Silly "Should I also take the 4x5" Question: Avoid if not in the mood!

gbenaim · May 2, 2007

I know, you've read this kind of question a million times in different forums, and there's never any right answer. Nevertheless, having myself read and laughed at these kinds of questions, here goes:

I'm going to be travelling for nearly a month in the Greek islands and Tuscany!! It's primarily a family trip, and it's the first time we're travelling w our 1.5 yr old son. So I thought of just taking the Hasselblad kit and the Bessa for people pics. BUT, (big but), I have several hundred sheets of quality 4x5 film in my fridge, a very light Gowland 4x5 kit, and a reasonably flexible, patient, and reasonable wife. My parents are joining us for the first half of the trip, so there'll be someone else to watch our son. What would you do? (that's the kicker).

GB

copake_ham · May 2, 2007

gbenaim said:
I know, you've read this kind of question a million times in different forums, and there's never any right answer. Nevertheless, having myself read and laughed at these kinds of questions, here goes:

I'm going to be travelling for nearly a month in the Greek islands and Tuscany!! It's primarily a family trip, and it's the first time we're travelling w our 1.5 yr old son. So I thought of just taking the Hasselblad kit and the Bessa for people pics. BUT, (big but), I have several hundred sheets of quality 4x5 film in my fridge, a very light Gowland 4x5 kit, and a reasonably flexible, patient, and reasonable wife. My parents are joining us for the first half of the trip, so there'll be someone else to watch our son. What would you do? (that's the kicker).

GB

Ask youself one simple question and answer it honestly. Given sightseeing with the family, sharing duties tending to your son and the fact you are going to be travelling about instead of staying in one place the whole time: Exactly how much available time do you really think you'll have to use the 4x5?

gbenaim · May 2, 2007

Are you trying to be reasonable re LF? Come on!

PHOTOTONE · May 2, 2007

If you don't take it, you will constantly see images that you could have made with it, and regret not taking it.

jstraw · May 2, 2007

This is why I bought the Holga. I'm not taking the LF gear to Mexico next month.

Nick Zentena · May 2, 2007

Tuscan countryside? With a car? Then maybe. City with train then no.

Greek Islands maybe.

Will you take the tripod no matter what? If so it's only the added camera,lens,darkcloth,film holders etc. How you getting all this on the plane

gbenaim · May 2, 2007

Nick, the practical man. I like that. Tuscany w car, islands car too, part of it anyway. Tripod goes no matter what. I'm gonna get a rolling backpack. What do you think of my plan now, heh?

DrPablo · May 2, 2007

I bought a Hasselblad to get myself out of this question. I may end up at some point getting a Crown / Speed Graphic for the same reason. Picking up a clumsy camera and shooting is one thing, but being tethered to a tripod is something else, and I don't think my wife would ever tolerate me bringing one of my view cameras on a trip.

Obviously if you're doing serious architecture shooting something with movements would be desirable. And if you like alternative processes, then the small negative wouldn't be so useful unless you made enlarged negs by whatever process.

Roger Hicks · May 2, 2007

1 How familiar are you with the Greek islands and Tuscany? I prefer to use LF only in places I know well. I've taken 4x5 to Greece (to the Pelopponese, and to Rhodes, both on my first visits) and I got some very good pictures; but I think I'd have got more pictures, and better, without. Generally, I'd prefer to go somewhere; think, "I REALLY wish I had 4x5 with me"; and go back another time, rather than be constantly looking for 4x5 shots on the first trip.

2 Do you 'see' easily in 4x5? If you shoot lots of 4x5, and 'think' in that format, it's another matter from shooting 4x5 occasionally as a treat.

3 Are you happy mixing formats?

4 What arrangements have you for changing film? I found loading dark-slides in the Pelopponese (using a changing bag) to be a real drag; I was much happier with Polaroid 55 P/N in Rhodes.

5 How are you travelling? If I were driving down, with car ferries between islands, I might be more inclined to pack 4x5 'just in case', knowing I might not use it, than if I were flying at any point.

Just a few thoughts, based on my own experiences in Greece and elsewhere.

Cheers,

R.

roteague · May 2, 2007

Ditto, everything Roger said.

Ole · May 2, 2007

I brought a 4x5" Speed Graphic, 11 holders (5 4x5", 6 9x12cm), 6 lenses, a tripod, changing bag, film etc. with me to Italy (Piemonte and Genova) by air. I don't regret that at all!

copake_ham · May 2, 2007

gbenaim said:
Are you trying to be reasonable re LF? Come on!

I simply said to answer the question honestly - I didn't suggest what your answer should be - only you know that!

jovo · May 2, 2007

gbenaim said:
So I thought of just taking the Hasselblad kit and the Bessa for people pics.

I agree with everything Roger said, but would also add that the Hassie ain't too shabby unless you typically make huge prints...plus roll film is a lot easier to schlepp in larger quantities. There's been so much spectacular medium format work in the galleries lately that I've had to remind myself that LF is just a tool and a sometimes inconvenient and by no means essential one at that. Medium format sounds like the better choice to me. Travel light!

Prospero · May 2, 2007

Had a similar dilemma on a trip to Italy last year. Took the LF and didn't regret it. The arrangment we came to was that I would get up before 6 each morning and do some LF. On the way back, esp. if we were in or near a town, I would buy fresh pastries for breakfast. This turned out to be an acceptable compromise! During the day I took my 500CM, but also scouted for LF shots for the next morning.

