My first LF camera is landing

kal800 · Nov 6, 2022

Hi,

I've switched to the dark side at last - exactly ten years after I bought my Hassy being my primary camera till now. This Tuesday I'm going to receive a package with the Sinar P1 camera with Symmar-S 150 5.6 lens on Compur shutter. Together with camera there are four film holders, tripod mount, extension rail, extra bellows, ground glass, etc. 20 sheets of RDP is on the way as well. I got decent Sekonic L-608 light meter, Gitzo Systematic legs with Manfrotto 405 head with Arca conversion. It seems everything is in place and ready, but I'd like to ask more experienced participants what will I need additionally in terms of gear? I shoot landscape and some architecture. What comes to my mind - a dark cloth - will I need one? If so - are they more or less the same, or there are things I should consider buying one? Next one - the loupe - the same question - it seems to be simplest piece of gear, however in case of enlarger focuser, I've tried three or four of them until I found the best one for myself. And the last - a transport aid. The camera is in large metal hard case - sturdy and heavy - of course I'm not willing to do backpacking with it and hill trekking - I will just need to take it from the car and walk say 500 meters tops to the spot together with the tripod. Are there a backpack or something that would carry this stuff? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Kal800

BradS · Nov 6, 2022

My first darkcloth was two twin bed size sheets - one black and one white sewed together like a quilt. Later, I bought a Harrison darkcloth and that is what I have used ever since.

I tried a proper loupe…but greatly prefer the hands free option- very strong reading glasses on a leash. I use 3.25 power from the supermarket. I’ll never go back to a loupe!

Hiking with a Sinar is no picnic….maybe a baby stroller? The Sinar will be good for architecture but a pain for trekking….I started out with a toyo monorail in a suitcase …not easy to hump into the wilderness but I was younger then and still managed to have fun a create great memories.

Sharktooth · Nov 6, 2022

Depending on your age and eyesight, you may need reading glasses to compose on the focusing screen (no built in diopter controls on view cameras). Similarly, a good darkcloth is a must if your eyesight isn't great, but any sort of jacket, shirt or towel will work if your eyes are good. Any half decent loupe should do the trick, but long ones tend to be easier for reaching in, and you want the diameter to be small enough so that you can check into the corners.

I don't like hard cases for general shooting. A padded nylon case is lighter and more flexible. I now put it in a wire shopping cart to transport around with the tripod.

Don't forget a good dark room for loading and unloading film. You don't need a wet darkroom, but you need to find a space that you can confirm will be dark. Dark bags are O.K. for emergencies, or in the field, but a real pain for general use.

BrianShaw · Nov 6, 2022

BradS said:
My first darkcloth was two twin bed size sheets - one black and one white sewed together like a quilt.

I still use one like that... my first, from about 1982, also. Mine has drapery weights sown into all 4 sides (sausage beads, so no chance of breaking GG in the wind).

And to answer the OP's question on dark cloths... yes, you'll need one.

For a loupe, I'm now using an eTone loupe I got from ebay. Really nice quality and not too much money.

kal800 · Nov 6, 2022

That’s an interesting issue to consider. I am short sighted - wearing -1.25 diopter contact lenses, and when I wear them reading really small letters from short distance is an issue now. I wonder if I can use reading glasses having with minus lenses.

I got fixed darkroom for B&W processing so loading/unloading should not be an issue. But I will have to consider some gear for those activities when I’m on vacations with the camera. far from my darkroom.

GKC · Nov 7, 2022

When I was putting together m first outfit, I went cheap so I could start shooting and spent my $$ on film and chemicals.
Every year I'd evaluate and upgrade one piece of gear.
This might not work for everyone, but it kept me in the game without going into credit card debt.

Here's some examples---this is for an 8x10

First focusing cloth: Home made by my bride using Steve Simmons's instructions in his primer Using the View Camera (still in use!)
Doubling up black t-shirts or a black rain jacket will suffice for work with a 4x5

First loupe: The ubiquitous Agfa 9X (later replaced with a Silvestri 6X tilting loupe)
Dime store reading glasses or a linen tester will also suffice

First camera container: A Rubbermaid box from Walmart (later replaced with a G.I surplus canvas 5 gallon "Jerry" water can cooler)

Have fun!

Don_ih · Nov 7, 2022

I use a Focuscope. I don't recall what magnification (and it's currently in a 4x5 case). It's decently long and you put one end right against the ground glass - so convenient. I can no longer get focus right without either that or reading glasses.

