Testing the large format waters

I've used perhaps a dozen 4x5 cameras over too many decades, but still can't well advise others on what is best for THEM without knowing them well. Each of those cameras taught me something to like and something to dislike about them. Most of my LF photos taken in those years could have been taken with any of those cameras with the right lens. To get the most use out of a view camera, a lens with more than the minimum coverage is strongly advised. Press cameras usually come with lenses that have minimum coverage, inadequate for front movements. Weight of the camera and accessories can be important for some. Edward Weston and Ansel Adams often toted 30 pounds or more of photo equipment because anything less couldn't have made the negatives they sought. Ouch! As others have said, your first LF camera probably won't be your last, so buy that first one with the expectation of selling it some day. As for processing, you won't shoot LF as often as smaller formats. B&W tray processing is simple and inexpensive. 4x5 negatives can be scanned for versatile printing.

I used to always recommend the Cambo and Calumet entry level monorails. They are very lightweight (for monorails) and cheap. The Sinar F series has gotten cheaper now and there is a lot of used Sinar gear out there in the U.S. market. Also look at Toyo. If you later decide you want a field camera or Speed or Crown Graphic then keep the monorail for extreme movements. Monorails are also great for portraits because of the long bellows draw. You can easily get a monorail for less then $200.00. I've seen some older working models go for as low as $50.00. That's without lens of course.

Most will wisely recommend a normal focal length lens like 150mm or 180mm. A lot of monorail cameras come with 210 lenses. I wouldn't pass on a good deal with a camera/210mm lens combo. A 210 and 135 make a great pairing. Any later lens like Schneider, Rodenstock, Nikkor, Fuji or Caltar will do. The modern lenses are all sharp and contrasty. Let price be your guide over brand name.

If you don't have a darkroom then get yourself a Beseler drum roller and a Jobo expert drum. The used drum rollers are dirt cheap on eBay. You can use a changing bag to load film. The photography tents are much nicer though.

You can use an oversized black t-shirt or sweat shirt as a dark cloth. Some use cheap drug store "readers" for loupes. Used 4x5 film holders are cheap. If you can pick up five holders then you can load a whole box of ten negatives.

Large format is a lot of fun! Don't fret too much over the right camera and lens. Just get something and go shoot. If you find later that you don't like what you bought then you can always sell it for pretty much what you paid and then go buy something else.

I can't really advise on camera, but I will say that you will be blown away the first time you hold your developed 4x5 neg in your hands.

Prices are so good at the moment on used Sinar F and Norma gear that you might as well opt for something of lifetime quality right up front. Don't go cheapo on anything. Rather, shop carefully for good equipment at pricing realistic for you. Otherwise you might end up frustrated or unnecessarily waste a lot of film. What has gotten expensive are high quality very lightweight folding field cameras due to their portability. But a serious monorail like a Sinar is more versatile and quicker to use, even in the field. I own and use both styles.