LF on a Budget!

[TheFlyingCamera]

For meters, a good basic starter meter is a Sekonic 308 - it does reflected and incident, and flash too. Fits neatly in a pocket, takes a single AA battery. They're quite accurate, easy to read, and they cost about $200 at B&H, more or less on eBay depending on age, condition, location, etc. I had the original 308 when they first came out and it lasted me until I decided I needed spot metering.

 

[pdjr1991]

For meters, a good basic starter meter is a Sekonic 308 - it does reflected and incident, and flash too. Fits neatly in a pocket, takes a single AA battery. They're quite accurate, easy to read, and they cost about $200 at B&H, more or less on eBay depending on age, condition, location, etc. I had the original 308 when they first came out and it lasted me until I decided I needed spot metering.

thanks! i thought this thread was dead so i started a new one with a different concept i would love to hear your input! thread link below.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[lxdude]

Unlike with some other places, an old thread on APUG can always be revived, which is one of the things that makes this a great place. There are threads here that have been around almost since the last century!

 

[blockend]

The thread was titled 5 x 4 on a budget. That being the case it's absurd to dismiss using a camera body as a light meter. Late model consumer 35mm cameras had all kinds of metering modes, including spot metering, and can be purchased for a few pounds. If you're carrying a large format camera, a heavy duty tripod and a bunch of dark slides, a plastic fantastic SLR is going to make no difference to your payload.

I'd argue you can save weight if your exposures are under two seconds and opt for a lightweight tripod. I hand hold an MPP and use 400 ASA film and use a Nikon F60 as a light meter. It works.

 

[pdjr1991]

The thread was titled 5 x 4 on a budget. That being the case it's absurd to dismiss using a camera body as a light meter. Late model consumer 35mm cameras had all kinds of metering modes, including spot metering, and can be purchased for a few pounds. If you're carrying a large format camera, a heavy duty tripod and a bunch of dark slides, a plastic fantastic SLR is going to make no difference to your payload.

I'd argue you can save weight if your exposures are under two seconds and opt for a lightweight tripod. I hand hold an MPP and use 400 ASA film and use a Nikon F60 as a light meter. It works.

i don't mind spending some money for certain things such as a tripod or a light meter but i want to get the most value out of what i spend. That being said id prefer a light meter and a better tripod, mine is not cutting it!

 

[Sirius Glass]

The thread was titled 5 x 4 on a budget. That being the case it's absurd to dismiss using a camera body as a light meter. Late model consumer 35mm cameras had all kinds of metering modes, including spot metering, and can be purchased for a few pounds. If you're carrying a large format camera, a heavy duty tripod and a bunch of dark slides, a plastic fantastic SLR is going to make no difference to your payload.

I'd argue you can save weight if your exposures are under two seconds and opt for a lightweight tripod. I hand hold an MPP and use 400 ASA film and use a Nikon F60 as a light meter. It works.

I have a Gossen light meter that I use for LF. My Hasselblads have very good light meters. When I need a spot meter for my Hasselblads or my LFs I use a Nikon F100. I can even use the zoom lens and have a spot meter on a 300mm lens with the F100.

Steve

 

[blockend]

Just to be clear, I wasn't advocating a lightweight tripod for large format photography, but it's the kind of thing 35mm users may already have and many can be pressed into 5 x 4 service. If your exposures are long, the tripod is flimsy, the conditions are windy, or a host of other exceptions, you'll need to purchase a solid tripod. I was simply maintaining the budget theme on this old thread. You can pretzel your film with hair bands in a conventional tank, contact print under a 35mm enlarger and generally get into large format work with the camera, a darkslide or two and a box of film. It doesn't have to be a big budget exercise.

 

[pdjr1991]

Just to be clear, I wasn't advocating a lightweight tripod for large format photography, but it's the kind of thing 35mm users may already have and many can be pressed into 5 x 4 service. If your exposures are long, the tripod is flimsy, the conditions are windy, or a host of other exceptions, you'll need to purchase a solid tripod. I was simply maintaining the budget theme on this old thread. You can pretzel your film with hair bands in a conventional tank, contact print under a 35mm enlarger and generally get into large format work with the camera, a darkslide or two and a box of film. It doesn't have to be a big budget exercise.

i lucked out with TWO 4x5 enlargers! i would still like a nice tripod and tank.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Have you looked at Tiltalls? The Leitz and Marchioni versions may be the best bang for the buck out there. I've been using an old Marchioni since about 1987 (when it was already 30 or so years old), and have had NO stability (or other) issues with it under my Linhof STIV. Gossen LunaPros are inexpensive used, and about as good as it gets once you solve the battery issue with an adapter to silver oxide cells. There are more convenient solutions, though.
Camera bodies can work very well as meters. I sometimes use an OM-3 with 200mm lens as a spotmeter when carrying the stuff in the car. Not too practical when hiking with an 8x10 though.

 

[pdjr1991]

Have you looked at Tiltalls? The Leitz and Marchioni versions may be the best bang for the buck out there. I've been using an old Marchioni since about 1987 (when it was already 30 or so years old), and have had NO stability (or other) issues with it under my Linhof STIV. Gossen LunaPros are inexpensive used, and about as good as it gets once you solve the battery issue with an adapter to silver oxide cells. There are more convenient solutions, though.
Camera bodies can work very well as meters. I sometimes use an OM-3 with 200mm lens as a spotmeter when carrying the stuff in the car. Not too practical when hiking with an 8x10 though.

do you know what models for th tiltall, leitz, or marchioni is best served for lf?

 

[E. von Hoegh]

There is one model only. It was first made by Marchioni, then Leitz bought the rights to the design in (IIRC) the early 1970s. Google "Tiltall".

There are Tiltall clones that in my opinion aren't worth bothering with.

 

[jp498]

Here's my leitz tiltall I've had for about 20 years with 4x5 speed graphic. Tiltall and 4x5 camera is a good combination for most outings.

 

[Jim Jones]

Tiltall was also sold under the Star D and perhaps other names. Tiltalls have been my prefered tripod for over 35 years in preference to several other typess in a lifetime accumulation of gear. Tiltall clones have recently been imported, but I have no experience with these.

 

[pdjr1991]

thanks everyone

 

[pdjr1991]

managed to find a tiltall for 60. I love it! its perfect for 4x5. ill be lugging around a little extra weight but itll be worth it.