Cost to get into 4x5?

Brad Bireley · Apr 1, 2006

I'm sure you have been asked this question before, but what the heck...
What the least expensive way to get into a 4x5 camera? I was thinking about building one. Are there any plans out there. I have a friend who is a wonderful & talented woodworker. I thought if I got him the plans he could make the wooden parts.
Thanks for any advice,
Brad

P.S. If any of you have a old 4x5 that's just laying around I'm a custom fly rod builder & would be willing to trade. Just a thought even though maybe a ridiculous one at that!

Dave Parker · Apr 1, 2006

If your just looking for inexpensive, I would suggest either a Calumet CC400 series in a mono rail system, or a Crown Graphic for a field type camera, another mono to consider that is really reasonable is the Toyo/Omega series 45E, good quality with movements low cost, they would allow you to get your feet wet and see if you like 4x5, with some of the prices now a days, byt time you buy materials, buy or make bellows and do all the assembly, they would not be any more expensive, in fact the CC400 often time will go for less than $100, and are good beginners cameras.

What ever you decide, have fun and ask lots of question, there is a wealth of good information here.

Welcome.

Dave

JBrunner · Apr 1, 2006

There is also the new "Bulldog" a fairly simple DIY kt from Camera Bellows UK. It lacks back movements, but its like $300 and can be put together in an afternoon. Its featured in an article in the current View Camera magazine. Bender also makes kits.

Badger Graphics offers both the Tachihara and Shen Hoa in a package with lens, holders and accessories, for about $1200.

As Dave said, old press cameras, and monorails can be had quite cheap, and with a good lens are fully capable. The press cameras trade portability for movements. You might shoot more with a press camera because it can be easily carried with you, and handheld, but if your doing architecure or landscapes you will reach a point after a while where you need more movements.

I would only try to build a camera from scratch if I totally enjoyed woodworking and engineering more than I enjoyed photography.

jeroldharter · Apr 1, 2006

I think you would make out better buying a used 4x5 view camera from Ebay than you would building a nice fly rod. You should be able to get a decent monorail view camera with a couple for film holders and a 150 mm or 210 mm lens for 300 - 500 (not much more than a nice rod blank and components). I bought a 4x5 cambo view camera with an old 6x7 roll film back, 10 film holders, and a dark cloth for about $250 as I recall. If you want a field camera that is more portable you will pay more.

vet173 · Apr 1, 2006

gettin in cheap is easy, stayin in cheap is a feat.

tommy5c · Apr 1, 2006

I just recently got into 4x5. (friends can be evil) I was able to buy a calumet w/ lens for under $125. I think after piecing together a few things I'm only "into" 4x5 by about $225.
If you are going to buy from ebay be patient, you can find some nice deals. It really is worth the money and i didn't have much to spend.

JBrunner · Apr 1, 2006

tommy5c said:
I just recently got into 4x5. (friends can be evil) I was able to buy a calumet w/ lens for under $125. I think after piecing together a few things I'm only "into" 4x5 by about $225.
If you are going to buy from ebay be patient, you can find some nice deals. It really is worth the money and i didn't have much to spend.

I don't think I'm actally EVIL. More like "evil light"

mark · Apr 1, 2006

It is doable. When I got in I did a lot of research and I realized I wanted cheap with movements, and ended up with a Busch pressman D. I have not looked back. SUre the graphics are cheap and there is a sea of used parts out there but the busch is a tank with more flexibility.

Nick Zentena · Apr 1, 2006

Unless somebody gives you the bellows for free or you can make them for very little you can't make a 4x5 for what the lower priced ones sell for.

The Calumet CC400 line has already been mentioned. The B&J press camera can be even cheaper if you take your time. Something like an Ansco 5x7 with a 4x5 back won't be much more money then the other two choices.

You'll still need all the odds and ends to complete a kit but the camera can be had for not much.

Brad Bireley · Apr 1, 2006

How hard is it to repair the belows if there are small holes?

ggriffi · Apr 1, 2006

Brad, I just started with 4x5 in last six months or so. I have between $700-$800 in camera,film holders(20),film,loupe,lens(2), etc. I already had a tripod that would suffice and I use a dark t-shirt for my dark cloth. Something else to consider, how are you going to print? You can contact print these negs, I personally don't, so I had to purchase the enlarger and related equiptment for that. I have another $700-$800 invested there as well. That being said, I have only used my 35mm one time since I went to lf. I truly love using my 'big camera". So, as I have said to others, "Come on in, the waters fine".

Hope this helps.

g

JBrunner · Apr 1, 2006

Brad Bireley said:
How hard is it to repair the belows if there are small holes?

If your not into looks it's easy. Liquid electrical tape, good old fashioned cloth tape, or wrap the bellows with opaque cloth.

