Just bought my first large format camera

snay1345 · May 21, 2010

I just bought a Anniversary Speed Graphic off Ebay and I am patiently waiting for it to arrive in a few days. This will be my first time wandering into large format (except for my homemade 4x5 pinhole). But I was wondering if there is anything other than the camera that I should be getting my hands on while I wait. I am thinking some kind of case to hold all of the film holders to carry around. But since I am new to this I have no idea what else I might need.

I am now going to be looking into getting a scanner, and looking around for a larger enlarger than the one I have. But I have also seen people who have modified besseler 23c enlargers (the one I have) to take 4x5 negs.

Thanks for any info.

werra · May 21, 2010

Holders are easy to carry around with whatever small/medium shoulder bag you happen to have. The ones with adjustable interior walls are especially convinient.
Considering you have already 4x5 pinhole, you have all the equipment to process the film.
Get some more film and holders and you are all set.
Watch out GAS pithole about new lenses etc And bigger formats. You will not stop, at least for some time, til you reach 8x10 (Do not ask how I know this.)

mopar_guy · May 22, 2010

You may want to get some filters for B&W shooting. If the camera has a Kodak Ektar or Wollensak Optar lens, the best bet would be to locate a Series VI filter holder in the proper size and a few Series VI filters. You may also want to have a CLA done on the front shutter. Enjoy a great American made camera.
Regards,
Dave

WetMogwai · May 22, 2010

I can't imagine a modified small and medium format enlarger will do a good job with 4x5 unless it is heavily modified, as in rebuilt completely. Watch Craigslist and similar sites for a real 4x5 enlarger. I saw a listing for one and ended up getting an Omega D2, a few 35mm enlargers, and a pile of other darkroom equipment for $100. When one head is up and the other is down, the D2 stacks with my C-700 Super Chromega, so it doesn't take much space to store.

John Kasaian · May 22, 2010

A small zippered soft sided cooler meant to hold sandwiches can hold several 4x5 holders. I like the old plastic Riteway 4x5 holders.

snay1345 · May 22, 2010

Here is what I was referring to in converting my enlarger.

http://www.deadbread.com/crumbs/23c.html

David William White · May 22, 2010

snay1345 said:
Here is what I was referring to in converting my enlarger.

http://www.deadbread.com/crumbs/23c.html

shortcut: make the lamphouse as described if you wish, but use it on the camera. keep your nice enlarger intact. but plenty of 4x5 enlargers around if you have a car.

Perry Way · May 22, 2010

4x5 is fun, and cheep too. Something larger sizes can't claim is they are cheep. You can enlarge 4x5 for a cheep cost. Enlarging 8x10 on the other hand is astronomically more expensive because those enlargers are room size. But you know that already... I only bring that up to shine the light on eBay. eBay is seasonally good with the options on enlargers. They appear and disappear from week to week but the fact of the matter is nobody wants to spend to get them shipped, so they generally go for cheep price on eBay (shhhhhhh! don't let the secret out!). So if you look in your local area, or limit it to a few hour drive you can likely score big time for a cheep price. I bring this up because I don't think the 23C provides enough room for 4x5 honestly but maybe it does. It just seems too small, to me. Not to gloat but I got an excellent Omega D5XL with the color head, turret with 3 lenses, two diffusion light boxes or whatever they are called one for medium format and the other for 4x5 and I got negative carriers for 6x6, 6x7, 35mm, and 4x5 all for like $175, on eBay. Had to drive 4 hours to Los Angeles and back. There are deals like that, that will make you forget the idea of modifying a medium format enlarger. It only takes a little diligence to keep checking.

Christopher Walrath · May 22, 2010

Posted wirelessly..

Don't forget the monstrosity of a tripod you should have.

mopar_guy · May 22, 2010

I got my Beseler 45 MXT enlarger about a two years ago through an eBay auction. The seller was Washington State Surplus Property. No lens or negative carriers, but the cost was about $18 if I remember correctly.

Joe VanCleave · May 22, 2010

Contact prints from 4x5 can also be nice, especially if done well, on good quality paper, then over-matted to, say, 11x14 for display.

~Joe

snay1345 · May 22, 2010

Joe VanCleave said:
Contact prints from 4x5 can also be nice, especially if done well, on good quality paper, then over-matted to, say, 11x14 for display.

~Joe

That is one of the reasons I am moving up. I love the way my contact prints look from my medium format and 35mm, something I cannot replicate when I print with an enlarger. This is why I fear 8x10 will be in my future also.

John Kasaian · May 23, 2010

If by chance your Anny is fitted with a graflock back you can buy a graflarger and utilize your camera as an enlarger (most of the Anny's I hang with have spring backs however)

The Omega D-2 (or the pushmepullyou D-II version) are available cheap (or even free) since digital took over and many schools closed thier photo labs. The local Craigslist might have some leads.

Also, a Speeder dosen't need a large tripod----anything that can support a MF system will likely do just fine with a Speeder (old Tilt-alls were designed for Speeders, IIRC)

Go for an 8x10? You bet!

snay1345 · May 26, 2010

Well my camera arrived today and my excitment level went through the roof. I have been reading everything I could on the ann speed graphics for the last week so when I was finally able to apply what I learned it felt great. After reading alot of stuff about the leaf shutters failing I was surprised to find that this one is working great. I guess it is also an old military version of the camera due to the model number and the spots on the top where a military data plate used to be attached.

It is setup right now in my kitched taking still lifes on paper negs that I have made (much to the dislike of my wife who just sees it as another piece of junk I have bought.) but I will be out at the beach tommorow with it taking some photos of the pier and other stuff I can find.

Perry Way · May 26, 2010

snay1345 said:
(much to the dislike of my wife who just sees it as another piece of junk I have bought.)

Find something your wife would appreciate, photograph it, make it beautiful and give it to her and you will gain an ally! no?

Wade D · May 26, 2010

Congrats on the Anni. I've had mine for a few years and love using it. The nice thing is that if your lens shutter starts to act up and stick you just put it on T and keep shooting with the focal plane shutter.
As for enlargers, deals are out there. I bought a Beseler 45MCRX with all the neg holders and lenses from a local APUG member about a year ago for $175.

Just bought my first large format camera

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