New & thinking about LF

hi again ---

if you decide on something like a folding press camera -
look for something with a focal plane shutter ( read: speed graphic )
while they weigh a tad bit more than a crown graphic, they have a
internal shutter. this will allow you to use shutterless ( barrel ) lenses. you can also harvest lenses off of junk-folders, use meniscus lenses, enlarger lenses, plastic magnifying glasses --- you name it!

i have a speed graphic and use it on just about every job i go on - it can take lenses from 58mm to a 15" telephoto ( my crown couldn't shoot take a 65mm lens ) ...

oh yeah, they are very rugged, compact and can take all sorts of abuse a rail camera will just whimper.

the only downside of a press camera is that you don't really get any movements - no film plane, just a tad of shift and a little bit of rise - and swing. it is a great portrait camera, and you can use it kind of like a big 35mm (handheld). but if you need movements for landscape and architectural views - look for something a little different ...

good luck!

-john
pacemaker 1954

Hi,

having "hankered after" for a long time and only recently getting a camera my experiences may help.

I knew I wanted LF to experiment with camera movements primarily and for the benefit of a larger negative secondly. Having spent hours looking through cameras on ebay and other sources, but without being able to lay my hands on one I was very reticent to part with any money. Local camera shops never, but ever had anything LF in stock, either new or used. It seemed the more I learned the less I knew.

On a day trip out I was able to visit a large shop in London, (Mr Cad) who a.) had a large stock I could handle and b) was able to offer advise. I came away having spent over budget, but with a monorail, 90mm/f8 super angulon and bag belows.

Having used this for about a month here's some thoughts.

Find somewhere with a large selection of cameras.
In addition to a large stock of 1 type of film, buy 2 boxes of the cheapest film you can get and burn this learning to load, process and play with movements to familiarise yourself with it.
Currently I'm shooting 5X4 but have no enlarger so am contact printing, these are too small so the future either holds a larger format or an enlarger. Am I sorry I didn't just buy a 5X7 or 8X10? well no, the price per shot (cock up!) goes up significantly and I do have to live within a budget. At present I still feel low down the learning curve, maybe in the future my opinion will change, I suppose that will depend on how long it takes me to be comfortable with this.

Good luck

Martin

1. I hope that your friend allowed you to shoot a couple of film holders to get a feel for the process, and even that you picked up the outfit and carried it and set it up.

2. Are you planning on shooting b&w and developing it yourself or shipping it out. What will be your cost for developing and printing, whether by yourself and buying the equipment and chemicals needed, or the cost thru others. If your going to do it yourself, add in all the bottles, tanks or trays, darkroom etc you'll need. If a student, figure your not going to be a student forever.

2A. If you are shooting b&w, which way are you going for enlargements? What will be your cost for enlarging it yourself or having others do it for you. What do you need to buy if doing it yourself?

3. Same questions as above but for color film.

4. How are your going to load your holders. A darkroom or a tent.

5. Time for a handheld meter.

6. A thousand can do it with one good lens, but it's not going to stop there. Forget three lenses for now. Pick your most used focal length and get the 4x5 equivalent.

7. If your not dissuaded, as a starter outfit I'd get a Tachi, your one lens, 4 holders, fast film, a handheld meter, lens shade, home made dark cloth, good enough tripod, heavier head, cable release and filters of your choice plus backpack. If you don't have access to a darkroom, or can make one, buy a Harrison tent to load the holders. Throw the camera equipment into your car on the day off of your choice and go shoot. Prepare for people really noticing you and wanting to talk to you or asking you to leave.

8. Hopefully you have a wife or girlfriend who will put up with your new obession on the weekends to go out....alone.