Beginner to 4X5

[Venchka]

What Polaroid?

Another question...Will standard 4X5 inserts fit in these old calumets? Also, can I put a Poaroid 4X5 back in? Thanks

standard 4x5 film holders (darkslides) will work just fine.

Polaroid 405 and 550 holders will accept the appropriate Fuji products. The holders (and the Fuji branded ones as well) are a fat 1 inch thick. Meaning slightly more than 1 inch thick. These holders work best with a Graflok back. Remove the ground glass and attach the holder for a photograph. The holders may, or may not, fit by sliding the holder under the ground glass. The DO NOT slide under my Zone VI ground glass. The springs are too short and the fit is just too tight.

I thought we expalined Graflok backs & Polaroid holders earlier?

Polaroid ceased production 2+ years ago.

 

[keithwms]

Hi Guys-
I have shot 135 and MF and now I would love to try 4X5. I am stunned with the cameras, negs, and prints after seeing some in person last night. I want to get a beginners camera and want to keep it very economical in the beginning to see if it is something I really want to do a lot of. I was looking at the older Calumet monorail cameras. The price is definatly right. I have looked at a couple with Schneider lenses which seem to be highly reccomended from what I have read. I have not come across many recent thoughts on this cameras though.....Thanks for your input.

Patrick

I think I would start with a 135. That's what I had on my crown graphic and it was a great standard lens, also very inexpensive and super compact.

What you'll probably realize with 4x5 and LF in general is that wide shots can be done with ~zero distortion. So it's fun to get a crazywide and just enjoy the possibilities.

Which lenses are you using for MF? Hold one in front of your 4x5 and you may be amazed. Among my recent exploits, I have been using an rz 110/2.8 on 5x7 at close focus. With LF you can use all kinds of nutty lenses... or pinholes for that matter. Just have fun with your new format!

 

[Venchka]

More stuff to read:

If you can't find an answer here, the answer may not exist.

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/index.php

 

[John Koehrer]

I have put a 4x5 on one of those cheap plastic giveaway tripods.....so, technically, yes...

The only plastic on a real Tiltall is the pad on the camera mount.
And yes, it will easily hold a monorail 4X5 of the brands mentioned here.

 

[John R.]

I would highly recommend a Calumet 400 series view. First of all, they have been used across the country in schools and universities everywhere to teach beginners large format photography. They are rock solid cameras, they work tirelessly day in and day out and get subject to a lot of abuse and keep on working. They are simple to use, they have excellent range of movements, all controls lock down solidly, they are easy to repair if need be. They are extremely cost effective with terrific bang for the buck. These cameras were made for commercial studio use, that's why they are so robustly made. This is also why their weight is more than say a Graphic View. I think the weight factor is overstated a tad, it is not horrible or terribly burdonsome. When I was in college and managed the photo departments equipment room these 4x5's were checked out and taken everywhere from the studio to out and about locations. You can't go wrong with a good condition Calumet 4x5, period. Thousands of students have learned on them and thousands of commercial photogs have used them in their day to day operations.

If there is one drawback to a standard 4x5 Calumet it is the lack of a removable bellows. But, they also made a wide version of the same camera. A great feature of the camera is it's rotating back. Because you are talking about a camera to learn with and not specifically saying you wish to shoot wide angle subject matter then this camera would be superb for you. I would recommend the long bellow version for greater versatility over the standard bellows model. Before you venture into wide angle work you should first get all the fundamentals under control working in the standard focal length ranges.

For beginning lens choice, the important factors have already been mentioned. A standard optic in 4x5 will range between 165mm - 210mm. I recommend you read View Camera Technique by Leslie Stroebel to learn large format.

 

[John R.]

I have put a 4x5 on one of those cheap plastic giveaway tripods.....so, technically, yes...

The only plastic on a real Tiltall is the pad on the camera mount.
And yes, it will easily hold a monorail 4X5 of the brands mentioned here.

I completely agree, a Tiltall will easily support a 4x5 and is a great all around tripod, one of the best designs ever made. Even a Star D knock off copy of a Tiltall will work fine, just not as well made as a Tiltall.