LF Camera Intro

[nwilkins]

Hello all, I am thinking about getting a 4x5 camera for a project I have coming up, but my knowledge of what is out there is pretty limited. Can anyone recommend a good intro to the gear choices that need to be made?

Some examples of the kinds of things I don't know:
are lens boards compatible between different cameras?
are backs compatible between different cameras?
what do the different shutter numbers mean?
do field cameras generally offer fewer movements or do they just offer smaller movements?
how do I mark off the area of the smaller negative if I use a roll film back?

 

[RobC]

Hello all, I am thinking about getting a 4x5 camera for a project I have coming up, but my knowledge of what is out there is pretty limited. Can anyone recommend a good intro to the gear choices that need to be made?

Some examples of the kinds of things I don't know:
are lens boards compatible between different cameras?
are backs compatible between different cameras?
what do the different shutter numbers mean?
do field cameras generally offer fewer movements or do they just offer smaller movements?
how do I mark off the area of the smaller negative if I use a roll film back?

Probably the best introduction you can get may be found at following page which will answer most of your questions

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

read through all that lot and if you have specific questions then come back and ask.

1. Many makes of camera use Linhof fit lens boards but you must check your specific camera. Sinar use their own as do some others.
2. Graflock backs are but most aren't. You must verify befor buying because they don't all conform to same standard.
3. Copal 0 is small, Copal 1 is bigger and Copal 3 is bigger again. The hole size through the shutter is related to aperture which is the ratio to the lens focal length. So the longer the focal length the bigger the shutter number needs to be.
   For field cameras Copal 3 can be too heavy becasue of lens size and weight. It just depends on your camera and the specific lens.
   Note that lens boards are cut for specific shutter sizes.
4. Nearly all view cameras have far more movements than you will ever need or want to use.
5. The Ground Glass is usually marked with a grid. Some have have specific markings for different film formats to help with framing composition. You can buy different marked glass.

 

[BrianShaw]

Dont need to buy special GG. Measure and mark the GG you have. Pencil (soft) can be used on the ground side. Grease marker or. Sharpie on the smooth side. Drafting or painters tape can be used also. There are many ways to accommodate roll film without buying specially marked GG... Unless you really want to.

 

[RobC]

or cut out a piece of semi rigid plastic which fits over the GG and use some of those double sided sticky labels to stick it to GG. Should be easily removable. Sinar Zoom2 roll film holder came with a piece of plastic just like this for exact same purpose.

 

[nwilkins]

okay thanks guys - I'll start at that link and try and figure it all out.