"View Camera Technique" difference in editions

I was recently told on my last thread to look for a copy of View Camera Technique by Leslie Stroebel. It seems that this book has been through a very great number of editions. My question is, how has it changed.

I just got a Sinar F+ and want a book that will help me in general but also be something that I can read even after i know what i am doing. Ive heard that this is that book.

The prices are very high for new copies and very low for older ones. Should i save up for the 7th ed. or get the 4th or 6th?

It's not an instruction book for a camera.
It's a book on how to use view cameras and I don't think the physics has changed for the last 100 years.
There's also "Using the View Camera" by Simmons that doesn't go as far in depth but it is an easier read.

I just went to Amazon to look at the on-line sample of the book. Even compared to the mimeographed version I have from when I took Les's course, forty plus years ago, it appears that the major changes are additional material on digital (electronic) imaging. If you are going to use your camera for analog photography you should find the older editions quite usable.

Except for the light sensor, I can assure you that the view camera is a very stable technology. By the way you might check http://www.bestbookbuys.com for pricing.

Ken

I decided to pass on Simmons' book because its not supposed to be as good to read later on, and because he is so disliked around here, and I would rather avoid knowing anything about him or his APUG excommunication.

Thanks Ken,
I am in no way interested in digital so i think i will be ok with the older one. Ive never used best buy books, but it directed me to half where I buy all my books anyhow.

I have the latest (2002 or so) edition of Strobel's book.
Compared to an older one I found at GoodWill, the differences were quite subtle, so an older one should work as well.

Simmons' book is a far better starter book, with easy-to-understand examples clearly laid out and explained. It is the person who is disliked, not his book.

Stroebel's book is much more complete, but is (IMO) too heavy on the mathematics. It is more likely to scare a beginner than to offer any immediate understanding.

I have both.

Consider also, Jim Stone's User Guide to the View Camera

....although I just checked on amazon and was SHOCKED :-0 to see this was selling new, direct from Amazon, at ~$73.00. Find a used one somewhere for $20.

I've got this plus Strobel and Simmon books. Each has its points. Ole's assessment of Stroebel is correct - get one of the other two for initial understanding of movements, then get Strobel for more mathematics.

Stroebel has a very dry prose style and his strength in his coverage of technical details. The Simmons book is a much better introduction to how to use a view camera. The notoriety of the author should have nothing to do with a decision about the usefulness of the book.

I have the first, third and fifth editions of the Strobel book. The major differences are in the quality of the reproductions and the detailed run down of cameras and their features at the back of the book. It appears to me that very little of the real meat of the book has significantly changed over the years.

I also have the books commonly recommended by Stone, Simmons, Dykinga and....one other I think.

The Simmons book pretty much covers all the basics in a very basic and informal manner. It's like story time with Uncle Steve. Stone's book is clear, concise, and complete but, also brief. Dykinga's book is not so much about how to do Large Format photography as it is about how Jack Dykinga does it. Which is interesting and can be inspirational (his story is kinda extraordinary in my mind) to be sure but, maybe, not really the best introduction.

Strobel's book on the other hand covers everything and does it well. You'll refer back to it over and over. It is a good investment.

BradS said:

I have the first, third and fifth editions of the Strobel book. The major differences are in the quality of the reproductions .

Click to expand...

They are so bad in my first edition, third printing (1970 NY), that it is hard to tell in some of the examples, what part of the image is in focus and what is not. You know from the caption what is supposed to be, but the printing is pretty bad. Otherwise even the first edition is a wonderful teacher.

John Powers

Just ordered the 4th ed. for eight bucks.

I love math and many photo books I find much too simple. Im excited to read it when it arrives next week