Before I had that, I was using a long M42 Pentax lens wide open, reversed. I think it was a 135mm. That worked quite well, but you couldn't check corners very easily.

Sirius Glass · Nov 7, 2022

If one has to buy a dark cloth, I recommend that they buy one that is black one one side and white on the other. The black side is for normal use and and the white side is for hot sunny days.

Don_ih · Nov 7, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
If one has to buy a dark cloth, I recommend that they buy one that is black one one side and white on the other. The black side is for normal use and and the white side is for hot sunny days.

The white is to face outward. It reflects light and heat. The black side always faces in.

kal800 · Nov 7, 2022

What is the recommended magnification ratio for 4x5 loupe?

Jay Schrotenboer · Nov 7, 2022

Don Heisz said:
The white is to face outward. It reflects light and heat. The black side always faces in.

Unless you forget and put it on backwards

I have a heavy monorail camera in an even heavier wood and metal case. I use a folding wagon to transport it outside of my car. One of these days I will get a different lighter case, but will probably still use the wagon as it works quite well.

GLS · Nov 7, 2022

kal800 said:
What is the recommended magnification ratio for 4x5 loupe?

Something in the 4x to 6x range typically works well.

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 7, 2022

I use an F64 backpack for my Chamonix 4x5, 4 lenses, and other stuff like meters, loupes, film etc. Backpack comes in gray or black. The removable side cases will hold around 5 film holders each.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/91695-REG/f_64_BPXG_BPX_Extra_Large_Backpack.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=CjwKCAiA9qKbBhAzEiwAS4yeDf71fFoPL0tJrKwYlgkCtpPJ7A_EBeL8AjEPwxN0fl6xnSkd4ypBshoCOaEQAvD_BwE

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 7, 2022

Check the depth against the camera dimensions before buying a backpack.

Tim Stapp · Nov 7, 2022

Jay Schrotenboer said:
Unless you forget and put it on backwards

I have a heavy monorail camera in an even heavier wood and metal case. I use a folding wagon to transport it outside of my car. One of these days I will get a different lighter case, but will probably still use the wagon as it works quite well.

I'll have to look for one of the folding wagons. The Calumet CC400 in it's case is quite large. The Speed Graphic not so much. BUT, all of the related items add up quickly.

I had a plan pre COVID to go the the Buckley old engine show in late August and shoot portraits of the steam traction engines with their attending humans. I have enough DDS to do about 75 over the four days of the show.

Hopefully, someday I can accomplish this goal.

Jay Schrotenboer · Nov 8, 2022

Tim Stapp said:
I'll have to look for one of the folding wagons. The Calumet CC400 in it's case is quite large. The Speed Graphic not so much. BUT, all of the related items add up quickly.

I had a plan pre COVID to go the the Buckley old engine show in late August and shoot portraits of the steam traction engines with their attending humans. I have enough DDS to do about 75 over the four days of the show.

Hopefully, someday I can accomplish this goal.

Sounds like a fun project, good luck with it. If you get one of the folding wagons do make sure it is one of the better built ones with good strong fabric, as there are many cheap lightweight ones out there.

kal800 · Nov 8, 2022

I checked them already. There are many of them - from the simplest to those with roof, plenty of additional storage and nice wheels with suspension, buggies with front rotating wheel, etc. Some of them are intended to carry all the beach gear for entire families so they can ride through sand, dirt or grass as well. As soon as there no hills or mountains, they will do the job I suppose.

Jay Schrotenboer · Nov 8, 2022

kal800 said:
I checked them already. There are many of them - from the simplest to those with roof, plenty of additional storage and nice wheels with suspension, buggies with front rotating wheel, etc. Some of them are intended to carry all the beach gear for entire families so they can ride through sand, dirt or grass as well. As soon as there no hills or mountains, they will do the job I suppose.

I do not know enough about Poland to know how hilly or Mountainous It is by you, they will still help you get further from the car so there is that. I do mostly use mine to get closer to lighthouses from my car so it is quite flat most of the time, which explains why I can still get by with my stupid heavy case.

guangong · Nov 8, 2022

Many years ago a friend accidentally dropped his Deardorf 8x10 from the Palisades in New Jersey near George Washington bridge. After a string of expletives he scrambled down to pick up the pieces. A miracle! The only damage was a small chip of wood from one corner.
But Deardorfs beyond my budget. My LF is limited to my 4x4 Wista, which is rather light, folding into a convenient easy to carry package. However, I have always been in awl of the real, 8x10 and up, LF photographers.
As for loupe, make sure the edge that rests against the ground glass has a soft edge.

My first LF camera is landing

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