Intro to Large Format Advice

JADoss23 · May 17, 2017

I'm sure this has probably been discussed here before but was wanting to get a run down. I recently acquired a Gralfex Speed Graphic in which I am a total beginner when it comes to large format. I shoot 35 and 120 as well as develop my own black and white and wanted to move towards large format. That being said what do I need to know about using the camera to make less of a headache? Any advice is useful. Is there a good starting point as far as sheet film to use? Should I use a tripod at all times? Anything to check on the camera to make sure it is working properly? Thanks!

williaty · May 17, 2017

You'll have better luck trying the Large Format Photography Forum for this. They have a lot of info pages as well as a really active LF forum.

But yeah, start on a tripod, start with whatever film you can get cheaply, and make yourself a checklist for the steps you need to go through for each shot. When you're just starting, it's very easy for forget a single step and end up either with clear film or black film.

Leigh B · May 17, 2017

That's the same camera that introduced me to LF photography 57 years ago.

These were designed to be shot hand-held, but I recommend a tripod.
You're not a photojournalist trying to get an action shot for the evening paper like I was.

I prefer Fuji ACROS film for all formats from 35mm through 4x5.
It might be a bit more expensive, but it's absolutely marvelous developed in Rodinal 1:50.

The first thing you'll notice different with LF is the manner of focusing.
This is done by opening the shutter blades with the aperture wide open.
Then you view the scene on the ground glass on the back of the camera with a magnifier.
Adjust the focus by moving the lens standard back and forth until the focus is optimum.

If your camera has a rangefinder on the side or top, it may or may not be correct for your lens.
The ground glass image is ALWAYS correct. If the rangefinder disagrees, it requires adjustment.

Close the shutter, insert a film holder, remove the darkslide, expose, replace the darkslide.

LF is a much slower, more methodical photographic regimen than either 35mm or MF.
You get used to that, and it's kinda fun going through the routine.

I also recommend the Large Format Photography Forum at:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/

All available info and instructions on your camera should be available at www.graflex.org

Best of luck with it.

- Leigh

shutterfinger · May 17, 2017

Here is an instruction manual for the top rangefinder speed, http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/TRFPacemaker.pdf . The only difference between the side and top rangefinder versions is the rangefinder.
To use the leaf shutter in the lens the Focal plane shutter in the camera body must be set to O, to use the focal plane shutter the leaf shutter must be open on T.
Don't forget to pull the darkslide before taking the picture. Many award winning photographs have been exposed to the darkslide when the user got in a hurry.
https://graflex.org/

removed account4 · May 17, 2017

there is a book called graphic and graphlex photography ( morgan + morgan // morgan+lester ) it is like
"the manual" and can be picked up pretty cheaply. also, go to http://www.graflex.org it is the graflex user website
and it is FILLED with information regarding your hopeful new camera.
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=graphic+graflex+photography&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
https://www.google.com/search?clien...hic+graflex+photography+pdf&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=using+a+speed+graphic+youtube&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

regarding specifics of your questions.
is it a "speed" graphic or a "crown" graphic?
if it is a speed, ask ( or operate yourself ) if the focal plane shutter is jammed up or runs freely
sometimes the metal edges that keep the slots "open" get bent / jammed up.

use whatever film you want, maybe some foma film, or look at B+H for something inexpensive ?
you can even shoot photo paper ( rate it about iso 12 ) and you can load, unload, and process in the darkroom
with the red light on, and get instant feedback... unfortunatley polaroid film took the dirt nap,
which USED to be expensive like the crown jewels, but at least it gave instant feedback without a darkroom.
you don't need to use a tripod if you don't want and if you use your rangefinder
make sure it is calibrated for your lens. there also may be a "sports finder" ... a bail that pulls up
off of the front standard and a "viewer" that moves up so you can frame+view if you zone focus &c
it has indents for 6, 10 + 15" lenses.

don't forget to get a handful of film holders.

good luck !
john

Two23 · May 17, 2017

To begin 4x5, I suggest making a small checklist on a card. List everything you have to do in order, and follow it as you make your first shots. It is easy to miss one of the 16 or so steps, and that will result in no usuable photo.

