Handheld 4x5

[Max]

I ended up getting a 4x5 Super D, and have been having a great time with it. I need a faster lens, though, and I have some HP5 on the way so I can try pushing it some...

 

[doughowk]

Century Graphic

My Crown Graphic is a bit cumbersome for handheld situations so I also bought a Century Graphic. Plenty of 120mm roll film available; and 2X3 sheet film available from J&C as well as Ilford HP5. It isn't much larger than some of the more cumbersome 35mm's (or digi's), but far more versatile.

 

[mikewhi]

There is the Peter Gowland line of handheld 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10:

http://www.petergowland.com/camera/index.html

Also the Littman, but very expensive. It's a 4x5 rangefinder made from a converted Polaroid 110 body:

http://www.littman45single.com/

I have never used either one, but Peter Gowland is well-respected. If you visit the Littman site, he has a gallery of images produced with his cameras. I like the Havana portfolio the most. I almost got one on eBay recently, but someone outbid me.

Have fun!

-Mike

 

[blansky]

As most of you know I have the Littman w/150 and use it occasionally for shooting kids.

I've been travelling quite a bit lately so haven't used it as much as I would have liked but it seems pretty cool.




Michael McBlane

 

[John Kasaian]

I've got a 8x10 Gowland handheld--- great for aerials and stuff where you're focused at infinity(in fact I'm taking it skiing this winter!) but kids?? For handheld work I doubt if you could find a more proven LF camera than a Graphic or Graflex(or Linhof). If Weegee could do it, so can you!

 

[noseoil]

Another option, the 4x5 hand held "Guido-cam" (made by Guido in his former life as a wood worker). Chopped and channeled Pathfinder 110A, turned into a hand held 4X5. I won't post a scan of a print, as my scanner has the ability to butcher any picture (see my gallery for further evidence).

I've used it with grab shots and it works very well. Coated 127mm lens and just pre-focus as was stated already, pre-set exposure. I've used it with films as slow as 160 color print, nice lens coverage, lots of DOF and easy to use view finder. With Tri-x it is a blast.