Considering making the dive in to the realm of LF

[Existing Light]

This is my first post. Sorry for not making an introduction, but I was attracted to this thread because I used to have a Calumet view camera. It got the whole setup for less than $300.00, complete with a lense, tripod and Polaroid back. It also included all the film holders. I used it a couple times to make Fuji Velvia transparencies. Processing was expensive, because I didn't have any idea of how it is done with sheet film. The tanks, and total darkness required in addition to the exact formula temperatures for the E-6 process threw me off. I would still have that camera today, had I known someone who could walk me through the whole routine of processing my own film.

Looking at some of the EBay prices, I may yet get back into large format. I have a cheap digital for routine stuff, but really prefer analog for real creativity. A Calumet like the ones described here are a bargain for someone just getting into the large format hobby. I wish the best to the OP.

MrCoffee

I guess this as good a place as any to make an introduction. Welcome to APUG

If you are interested in the camera I linked in the original post, go for it. I've pretty much decided on the 5x7, so it wont bother me any if it sells. Actually, if you'd rather have the 5x7, go for it. It's forst come, first serve, and my money is in bank limbo right now

 

[Existing Light]

Well, I'm about to make the purchase. I guess I should start looking for a tripod. How about this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270598689800&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT ? The seller claims it'll hold up to 8x10 or larger. does anyone have any experience with this tripod and head? is it a good price or a little high? Should I be looking for something different? Thanks in advance

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I can't attest to the value being high or low for the tripod. But as to stability, I would say right on.

 

[John Kasaian]

There are a lot of lenses that are good values for 5x7 landscape. What are you after? Galli-esque "bokeh?" Ansel Adams sharpness?

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

No issues with the tripod, other than the weight. It'll hold ANYTHING you want to put on top of it, probably even my 14x17. As a result, it's a cantankerous pain in the ass to haul around. Easily 12+ lbs. Probably closer to 15. If you want a wood tripod, and that Zone VI is in your budget, go look on the B&H website for a Berlebach. Personally, I think that's a little too much for one of those Zone VI tripods, moneywise, but I haven't been following their market so I don't know. Also bear in mind that that tripod will not be useable indoors - it has permanently attached spiked metal feet. Which will ruin flooring of any kind right quick. And will probably get you asked to move if you try and set up somewhere like the monuments here in Washington DC.

 

[Existing Light]

There are a lot of lenses that are good values for 5x7 landscape. What are you after? Galli-esque "bokeh?" Ansel Adams sharpness?

I'm more of a fan of Galli's work than Adams', so I guess I should look for lenses similar to his. Didnt he use Fresnel lenses? From what I've seen on ebay, those are a bit more price than newer used lenses. Any suggestion on what I should be looking for?

I think I'm going to go searching through pawn shops and thrift stores today to see if I'll get lucky and find something. I know I probably wont, but it's worth a shot

 

[Existing Light]

No issues with the tripod, other than the weight. It'll hold ANYTHING you want to put on top of it, probably even my 14x17. As a result, it's a cantankerous pain in the ass to haul around. Easily 12+ lbs. Probably closer to 15. If you want a wood tripod, and that Zone VI is in your budget, go look on the B&H website for a Berlebach. Personally, I think that's a little too much for one of those Zone VI tripods, moneywise, but I haven't been following their market so I don't know. Also bear in mind that that tripod will not be useable indoors - it has permanently attached spiked metal feet. Which will ruin flooring of any kind right quick. And will probably get you asked to move if you try and set up somewhere like the monuments here in Washington DC.

The weight isnt a problem, but the feet might be. I didnt think about the feet until you mentioned it. There is a berlebach on ebay right now. http://cgi.ebay.com/Berlebach-Repor...110?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c185ac4de

/the ony concern I can think of now is the mounting screw. Is it compatible with the burke and James camera?