More rarely I would also go out in the evening with the LF gear as well.

Since my LF kit included a 6x17 back, I came back with some stunning shots that I would not have had otherwise.

Andrew Moxom · May 2, 2007

For your lightweight Gowland camera, do you have a rollfilm back or two, and a wider angle lens that would cover 6x9 or 6x12, plus a few of your regular LF lenses and now you have some options. Movements, 120 film, no changing bag, no film holders. Plus you can use your Blad for regular work not requring movements.

Mark Fisher · May 2, 2007

Will you have time to go out by yourself? If your family tends to get a late start, then the answer is easy....bring the LF and get up very early.....sleep is for wimps anyway This is the approach I take. Then, I use a 35mm the rest of the time with Tri-x.........
If I can't imagine getting some dedicated early time without intruding on my family's time, then I'm happy just packing the 35mm with Tri-x and a P&S digital for the family pics (which is what I am doing this summer in China) Better to enjoy the experience than worry about missing a shot.......Have a great vacation

ragc · May 2, 2007

In my opinion, it's not worth it.

When I take my LF gear out, I need to be relaxed, alone or with someone that enjoys what I enjoy, and without schedules. Otherwise it stops being a pleasant experience and becomes a chore I'm imposing on myself. I'd rather enjoy the trip with a more portable setup and not end up angry or tense by trying to force the LF timeline on all other activities and people. You can always find other time to shoot LF, but your family will never take this same exact trip again.

Curt · May 2, 2007

What do you have for lenses with the Gowland system? Two complete systems are probably going to be too much equipment if they are complete with lenses and accessories etc..

Ask yourself what is it that the 4x5 will do that you "need" that the 2 1/4 won't. Do you need the larger format? Do you need movements? Do you need individual sheets? Or do you need to shoot hand held? If you need it all then you will have to take it all, but it's going to be a drag having that much equipment under tow.

You can put the blad on a tripod but you can't shoot the Gowland hand held. If you can't simplify then take the 2 1/4 with all the lenses and accessories you need and take the 4x5 and a very few holders and limit the lenses and unnecessary accessories. The more you can streamline the better chance you will get the shots and see something too.

Curt · May 2, 2007

When I take my LF gear out, I need to be relaxed, alone or with someone that enjoys what I enjoy, and without schedules. Otherwise it stops being a pleasant experience and becomes a chore I'm imposing on myself. I'd rather enjoy the trip with a more portable setup and not end up angry or tense by trying to force the LF timeline on all other activities and people. You can always find other time to shoot LF, but your family will never take this same exact trip again.

I wish I had said that! It's exactly the truth. I have left my camera home many times because I needed the quiet time to do the work of looking and taking.

MikeM1977 · May 2, 2007

gbenaim said:
I know, you've read this kind of question a million times in different forums, and there's never any right answer. Nevertheless, having myself read and laughed at these kinds of questions, here goes:

I'm going to be travelling for nearly a month in the Greek islands and Tuscany!! It's primarily a family trip, and it's the first time we're travelling w our 1.5 yr old son. So I thought of just taking the Hasselblad kit and the Bessa for people pics. BUT, (big but), I have several hundred sheets of quality 4x5 film in my fridge, a very light Gowland 4x5 kit, and a reasonably flexible, patient, and reasonable wife. My parents are joining us for the first half of the trip, so there'll be someone else to watch our son. What would you do? (that's the kicker).

GB

I'd leave the 4x5 if this is a family trip. My wife is also very patient when I shoot 4x5, but I think time is too precious on a trip like this. I just got back from 2+ weeks in Europe. I brought along a digital P&S and my Mamiya C220 w/ 3 lenses. I also brought a carbon fiber tripod. I used the tripod only a few times...in hindsight I would have even left the tripod at home. I used the Mamiya quite a bit, but even so, I left it in the hotel for half the days because of the weight started to take a toll on me. Took 600 digital snapshots and 14 rolls of 120. Stick with the Hassy.

gbenaim · May 3, 2007

I must say I'm overwhelmed by the response, having read so many similar threads in the past. I just threw it out on a whim, because it's getting down to crunch time, but it must have hit a nerve in the LF community.
I have done my best work w the Hassy, but then again the 4x5 is a recent thing (1 year) and takes some getting used to. I do enjoy the process more on the 4x5, especially the composition and then DBI in the darkroom. The results so far, however, in aesthetic terms still fall far short of the Hassy work.
Predicting what our days will look like is very difficult, partly because there will be very different conditions at different stages of the trip, and partly because it's our first overseas trip w our son. I'm leaning towards not taking the 4x5, but it's probably gonna be down to the wire w this one. Thanks all for your contributions, it's great to hear us all going through similar thought processes.

DODDATO · May 3, 2007

Large format is a more complitative style of photography. You need time and solitude to do it properly. If you are rushed you will make mistakes that you will only seen after you process the film. I would recommend the Hassy for a first trip overseas especially with a young child. If you are there in high tourist season, it will only compound the problem. Enjoy your family and the trip, that's the primary thing.

coriana6jp · May 3, 2007

Normally I would say take the 4x5. The last few trips out of Japan, I have always taken mine and have never regretted it at all. However, with a 1.5 year old along, I think that will take up most if not all of your extra time. I would stick to the Hassy for that reason only. Now if your wife doesnt mind spending the extra time watching the kid while you shoot then by all means take the 4x5.

Gary

Silly "Should I also take the 4x5" Question: Avoid if not in the mood!

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