Good LF newbie info source?

[Moopheus]

So I just took a chance on a old Speed Graphic on the big auction site, and it should be arriving any day now. Either I've been watching too many old movies with scenes of hordes of news photgraphers and their big press cameras, or the ghost of Arthur Fellig came to me in a dream, I don't know. What I need to know is there a good book or other source of information that would cover some of the basic issues of large format--things like how to load a film holder, when to use movements, and that sort of thing. Some things are not real obvious, at least not to me--after you've made your exposure, do yoou leave the film in the holder until you get back to the darkroom? What if you have color film you want to send to a lab? so many little details.

 

[dc1215]

A lot of those types of things are covered on www.largeformatphotography.info. There is a great deal of helpful information on there. There are also many, many books, however a lot of the information is available for free online so you might want to try that route first. The archives of this website are also a great help. Good luck with everything!

To answer the questions about holders...yes. Leave the film in there until you get back to the darkroom, and then unload it in total darkness, and either process it then, or keep it stored in an empty film box. If you're shooting color you unload the film and put it in an empty film box as well, and send it to the lab that way, or at least thats the way I do it. Some labs also accept film in the holders, but the one time I sent film in that way is the only time its ever been ruined so I don't trust it...just my opinion though.

-Dan

 

[Nick Zentena]

Paul Butzi has on his website pictures showing how to load a film holder. Best thing going.

http://www.butzi.net/articles/filmload.htm

Unless you run out of holders I think most of us leave them loaded.

The chapter in Adam's the Camera on LF cameras provides the basics. At least I remember it does.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

Moopheus,
Can we call you Moop for short?

There are two books that will help you out a lot.

The first is published by Amphoto Books called Using The View Camera. It is written by Steve Simmons, a contributor here at APUG and other large camera forum groups.

The second is called View Camera Technique and written by Leslie Stroebel and published by Focal Press.

"Using" is more user friendly than "Techniques" but either will do the job for you.

Good luck.

 

[Jim Jones]

The best single source of information on the Speed Graphic is Graphic Graflex Photography by Willard D. Morgan and Henry M. Lester. It has been published in many editions from 1940 to two or three decades later. The first 7 editions cover the Anniversary model. The 8th edition of 1947 is the first to cover the Pacemaker series. They are usually available from verious online booksellers. A good online source is http://www.graflex.org/.

 

[Moopheus]

Thanks for the links. The film holders look manageable--no more difficult than loading a film reel. Now to get some film, and give it a go.

 

[Roger Hicks]

See also http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how loading cut film.html -- loading film holders, including Linhof

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how re-shutter.html -- re-shuttering lenses

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how orbital.html -- processing film in a Paterson Orbital

 

[Bandicoot]

Another book that hasn't been mentioned yet is Jack Dyckinga's "Large Format Nature Photography". This is quite a quick read, illustrated with some beautiful photographs. Not nearly as technical as the Stroebel (which you should definitely get or borrow - it is the best reference work on LF) but a great book to make you want to get out and start shooting.

Dyckinga's advice is very practical - his own working methods are pared down to make work in the field simple.


Peter

 

[jp80874]

Go to ViewCamera.com the home page of Steve Simmons’ magazine. Go to the selection of Free Articles and take your pick. Two that you might want at first are:

Getting Started in LF Photography
View Camera Basics: Processing, B&W Film Processing

As you digest these articles, some of the other free ones may be of interest. Of course Steve hopes you will like the articles, want more and subscribe. You will find many of the article authors here at APUG and over at the LF Forum.

Enjoy. We all were beginners at one point.

John Powers