looking at some off the replies, You seem to be right, which is good news. I completed my MF and LF sets years ago and they seem to last for decades.I don't know if it's just my perception, but when I was checking out LF cameras on eBay, it seems that the cost of LF cameras have gone up and there are fewer LF cameras on the market. Is this just my perception?
That's a good thing. It's way better than today's mega pixel race where photographers update camera every few years. I remember a few years back I bought some MF and LF cameras for very little money compared to today's prices. I knew the value of them from the 80's and I have a feeling that some photographers were dumping their old gear to go digital or upgrade their current digital gear. I thought the analog gear market would never recover. Again, if my predictions may be wrong. I bought a Burke and James 5x7 camera for $200 4 years ago.looking at some off the replies, You seem to be right, which is good news. I completed my MF and LF sets years ago and they seem to last for decades.
You mean lots of beat up ancient lenses,that are popular now...you could have bought a boxcar full for nothingSpeed Graphics look like they are on the rise but 4x5 monorails still seem to be dirt cheap. Every time I look I see decent Cambos with lenses for a few hundred dollars, so basically buy a lens and get a free camera. 8x10 feels like it is creeping up again, but maybe I am just remembering the cheap buys I got after a lot of looking. Run of the mill 4x5 lenses (70s and 80s Schneider and Rodenstock) don't seem to have risen in value at all while a lot of weird and wonderful stuff certainly has.
I remember seeing Polaroid 8x10 processesors for under $200. Now they're more. LF is more popular. Maybe the magic of digital photography has lost the magic glow?
I don't think this is unique to just LF, though I agree it's the one format where it's clear as day film still surpasses digital.
I'm an old dog with LF. Got my first 4x5 over 30 years ago through Calumet. I've gotten a few LF cameras since then. I have to admit I didn't touch my Sinar F2 for a couple of years from pro burnout. Luckily I rediscovered the magic not too long after by bring it to a road trip. I still can't help myself looking at the negs fresh out of the fix.
I don't think this is unique to just LF, though I agree it's the one format where it's clear as day film still surpasses digital. I've noticed used Hasselblad equipment both on ebay and KEH are a good amount higher than when I was first buying equipment in the 2000's. I get that prices go up with inflation, but I don't believe we've had much inflation at all over the last 10-20 years, and I believe used Hasselblad prices have gone up around 30%.
Certainly one aspect may be that it's just getting harder to find equipment in that "like new" or "ex+" condition. I suspect this could be a factor with used LF equipment too? Though I do believe LF equipment is much easier to fix/maintain--how you compose your image is much more complicated with all the movements, but the camera itself is far simpler mechanically.
(Does it drive anyone else crazy when you see items listed as "like new minus" and they're clearly KEH "Ex" at best?)
Is this based on direct experience or via third parties through reviews, blog posts and other internet born proclamations?
Because in my direct professional experience, images from digital cameras at around 50MP with good glass like Zeiss or quality tilt-shift types printed at 30x40” are pulling away from a good print from 4x5, at least in color.
Phase One now has a 100 mega pixel back. I have not used one but I'd bet it's as sharp or sharper than my 8x10. Of course it costs a fortune.
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