Kent in SD

Sirius Glass · May 17, 2017

Welcome to APUG

I recommend the Pacemaker Speed Graphic. I have one. Also check out www.graflex.org in the information and forum sections.

bvy · May 17, 2017

I actually would NOT recommend Large Format Photography Forum. It's good to know about, but for the beginner, there's plenty of good large format advice to be had here. And since the OP asked here, he can get answers here. It's not like he asked about quilting.

To the question, read all you can about the camera. Learn the controls. Large format film isn't cheap, but if you want to experiment (cheaply) you can pick up a box of 4x5 ortho litho film, 100 sheets for under $25.
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/53134...m-3.0-3.9x4.9-100-Sheets-For-4x5-Film-Holders

If you're unfamiliar, this is high contrast black and white film. It's orthochromatic, meaning it's mostly insensitive to red light, but this also means you can develop it under a safelight. You should rate it somewhere between ISO 3 and 12, and yes, use a tripod for this. The ability to shoot freely is one of the best ways to learn about any camera and/or style of shooting, and this affords you that luxury.

nosmok · May 17, 2017

I would also say that expired film can be good for learning LF. That's what I'm doing! And if you want to shoot a lot quickly, expired 4x5 pack film can still be reasonably priced, though less easy to find than it used to be (16 exposures of TXP320 for between 20 and 50 bucks on the evil auction site; pack film holders for the Graflex are dirt cheap there too.). My experience shows that almost any Kodak film less than 50 years expired will give OK results with a stop or two overexposure-- but don't pay any premium for it, even if it's rare it's not valuable.

BrianShaw · May 17, 2017

JADoss23 said:
Should I use a tripod at all times?

Definitely not. A tripod is useful but you'd be missing a lot of the fun of a Speed Graphic if you used one at all times.

bvy · May 17, 2017

BrianShaw said:
Definitely not. A tripod is useful but you'd be missing a lot of the fun of a Speed Graphic if you used one at all times.

Indeed. Think press photographer circa 1940.

Sirius Glass · May 17, 2017

degruyl · May 17, 2017

The nice thing about the press camera: if you have a working rangefinder, you can just go ahead and shoot handheld. Just like any smaller camera. Of course, you need to be cognizant of the shutter speed, but it is a rangefinder, so you can go slightly slower than an SLR without induced shake.

On the other hand, if you want to get all the benefits of large format photography, you should probably mount it on a tripod and learn to use movements and focus on the ground glass.

The main gotcha is to make sure you have good film management: don't double expose, and remember to flip your slide over to indicate that you exposed that holder. I second the notion of making a checklist and internalizing the procedure. As you work through a couple of boxes of film you will likely add and remove things from your personal procedure, but it is good to have a basis.

Ai Print · May 17, 2017

bvy said:
I actually would NOT recommend Large Format Photography Forum. It's good to know about, but for the beginner, there's plenty of good large format advice to be had here. And since the OP asked here, he can get answers here.

It's a great resource and I go there for a lot but really would like to see the large format community over here get more active.

Here's to hoping the discussion stays alive over here..

Eric Rose · May 17, 2017

The large format forum's home page has lots of good info: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

Stay away from the LF forum and once you have digested what's on the above page ask your questions here. Once you have shot your first few images you will have a bunch of questions, again voice them here. There are quite a few LF shooters here with oodles of experience that will help you out.

Sirius Glass · May 18, 2017

degruyl said:
The nice thing about the press camera: if you have a working rangefinder, you can just go ahead and shoot handheld. Just like any smaller camera. Of course, you need to be cognizant of the shutter speed, but it is a rangefinder, so you can go slightly slower than an SLR without induced shake.

On the other hand, if you want to get all the benefits of large format photography, you should probably mount it on a tripod and learn to use movements and focus on the ground glass.

The main gotcha is to make sure you have good film management: don't double expose, and remember to flip your slide over to indicate that you exposed that holder. I second the notion of making a checklist and internalizing the procedure. As you work through a couple of boxes of film you will likely add and remove things from your personal procedure, but it is good to have a basis.

Large format allows one to have an almost infinite number of ways to screw up a photograph. I know, I have done most of them.

Jim Jones · May 18, 2017

JADoss23, the manual recommended in post #4 is a good start. Graphic Graflex Photography recommended in post #5 is far more comprehensive. Make sure you are ordering a late enough edition to cover the model of SG that you own. Editions 1 through 7 cover only the pre-Anniversary model (manufactured from 1928 to 1939), and Anniversary model (manufactured between 1940 and 1946). Editions 8 through 10 cover the side rangefinder Pacemakers and earlier models. The 11th edition covers the top rangefinder Pacemaker, the earliest Super Graphic models, but has less information on early models. The U. S. Army's manual TM-11-2352 has extensive repair information on Anniversary and side rangefinder Pacemaker series SGs.

