Pulled the trigger

[LMNOP]

I made an offer on a Calumet 4x5 (CC400 I think) for $140 and the seller went for it. The included lens is an ILEX Series S no. 1467 215mm 4.8 and it looks pretty clean. The seller said its in great condition, pictures can prove that, and a recent inspection proves that it works, though I can return if that is not the case.

Any tips? I feel like I just purchased a spacecraft, though I work with nothing but film, there is so much I don't know about this format. I've been obsessively reading this forum, books, and various online resources but I gotta get my hands on it to learn.

Anyone have experience with this lens? Wish me good luck!

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Congrats!! That's a very fine setup. And if you ever decide 4x5 isn't for you... or if you opt for other makes... with a little patience... you could double your investment.

 

[Rick A]

Albeit big, heavy, and awkward, there's no shooting situation that rig won't handle. I had a cc-400, and a cc-401(long rail), and used to pack them into the country side all the time, not just studio stuff. You have dust descended into LF hell.

 

[Hatchetman]

I'd be interested if you find a reasonably cheap and practical developing system. I use trays but often get uneven development.

 

[LMNOP]

Albeit big, heavy, and awkward, there's no shooting situation that rig won't handle. I had a cc-400, and a cc-401(long rail), and used to pack them into the country side all the time, not just studio stuff. You have dust descended into LF hell.

This one is a 25" rail, I'm not sure if that is short or long. I am really hopeful that it comes with a Polaroid back, it does come with the instructions for one haha. I imagine my early shots will need testing.

 

[LMNOP]

I'd be interested if you find a reasonably cheap and practical developing system. I use trays but often get uneven development.

My local guy said $5 per sheet and $3 per sheet after the first two. From there, I just have negatives. I'd like to upgrade my scanner to handle 4x5, and I'd REALLY like to print, it will take some time. Roll film back will be useful as heck.

 

[Rick A]

This one is a 25" rail, I'm not sure if that is short or long. I am really hopeful that it comes with a Polaroid back, it does come with the instructions for one haha. I imagine my early shots will need testing.

That's the cc-401 long rail. You can do some super macro shots with it. As for developing your own, if you have a plastic two reel tank you can use the taco method. Feel free to PM me for complete details on that, not difficult.

 

[shutterfinger]

The best 4x5 developing system is:
Jobo 2500 series tank http://www.freestylephoto.biz/2520-Jobo-2500-Series-Multi-Tank-2-Developing-Tank
Jobo 2509n reel http://www.freestylephoto.biz/2509-Jobo-4x5-Sheet-Film-Reel-2509N
Jobo manual rotary base http://www.freestylephoto.biz/1509-Jobo-Roller-Base-for-Tanks-and-Drums

Used prices are not as steep. B&W requires a prewash. Even development every time. Low chemical usage. The tank says to use 270 ml for 4x5 but 300 ml works better. Rotary processing requires even number of turns each direction, easy to establish a rotation technique and switch directions every 30 seconds or 1 minute as you wish. I use 1 minute intervals even if the development time is in uneven minutes or ends in fraction of of a minute with no ill effects.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Enjoy.

Next we will get you to buy a Jobo CPP2+ processor and a Jobo 3010 Expert Drum. The camera was inexpensive but you have only just begun.

 

[Alan Gales]

I had an Ilex 90mm once. It was sharp and contrasty. The 215 you have I believe is convertible to a 14" lens using the rear cell only.

Here is a link to the Large Format Photography home page. It has a wealth of information and is a great forum like APUG but is large format only. http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

You might want to purchase the Steve Simmons book, "Using the View Camera". Steve's book is easy to understand and really helped me out getting started. It's available at Amazon.

 

[removed account4]

my suggestions would be get some paper and make paper negatives .. don't buy film yet ..
rate your paper around iso 6 or maybe 12 .. trim the long edge a teeny bit, and practice loading film holders with the red light on
paper is easy to develop in trays so you can see immediately what you did right or wrong ...

if the camera didn't come with it, buy a few film holders and a piece of black cloth ( dark denim if you have a fabric store near you .. or anything will do )
and if you don't have a suitable tripod, look for a tiltall, they are cheap and bult like a tank and can easily hold your camera. i think i paid 100 new from b+h, not sure
what they cost now, that was 30 years ago ...

have fun
john

 

[LJH]

The best 4x5 developing system is:
Jobo 2500 series tank http://www.freestylephoto.biz/2520-Jobo-2500-Series-Multi-Tank-2-Developing-Tank
Jobo 2509n reel http://www.freestylephoto.biz/2509-Jobo-4x5-Sheet-Film-Reel-2509N
Jobo manual rotary base http://www.freestylephoto.biz/1509-Jobo-Roller-Base-for-Tanks-and-Drums

Used prices are not as steep. B&W requires a prewash. Even development every time. Low chemical usage. The tank says to use 270 ml for 4x5 but 300 ml works better. Rotary processing requires even number of turns each direction, easy to establish a rotation technique and switch directions every 30 seconds or 1 minute as you wish. I use 1 minute intervals even if the development time is in uneven minutes or ends in fraction of of a minute with no ill effects.

