. Assuming that you aren't doing a lot of studio photography, and that you aren't enlarging beyond 16"x20", I'm going to play devils advocate and say that you really shouldn't be looking at LF. Like someone else said previously, LF is a very different ball game than smaller formats. Even a basic LF kit involves a lot of gear, preparation, and care in executing the shot. With $1200 and a bit of time spent on eBay or KEH, you should be able to find an MF kit that will be indistinguishable from LF at moderate enlargements and will be a lot easier to use. I'm thinking mostly of the Fuji 6x9 rangefinders, either the older version G690BL with interchangeable lenses or the GW690I/II/III (or, if you want wider angle coverage, the GSW series). Heck, if you're willing to take a chance on KEH's bargain grades, you could get both a GW and GSW for about $1200.

The ideal camera is the one that you actually have with you when you come across a good shot. Personally I have to admit that I'm kind of a wuss when it comes to hauling around the 4x5; if I'm just taking the dog to a park or going to visit family the 6x9 is what I grab 90% of the time. Between the camera, a light tripod, light meter, and a few rolls of film I don't even really notice the burden. My LF kit in its backpack is about 30#, plus a much heavier tripod, and I do notice it. If I had a bunch of money to play with I could of course follow the Kerry Thalmann Path to Enlightenment, but I don't, so I'm stuck with what I've got. As a result, I almost never take out the 4x5 except when I already have a location and shot in mind. In the few months that I've had my GW690II, I've gotten almost as many keepers as I got in the three years since I started with the 4x5.

FWIW,
Jerry

 

[medform-norm]

Well compared to a Hasselblad lense at 1500-2000 or more dollars, that's really cheap

Ah, but we live in bargain land, a magical world that is a parallel universe to the one where Hassles are sold to mortals for unforgiving prices. And in bargain land, one can amass not one, nay, possibly two LF cameras plus lenses for one of your 'cheap' Nikons, and have some pocket money left for a roll of film.

But to get back to the topic, perhaps you could help us all by telling what you are planning to shoot, and what your expectations are beyond what you have stated above. And what got you en route to a larger format to begin with. Bigger is not always better (although a lot of the time it helps )

 

[medform-norm]

Ah, but we live in bargain land, a magical world that is a parallel universe to the one where Hassles are sold to mortals for unforgiving prices. And in bargain land, one can amass not one, nay, possibly two LF cameras plus lenses for one of your 'cheap' Nikons, and have some pocket money left for a roll of film.

In bargain land it is possible to hunt down a good looking Wista 6x7 roll film holder for $40 excl. shipping, like we did today. Doesn't that sound promising? For hunting techniques, ask Ole, he's also pretty good at it, and I'm glad we hunt different things, for I have never yet crossed his path.

 

[Ole]

In bargain land it is possible to hunt down a good looking Wista 6x7 roll film holder for $40 excl. shipping, like we did today. Doesn't that sound promising? For hunting techniques, ask Ole, he's also pretty good at it, and I'm glad we hunt different things, for I have never yet crossed his path.

Sometimes it may be worth it to take a whole lot of other "stuff" to get what you want. A camera with lenses frequently sells for less than any of the lenses would fetch if sold separately. Like to lovely little 120mm Heliar I bought yesterday - attached to a 6.5x9cm Voigtländer Bergheil...

 

[Dan Fromm]

Sometimes it may be worth it to take a whole lot of other "stuff" to get what you want. A camera with lenses frequently sells for less than any of the lenses would fetch if sold separately. Like to lovely little 120mm Heliar I bought yesterday - attached to a 6.5x9cm Voigtländer Bergheil...

Ole, I've never written it down, but I believe I can prove a theorem to the effect that in a rational world a bundle can never sell for more than the sum of its components' prices and that it will almost always sell for less. Not that there's a lot of rationality on, say, eBay, where improbable behavior frequent occurs.

Cheers,

Dan

 

[jimgalli]

Ed, bring your $1200 bucks to Tonopah for the Free workshop. I'll not only send you home with a 4X5 and a couple of lenses, you'll get hands on training for 3 days! No better jump start than that.

 

[medform-norm]

Now Ed, there's an offer you can't refuse - but beware, you might be sent home with more than you wanted, like an 8x10" Korona with some Petzval brassies burning to bloom.

Ay, he's a dangerous fella, our Jim. You better watch it.