Sirius Glass · May 18, 2017

Sjixxxy · May 18, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Large format allows one to have an almost infinite number of ways to screw up a photograph. I know, I have done most of them.

And just when you think you've screwed up in every way possible, a new creative means of screwing up will rear its little head.

JADoss23 · May 18, 2017

nosmok said:
I would also say that expired film can be good for learning LF. That's what I'm doing! And if you want to shoot a lot quickly, expired 4x5 pack film can still be reasonably priced, though less easy to find than it used to be (16 exposures of TXP320 for between 20 and 50 bucks on the evil auction site; pack film holders for the Graflex are dirt cheap there too.). My experience shows that almost any Kodak film less than 50 years expired will give OK results with a stop or two overexposure-- but don't pay any premium for it, even if it's rare it's not valuable.

Thanks so much everyone for the info. Got the camera and looks great. It also came with an adapter and two packs of expired kodak tri x that I was going to test out. Was curious though does anyone have any good advice on developing the packs? Do I need a tank? Can it be done with trays? Right now all I have are the Patterson tanks. What would be a good investment to develop 4x5? Thanks

Konical · May 18, 2017

Good Morning, JA,

As others have mentioned, simple tray development is perfectly viable. Starting with only one or two sheets at a time would be wise, although some veterans have the dexterity and experience to handle many more. Personally, I would recommend rotary processing. I use a Chromega drum originally designed for processing color prints. Other brands such as Unicolor and Beseler are commonly used; just be sure that any drum you consider has the requisite spacers and dividers included to keep individual sheets in place. Processing in trays or in color print drums is cheap, easy, almost foolproof, and uses fairly minimal chemical amounts. You may find either way to your liking; if not, you will have learned a bit and can think about other methods.

I do disagree with any recommendation to avoid the Large Format web site. It has a great set of tutorial links which should prove to be very useful. Checking the regularly-posted photos posted, which usually have technical data included, and reading the thoughts of veteran LF practitioners will, over time, help you build a solid basis for LF photography. Mostly, it ain't that hard; it simply requires attention to detail.

Konical

Sirius Glass · May 18, 2017

I too recommend using the Large Format Photography Forum.

nosmok · May 18, 2017

JADoss23 said:
Thanks so much everyone for the info. Got the camera and looks great. It also came with an adapter and two packs of expired kodak tri x that I was going to test out. Was curious though does anyone have any good advice on developing the packs? Do I need a tank? Can it be done with trays? Right now all I have are the Patterson tanks. What would be a good investment to develop 4x5? Thanks

I use tanks since I don't have a darkroom, but I can definitely say pack film is a PITA in tanks because it's thinner stock and tends to bow and stick together, and can be scratched if you insert it the wrong way. So if you're good with trays I'd stick to that, also a Nikor packfilm tank is about 150 bucks used when you can find them.

If you are dexterous, you can remove exposed shots from the pack (in darkroom or bag) and reseal it and keep shooting, to adjust development etc. I just did this for the first time, but haven't souped those shots yet.

Alan Gales · May 18, 2017

I highly recommend the book Using the View Camera by Steve Simmons. It's an easy to understand book with plenty of pictures to help show what the author is telling you. There are other good books out there but I found the Simmons book excellent for a beginner starting out. It's the book I used when I started.

I also learned a lot from members of the Large Format Photography Forum. I highly recommend the forum to you. It's a group of knowledgeable photographers willing to help you just like APUG. I belong to both forums as do quite a few of your fellow APUG members.

I shoot 8x10 and do not have a darkroom right now. I load my film holders and my Jobo Expert drum using a Harrison tent. When my daughter graduates from college and moves on we plan on turning her room into an office/darkroom. Then I plan on contact printing 8x10 b&w. For the time being I have an Epson V750 flatbed scanner.

Eric Rose · May 18, 2017

Since most of the people who will give you valuable advice frequent both forums you might as well stay here. As I mentioned the front page of the largeformatphotography.info site is very useful.

Intro to Large Format Advice

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency