Thinking of Getting an 8x10 View Camera

braxus · Nov 10, 2019

I was looking at some 8x10 Lisco Regal Film holders, as that is what I use for 4x5. I like these holders. So I'd probably go with these. Im also thinking of maybe getting a Kodak Ektar 305mm f4.5 lens to go on the camera. Is there any other lens that would be recommended (for portraits) for 8x10 that wouldn't be extremely expensive? I'd hopefully want one with a small enough f stop, so its not hard to focus in daylight.

Finally what used 8x10 view camera (folder or whatever) would you recommend that is inexpensive, works with the Regal holders, and still can get lens boards for (new or used)?

Im hoping the camera would also have a standard tripod mount. And ground glass on the back that is easy to see and focus with, and hopefully shows all of the image.

Kino · Nov 10, 2019

A Calumet C1 "Green Monster". Rugged and relatively cheap. Lens boards are just flat plates and the Lisco holders should fit fine.

braxus · Nov 10, 2019

Ok thank you. Any suggestion of lenses?

Kino · Nov 10, 2019

I'm not much into portraits; you'd be better off asking others.

shutterfinger · Nov 10, 2019

A 305mm lens is considered "normal" for 8x10, portrait lens are usually in the 14 inch (355mm) to 20 inch (508mm) range depending on subject to film plane distance desired and type of portrait, head shot, head and shoulders, 3/4, full body.

braxus · Nov 10, 2019

I often shoot with normal lenses for portraits on all the cameras I use. It would also allow me to go wider for some shots. I don't forsee issues with a 305mm for portraits. I've used a normal on my 4x5 as well.

Also if I went with a f9 lens, would I still get some shallow depth of field and be easy enough to see on the ground glass? Also do the Fujinon 300mm f5.6 lenses have coverage and work on 8x10 cameras? These seem inexpensive enough and are well regarded in large format lenses.

B.S.Kumar · Nov 10, 2019

Fujinon lenses are good, and all their 300mm lenses will cover 8x10 with enough room for movements. They tend to sell for less because they're under-rated. Lisco and Fidelity holders were made by the same company. I can set you up with a complete kit. I have a Rittreck 5x7 camera with an 8x10 expansion back, 4 Fidelity 8x10 holders and a Nikkor-Q 300mm f/9 lens. I can find you a Fujinon 300mm if that is your preference. Send me a message if you're interested.

Kumar

braxus · Nov 10, 2019

Just doing research right now, as Im not quite ready to buy- especially if its an entire kit. Xmas is coming up, so budget is out of whack. I will probably have to buy things piece by piece to keep within the budget per month.
Way I see it is:

$600 for camera, $300-400 for lens, and $140-200 for some film holders per 2. $30 for a new lens board.

Bob S · Nov 10, 2019

braxus said:
I was looking at some 8x10 Lisco Regal Film holders, as that is what I use for 4x5. I like these holders. So I'd probably go with these. Im also thinking of maybe getting a Kodak Ektar 305mm f4.5 lens to go on the camera. Is there any other lens that would be recommended (for portraits) for 8x10 that wouldn't be extremely expensive? I'd hopefully want one with a small enough f stop, so its not hard to focus in daylight.

Finally what used 8x10 view camera (folder or whatever) would you recommend that is inexpensive, works with the Regal holders, and still can get lens boards for (new or used)?

Im hoping the camera would also have a standard tripod mount. And ground glass on the back that is easy to see and focus with, and hopefully shows all of the image.

You should know that the more modern Lisco, Fidelity and Riteway holders all came out of the same factory that was owned by Calumet.

removedacct1 · Nov 10, 2019

braxus said:
I often shoot with normal lenses for portraits on all the cameras I use. It would also allow me to go wider for some shots. I don't forsee issues with a 305mm for portraits. I've used a normal on my 4x5 as well.

Also if I went with a f9 lens, would I still get some shallow depth of field and be easy enough to see on the ground glass? Also do the Fujinon 300mm f5.6 lenses have coverage and work on 8x10 cameras? These seem inexpensive enough and are well regarded in large format lenses.

An f9 lens won't give you much in the way of shallow DOF, and it will be much more difficult to focus on the ground glass. As others have stated, if you want to do portraits, something in the 14" to 20" focal length will be better than a 300mm (12") lens. You can use a 300mm lens, but you won't be able to get just a face filling the frame without severe distortion. That said, I like the Kodak Ektar lenses a lot, and the 12" Ektar is a favorite. The 14" Ektar would be better for portraits, but you will pay a bit more. I don't like more modern lenses for portraiture because they have too much contrast and can render skin details with unflattering sharpness. The Ektar lenses can be found in either f4.5 or f6.3 configurations. I like the f4.5 a lot and often shoot wide open.