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Well, the mounting screw is a 1/4-20 thread screw, so if the Burke & James takes a 1/4-20 thread, you're good to go. If it needs the other standard thread size, 3/8 16, then you can get an adapter bushing to fit it. So short answer, no need to worry.

As to the Jim Galli lens thing, what he uses often are Petzvals. Fresnels are used for focusing spotlights into narrower beams. There are lots of lenses out there that can give you the soft-focus "look" that Jim shoots a lot, without having to necessarily spend the huge cash petzvals and other soft-focus lenses now command. You can get close(r) with a Rapid Rectilinear type lens, especially if you look for one that's about one size too small for your format - it should still fully illuminate the format but only the center will be sharp, especially when shot wide-open. Look around for one of those old Kodak folders that's close to 4x5 in size and cannibalize the lens to try it out and see if you get what you're looking for.

 

[Dan Fromm]

The price on MPEX' auction Berlebach is so far very good.

But before you buy a Berlebach, go to www.berlebach.de to see what they offer. FWIW I have an 8043 that I'm very happy with. It isn't quite as happy as I'd like with somewhat over 20 pounds of head and 2x3 Cambo and very heavy lens and other stuff on it, though. But if you go 4x5 you won't load whatever tripod you get as much as I load mine at times.

 

[Existing Light]

Well, the mounting screw is a 1/4-20 thread screw, so if the Burke & James takes a 1/4-20 thread, you're good to go. If it needs the other standard thread size, 3/8 16, then you can get an adapter bushing to fit it. So short answer, no need to worry.

sounds like a good plan to me

As to the Jim Galli lens thing, what he uses often are Petzvals. Fresnels are used for focusing spotlights into narrower beams. There are lots of lenses out there that can give you the soft-focus "look" that Jim shoots a lot, without having to necessarily spend the huge cash petzvals and other soft-focus lenses now command. You can get close(r) with a Rapid Rectilinear type lens, especially if you look for one that's about one size too small for your format - it should still fully illuminate the format but only the center will be sharp, especially when shot wide-open. Look around for one of those old Kodak folders that's close to 4x5 in size and cannibalize the lens to try it out and see if you get what you're looking for.

Oops, I meant petzval, I really did. I dont know how I came up with fresnel . I'll be checking out on the 'bay and here on the classifieds

 

[Toffle]

I'm more of a fan of Galli's work than Adams', so I guess I should look for lenses similar to his. Didnt he use Fresnel lenses? From what I've seen on ebay, those are a bit more price than newer used lenses. Any suggestion on what I should be looking for?

I think I'm going to go searching through pawn shops and thrift stores today to see if I'll get lucky and find something. I know I probably wont, but it's worth a shot

I checked on the auction and I see the B&J is gone. Do we assume you got it?

As for lenses, Mark Sawyer over on LF did some wonderful Galli-esque work with dollar store magnifying glasses as lenses. I've got one that measures out to around 325mm f3.5, and fitted with black construction paper cutouts, it has apertures down to f42. (I could easily go smaller, but so far I've only tested it that far in terms of 8x10 coverage.) It works great with paper negatives, but is a lot harder to handle with fast film/short exposures. I'm seriously thinking of sticking a Packard shutter on mine for more serious work. For $0.99 and some time experimenting, it is certainly worth giving it a try. (Oh, and the images? Definitely worth at least $0.99. )

 

[MrCoffee]

I guess this as good a place as any to make an introduction. Welcome to APUG

If you are interested in the camera I linked in the original post, go for it. I've pretty much decided on the 5x7, so it wont bother me any if it sells. Actually, if you'd rather have the 5x7, go for it. It's forst come, first serve, and my money is in bank limbo right now

Thanks, Existing Light. For now, I have to pass due to budget constraints. However, I am hoping to make Large Format a part of my future when opportunities open up.

MrCoffee

 

[Existing Light]

I checked on the auction and I see the B&J is gone. Do we assume you got it?

