Recommendations for first 4x5 system

[Paul Howell]

I'm thinking about one, in most respects an improvement over by Brand New View that I have, what I like about the New View is that it a 2 rail and has a built in handle, while not a folder it will collapse and it is easy to carry in the field when shooting near a road and my SUV.

 

[miha]

I got myself an LF camera for the movements, not for the large negative per se, so I went for a monorail. I need the same movements on both standards and an 18-inch rail in between.

 

[Neil Poulsen]

It would be helpful to know what you want to photograph? Are there specific types of subject matters sin which you're interested?

It's always kind of funny how people will fire off recommendations for 1st 4x5's without knowing what the OP wants to photograph.

 

[JNP]

@Locutus of Borg do you have someone nearby who uses a 4x5 camera? If so, float the notion of going out on an expedition of your choosing, and you swap cameras so you can see if their camera suites your needs. If it does not strike that style off your list. Maybe your local someone is a GAS Fiend and has more than one style, if so you can go out more than once. Bring fuel money and spring for the Timmy's.

 

[GKC]

I'd recommend getting a hold of a good book or two (or three) before investing any more $$
Using The View Camera by Simmons is a great place to start.
Graflex Graphic Photography by Morgan and Lester is more Graphic camera specific.
Both are out of print but used copies are readily found and IIRC Graflex Graphic is available on-line.
Another good resource is Ansel Adams Examples: Making 40 Photographs which detail the actual making a 40 iconic LF prints by the master himself,

These will provide an easy to understand guide to both the gear, how components go together, the reason for various design features and the physical practice of using the gear.
A little knowledge before hand should save you both time & $$ (trust me!)

 

[otto.f]

I've seen many people express this same view, but it isn't a truism.

I would make a first rough decision between two locations: do you mainly shoot around the house, portrait, stills or do you want to go out for landscapes. And then you need to know whether movements are important or not

 

[alanrockwood]

If you want a monorail camera (which is less portable than some configurations) then an old Calumet is not a bad choice. Often you can find them on ebay without lens for ~$100-$200, or sometimes even less.

 

[otto.f]

There’s a lot to discover and to get used to in LF, far more than the making of the photo. I started with a monorail for around the house. I think that is a good introduction because you see what all the possibilities are for movements, Scheimpflug, etc. Then you also learn how to deal with all the practicalities, exposure calculation controlled for bellow length, managing filmholders, loading unloading, developing etc.
In fact everything else than a monorail are compromises and reductions from the complete idea of LF. Start broad, and specialize later if you know what you are looking for in LF. Unless you choose for the way your grandma uses a 4*5 of course, and aren’t interested in the whole spectrum. And she’s got friends who take over an important part of the whole process.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

There’s a lot to discover and to get used to in LF, far more than the making of the photo. I started with a monorail for around the house. I think that is a good introduction because you see what all the possibilities are for movements, Scheimpflug, etc. Then you also learn how to deal with all the practicalities, exposure calculation controlled for bellow length, managing filmholders, loading unloading, developing etc.
In fact everything else than a monorail are compromises and reductions from the complete idea of LF. Start broad, and specialize later if you know what you are looking for in LF. Unless you choose for the way your grandma uses a 4*5 of course, and aren’t interested in the whole spectrum. And she’s got friends who take over an important part of the whole process.

It didn't make sense for me to start with a monorail because I was interested in landscape photography. So went with a light Chamonix field camera as my first and only LF camera.

 

[otto.f]

It didn't make sense for me to start with a monorail because I was interested in landscape photography. So went with a light Chamonix field camera as my first and only LF camera.

Yes if your goal is very clear and circumscript, then that's the way to go. I also have the Chamonix for landscape mainly and have an old Linhof monorail most often standing ready at home

 

[guangong]

I use a wood Wista camera. Weighs very little and compact, so very portable, and also easy to set up. There are other brands that are very similar. Press cameras always seemed to bulky and heavy for me, however they were designed for newspaper work and worked very well, until replaced by Rollei TLR and Leica/Nikon rf cameras because of their superior results. For me, LF is best at landscapes and portraits.

