View or Field Camera?

[Ricardo Frias]

If you want to print larger than you do now with your Pentax 67 then the larger negative certainly has it's advantages.

If you want to use the zone system and develop for each exposure separately then you want large format.

With large format there is a wide range of lenses that you can use. There are modern sharp and contrasty lenses as well as older lenses that render differently. Plus there are soft focus lenses and lenses that can give you swirly bokeh.

There are medium format cameras that can give you perspective controls. I find that the larger the ground glass the more I enjoy the experience. I much prefer composing on my 8x10 ground glass than a 4x5 or smaller ground glass.

You are doing the right thing by doing research before you buy. Large format may be for you and it may not. Read this Home Page info at the Large Format Photography forum. If you do decide to try large format then you should also consider joining that forum in addition to this one. We would be glad to have you!

http://www.largeformatphotography.info

Thanks for the tips, I registered recently in this forum indicated, I even posted the same question there...

Regards

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I'm with Eric. Buy both. I also have a Cambo monorail 4x5 that was fantastic for architectural. I did use it in the field but it was a PITN carrying it and setting up. I quickly purchased a used Linholf tech IV, then when I had more money, a Canham 8x10.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Hi,

I'm a 35mm and medium format camera user and I'm thinking of buying my first large format.

One of my doubts is to buy a view or field camera, I would use it sporadically and my preference is for landscapes and architecture.

You who already use this format, which of the two would indicate me?

Regards,
Ricardo

I use two lf cameras, a Linhof STIV and an early front swings Deardorff V8. Sinificantly, they are the only lf cameras I have ever owned - for over 30 years. The Linhof rarely runs out of movement, and when it does, the V8 with a 4x5 back has more than enough. One caveat, neither camera is great with very short lenses which may be an issue for architecture. However, a good used monorail can be had for less than 200 USD and you can always sell it on & get your money back
After using them as long as I have, I'd not part with them for anything.

 

[voceumana]

If you get two cameras it is very useful if they both use the same lens board so you can use the same lenses on each camera.

 

[Alan Gales]

To add to voceumana's good advice. There are adapter boards available for some cameras. I once owned a 4x5 Tachihara 4x5 field camera and and a 4x5 Sinar P monorail. I owned an adapter board for the Sinar to step down from the larger Sinar board to the smaller Technika style board of the Tachihara.

 

[Neil Poulsen]

I've had several clam-shell (field) cameras, and I much prefer rail cameras. That includes Deardorff 4x5, 5x7, 8x10, Wista wood 4x5, Wista SP, etc. I like using super-wides, and most field cameras will make this an awkward endeavor. Rail cameras are much stronger. Depending on which, some rail cameras can be much stronger and more convenient to use. My rail camera backpacks very conveniently, and it's relatively light-weight.

That said, the rail camera that can realize the above advantages and conveniences, can end up being a bit expensive. I've been collecting Arca Swiss equipment for years, finding good deals here and there, and I've been able to put together a really nice outfit that I use for 4x5.

One rail camera that isn't so expensive is a Sinar F that's mounted on a 6 inch base rail. Easy to backpack, relatively light weight, and comes with a huge selection attachments. The Sinar savvy photographer will observe that Sinar never produced a 6 inch, base rails. However, it's relatively easy to convert a 6 inch extension to a base rail. (I've described how this can be done on Tuan's LF photography forum.) I enjoyed using this camera a couple of summers ago.

 

[removed account4]

Hi,

I'm a 35mm and medium format camera user and I'm thinking of buying my first large format.

One of my doubts is to buy a view or field camera, I would use it sporadically and my preference is for landscapes and architecture.

You who already use this format, which of the two would indicate me?

Regards,
Ricardo

hi ricardo

there is a member from ths forum named B.S. Kumar he is from japan
and has been here for ages and is a known quantity.. he sells cameras
at affordable prices all over the globe and he might have or soon have
something that might both fit your budget and your needs... he sells
all the doodads ( film holders and lenses ) as well.

have fun !
john

 

[DREW WILEY]

Depends. I use both monorails and folders.