Rounding up my first LF (4x5) setup

[Alexz]

Well, I'm aproaching the point where I can finally join LF family. I'm going to order Shen-Hao 4x5, have already 150/5.6 Fujinon SNW as my first lens to try out myself in LF.
Some additional accessories are necessary such as film holders (I think 3-4 will be enough) and/or a special holders for Fuji/Kodak Quickloads (the question is whether it would be wise idea to start my LF experience with Quickloads for a first time-being rather then with regular holders and sheets loading just to save some first frustration and basic mistakes due to improper sheets loading).
Also, remote release cable is necessary (I guess per each single lens I'll be shooting with).
What about dark cloth ? Will I be better to ask my mother-in-law who is professional seamstress to make such for me ? If this would be preferrable, what would you suggest in terms of geometrical design (to avoid the cloth to be blown away by a wind but to provide as much light-tight GG looking as possible) ?

Will be happy to hear your advises suggestions regarding all of that..

Regards, Alex

 

[Jim_in_Kyiv]

Alex,

Welcome to LF! While there are people here with a lot more experience than I have, here's my take on it:

If you can get by with 3-4 holders, then do so. When I started out, I blew through a lot of B&W film, and normally carried 5-6 holders. A more settled approach to the learning curve might have helped. Nowadays, I take 3 holders, and use a digital camera for the 'hmmm, what about that' shots, then come back a week or two later when I've got it figured out. I tend to figure out compositions slowly, I guess, so your experience may make it easier.

Release cables make life much easier. You didn't mention an exposure meter. I use either the Nikon digi or a Weston Master III - the latter are cheap enough on ebay - the former will be.

For a dark cloth, I tend to use a t-shirt - reminds me to wash the shirt. There have been some threads about cloths (couldn't resist the pun), so you might want to search the site on it.

Good luck!

Jim

 

[blaze-on]

As only a one year LF'r, I know the most valuable tool to me has been the polaroid holder 545i. Polo film is more expensive than sheet film, but to check composition, exposure and sharpness, it's worth it. It will also take readyloads and or quickloads, though I haven't tried them yet.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

I got a decent dark cloth from a fellow APUG member and replaced the cheap thin one I was using and I really appreciate it. Some (like the one I got) are heavy and bulky, so that is something to consider, but it is nice and big and it really seals out the light well. If you can get the right material, I think having your mother make one would probably save you a pile of money and it will take her about 10 seconds to do the requisite sewing. I would also consider getting more holders. If not, you will be pretty limited with how much shooting you can do in one session. Either that or you will be trying to use a changing bag in the field and that can be a real pain. Also, you will want a loupe for focusing. Focusing on a ground glass can be pretty hard without one. A cheapie will do in a pinch and is better than no loupe. My only reaction to quick loads and the like is that they are too expensive for my blood and therefore I have never tried them.

The most important thing to remember is to have fun!

 

[rbarker]

Welcome to LF, Alex. Sounds like you have a nice basic set-up to get started.

Except for wide-angle lenses in deeply recessed boards, where you might want to leave a cable attached, I think you'll find that one good cable release of moderate length will be fine.

Getting your mother-in-law involved in making you a dark cloth might be a good political move. You'll have to judge that one on your own. My suggestion would be black on the inside, and white on the outside. Make sure the fabric is of a tight weave, however. The darker it is under the cloth, the better. A simple rectangle shape is fine, or you could get fancy. I'd keep it simple to start, though. With use, you'll discover features you'd like to add over time. There have been a few discussions on this topic that you can probably find with the search feature.

If you can get 4x5 Polaroids where you are located, you may find the instant feedback they provide to be helpful. You can also use the 4x5 Polaroid holder (545i) with Fuji Quickloads or Kodak Readyloads. Eventually, however, you'll want to load your favorite sheet film in regular holders.

An inexpensive light meter will get you started, but I'd suggest giving some thought to a more feature-rich meter in the near future. In that regard, my suggestion would be to consider it an "investment" of importance on par with a lens purchase. Otherwise, you may find that you'll end up buying several meters over a period of time as you discover the need for additional features.