First, the items listed are not "the best"; Jobo "Expert" tanks on a CPP3 are the current "best" option offered by Jobo. Manual bases are hardly the "best" option when placed up against CPP3, CPP2, CPA, CPE or ALT processors.

Second, there is a lot of conjecture about prewashing. Ilford actually dissuades its use in their literature. Researching the concept, researching the opinion and trial of the process should be the suggested direction for pre-wash, not writing that it is a required process.

Finally, rotary processing does not require "an even number of turns in each direction". It does not require an even number, nor does it require multi direction. There are many people using uni-directional bases with outstanding results, and I am sure that there are many users using an odd number of revolutions.

 

[Sirius Glass]

First, the items listed are not "the best"; Jobo "Expert" tanks on a CPP3 are the current "best" option offered by Jobo. Manual bases are hardly the "best" option when placed up against CPP3, CPP2, CPA, CPE or ALT processors.

Second, there is a lot of conjecture about prewashing. Ilford actually dissuades its use in their literature. Researching the concept, researching the opinion and trial of the process should be the suggested direction for pre-wash, not writing that it is a required process.

Finally, rotary processing does not require "an even number of turns in each direction". It does not require an even number, nor does it require multi direction. There are many people using uni-directional bases with outstanding results, and I am sure that there are many users using an odd number of revolutions.

+1

The Jobo Expert Drums are well worth their cost and are much better than the 2509 reels and tanks.

 

[LMNOP]

First, the items listed are not "the best"; Jobo "Expert" tanks on a CPP3 are the current "best" option offered by Jobo. Manual bases are hardly the "best" option when placed up against CPP3, CPP2, CPA, CPE or ALT processors.

Second, there is a lot of conjecture about prewashing. Ilford actually dissuades its use in their literature. Researching the concept, researching the opinion and trial of the process should be the suggested direction for pre-wash, not writing that it is a required process.

Finally, rotary processing does not require "an even number of turns in each direction". It does not require an even number, nor does it require multi direction. There are many people using uni-directional bases with outstanding results, and I am sure that there are many users using an odd number of revolutions.

Any of this useful?! FREE in my hometown, on craigslist.

Beseler Enlarger
Enlarger timer with foot pedal
Easel
Negative carriers for large/medium formate and 35 mm
3 safelights
3 processing trays
2 developing tanks
Thermometer
Miscellaneous black and white chemistry
2 boxes of paper

 

[LJH]

Any of this useful?! FREE in my hometown, on craigslist.

Beseler Enlarger
Enlarger timer with foot pedal
Easel
Negative carriers for large/medium formate and 35 mm
3 safelights
3 processing trays
2 developing tanks
Thermometer
Miscellaneous black and white chemistry
2 boxes of paper

Absolutely, with the following caveats:

1) You intend to do "wet" printing, and
2) It's cheap enough (I recently purchased a Beseler 4x5 enlarger with 150mm lens for US$35).

What's the price?

 

[MattKing]

All of it (depending on condition).

 

[Hatchetman]

Take it and figure out what you need later

 

[fotch]

I have a CC-401(long rail) also, nice rig. I understand that this was originally a Kodak design?

 

[M Carter]

Couple thoughts -

If 4x5 feels like you just bought a space shuttle - get a good book on using the view camera. You'll get a great understanding of why all those movements are so awesome.

A dark cloth and loupe are priceless for focusing outdoors.

If you're enlarger shopping, make sure it's a 4x5 enlarger - they're far rarer than all the small enlargers out there.

There are several 4x5 tanks still manufactured that will take 6 or more sheets, B&H has several. Very similar to processing roll film.

Try to setup a closet or something where it can be absolutely totally dark, for loading film holders and tanks. A changing bag with 4x5 is not a lot of fun. A dark closet with a hands-level shelf is nice to use.

Polaroid back - there's no more 4x5 polaroid being manufactured. If you're lucky, you can find a pack film back for 4x5, pricey though. And only one pack film is still being manufactured (100 speed color). There's a good amount of Fuji 3000 B&W out there new, but production has ended for that (awesome) stuff.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Any of this useful?! FREE in my hometown, on craigslist.

Beseler Enlarger
Enlarger timer with foot pedal
Easel
Negative carriers for large/medium formate and 35 mm
3 safelights
3 processing trays
2 developing tanks
Thermometer
Miscellaneous black and white chemistry
2 boxes of paper

I would be around there as fast as a rat going up a drainpipe. Great price.

The timer with the foot switch is one of the greatest darkroom accessories out there, if it works well, you'll love it.

