I would also like to add that the main reason I am interested in large format photography is due to contact printing. I found I quite enjoy the printing out process, at least from my experience in cyanotypes.
If you plan on contact printing of your view camera negatives, 'conventual' advice is to bypass the 4"x5" cameras and go with a 5"x7" or larger 8"x10".
I believe some press cameras were made in 5"x7" format and while there's a smaller selection of negative films than 4"x5", contact printing 5"x7" paper negatives will allow you more viewable, saleable prints, which is the primary & original reason for this conventional advice.
It's a thing to look out for and be a bit patient. I payed 350€ 18 months ago, that's not so long ago...They look like excellent cameras but I believe the days of them being going for 500 might be a tad over, I did a quick ebay check and a lot were well over my budget. Still a great camera I haven't heard of thank you for letting me know.
I strongly suggest that you start with a 4"x5" Pacemaker Speed Graphic with a top mounted viewfinder which allows you to use it hand held, it is a press camera, and to mount it on a tripod with limited movements. I have found the limited movements more than enough. It and any lenses can be resold to get your money back or more. Shooting hand held will allow you the freedom to quickly take photographs and it much more convenient and fun. Also get the Grafmatic 45 back so that you can take six photographs without reloading. Any lenses that you buy will also work on any view camera or 4"x5" camera.
I have 2 Pacemakers, a Crown and Speed. I used the Crown more often because of size and weight. The biggest disadvantage of these press cameras is the portrait mode. Holding them for landscape format is a bit weird, at least for me.I strongly suggest that you start with a 4"x5" Pacemaker Speed Graphic with a top mounted viewfinder which allows you to use it hand held, it is a press camera, and to mount it on a tripod with limited movements. I have found the limited movements more than enough. It and any lenses can be resold to get your money back or more. Shooting hand held will allow you the freedom to quickly take photographs and it much more convenient and fun. Also get the Grafmatic 45 back so that you can take six photographs without reloading. Any lenses that you buy will also work on any view camera or 4"x5" camera.
If you plan on contact printing of your view camera negatives, 'conventual' advice is to bypass the 4"x5" cameras and go with a 5"x7" or larger 8"x10".
I believe some press cameras were made in 5"x7" format and while there's a smaller selection of negative films than 4"x5", contact printing 5"x7" paper negatives will allow you more viewable, saleable prints, which is the primary & original reason for this conventional advice.
IMO
I have 2 Pacemakers, a Crown and Speed. I used the Crown more often because of size and weight. The biggest disadvantage of these press cameras is the portrait mode. Holding them for landscape format is a bit weird, at least for me.
There are many, many folding field cameras available in formats larger than 4x5. The main constraint is cost, but 5x7 field cameras can sometimes be found relatively inexpensively.I have considered this well and getting a reducing back if possible but I also don't own a 5x7 or 8x10 contact printing frame, i have only a 4x5 that was gifted to me. Furthermore, from what I've noticed cameras past the scope of 4x5 tend to be on a rail type system which isn't very portable.
The back of the camera is mounted in portrait format, 4' wide and 5' height. It can not be rotated to 5' wide and 4' height for landscapes. You have to turn the camera sideways to shoot landscapes.
There are many, many folding field cameras available in formats larger than 4x5. The main constraint is cost, but 5x7 field cameras can sometimes be found relatively inexpensively.
But 4x5 contact prints can be wonderful too. I've made contact prints from negatives as small as 2 1/4 x 3 1/4" sheet film and 6x6 cm roll film. Don't worry if others say they are too small - try it for yourself and see if you find the prints pleasing. You may find that some subjects lend themselves to "little jewel" treatment while others don't.
I shoot large format exclusively for contact printing, and I don't use a contact printing frame - in my darkroom those always cause Newton's rings in the prints. You can just sandwich the negative and paper underneath a thick piece of glass.
Good luck and enjoy!
I have considered this well and getting a reducing back if possible but I also don't own a 5x7 or 8x10 contact printing frame, i have only a 4x5 that was gifted to me. Furthermore, from what I've noticed cameras past the scope of 4x5 tend to be on a rail type system which isn't very portable.
In regards to sales, this is primarily for my enjoyment as well as giving photos to family/friends. I am still some skillsets off before I could sell a print!
You can easily build a good 5"x7" contact frame, just use a stable hardwood like Cherry, Maple, Mahogany or White Oak.
5"x7" field and press cameras are out there, an old wooden Kodak, for example.
Do yourself a favor, and take a 4"x5" negative or two, borrowed from someone here and a 5"x7" negative, contact both, you only need a piece of single thickness glass to contact either, and just put them up Infront of an exit, which you pass often when at home, leaving them there all week.
This is the best way to see the huge difference that the larger negative makes and I suspect you'll sone see the reason getting that size will benefit you best.
Until you start fooling around with ultra large formats, larger than 8"x10" or so, the controls, tilts, shifts, focus, etc controls are the same and so they'll be no delay trying to learn the larger 5"x7" format.
You can more easily process the 5"x7" in trays, and tanks and Kodak hangers exist.
Just think about trying the exercise I suggested, before taking a final decision, you might surprise yourself.
Godspeed to All here, stay warm in this newest cold weather.
Eli
It appears I have much to learn about these cameras than I had expected. I may also include 5x7 cameras in my search as well! Thank you everyone, I have much to study in this.
Although I am not sure who would be willing to let me borrow a 4x5 and 5x7 negative to compare.
Everybody is giving advice, but we still don’t know his intended use. Each format has its strong points and weaknesses. 35mm speed and spontaneity, LF deliberation and patience. But among LF there are press cameras, but these lost favor with arrival of Rollei and then 35mm. That doesn’t mean that shooting with a press camera isn’t fun now and then. Monorails belong indoors. Qualms gave the best suggestion, get more 9x12 film and use the camera you own.
One advantage of LF is that there is no need to upgrade for latest model with faster motor drive, more pixels, etc. And there is a limit to how many lenses are needed. Thus, there is a saving on GAS. In the long run, it’s cheaper to learn more about what one needs and wants, even if need to spend more.
Decades ago I bought a Wista field camera, some film holders, two lenses and incidentals and never needed more. It makes an easy package to carry.
I strongly suggest that you start with a 4"x5" Pacemaker Speed Graphic with a top mounted viewfinder which allows you to use it hand held, it is a press camera, and to mount it on a tripod with limited movements. I have found the limited movements more than enough. It and any lenses can be resold to get your money back or more. Shooting hand held will allow you the freedom to quickly take photographs and it much more convenient and fun. Also get the Grafmatic 45 back so that you can take six photographs without reloading. Any lenses that you buy will also work on any view camera or 4"x5" camera.
The Speed Graphic allows one to choose between a focal plane shutter or a lens [leaf] shutter. That means one can find old shutterless lenses, sometimes very inexpensive, and use them with the focal plane shutter.
My intended use is for portraiture, specifically environmental portraiture, such as friends/family going about their day doing their normal everyday things or while at work. This is why I would prefer something lightweight and portable, and not a camera that requires a rail or tripod.
I'm was actually watching some YouTube videos on the Speed Graphic when you sent this comment, scary good timing! I am wondering how readily serviced these cameras are, do you happen to know?
What is your definition of "lightweight"?
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