Yes. He's right. Especially if the monorail is a Linhof Color - I've timed myself and the monorail is way faster than anything else. Technikas included.BrianShaw said:WHAT?
Ole said:Yes. He's right./QUOTE]
Thanks Ole I've not been shooting LF that long I only started in 76. . . . MF 20 yrs earlier !
I've never met a professional photographer here in the UK who used a Technical camera, at least since the early 70's, they all use (or did pre-digital) Monorails, with good reason, cheaper more robust, far simpler and much faster to use, the Technical cameras are a throw back to the late days of Fleet street here in the UK, and equivalents worldwide where press photographers still shot LF, while their more enlightened colleagues had already moved to roll film or 35mm.
Don't take that as derision of Technical cameras, they can be superb especially the Linhofs it's just time and photographers needs change, and it's also what you are used to.
Personally I'm glad I learnt with a monorail, but now actually mainly use a couple of wooden field cameras which have far more movements than their more expensive metal (technical camera) equivalents.
Ian
Ole said:Yes. He's right. Especially if the monorail is a Linhof Color - I've timed myself and the monorail is way faster than anything else. Technikas included.
David A. Goldfarb said:If you need movements, then, yes, absolutely, a monorail with symmetrical movements on the front and rear standards is quicker and easier than a press camera.
If you are shooting something that needs a big piece of film, relatively quick focusing, and no movements, then a press camera with a rangefinder has its advantages.
Nicole said:that can fit onto the back of a Vespa, and can take beautiful glass, I'd really appreciate your recommendations.
dianna said:Someone mentioned earlier in the thread that large format might not be good for someone who typically has children as subjects. That may be true, but there are exceptions. I have a 4x5 Graflex, and I lent it to my husband yesterday. He got this handheld shot of our baby at 1/25th:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/circlesofconfusion/121145463/
The camera is a Speed Graphic and I absolutely love it. I'm new to large format and this camera is perfect for me right now. It was easy to find one, inexpensive, light enough for handheld shots although I use it on a tripod, and folds up into a small box that's easy to carry around.
Hi Nicole,
Gotta agree with Alex and others on the Crown Graphic. I worked with one that belongs to my husband before making the 'leap' into 8x10. (Kodak Master View)
Another great thing about the Crown Graphic is the ability to use a 6x9 rollback and Grafmatic -- both options give you quicker shots. I thoroughly enjoyed using them. Just a thought.
By the way...congrats on the featured work in B&W Magazine (UK)!! Loved seeing your work!!
Why?
Nicole,
if you want to have a little play with LF while you are in Melbourne I have a 4x5 Speed Graphic, Super Graphic and an Auto-Graflex (SLR) which should give you an idea of what they are like to use. I've just bought an 8x10 Cambo monorail too, but am still waiting on the film to arrive before I can play with it.
The kalart rangefinder on my Speed Graphic is quite accurate and what I find myself doing is framing first and then fixing focus with the rangefinder. I generally leave crop room in the composition as the viewfinder isn't that precise. Once I have found the composition it takes less than 10 seconds to focus and take the shot. With a grafmatic attached it'll take another 10 seconds to shuffle the film and the darkslide and recock the shutter and you're ready for the next shot. It won't be like that with a monorail.
The Speed Graphic and four grafmatics packs into a camera bag that most people would describe as barely adequate for 35mm. The 8x10 Cambo came in a huge aluminium case and needs a beefy tripod.
It is very difficult to be very fascile with three or four very different cameras.
Lets assume that I used a 35mm Nikon F100, a Leica M6 and a Hasselblad 6x6.
Lets further assume that I had aquired a very nice Agfa auto focus enlarger that takes a lenses up tp 105mm.
Now what is it that I wish to acccomplish by getting a Linhof Master Technika with a 75mm Biogon, 135mm Planar and a 250mm Sonnar? How does this improve my photography? Would I be better off by adding to my Leica or Hasselblad kit? Is my goal photos or gear?
Scott gave me a brief intro on LF focal lengths (thanks Scott!) and it looks like I'm after a 240mm f/5.6 or close to it lens. I enjoyed taking my time with the LF.
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