It would seem the only thing you will need is a 150mm lens for your 4x5 negatives. You can enlarge 120 film with a 150, also 135 film, but with 135 film on a Beseler, it's a bit of a stretch.

The Beseler enlargers are not at the top of the tree, they are more at the middle of the road, from my experience. I've used quite a few of them, some with motorised heads.

If you don't already have at least one 4x5" film holder for your camera, that would be my priority.

Yep, the camera you have purchased is the 401, I have one of those. I've commented on it before in another thread of yours. I think you have made a good purchase, certainly a good price.

LJH has some very good suggestions, as have others.

With regard to using a pre-wash. I have worked in professional processing labs and seen quite a few different processing machines. These machines were state of the art for B&W film, Colour negative film and colour slide film. Plus I have observed the rise and fall of the mini-lab on the corner street. Not one of those machines, and I have seen a few, uses a pre-wash. I am not saying a pre-wash is or may not be helpful, but I don't believe it should or should not be a mandatory thing. Find whatever processing method works for you, then stick to it. Once you are up to speed, you can start fiddling.

If you are mildly interested in technique then you could consider these books, there are others but these would be my suggestions.

For processing film and paper, Way Beyond Monochrome Second Edition by Ralph W. Lambrecht and Chris Woodhouse. This is a hard cover and quite frankly the best book I have read on the subject. Another plus is that it is current to today. If you cannot find that, the original edition, soft cover, would be my second choice. As a reference I also have the three Ansell Adams books, they are not bad, but to be honest, Way Beyond Monochrome is just pure excellence.

For camera technique with a view camera. I borrowed Steve Simmons book from my library, it is quite good, as are one or two others I found. That is, until I read View Camera Technique by Leslie Stroebel 7th edition ISBN 0-240-80345-0 This is a hard cover book and about the best book on the subject I have seen and read.

Mick.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Any of this useful?! FREE in my hometown, on craigslist.

Beseler Enlarger
Enlarger timer with foot pedal
Easel
Negative carriers for large/medium formate and 35 mm
3 safelights
3 processing trays
2 developing tanks
Thermometer
Miscellaneous black and white chemistry
2 boxes of paper

Yes, start with this and you will have taken a big step.

 

[Hatchetman]

FYI - if you are going to develop in trays you need to pre-wash or the film will stick together when you put it in the developer.

 

[LMNOP]

I would be around there as fast as a rat going up a drainpipe. Great price.

The timer with the foot switch is one of the greatest darkroom accessories out there, if it works well, you'll love it.

It would seem the only thing you will need is a 150mm lens for your 4x5 negatives. You can enlarge 120 film with a 150, also 135 film, but with 135 film on a Beseler, it's a bit of a stretch.

The Beseler enlargers are not at the top of the tree, they are more at the middle of the road, from my experience. I've used quite a few of them, some with motorised heads.

If you don't already have at least one 4x5" film holder for your camera, that would be my priority.

Yep, the camera you have purchased is the 401, I have one of those. I've commented on it before in another thread of yours. I think you have made a good purchase, certainly a good price.

LJH has some very good suggestions, as have others.

With regard to using a pre-wash. I have worked in professional processing labs and seen quite a few different processing machines. These machines were state of the art for B&W film, Colour negative film and colour slide film. Plus I have observed the rise and fall of the mini-lab on the corner street. Not one of those machines, and I have seen a few, uses a pre-wash. I am not saying a pre-wash is or may not be helpful, but I don't believe it should or should not be a mandatory thing. Find whatever processing method works for you, then stick to it. Once you are up to speed, you can start fiddling.

If you are mildly interested in technique then you could consider these books, there are others but these would be my suggestions.

For processing film and paper, Way Beyond Monochrome Second Edition by Ralph W. Lambrecht and Chris Woodhouse. This is a hard cover and quite frankly the best book I have read on the subject. Another plus is that it is current to today. If you cannot find that, the original edition, soft cover, would be my second choice. As a reference I also have the three Ansell Adams books, they are not bad, but to be honest, Way Beyond Monochrome is just pure excellence.

For camera technique with a view camera. I borrowed Steve Simmons book from my library, it is quite good, as are one or two others I found. That is, until I read View Camera Technique by Leslie Stroebel 7th edition ISBN 0-240-80345-0 This is a hard cover book and about the best book on the subject I have seen and read.

Mick.

All great advice, thanks! I am looking at my local libraries for those books first thing in the morning.

 

[LMNOP]

Does anyone know of a roll film back that will work with this model? Or an instant film back that will work? Best source, ebay?

 

[shutterfinger]

Right hand column, 3rd paragraph under Information On Processing. Delta100 or 400 and HP5+ will/can have uneven development when processed in a 2500 series tank without a prewash. Same goes foe Kodak.
Expert drums are 3 to 4 times the price of a 2500 tank, motorized processors are automated processing or close to it.
One direction rotation can lead to streaks. If you are not having problems then disregard the caution.

Perhaps I should have said best manual.