LF suggestion

[rowghani]

Hi guys,

Don't know much about them but I'm starting get the urge to try one. Id like something small and portable. some suggestions would be great. thank you.

 

[rowghani]

something with character would be nice as well. I know the tachihara's use 100 + year old cherry wood.

 

[bdial]

There are a lot of choices.
What sort of budget do you have in mind?
Are you interested in using barrel lenses (i.e. without shutters)?
What kinds of things will you be photographing? For example;
Landscapes involving hiking
Landscapes not involving hiking
Portraits
Studio work

 

[jimjm]

If you're starting out in large format, a good place to get your bearings is the Large Format Photography page at http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ .

You're going to get all types of suggestions from this forum and there are multitudes of different cameras out there. If you want light and portable, probably start with 4x5 format, as opposed to 5x7, 8x10 or larger. Wood field cameras like the Tachihara are great for all types of photography, but if you need more movements for architecture or studio shooting a monorail might be better.

If you just want to get your feet wet at a minimum cost at first, a press-type camera like a Speed or Crown Graphic can be had for under $500 with lens. These are hand-holdable as well and can give great results, but with limited movements if you need them.

Good Luck!

 

[Sirius Glass]

If you want to shoot handheld and as a view camera with limited movements look at Speed Graphics and Crown Graphics. See www.graflex.org and www.graflex.org/forum/.

 

[rowghani]

Thanks guys. I shoot mainly landscapes but that includes ones with people. Think Joel sternfeld. No hiking would be involved but I don't want to spend too much time setting up. I'd like to leave it on a tripod and walk around.

 

[rowghani]

Maybe something like this?
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/deardorff/deardorff-special.html

 

[jimjm]

Maybe something like this?
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/deardorff/deardorff-special.html

Yep - you'll find lots of different makes of 4x5 field cameras like that Deardorff. Tachihara, Shen-Hao, Toyo, etc. They essentially fold up into a self-contained box and are very versatile and fairly lightweight. If you buy new, some makes can cost thousands or more for the camera alone, but there are plenty available on the used market. Look for one that has no repairs or damage to the wood, bellows in good condition, and knobs/controls that operate smoothly and lock down securely. You may come across some older cameras (say pre-1950), but these may be heavier and have fewer movements than more modern ones. There are also some metal field cameras, which may be more durable but not as stylish as wood.

I have a Shen-Hao TZ45-IIB that I've been using for years to shoot landscapes, architecture and portraits. It cost $600 new when I bought it, but now they're about $1000. Badger Graphic has a page for them here: http://www.badgergraphic.com/opencart/index.php?route=product/category&path=2_22_98 . I use lenses from 90mm to 320mm with it, and it can accommodate 75mm or wider lenses with a bag bellows. You'll also want to consider a heavy-duty tripod as well. Even a tripod for medium format cameras won't be sturdy enough for 4x5. Once the bellows is extended and the dark cloth is attached, the whole thing can act like a sail if there's any wind.

 

[Alan Gales]

I used to own a 4x5 Tachihara. If I was buying a 4x5 today I would get a Chamonix. The Tachi was nice but the Chamonix is more rigid like a metal technical field camera but still light weight.

I shoot an 8x10 Wehman and I also have a 4x5 reduction back for it.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I looked up Joel sternfeld and, as others stated, a Crown or Speed Graphic may be your best bet if your work is like his, with people at least. You'll probably want a hand-held camera with a cammed lens for much of that type of work. Of course there are Linhof Technika and Horseman VHR cameras and others but those are heavier than the Graflex press cameras, though they are more versatile, if you don't need a focal plane shutter. I had a Horseman VHR a few decades ago and only used the rangefinder one time but that was surely because of the types of photos I took more than any other reason.

 

[nwilkins]

I looked up Joel sternfeld and, as others stated, a Crown or Speed Graphic may be your best bet if your work is like his, with people at least. You'll probably want a hand-held camera with a cammed lens for much of that type of work. Of course there are Linhof Technika and Horseman VHR cameras and others but those are heavier than the Graflex press cameras, though they are more versatile, if you don't need a focal plane shutter. I had a Horseman VHR a few decades ago and only used the rangefinder one time but that was surely because of the types of photos I took more than any other reason.