 

[Donald Qualls]

replaced by Rollei TLR and Leica/Nikon rf cameras because of their superior results.

I'd take issue with that clause -- I don't think either the Rolleiflex or Leica/Nikon RF cameras gave superior results to a 3x4 or 4x5 press camera (witness a photo I've seen from the Roswell UFO incident, in which the negative from a Speed Graphic captured enough detail to read the text on a casually displayed typed memo -- image size of the letter size page on the negative smaller than a postage stamp) -- but as film advanced, first the Rollei and then the 35 mm gave good enough results in much more compact, lighter, and somewhat more robust packages.

 

[5150Bronco]

A lot of my research has led me to choose Chamonix 45F-2. Seems light and durable. I keep hearing that the intrepid is a little shaky, but it is so tempting to get a try out. I do rather spend more money and not regret the purchase and learning experience.

I definitely will be shooting landscape, doing hiking, backpacking etc. I am trying to decide whether I want my first 4x5 to be a rock and just use after I take out of truck or be portable.

Anybody have other suggestions please advise. Thanks!

 

[otto.f]

A lot of my research has led me to choose Chamonix 45F-2. Seems light and durable. I keep hearing that the intrepid is a little shaky, but it is so tempting to get a try out. I do rather spend more money and not regret the purchase and learning experience.

I definitely will be shooting landscape, doing hiking, backpacking etc. I am trying to decide whether I want my first 4x5 to be a rock and just use after I take out of truck or be portable.

Anybody have other suggestions please advise. Thanks!

I can only say that I have never had regrets that I bought this camera in 2017. It’s light, easy to pack in just a normal backpack, in my case the Osprey Farpoint 40. Because of its weight I can also compromise a bit with the weight of the tripod I choose for certain situations. More than enough movements for general work, also in studio. I must say I am very happy with Chamonix’s filmholders, for me really worth the extra money over old and used plastic ones

 

[5150Bronco]

Thanks Otto. That is good to know about its portability which was not really easy to find online. I heard their film holders are very nice, but they are sold out and not making them now or just out of stock.

I did hear the Fidelity holders are next best option.

 

[ic-racer]

Just about any field camera (they all work the same) , robust tripod (may cost more and be harder to source than the camera) any modern 150mm with working shutter, some film holders, amd you would be set.

 

[Craig]

I did hear the Fidelity holders are next best option.

I would go with the Toyo holders, then are not cheap, but high quality.

 

[5150Bronco]

Thanks Craig! Did not know. I was not so set on Fidelity.

Folks, what about 4x5 Stenopeika? Hyperlite model or just the company in general….

 

[otto.f]

Thanks Craig! Did not know. I was not so set on Fidelity.

Folks, what about 4x5 Stenopeika? Hyperlite model or just the company in general….

Multiplex/plywood is not my thing and it's just 100gm less than the F2

 

[5150Bronco]

Multiplex/plywood is not my thing and it's just 100gm less than the F2

Its too flimsy right? Is that the reason for the flimsy feedback I have read with the Intrepids?

 

[otto.f]

Its too flimsy right? Is that the reason for the flimsy feedback I have read with the Intrepids?

More prone to humidity ups and downs I'd say than flimsy as such. Intrepid is at least so honest to not disguise it

 

[5150Bronco]

Oh got you! That can be corrected, right? I am sure you could improve that on your own.

Yes, that is good they are honest! I would buy for that reason. Ha ha. I have been looking at getting one from them.

 

[otto.f]

That can be corrected, right?

Correcting multiplex for bending because of humidity? Don't think so at all

 

[5150Bronco]

Oh ok! So it can be a permanent issue.... Got ya. Something I need to consider and I guess where I live, etc.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

If I were starting out now, I would probably look for an old Linhof Tech IV, or Toyo field cameras.