Anyway, have fun on your adventure.

 

[Alexz]

Hey Jim, thanks for your response.
I don't shoot B&W (shame on me, I know..) and I suspect carrying too many holders mess me up unless a solid experience will be earned. What I'm contemplating about is whther to start with Quickloads and save on some headaches at the beginning of me LF way (albeit at higher price of course) or just go with regular holders and sheets and cut my teeth on loading them (expecting to multiple mistakes and some frustration and the beginning).
As about exp. meter - at that time I thought to utilize my Canon's built-in spotmeter
(EOS-3) which is pretty much precise and reliable, however I expect lugging my 35mm system just for metering will urge me to invest into some worthy spot meter in some future.

BTW, I noticed you're in Ukraine, whcih reminds me my childhood and teenage years spent in Lvov....

 

[Nick Zentena]

If the cloth isn't 100% light tight you might be able to just double it over. I use my cloth to wrap the camera when it's in the bag. So the big cloth provides padding and protection.

Is the film you want sold in Quickloads? How easy is it to find locally? Personally most of the films I use don't come that way. Used 4x5 film holders can also be fairly cheap. Easy to pick up five or ten for not a great deal of money. Loading film holders isn't that hard. Paul Butzi has a good website on the issue.

http://www.butzi.net/articles/filmload.htm

If you ever want to move up in size you'll have no choice. So better to learn how with 4x5s. It only gets harder the bigger you go.

It's good to have spare cables. Between the ones that break. The ones that get lost. Having a spare or two doesn't hurt and they aren't the heaviest thing in LF.

 

[Alexz]

Thanks guys, every single of your advises is worthy to write down in my check list.
As about films, I tend to shoot mostly Fuji (Velvia 50 particularily for landscapes, will be willing to try out some Velvia 100), thought about giving a try to Kodak transparancies.
A good idea will be to make a call to my local supplier to check whether they stock Fuji Quickloads and their relative pricing.
Sicne as Nick mentioned used 4x5 holders in good condition doesn't tend to cost much, I think it would hurt to buy several of these, even in the case I'll decide to go with Quickloads.

 

[Jim_in_Kyiv]

Hi Alex,

No, there's no 'shame on you' from here. I shoot mostly slide film in 4x5 at the moment (9x12cm, actually). It's one of the reasons why I use the digi for 'thinking' about the shot - the stuff's 30-50% more expensive than in New York. I've also used 35mm cameras for reading the light. Your Canon wil do fine for now, and taking the camera with one lens is all you need. As Ralph said, when it's time to buy a light meter, treat it seriously - I'm just not at that point yet myself.

Spare cables - great idea. LF gives you so many more chances to ask yourself 'why me?', and that's part of the fun.

Kyiv is my permanent home, but I have a a very warm spot for L'viv/Lvov/L'wow/Lemberg. It's a shame how the city is crumbling, and I hope that now they'll be given the resources to bring it to life, or at least have the street lights on at night. The Poles are invading now that they don't need visas again, but I'll still be the only American visiting there with LF gear for quite a while.

 

[Ole]

...What about dark cloth ? Will I be better to ask my mother-in-law who is professional seamstress to make such for me ? If this would be preferrable, what would you suggest in terms of geometrical design (to avoid the cloth to be blown away by a wind but to provide as much light-tight GG looking as possible) ?
...

The best darkcloth I've used so far is a black T-shirt. Levi's has a very dense one...
Put the neck lining around the camera back, put head in through the bottom, use sleeve for access with loupe.

I have several cable releases, always bring one (not per lens, but one in total), rarely use it, and never leave it on the lens. Packing a lens with attached release in an efficient way of damaging the release socket, and leaving the release attached to the lens is a good way to lose it.

 

[Mongo]

I agree with Ole that one can easily damage a shutter by packing a lens with the cable release attached if one is not careful, but I always bring 2 cable releases with me rather than one. I consider it very inexpensive insurance against breakage...besides which they're small and weigh next to nothing.