Suggestions for fresnel on a "cost effective" 8x10 camera

Hi,

I'm pretty much interested in getting prints of people in black and white. I've got a 4x5 Crown that I am using to learn on - I used to develop 35mm film when I was younger - and am enjoying the process. But I'm thinking that I may want to get an 8x10 negative to make contact prints with. What I've learned with the 4x5 is that I need a good fresnel to focus the subject properly since using the rangefinder for me is not so accurate. The Crown is fun but the image on the groundglass is too dark most of the time to be useful. I have ok eyesight so it isn't that.

Would anyone have any suggestions as to a good fresnel to use on a not so expensive model of an 8x10 camera or a stock fresnel that is bright and easy to use on an 8x10? I don't have any particular 8x10 camera in mind....

Thanks - geat forum by the way very helpful people here!

If you dont need something camera specific and dont mind a little trimming with an x-acto knife try ebay or a place like edmunds scientific.

I have a cheap ebay bought Fresnel on my speed and couldn't be happier.

A number of folks have used the full-page magnifiers (available either flexible or rigid) that can be found at office supply stores to improve groundglass visibility. Those page magnifiers use the fresnel lens principle. The trick is where to place it - either on the outside or inside of the gg. There are differing opinions on that front, and placing it on the inside may require adjusting the placement of the groundglass.

Shootar402, djdister,

Thanks! I'm going to get some of those...

Why was I messing with 35mm again? :confused: just kidding, but 4x5 is great fun!

Your suggestions refined my searches and I found another Apug member explaining how to make your own groundglass... which I didn't know about either...

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I was too afraid to putz with the cams for the rangefinder for different focal length lenses. But now, why bother with a rangefinder when you can use any lens you want with a good enough groundglass/fresnel combo.

Thanks again!