What would be a good basic 8x10 setup?

aste · May 2, 2010

Can anyone recommend to me a good basic 8x10 setup? I'm not sure what all I'd need, but I'd like to keep the initial costs down. So, I'm just looking for that which is essential. Sort of the 8x10 equivalent to an FM-2 with a 50mm lens and and a roll of film. Obviously, LF is more involved than that, but hopefully you get the idea.

coriana6jp · May 2, 2010

If you are looking at a new camera, look Tachihara 8x10 they are fairly cheap and have enough movements to get you startetd without breaking the bank. I have a Wehman its also a great camera.

Good Luck.

Gary

2F/2F · May 2, 2010

A B&J Grover or Calumet Green Giant/Monster are cameras that are pretty basic, not that expensive, but at least get you shooting 8x10 with a lot of capability. Not a lot of luxury, but plenty of movement. I prefer the Calumet, but the Grovers can be dirt cheap at times.

If you have any kind of budget, and already have experience shooting sheet film (so you at least kind of know what you are in for), I'd get a SINAR. They are arguably the best, and with what they are selling for now (well under $1,000), there is little better value in an 8x10 camera. They won't be a good choice if you intend on hiking or backpacking with the camera, however. If you hold out and get a good deal, even if you decide 8x10 is not for you, you won't lose much, if any, money if you resell.

Andrew K · May 3, 2010

I'm a fan of the Kodak D series ..old but very servicable...have a 5x7 Ansco I love, so I'm guessing the 8X10 will be good as well..........

Then again you could always go 8X10 pinhole.....

John Kasaian · May 3, 2010

It all depends on how mobile you want to be. If you're going to stay in a studio that's one thing---hitting the road or carrying the beast afield is another matter.
Metal Calumets are inexpensive but difficult to locomote with. An Agfa Ansco is a good comprimise while a Deardorff or Century Universal is probably the easiest of the old school 8x10s to carry afield. A Gowland Pocket is probably the lightest but most probably the most effected by wind. If you already have a light meter, I could pull some numbers out of the air,---you might get by with:
$500 for a camera
$200 for a tripod that will support an 8x10
$400 for a good lens
$60 for a few wooden film holders
These would be prices for used gear, of course. Add
$100 for 50 sheets of Arista.edu Ultra film
$10 for an Agfa type loupe
$15 for a good long throw (in case your lens is in a double action shutter) cable release, plus maybe
$45 for some Lee filters & gel snap holder
$12 for a set of 11x14 trays for developing film and prints
$? whatever it takes to buy the material for your bride to sew you a focusing cloth and buy a big thick piece of heavy glass for contact printing.
Shop around and you might find lower priced stuff----thats always fun!

aste · May 3, 2010

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I will be mobile with it. So, weight is an issue, although not a big one, since I'm expecting some weight from it anyway...and I'm guessing a monorail is out.

Anyway, it looks like it might not be too terribly expensive.

The pinhole isn't a bad idea to start. At least I could get my feet wet and get the hang of developing sheet film in trays in the dark. That will be quite a difference from what I've gotten used to with roll film and tanks.

Pinholemaster · May 3, 2010

A solid 8x10 field camera, a good 300 mm lens, and a top quality tripod. Best that you take the time to learn the gear before you buy.

John Kasaian · May 3, 2010

You might see if your local community college has a photography course that would introduce you to large format in order to "get a handle" on things. If not, pinhole photography is always worthwhile. If not, the best bang for your buck:
Agfa/Ansco, Kodak, Korona or Burk& James woodies are usually found reasonably priced. You can adopt a survey's tripod for 1/4-20 for less than $100. A single coated or uncoated 9-1/2"--15" lens from any of the usual suspects (Kodak, Wollensak, Ilex, Schneider) should be more than adequate. Add some film holders and you're good to go!

John Koehrer · May 3, 2010

There are a couple over in the classifieds now.

