Yeah, the camera is nothing compared to at least one lens for the format, film investment (it's at least four times the price of 4x5), any darkroom/scanning upgrades/lab costs.
Once you decide on a camera, a great "modern'ish" lens is the Fuji W 250mm f/6.7 - single coated in a Copal shutter, sharp, slightly wide for the format - I got mine a couple years ago in like new condition shipped from a seller in Japan - I paid about $170 total.
This is the 1st I've visited their website. Very neat.
This is the 1st I've visited their website. Very neat.
This is the 1st I've visited their website. Very neat.
This is the 1st I've visited their website. Very neat.
The Calumet C1 is a beast. Solid workhorse, but an absolute beast, weight-wise. Even the "lightweight" magnesium Green Monster was 14 lbs no lens or holder. The black ones are IIRC aluminum and weigh in at 16-18 lbs. If you look for one, make sure it has the sliding mounting block. Without it, the camera is easy to get unbalanced when mounted on the tripod, and therefore prone to vibration. Try to get one that has a lens already - they take a proprietary lens board that is no longer made, so boards that fit are hard to come by. You can always kluge your own with plywood if you know your way around a table saw and a router.On the used market, $500 is about the entry point. Sometimes, though, that includes everything -- camera, shutter, lens, and if you're lucky, a tripod and/or holders (which aren't cheap). Look for a Calumet C1 -- not the prettiest thing, but known to be a workhorse. The Burke & James models (easily recognized by their red bellows) also often go for between $500 and $1000.
The Calumet C1 is a beast. Solid workhorse, but an absolute beast, weight-wise. Even the "lightweight" magnesium Green Monster was 14 lbs no lens or holder. The black ones are IIRC aluminum and weigh in at 16-18 lbs. If you look for one, make sure it has the sliding mounting block. Without it, the camera is easy to get unbalanced when mounted on the tripod, and therefore prone to vibration. Try to get one that has a lens already - they take a proprietary lens board that is no longer made, so boards that fit are hard to come by. You can always kluge your own with plywood if you know your way around a table saw and a router.
Intrepid! WOW! I can see big trouble for my savings account on the horizon! That 4 x 5 looks like an incredible deal.
You can buy one. All you add is the film and film holder.Thanks for all of the replies. Has been very helpful. Those Intrepid cameras are certainly beautiful. Have been considering replacing my 4x5 with one too.
Does anyone have any experience with 8x10 pinholes? Any worthwhile designs or models out there worth looking into or building?
Thanks for all of the replies. Has been very helpful. Those Intrepid cameras are certainly beautiful. Have been considering replacing my 4x5 with one too.
Does anyone have any experience with 8x10 pinholes? Any worthwhile designs or models out there worth looking into or building?
Well --- those of us who don't have a 4x5 enlarger can make 8x10 contact prints from an 8x10 pinhole camera. And the perceived sharpness of the larger formats is actually pretty impressive. I'm not trying to say pinhole is the be all and end all, but I have made myself an 8x10 pinhole camera. I've gotten shots from it in at least one juried exhibition!A lot of people will probably disagree with me but why spend the money for 8x10 film and shoot pinhole? Maybe if you are shooting X-ray film. I just don't get it myself.
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