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Read a book like "Using the View Camera". Learn how movements affect the look of the image. Then, if your kind of photography does not require all the movements that monorail cameras are capable of, get a field camera. ...
I probably want something with movements, but also something lightweight, and not too expensive...
Get a lightweight folding 4x5 wooden field camera - Wista, Tachihara, Nagaoka, Ikeda, Woodman, Shen Hao, Chamonix, etc.
Don't get a monorail to start with. They're widely recommended to beginners because they're cheap and plentiful and have lots of movements. But the ones that are cheap and plentiful are big and heavy and clumsy and a royal pain to lug in the field. They'll suck all the pleasure out of the enterprise before you've gotten anywhere.
What you might want to do is see if there are any members here or on the LF forum in your area who could show you some of the differences and help you narrow down your choices.
after trying several 4x5 cameras,I settled on a metal-field,which I found to be light-weightand most flexible;the big benefit of 4x5 is that you can use the lenses once bought on all cameras. Brfore, I had moved from 35mm to MF and experienced a big jump in image quality;I was hoping for a similar jump moving from MF to LF but that did not happen. Overall MF is probaby the ideal compromise in film formats; high image quality combined with the flexibility of a camera system. I csn't think of a photographic subject MF can't handle to my sarisfaction.I've been thinking about trying out large format but am kinda lost in all the options for cameras and lenses. I probably want something with movements, but also something lightweight, and not too expensive... I'm sure that's a tall order and will mostly lead to the most expensive cameras. I'm not sure if I will like large format over medium format, though I sure do like medium format over small. What do I need to get to be able to develop large format film?
For people just moving from small to medium format cameras the canned recommendation is a $100 Japanese TLR or rolleicord because they're small light and pretty high quality. I guess I'm wondering what the equivalent recommendation for just getting into large format is.
While I enjoy owning my 4x5 Crown Graphic and Graphic View 2 which have lenses that are useful in both cameras, I think Ralph is correct in what he says about Medium Format. When the urge to photograph hits me, I first look at my Hasselblad 500CM with its 80mm lens and a tripod. Up to and including 16 x 20, 16 x16, 20x20, enlargements are certainly possible from that camera mounted on a tripod. The other lenses that I have for that camera just make it even more useful. He did not mention which system but I have...........Regards!after trying several 4x5 cameras,I settled on a metal-field,which I found to be light-weightand most flexible;the big benefit of 4x5 is that you can use the lenses once bought on all cameras. Brfore, I had moved from 35mm to MF and experienced a big jump in image quality;I was hoping for a similar jump moving from MF to LF but that did not happen. Overall MF is probaby the ideal compromise in film formats; high image quality combined with the flexibility of a camera system. I csn't think of a photographic subject MF can't handle to my sarisfaction.
Get a lightweight folding 4x5 wooden field camera - Wista, Tachihara, Nagaoka, Ikeda, Woodman, Shen Hao, Chamonix, etc.
Don't get a monorail to start with. They're widely recommended to beginners because they're cheap and plentiful and have lots of movements. But the ones that are cheap and plentiful are big and heavy and clumsy and a royal pain to lug in the field. They'll suck all the pleasure out of the enterprise before you've gotten anywhere.
Don't get a Graphic (Speed, Crown) to start with. They're widely recommended to beginners because they're still relatively cheap, quite rugged, simple to set up, and most of them come with a rangefinder that, if properly calibrated, can be useful in some circumstances. But they have limited movements in front and none in the rear, they're a pain to use with short focal lengths, they're a nuisance to use for vertical photographs, and the rangefinder isn't nearly so useful as it would seem on first acquaintance.
I own all of these camera types and more; each has its place. But IMO, for most beginners a folding wooden field camera is going to be most conducive to trying the camera in a wide range of situations and, most important of all, to having fun, so that you'll pursue large format far enough to give it a fair test of whether it's right for you.
Whichever way you go, good luck!
I'm not sure if I will like large format over medium format, though I sure do like medium format over small. What do I need to get to be able to develop large format film?
Don't get a Graphic (Speed, Crown) to start with. They're widely recommended to beginners because they're still relatively cheap, quite rugged, simple to set up, and most of them come with a rangefinder that, if properly calibrated, can be useful in some circumstances. But they have limited movements in front and none in the rear, they're a pain to use with short focal lengths, they're a nuisance to use for vertical photographs, and the rangefinder isn't nearly so useful as it would seem on first acquaintance.
...and not too expensive...
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