As for lenses, Mark Sawyer over on LF did some wonderful Galli-esque work with dollar store magnifying glasses as lenses. I've got one that measures out to around 325mm f3.5, and fitted with black construction paper cutouts, it has apertures down to f42. (I could easily go smaller, but so far I've only tested it that far in terms of 8x10 coverage.) It works great with paper negatives, but is a lot harder to handle with fast film/short exposures. I'm seriously thinking of sticking a Packard shutter on mine for more serious work. For $0.99 and some time experimenting, it is certainly worth giving it a try. (Oh, and the images? Definitely worth at least $0.99. )

Yes, you can assume I got it. Hopefully it will arrive next week. It's coming from near Savannah, Georgia, I believe, and I live near Decatur, Alabama. It's a 7-hour nonstop drive if the traffic and weather is good, so hopefully it'll show up within 3-5 days of shipment.

The magnifying glass idea sounds interesting. I might give it a try to play around with. I have some 8x10 lith film left over from a photo class about a year ago, and I dont know what the hell i'm going to do with it, so I might give that a shot

Thanks, Existing Light. For now, I have to pass due to budget constraints. However, I am hoping to make Large Format a part of my future when opportunities open up.

MrCoffee

I know the feeling. I'm an underpaid employee of Target, so the lack of funds is nothing new to me.

 

[John Kasaian]

I'm more of a fan of Galli's work than Adams', so I guess I should look for lenses similar to his. Didnt he use Fresnel lenses? From what I've seen on ebay, those are a bit more price than newer used lenses. Any suggestion on what I should be looking for?

I think I'm going to go searching through pawn shops and thrift stores today to see if I'll get lucky and find something. I know I probably wont, but it's worth a shot

OK now we're getting somewhere! Look for old projection lenses, especially the ones off Magic Lanterns. You might also try robbing a lens off an old bellows-shot folder that used one the the larger formats.

 

[2F/2F]

You may find that 6x9 cm is the format for you. It has enough quality to be effectively indistinguishable from larger film unless you go past 16x20, and you get to use roll film, with more emulsions available to you (except maybe in the case of Tri-X 320 or Ilford Ortho, which are sheet films only). As for being turned off of enlarging, I think you should just get over that. Your enlarger will accept 6x9 negs no problem, and it is a fine enlarger. You will have it sitting there to do contact prints anyhow, right?

You can get a dedicated 6x9 camera, or you can use almost any 4x5 camera with a 6x9 roll film back. You will perhaps get better optics for the 6x9 format if you go for the dedicated 6x9 camera, or choose medium format lenses, though this is not a blanket statement that medium format lenses always outperform large format lenses in a technical sense. They often do, but you should make the call based on the specific lenses you are considering.

 

[John Kasaian]

A really nice old lens to look for are Wollensak Velostigmats---nice bokeh when open & very sharp when stopped down. I don't know what they are going for these days but historically they've been kinda low on the food chain.

 

[Shadowtracker]

Thanks for the info John - I will check it out.

 

[Existing Light]

Well, the snow in the south has held shipping up a little, and so has one incident where my camera got missent (I guess put in the wrong truck), but it finally came yesterday. The bellows seem to be light tight from the limited checking I could do (extending the bellows all the way and shining a Coleman high power flashlight in it and looking for pinholes on the outside), and all the movements seem to work correctly, even though the mass of knobs is a bit of a challenge for me right now. The only problem I have is the lensboard: it feels like a hard painted cardboard. Will that support a lens and shutter? The lensboard is undrilled as of now, so it's unuseable in it's present state, anyway, so I have no problem with tossing it if it isnt worth its weight in crap.

BTW, it's a good bit lighter than I expected. I think it's too heavy for my tripod that I use with my 35mm cameras. I do have a Canon EOS Rebel with a 70-200mm F/4L lens, which is pretty front heavy, and the tripod holds that fine, but that camera/lens is still a good bit lighter than the B&J. I'll try it out just for fun, but I'm not expecting anything