First 4x5

Marvin · May 9, 2011

I just purchased my first large format camera. Its a Toyo 45D and has a Copal #1 lensboard with it. I am going to look for a lens for it and I am thinking about a 150mm. I will be taking mostly landscapes, scenic and lighthouses with the camera. I currently have Nikon 35mm and Bronica ETRSi medium format but this is my first 4x5. I am not sure what lensboards fit what lenses but this one comes with a Copal#1. I will probably use the camera for B&W and develop my own film. I have developed my own 35mm and 120 film but haven't done 4x5. Thanks for any information on this camera and setting up a 4x5 system.
Marvin

Rick A · May 9, 2011

If you are shooting mostly landscapes, I would look for a slightly W/A like a 135 or 127mm. Nothing wrong with a 150, versatile and would handle most of what you want. You probably will need different lens boards to fit the lenses. A good sturdy tripod that holds at least double what the camera weighs, and a handful of film holders. Dont forget a good quality cable release(or two), don't cheap out on that. Hang out at LFPF for more info.

Doremus Scudder · May 9, 2011

Large-format lenses come mounted in shutters. Modern shutters are standardized somewhat to three different sizes, #0 (small), #1 (medium-sized), and #3 (large). This will determine the size of the hole in your lens board. The lens boards themselves, of course, have to be the right size to fit your camera. That's all there is to it.

When you buy a lens, the shutter size and make is normally given as well (e.g., Nikkor W 150mm in a #0 Compur shutter). Older lenses are often mounted in shutters with irregular sizes. If you know the shutter make and size designation, you can do a quick Google search to look up the exact size for the hole in your lensboard. The S.K. Grimes website has loads of information on the subject.

FWIW, the lenses you are looking for (135-150mm) probably come mounted in a #0 shutter.

Best,

Doremus Scudder

www.DoremusScudder.com

Marvin · May 12, 2011

The Camera arrived today and looks to be in great shape. Now Lens, Film and dark cloth for focusing. Is this addictive?
Marvin

mark · May 12, 2011

Welcome to the dark slide. Next stop 20x24

wootsk · May 13, 2011

mark said:
Welcome to the dark slide. Next stop 20x24

He is still far, there are pit stop in places like infrared films, 8*10 wet plate. Don't forget, 20*24 need a large IC lens, so better build up his collection slowly.

wootsk · May 13, 2011

Just a short item check. You need at least the below before starting.
1. Camera
2. Tripod that can stable your camera with no problem
3. Film holder
4. Film
5. Lens with shutter mounted on lens board.
6. Light meter, spot metering recommended (unless you want to depend on sunny 16...)
7. Jacket (Or any shirt thick enough to shield light)
7. Loupe (Recommended)

Regarding Lens and Lens board, you will need a Lens board that can hold your Lens shutter. There are different type of shutter like Copal No. 0 shutter. Also, get a Lens where the image circle can cover your format including all the tilting and shifting in your camera. I recently laid my eye on another Lens in Ebay, hopefully no 1 fighting with me

goldenimage · May 13, 2011

ohhhhhhh man you are gonna love LF, is it addictive? nahhhhhhh

mark · May 13, 2011

wootsk said:
He is still far, there are pit stop in places like infrared films, 8*10 wet plate. Don't forget, 20*24 need a large IC lens, so better build up his collection slowly.

Slowly my foot. About as realistic as someone saying they only puff crack now and then. He's screwed. he bought the rock. now he's looking for the pipe, the lighter and the alley to smoke it in. If he is dumb enough to put a lens on that thing and look at the GG there will be no turning back.

Just remember Marvin, you made the choice. When you lose your family, your home, and your dignity you made the choice. When you find yourself living in a weekly rate motel going to daily LFPA meetings in the afternoon and whoring yourself for film money in the evening remember that you made this choice.

Marvin, I feel for you. I am on the road you are starting. Let me take the burden off your hands. Just send that camera to me.

2F/2F · May 13, 2011

Congratulations. You should have a blast with it. Learning to shoot a view camera was my favorite part of learning photography...though it really isn't at all suited to most of what I like to shoot when left to my own devices. It taught me a lot about technique and general approach that I would not have grasped as quickly or as easily otherwise. I got lucky in that my first photography teacher encouraged me to learn 4x5 straight away, and gave me a camera (Graphic View II).

I think you could do well with a lens in the 120 - 240 mm range. I know, that is a large range...but think about how close you will be to your subjects. If you will be quite close, go with something on the wider end of that range. If not, go with something on the longer end. If you want to get really close, you could even go for a 90mm.

fschifano · May 13, 2011

Marvin said:
.Is this addictive?
Marvin

YES

brucemuir · May 13, 2011

How much bellows draw does a Toyo 45D have?

