Need some advice on getting started

avalladares7439 · Sep 29, 2015

I've been considering going into large format photography. I found a Saturn 75 4x5 studio camera for 60$. Is this a good deal? How much would it cost to get a decent lens? And around how much money would I need to invest to get a good beginner system. I also have a question how exactly does the lens board work. The camera comes with a lens board but I, not sure if I can just mount any lens to the board.

Much obliged and and thanks for all your responses.

Alex Muir · Sep 30, 2015

I don't know if that's good value or not, but I think I can help with your lens board question. There is normally a hole cut in the board to accommodate a particular diameter of shutter. Shutters have a number which describes the size, commonly number 0, or number 1 for 4x5 cameras. You need to ascertain the diameter of the hole to work out which shutter and lens combination will fit. You mount the lens and shutter onto the board with a lock ring. Some lenses don't have shutters built in, but to begin with I would think a lens /shutter combination would be best. Have a look at ads for lenses and you will see what I mean. The two lenses I own have Copal No 1 and Synchro Compur No 1 shutters. You can buy extra boards for other lenses as you acquire more, or for different sizes. I cannot recall the exact measurements of the shutter diameters, but the holes are usually referred to in the No 0, No 1 sizes, etc, so you need to work out what size drilling you have. I hope this helps.
Alex

jeffreyg · Sep 30, 2015

Just to add to what Alex said, if you are drilling the hole in the lens board (it may already have a hole) be sure you make the hole in the center of the board. Depending on what you intend to photograph would determine what focal length lens to get. There are charts showing image circles that will show the coverage. Also the length of the bellows will be a factor. You will also need film holders, a loupe for focusing, a focusing cloth, sturdy tripod and if developing the film you need the darkroom equipment and chemistry etc.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

avalladares7439 · Sep 30, 2015

Thanks for the lens board information

Rick A · Sep 30, 2015

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

Jim Jones · Sep 30, 2015

$60 for the Saturn sounds like a bargain if it is complete and in good condition. It will do almost anything much pricier cameras can. The Saturn 75 was originally intended for 5x7 film, but many of us use one with a 4x5 back. Lens boards for the Saturn are easily fabricated from plywood, hardboard, MDF, or in desperation, foamcore. They can be milled down from 1/4 inch material or built up from two squares of 1/8 inch material. Older lenses are usually mounted with a flange that is screwed or occasionally bolted to the board. Newer lenses are usually mounted by a retaining ring that screws onto the back of the lens. When shopping for a lens, make sure that it comes with either a flange or retaining ring.

You may find this 1967 Burke & James catalog interesting: http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/bj_1.html.

Alan Gales · Sep 30, 2015

You should be able to find a nice example Schneider, Rodenstock, Nikkor, Fuji or Caltar 210mm F/5.6 lens in a modern Copal Shutter for $150 to $200 no problem. All are sharp and contrasty so let price and condition be your guide as to which one to buy.

Bill Burk · Sep 30, 2015

Welcome to APUG avalladares7439,

You do not have to spend a lot of money to get into 4x5 photography.

I picked everything up one piece at a time over many years and still celebrate some landmark great deal finds like the stainless steel sink I got from a garage sale for fifty bucks. Sure over time I spent several times that, but in the beginning I had it all with a cheap 4x5 and a Tessar, a few film holders and an Omega DII enlarger. You could get by with contact printing if you don't get an enlarger at first.

Jim Jones · Sep 30, 2015

While digital subjects is sometimes unwelcome on APUG, some of us scan 4x5 negatives and print through a computer. Fortunately, if you choose to go analog all the way, 4x5 enlargers are often quite inexpensive. Craig's List and perhaps similar sites may be a good place to search for them and for other darkroom and camera gear.

I agree with Alan on lenses, and add that my favorite is an older Ektar 203mm f/7.7. The shutter on any such old lens may need cleaning. Sometimes we can do this well enough ourselves. 127 and 135mm lenses from press cameras often come on view cameras, but they lack enough coverage for much front movements. You can google for information specific to any particular lens, or use one of the charts that include specifications of many lenses. These articles were written several years ago, but should be useful for older lenses: http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/wide.htm, http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/mid-rang.htm, and http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/300-450.htm.

Anyone new to large format photography will find one of the many books on view cameras valuable. Perhaps the most technical is View Camera Technique by Leslie Stroebel, published in several editions over many years.
Other authors of books on view camera photography were Ansel Adams, Harvey Shaman, Steve Simmons, and Jim Stone. Some editions of these books are now rather old. You can check the publication date if newness is important. Basic view camera photography changes little, but the equipment is continually updated.

Neal · Oct 1, 2015

Dear avalladares7439,

Look for something in an Ilex shutter. They are usually great deals. For developing and printing, visit the folks at Dead Link Removed. Lots of knowledge and all the equipment you will need at a very reasonable membership rate. You can visit and even print (I think) on certain nights each month.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

John Koehrer · Oct 1, 2015

I thought about buying that thing simply because of the price.

Depending on what focal lengths you like in smaller formats. there are rough, not exact equivalents
50mm in 35=~ 135mm. The typical WA might be about 100- 120mm or so.
You may find normals range from 135-250mm(opinions) depends on your subjects.
An adequate lens to start could run as little as $40-50. Better lens= more $$$. Generally LF lenses aren't as sharp as 35's
because the size of the negative doesn't require as much enlargement.

Then reality kicked in!.......... I realized it would be another project to not finish.

What what 'burb are you in? Im just across Rt 30 from Aurora. I'd be willing to make a couple of boards for you.

removed account4 · Oct 1, 2015

lucky duck !
great camera, great advice
and great appugers who are local !

welcome to apug !
and have fun with your camera !

angusparkengusparker · Oct 2, 2015

Rick A said:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

Everything you need to learn is there plus reach out on the forum. 4x5 is the sweet spot of large format - light and cheaper (not cheap!). Get a used multicoated modern lens (fujinon, nikkor are reasonable) in a modern shutter (copal 0 or 1). Consider standardizing on one front filter size for the lenses like 52mm so you can use one set of B&W filters without step up rings. Eventually you will want three lenses - wide, normal and long which corresponds to 90mm, 150 or 180mm and 300mm. For the camera - a folding field view camera with bright fresnel attached ground glass - assuming you want to out and about. Suggest you get a camera that accepts the defacto standard board size: linhof technica. Then look for say two or four new Toyo film holders (they come in sets of two) - this is the only thing I'd buy new. Finally a shutter release cable, and make yourself a black cloth. Done!

Suggest you start with B&W film which is cheaper and you can home process. Would use Ilford FP4 as a forgiving and fairly detailed medium speed film that's likely to be around for a while - process in Pyrocat-HD (in glycerol) for maximum flexibility and shelf life of chemicals. Wear gloves and eye protection.

Done!

Sirius Glass · Oct 2, 2015

Rick A said:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

Welcome to APUG

I second the recommendation that you also look to Large Format Photography Forum for advice.

Need some advice on getting started

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