If you have not yet read this document, it will help inform your choices: https://www.largeformatphotography.info/portrait-lenses/

Vaughn · Nov 10, 2019

If you are doing mostly portraits, you can look for older wood cameras of various designs (tailboard, etc). You will not be needing as many movements as a table-top or landscape photographer would like to have. Light-tight bellows will be a main consideration as will having a standard film back on the camera.

braxus · Nov 10, 2019

No my plan is to use it for both portraits and local landscape shots. So both indoors and out. More outdoors. Especially outdoor portraits.

braxus · Nov 10, 2019

I can consider getting a 420mm lens down the road for portraits, but with the price of some well over a grand each, its not on my list currently.

tnp651 · Nov 10, 2019

If you get a lens longer than 300mm for your 8x10, check to see what bellows extension will be needed for portrait distance.
Tom

tnp651 · Nov 10, 2019

If the C1 Calumet is about $575 (which I just saw on eBay), you might consider the Intrepid 8x10 at £480, which is US$613 at the current exchange rate. It'll be quite a bit lighter but have less bellows extension (560mm vs 860mm).
Tom

edit: I just checked your profile. That's CAN$760 for the C1 on eBay and CAN$811 for the Intrepid.

MattKing · Nov 10, 2019

Check with Beau Photo.

btaylor · Nov 10, 2019

The old 14” Ilex and Caltar (they are apparently the same) were reportedly copies of the Commercial Ektar. They can be had for less than the Ektars. I just checked eBay and prices have really climbed the last few years. I do like my Ilex for portraits.

btaylor · Nov 10, 2019

+1 on the Calumet “Green Monster.” Mine is black though. Works well in the studio and folds up nicely for heading out into the field. Uses Deardorff sized lens boards which are very common too. Robust front standard works well for big heavy lenses too.

braxus · Nov 10, 2019

Im watching 2 C1s on Ebay currently. But again its too soon to buy. Beau Photo has nothing but a lens for large format according to their website. I have bought a used camera from them before though.

MattKing · Nov 10, 2019

Beau Photo are worth talking to - they don't have everything on their website, and they may very well be aware of people who are trying to sell.

awty · Nov 11, 2019

The Calumet is too big and heavy for field work, you wouldn't want to have to carry it to far, fine for studio. You might also have to factor in a heavy duty tripod if you do not already have one.
Out doors you wont have too much trouble focusing on a ground glass at f9. Indoors you need strong lights to focus. For shallow depth of field you will normally need either a fast lens or a long lens depending on how shallow you want. I can get shallow at f22 on a wide lens if close enough with a bit of camera movement.

foveon_m · Nov 11, 2019

Have a look at old field cameras, they are cheap, simple to maintain and light, and beautyful; if you don´t need sophisticated movements they are good tools.
http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/seneca/sennew.htm

Alan Gales · Nov 11, 2019

The 14" Kodak Commercial Ektar mentioned above was a favorite of Yousuf Karsh. I've got one and they are great. The only problem with them is that they are in old Ilex #5 shutters and it's getting harder to find the parts for the shutters.

If you can find one, the Commercial Congo or Osaka Commercial 360mm lenses are copies of the Commercial Ektar. Both are the same lens just different names. They come in a later Copal #3s shutter and are a lot cheaper on eBay than the original Kodak lens.

braxus · Nov 11, 2019

What are your thoughts on the Intrepid 8x10 camera, which is currently produced in the UK? Pricing is $415 Pounds which works out to $702 Canadian on my end. Much cheaper then Ebay options on older cameras, especially ones in need of work. Plus its new and only weighs 5 pounds and folds up nicely. Could be backpacked on hikes. Any comments on this inexpensive piece? Also what size lens board fits in the Intrepid? Would some Graflex boards fit?

Roger Thoms · Nov 11, 2019

Do a little searching on the Intrepid, plenty on info out there, personally I'd look for a Kodak 2D or something similar. My 810 2D kit with three lenses and three holders plus the other goodies in a Photo Backpacker P3 backpack weighs 26 pounds. This doesn’t include the tripod. I have a big Ries that weighs 17 pounds, which is fine as I don’t hike that far with the camera. If I wanted to go farther I'd get a carbon fiber and wouldn’t be much over 30 pounds.

Roger

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