BrianShaw · Apr 1, 2006

For a *really* cheap (and fun) entry into LF, why not build a simple pinhole camera?

per volquartz · Apr 1, 2006

Very cheap yet very good...

Get an old Speed Graphic with a 135mm Ektar. Find a used tripod and get 5 film holders. 3-5 diopter reading glasses will work instead of a photo loupe. Buy trays at the grocery store, pyrex. Process your sheet film in trays using Pyrocat-HD and make contact prints using a piece of heavy glass and a sheet of 1" thick foam - paper = silver cloride; illumination = a 300w light bulb about 3' above glass / neg. / paper / foam sandwich. Darkroom safelight = 10W red bulb. Dry your prints face down on fiberglass window screens.

You should be in "business" for less than $400 ...

Brad Bireley · Apr 1, 2006

I thanks everyone here for advice. I think I'll be patient & keep an eye on ebay. What I want to photograph is landscapes mostly. After looking at photographs on this site taken with a 4x5 that's what I want use to photograph the area around my home here in Northcentral PA.

I do have one other question, will a bogen 3221 tripod be to light?

Thanks again everyone,
Brad

per volquartz · Apr 1, 2006

If a tripod is too light...

- fill a plastic or canvas bag with rocks (on location) and hang from center post.

ggriffi · Apr 1, 2006

Brad Bireley said:
I thanks everyone here for advice. I think I'll be patient & keep an eye on ebay. What I want to photograph is landscapes mostly. After looking at photographs on this site taken with a 4x5 that's what I want use to photograph the area around my home here in Northcentral PA.

I do have one other question, will a bogen 3221 tripod be to light?

Thanks again everyone,
Brad

No. That is the exact tripod that I use with a Toyo 45e.

g

Troy Ammons · Apr 1, 2006

$350

Super graphic kit. At least that is what i paid for mine.

removed account4 · Apr 1, 2006

if you can find one -
you can get a sears delmar ( or rebadged ) 4x5 box camera for less than 50$.
they were designed for plates, but work just fine with present day 4x5 film holders as well as polaroid backs ( 545 ). meniscus lens, instantaneous shutter ( about 1/100s ) + time. they have a tripod mount, milk glass on 2 sides.

i love mine!

good luck! 4x5's eat film, but not as much as an 8x10 or bigger

-john

dphphoto · Apr 1, 2006

Brad Bireley said:
How hard is it to repair the belows if there are small
holes?

Get some Photography tape. 3M makes it. It's very flexible and light tight. Rack the bellows to the max and tape from the inside, if possible, so the patches aren't visible. Dean

Jim Jones · Apr 1, 2006

Brad Bireley said:
How hard is it to repair the belows if there are small holes?

If the holes are just pinholes, apply black liquid acrylic artist's paint to the enterior with an old toothbrush and scrub it in so there isn't a thick buildup of paint. Some black crepe tape makes an ugly, but suprisingly durable, repair.

Dave Parker · Apr 1, 2006

Heck most of my LF gear has pinholes in the corner folds, I shoot them with no problem at al, no light leaks so far, but if you worred a bit of gaffers tape or darkcloth over the bellows will take care of it..

Dave

cdholden · Apr 1, 2006

Brad Bireley said:
P.S. If any of you have a old 4x5 that's just laying around I'm a custom fly rod builder & would be willing to trade. Just a thought even though maybe a ridiculous one at that!

I'm anxious to try my hand at fly fishing for trout here in TN since leaving my saltwater fishing bliss behind a few months ago. I'll bite. PM sent for possible trade.

jeroldharter · Apr 2, 2006

cdholden said:
I'm anxious to try my hand at fly fishing for trout here in TN since leaving my saltwater fishing bliss behind a few months ago. I'll bite. PM sent for possible trade.

How is the smallmouth fishing in Tennessee? That is some of the best on a fly rod. A 9' 3-wt would be a great bluegill rod down there. I caught a 35" muskie on my 3-wt with 4-lb mono tippet last summer (by accident, but I got it in the boat). Go for the 3-wt.

cdholden · Apr 2, 2006

jeroldharter said:
How is the smallmouth fishing in Tennessee? That is some of the best on a fly rod. A 9' 3-wt would be a great bluegill rod down there. I caught a 35" muskie on my 3-wt with 4-lb mono tippet last summer (by accident, but I got it in the boat). Go for the 3-wt.

Not quite sure. I just moved here from FL a few months ago, and my work days tend to be long, so I've not yet been out to try. I figure I can probably retire the surf rods for awhile, but the spinners should still be good just to get a line in the water. Spring is coming. I'm getting more sunlight in my days now. I'll find out soon.
Chris

Cost to get into 4x5?

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