Iwagoshi · May 3, 2010

I concur with 2F/2F, the Calumet C-1, original, was made of magnesium and weighed a manageable 14 lbs. My whole kit fits into a 20" carry-on bag.

michael9793 · May 3, 2010

I went through the buy buy buy till I got it right. A 8x10 deardorff is the best camera to go with. solid and has all the movements. If you can't find lens boards you can find one and make all the lens boards you want with hard wood plywood and make them yourself. I would be patient and set up on e-bay to have the search engine keep looking for a deardorff 8x10. you don't have to buy a completely refurbished camera. those are very expensive and it is just for looks. I replaced my bellows myself by having bellows.com make it and give me instructions on how to change them up. good luck.
p.s. after a while you can get whatever you want because you will have a better feel for what you may want

John Kasaian · May 4, 2010

I heartily agree with michael9793 about 'dorffs. A good unrestored "beater" has served me well for over 10 years now---I have no desire for greener pastures when it comes to 8x10 beyond my 'dorff. Even a nfs V-8 would be a great choice, IMHO.

aluncrockford · May 5, 2010

Another vote for the Deardorff ,I also have a Sinar P2 and a Tachihara but I find the Deardorff is the most user friendly ,particularly for a new user,I would also get a 300 lens ,carbon fibre tripod ,5 dds a X6 loupe sekonic spot meter and if possible a 5/4 reducing back ,then lots of film and I would look at Adox CMS deved in PMK as a starting point

michael9793 · May 6, 2010

I think pyrocat-HD would be better start it is skin friendly. And I believe easier to use. Times can be found on massive developing charts. Just google that and you have lots of time and film choses. Gitzo tripods in carbon 6x fiber work great. Do t skimp in a good solid one. Film ado. Is good. Or try to get a asa400 film. Easier to use. And a older spotmeter on eBay is the best because they are easier to figure out zones with.

JohnArs · May 6, 2010

A Burke & James Battle Ship grey is much cheaper then dorff!
But you don't get mine!

Cheers Armin

jimgalli · May 6, 2010

I've had one of everything.......and the one I kept is the venerable Kodak 2D. Mine is late '40's early 50's I think, with an indestructible vinyl bellows. What I love about them is that you can fit a 6 1/2" Packard shutter inside the camera and that makes myriads of old cheap (or not!!) barrel lenses viable.

Make sure you get one with the positioning block at the bottom and that has it's extension rail for the back. You can make 6X6 wood lensboards up as needed. Probably 80+ % of the photos on my web pages are made with the old 2D. It impresses no one, but sometimes the pictures do. Buy some of Richar Rankin's 8X10 holders. The 3 old Lisco's are great.

aste · May 10, 2010

Jim, it looks like we share some of the same hunting grounds.

jimgalli · May 10, 2010

aste said:
Jim, it looks like we share some of the same hunting grounds.

Where're you at?

aste · May 10, 2010

I live in Reno, but I get around quite a bit. I haven't made it to Tonopah, though...not since I was little, at least.

Anyway, it's cool to see that someone is making some nice photos of Nevada. I didn't realize anyone else had any interest in photographing this place.

Jarvman · May 10, 2010

I'm very happy with my Korona even though it's needed a bit of glue to stay functional.

k_jupiter · May 11, 2010

aste said:
I live in Reno, but I get around quite a bit. I haven't made it to Tonopah, though...not since I was little, at least.

Anyway, it's cool to see that someone is making some nice photos of Nevada. I didn't realize anyone else had any interest in photographing this place.

You missed last fall's funfest in Tonapah where a whole gaggle of those idio.. I mean fine dedicated LF enthusiasts got together to shoot lots of photos of high Nevada desert.

I had to work (damnit all!!). But there is always this year! New Mexico!

Land of peppers, scrub pine, and old mission churches.

tim in san jose

John Kasaian · May 17, 2010

The basic 8x10 set up I started with consisted of a "beater" FS Deardorff V8, an old thrashed Ries tripod, a 14" Commercial Ektar, three Kodak black wooden film holders, an agfa loupe, a couple of Lee 4x4 filters in Calument cardstock "frames" and a Gepe cable release(needed to trip the double action Universal shutter the Ektar came it)
A home made dark cloth my Bride sewed for me.

This grew over the years with the addition of:
More used film holders--both Kodaks and Lisco plastics.
A Lee Gel-snap thingy to hold the filters in place (instead of scotch tape)
An assortment of lenses from 159mm to 19" with lensboards
A Panavision film changing bag
A newer, better shape Ries tripod.
A 6x tilting loupe

What would be a good basic 8x10 setup?

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