Are any of these Cameras worth buying? I was wondering about film stock etc provided that they`re in good working order. The shop is close to where I live.
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Quarter and Half Plate Cameras.
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A
- Thread starter Keith Tapscott.
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If you really like the format you can always cut film down to size.
I think the question is why are you considering one of those?
Collector or user?
From the user viewer point I bet you could find a more modern 4x5 that would be better in most ways for less money.
I think the question is why are you considering one of those?
Collector or user?
From the user viewer point I bet you could find a more modern 4x5 that would be better in most ways for less money.
I wouldn`t buy any Camera without finding out some information about them first. You`re probably right about the 5x4 option, although I already have this format.
Another Camera that caught my eye was a medium format Graflex Century Graphic 6x9 roll-film Camera. I was wondering if this could be modified to take a more modern lens like a Schneider 100mm Symmar-L?
This would be a lot cheaper than a Linhof Technika 23, although again, I wouldn`t buy before learning more about this Camera.
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Hi Keith
Quarter and half plate black & white film is available from
www.retrophotographic.com, which is here in the UK. No colour films are made in those sizes and the choice of b/w emulsions isn't as wide as in say 5x4. As Nick says it depends on why you are buying. These cameras have bookform darkslides. The thing to check before buying is whether they have the metal inserts to take film. They were originally made to take glass plates but some also have the insert. Without them it is a real fiddle to use film, you can check in the forums for other people's experiences and then decide whether it's worth it.
hope this is of help, Alex
Quarter and half plate black & white film is available from
www.retrophotographic.com, which is here in the UK. No colour films are made in those sizes and the choice of b/w emulsions isn't as wide as in say 5x4. As Nick says it depends on why you are buying. These cameras have bookform darkslides. The thing to check before buying is whether they have the metal inserts to take film. They were originally made to take glass plates but some also have the insert. Without them it is a real fiddle to use film, you can check in the forums for other people's experiences and then decide whether it's worth it.
hope this is of help, Alex
I'm fairly certain those take a lensboard just like the bigger models. So if the lens fits the smaller 2x3 camera's lensboard and the bellows are long enough for your needs you can mount basically anything. Now if you're asking about the range finder instead of using the ground glass them I'm not sure how easy that would be.
http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/century-graphic.html
That one?
I`ll stick with my MPP 5x4 then.
Thanks Alex.
Hi Keith
Quarter and half plate black & white film is available from
www.retrophotographic.com, which is here in the UK. No colour films are made in those sizes and the choice of b/w emulsions isn't as wide as in say 5x4. As Nick says it depends on why you are buying. These cameras have bookform darkslides. The thing to check before buying is whether they have the metal inserts to take film. They were originally made to take glass plates but some also have the insert. Without them it is a real fiddle to use film, you can check in the forums for other people's experiences and then decide whether it's worth it.
hope this is of help, Alex
Having said all that, I bought a Gandolfi half plate tailboard from fotofix a few years ago. In beautiful condition, with a Dallmeyer WA lens but without any darkslides. I managed to buy two from Eddy at Gandolfi (very expensive) and a couple of weeks later two more on ebay (very cheap, surprisingly). Very soon after I bought some film inserts, again quite reasonably on ebay.
I was very lucky! I havn't seen any film inserts for sale since. Gandolfi bookform darkslides only fit Gandolfis, there was no standardisation like there is now. I could have been left with a camera that I couldn't use.
I'm a bit wiser now.
Alex
Quarter and half plate black & white film is available from
www.retrophotographic.com, which is here in the UK. No colour films are made in those sizes and the choice of b/w emulsions isn't as wide as in say 5x4. As Nick says it depends on why you are buying. These cameras have bookform darkslides. The thing to check before buying is whether they have the metal inserts to take film. They were originally made to take glass plates but some also have the insert. Without them it is a real fiddle to use film, you can check in the forums for other people's experiences and then decide whether it's worth it.
hope this is of help, Alex
Having said all that, I bought a Gandolfi half plate tailboard from fotofix a few years ago. In beautiful condition, with a Dallmeyer WA lens but without any darkslides. I managed to buy two from Eddy at Gandolfi (very expensive) and a couple of weeks later two more on ebay (very cheap, surprisingly). Very soon after I bought some film inserts, again quite reasonably on ebay.
I was very lucky! I havn't seen any film inserts for sale since. Gandolfi bookform darkslides only fit Gandolfis, there was no standardisation like there is now. I could have been left with a camera that I couldn't use.
I'm a bit wiser now.
Alex
Keth:
It depends. Are you a beginner or an old pro? Are you fastidious about what the brand name of your equipment is?
I have a half-plate camera, English style, like those in the website you provided. Mine is made in Japan. I made 4x5 and 5x7 backs for it, so it is a three format camera, which is more than most modern wood field cameras can do. Yes, it has less movements than modern wood fields or monorails. No, for landscape photography you don't need the extreme movements. Landscape is my preference, but not necessarily yours. I make do with front rise/fall, tilt and drop bed, rear swing, tilt, and rotating back, but that is just me. I had to make a modern tripod mount for mine, but that gave me a chance to add dual spirit levels (from a chap carpenter's level), a feature that not all modern fields incorporate. My bellows were good, but I splurged and had new bellows made, just because the little wood camera was so darned good!
I also have an Anniversary Speed Graphic in 4x5. Much heavier, less movements, great for hand-helds but I would not take it into the woods because of it's limitations and weight. I just got it, but expect to use it for action/snapshot type photography.
I started with an American style 5x7 which is still a great camera, and I learned a lot using it.
In the end it comes down to my first questions. I don't care to spend a lot to do what for me is only a hobby. I don't need 'new' or brand names. Others do. Your choice. Good luck and have fun!
Asanuma King 1 Half-plate with 4x5 and 5x7 backs.
Anniversary Speed Graphic 4x5 w/ Graphic back (takes block holders only)
5x7 Korona View II - my first LF camera - not as portable but I took it on many trips and it works great!
It depends. Are you a beginner or an old pro? Are you fastidious about what the brand name of your equipment is?
I have a half-plate camera, English style, like those in the website you provided. Mine is made in Japan. I made 4x5 and 5x7 backs for it, so it is a three format camera, which is more than most modern wood field cameras can do. Yes, it has less movements than modern wood fields or monorails. No, for landscape photography you don't need the extreme movements. Landscape is my preference, but not necessarily yours. I make do with front rise/fall, tilt and drop bed, rear swing, tilt, and rotating back, but that is just me. I had to make a modern tripod mount for mine, but that gave me a chance to add dual spirit levels (from a chap carpenter's level), a feature that not all modern fields incorporate. My bellows were good, but I splurged and had new bellows made, just because the little wood camera was so darned good!
I also have an Anniversary Speed Graphic in 4x5. Much heavier, less movements, great for hand-helds but I would not take it into the woods because of it's limitations and weight. I just got it, but expect to use it for action/snapshot type photography.
I started with an American style 5x7 which is still a great camera, and I learned a lot using it.
In the end it comes down to my first questions. I don't care to spend a lot to do what for me is only a hobby. I don't need 'new' or brand names. Others do. Your choice. Good luck and have fun!
Asanuma King 1 Half-plate with 4x5 and 5x7 backs.
Anniversary Speed Graphic 4x5 w/ Graphic back (takes block holders only)
5x7 Korona View II - my first LF camera - not as portable but I took it on many trips and it works great!
Do you have to post these links ? I'd just got over the mad idea of an old camera then you give me a lnk to a Zeiss Ikon Ideal 250/7 with RF back !!
I'll blame you when she sees the credit card bill
I'll blame you when she sees the credit card bill
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