Big cameras indoors. Cabin fever

[mshchem]

I'm going crazy, we have about 2 inches of ice on the ground, ugh! I got these two beasties out today, I'm going to use a south window and find something inside to shoot. I can't just sit.
Deardorff V8 8x10 c.1940 and 11x14 Folmer and Schwing c.1917.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

11x14? Wow. Do you have film that size and film holders, or are you using a reducing back? You know, to a puny 8x10 or so?

 

[mshchem]

I've got 6 11x14 holders, Ilford HP5, plenty more for the 8x10. The 11x14 negs are pretty huge. I bought the big camera and holders 35 years back has original bellows still in good shape. Five foot bellows extension with the two extra tracks .
The Deardorff is the gem, original well used, nothing missing, the original lens is a big old Wollensak with a Packard shutter. That lens weighs as much as the camera. I will never touch the original finish it's so cool as is.

 

[osella]

I’ve considered using my 8x10 indoors during the winter, but the snow and ice always add something special to the landscape that I find a way to make it work. That’s the case in Vermont anyway, if it’s literally two inches of ice I would probably stay inside too.

I am also curious about seeing the shots as I’ve considered getting an 11x14 once I’ve got enough experience to justify the expense.

 

[mshchem]

Today's Forecast

 

[jim10219]

That tripod on the Folmer and Schwing looks a little strained. You might consider using an automotive transmission jack for that beast!

 

[Luckless]

I haven't yet found an excuse to invest in gear and materials that large, but I have been considering a winter project of finding windows or doors to photograph out of.

Slightly less of a problem for me now that I'm out on the west coast, and no longer live around a real winter, but I still like the idea of finding small cafes where I can sit in a bay window, sip coffee, and get an interesting urban landscape photo.

Ironically I've recently discovered that the main lens I've been using with my Pressman has decided it no longer likes the cold, and has adopted inconsistent timing if it is out much below ~10C after I finally get a usable tripod and more film for it here on the west coast. Had zero complaints from it at -15c after the same cleaning and lubrication procedure back east when I first started using it...

 

[Alan9940]

I used my 8x10 Deardorff consistently through 18 years of Vermont winters. As a matter of fact, the winter season was my favorite time to photograph! If you dress properly and are careful about how you move the equipment from outside to indoors, there's no reason not to venture outside, IMO. I would definitely avoid icy conditions, but snowscapes, ice/snow in all the Vermont brooks, etc, is magical.