Joel Sternfeld shot all that stuff on an 8x10!

 

[rowghani]

Ah ok . Is there a big difference in sharpness and tonality between 4x5 and 8x10?

 

[nwilkins]

no I was just remarking on how difficult it would have been to capture some of his photos on such a slow camera (as opposed to something handheld). I have never used 8x10 but I will say that I was surprised that the jump in quality between a good 6x7 camera and 4x5 is not that big - maybe I was expecting to see a huge difference, like I did when moving from 35mm to 6x7. But the difference was nowhere near that big. So for me the reasons to shoot LF are more the available movements than anything else. I've been working with a borrowed monorail camera and I can definitely recommend getting a field camera instead, unless you'll be in a studio all the time. It's a huge pain to carry around.

 

[rowghani]

I've been reading and I don't understand the use of 'movements' on LF cameras. Why is that useful? Thanks.

 

[nwilkins]

I think you should check this out - it should give you a good introduction: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/why.html

 

[rowghani]

Ok just did and it makes a lot more sense. So correct me but wouldn't sternfeld type shots be impractical with a hand held 4x5 because of the lack of depth of field? I think that is what you were saying in your previous post right?

 

[nwilkins]

no i was only ever talking about the handling and speed of using the camera

 

[Alan Gales]

I'm a big fan of Frank Petronio. He used a 4x5 Crown Graphic with a 150mm lens for a lot of his images. http://www.frankpetronio.com/Those-Internet-Models/7

A Crown or Speed Graphic is great for environmental portraits. A field camera is much better for landscape photography for the less restricted camera movements. More important than the camera is a quality tripod.

Sally Mann and Jock Sturges both shot 8x10 cameras.

To me any difference in sharpness between 4x5 and 8x10 is a moot point. I don't print huge. I don't have room for a monster 8x10 enlarger. I don't use modern computer designed sharp glass. My lenses are older single coated ones. I like the tonality of 8x10 b&w better. I like the fact that contact printed 8x10 is larger than the same with 4x5. I like the fact that I can scan my 8x10 negatives on my Epson flat bed scanner and get sharper 16X20 prints. I love composing my images on the huge 8x10 ground glass. I don't like that an 8x10 camera is larger, heavier and film is more expensive. Everything is a compromise somewhere.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Ok just did and it makes a lot more sense. So correct me but wouldn't sternfeld type shots be impractical with a hand held 4x5 because of the lack of depth of field? I think that is what you were saying in your previous post right?

Movements are only used on a tripod, not for handheld since one needs to view the movement effects on the ground glass.

 

[RobC]

something with character would be nice as well. I know the tachihara's use 100 + year old cherry wood.

Are you looking for a fashion accessory or a robust working tool?

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I like the fact that my black walnut Chamonix is a very handsome camera. If one can have beauty along with function, why not?

 

[RobC]

I like the fact that my black walnut Chamonix is a very handsome camera. If one can have beauty along with function, why not?

because when someone is looking to get into LF and the first things they ask for is smallness, lightness and 100 year old cherrywood, you have to question their motivation for getting into LF.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

because when someone is looking to get into LF and the first things they ask for is smallness, lightness and 100 year old cherrywood, you have to question their motivation for getting into LF.

Why? Because one appreciates beauty as well as function? If cost isn't a major concern then one might as well have something nice as well as functional. In fact, if the OP is a gazillionaire then what would be wrong with him/her buying an Ebony as his/her intro large format camera? The OP thus far has written of 'small', 'portable' and 'practical'. He/she didn't mention anything about cost.

 

[rowghani]

because when someone is looking to get into LF and the first things they ask for is smallness, lightness and 100 year old cherrywood, you have to question their motivation for getting into LF.

Clearly I'm getting into it to impress people. Nothing gets by you Rob.

 

[RobC]

Clearly I'm getting into it to impress people. Nothing gets by you Rob.

Well perhaps you better provide more information about the type of LF photography you are intending to do such architectural, landscape etc and specify the type of camera you want such as field camera, monorail camera and any special requirements for it otherwise your question is like asking if someone can recomend a 35mm camera. Everyone will recommend the camera they have and use which tells you very little if anything. Be more specific.