Once you get into longer lenses this might be significant.

jbbooks · May 13, 2011

brucemuir said:
How much bellows draw does a Toyo 45D have?

Once you get into longer lenses this might be significant.

That is one advantage of the mono-rail he has. Even if he does not have the 250mm extension; that, another bellows and another front standard are readily available. You just hook them all together and you are good for 500mm.

Large format, addictive--nah. Whatever might have given you that idea?:munch:

TareqPhoto · May 15, 2011

Congrats!
I just started to shoot Lf this year, but because my bad situations and now it started to be the HELL here i stopped photography for a while, but i will return to shoot and i will use LF more later and see what i've been missing all these years.

Don't forget to post something for us

Marvin · May 16, 2011

I am not sure of the extension but the rail is about 19 inches long. I have been looking for more film holders and a lens. I think my Bogen tripod will be good enough for now but it might need a different head for 4x5. One of the bubble levels has dried out and I don't know if these are still available. I have also been looking at 4x5 films and thinking may be some Tmax 100 or Delta 100. The 4x5 developing is yet to be addressed as I don't have a permanent darkroom. I do have a Beseler 8x10 print drum that I have herd can be used to process 4 4x5 negs at a time. I use a changing bag to load my 35mm and 120 film in the tank. Looking forward to the new challenges.
Marvin

Marvin · Jun 18, 2011

I was looking for a lens but I bought another camera with lens. It is a TOYO 45CX with a 150mm Rodenstock Geronar lens and 4 Lisco film holders. Just ordered some Delta 100 4x5 film from Adorama and should be able to try it out by next weekend. I took it outside and put a jacket over my head and played with the controls. I let my wife look and she said the picture is upside down and I told her that was the way it was. The two cameras that I have do not use the same lens boards the 45D uses the larger and the 45CX uses the smaller ones. I noticed that TOYO does make a lensboard adapter that adapts the small to larger but it is about $200. Thanks for all the info and I am looking forward to trying it out.
Marvin

removed account4 · Jun 18, 2011

hi marvin

i have a 45cx ... nice camera !
be careful not to tighten your knobs tooo much
they are carbon fiber and may crack ...
there ARE adapters as you mentioned, i have one that
goes from a speed graphic board to the 110 x110 cx boards
the graphic boards are so small it makes it easy.
if you like really long lenses you will probably use the 45D more ..
the cx doesn't have an extra long rail or the long focus bellows ..

have fun!
john

ps if you are used to 35mm, a good way to think of the lenses
is that the relative focal length is 3x the 35mm when you get to 4x5 ...
so a 50mm kind of lens is a 150 on 4x5, a 90mm is about a 270 &C ..

doktor · Jun 19, 2011

I am looking for a 4x5 camera, so any advice will welcome. I've just bought 150/5.6 lens without lensboard, but still looking for a camera. My idea is wooden field camera. Here is my list:
Tachihara (Osaka, Calumet) 45N
Chamonix 045N
Wista 45DX (DXII, 45SW)
Zone VI
Wisner expedition
Shen Hao HZX45-IIA
I have very little practice with LF, so If You can give me some suggestions what is hot, what is not, what will be the choice of Your first LF using the knowledge that You have after some years with LF.

Sirius Glass · Jun 19, 2011

I suggest that you also check out http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/ Between this forum and that one you will learn a lot about LF just as I have over the last year.

Marvin · Jun 26, 2011

Well my pack of Delta 100 arrived so I guess I am ready to give it a try. I don't have a case yet to hold the camera film holders etc. I like the Tenba cases but they are expensive. Just wonder how others carry their 4x5.

johnnywalker · Jun 26, 2011

I bought a largish nylon tool bag to carry the camera, lenses etc. and made some wrappers for the various pieces using 1/4 inch insulation wrapped in cloth and sealed with speed sew. Works just fine, but add it all up and somehow it gets heavy. So I use a jogging stroller to move everything about.
I wouldn't worry about the levels. Mine are mostly dried out (I have a Toyo 45?) and I just got a level from Lee Valley that's about twice the size of a credit card. It works fine and is easier to see and use than the built-in ones.

Christopher Walrath · Jun 26, 2011

I'm using a Lowepro Computrekker AW to lug my press camera, et al, around. I only have it because I won it in a contest of some sort five years ago and recently reacquired it. There are many packs on the market that might do the job. But plenty of other means are available for the creative in mind.

chassis · Aug 6, 2011

Congrats on the new 4x5 explorations. I have done the same. Yesterday I got my first LF camera, a Toyo 45AII and Nikkor W 150mm/5.6. Need some film holders and BTZS processing tubes, and I will be in business.

First 4x5

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