Which begginers LF camera?

Colin Corneau said:

I've since got a Shen Hao 4x5 and love it. I can only add that a 4x5 format gives you options, more so than 5x7 - consider drum scanning and working with the file to output, also.

Click to expand...

How does 5x7 offer you less options than 4x5, other than in color film? You get most of the same lenses (most 4x5 lenses also cover 5x7), a more pleasing aspect ratio, 5x7 is still scannable and enlargeable, and you gain the contact printing option that is marginal with 4x5.

TheFlyingCamera said:

How does 5x7 offer you less options than 4x5, other than in color film? You get most of the same lenses (most 4x5 lenses also cover 5x7), a more pleasing aspect ratio, 5x7 is still scannable and enlargeable, and you gain the contact printing option that is marginal with 4x5.

Click to expand...

And since the 5X7 camera ain't much bigger or heavier than a 4X5 you don't sacrifice much when using them with a 4X5 reducing back. options options options
Kind regards

Peter Black said:

http://www.collectablecameras.com/cameralist.htm

Click to expand...

Some people shouldn't know about sites like that one. People like me, I mean...


Somewhat back on track - with very few exceptions, a 5x7" camera is only slightly larger and heavier than a 4x5" camera, and can take 4x5" backs. That way you could have the full advantages of 5x7" for (eg) b&w, shoot 13x18cm or 4x5" for colour, and end up with lots more "options" than with a 4x5" camera. The main disadvantage is that cheap 5x7" cameras with 4x5" backs are somewhat rarer than cheap 4x5" cameras, and you would inadvertently end up with both 5x7" and 13x18cm holders. I have resisted half-plate film so far, but I do have a holder or two for that size too. And 10x15cm...

Ole said:

The main disadvantage is that cheap 5x7" cameras with 4x5" backs are somewhat rarer than cheap 4x5" cameras, and you would inadvertently end up with both 5x7" and 13x18cm holders. I have resisted half-plate film so far, but I do have a holder or two for that size too. And 10x15cm...

Click to expand...

I use 13x18cm and have resisted getting mixed up with 5x7, but no doubt one day... I really like half plate film though, it's a nice aspect ratio and somehow it just seems a 'natural' size.

Do you have film for your 10x15cm holders? I've never seen any but I like the proportions - sort of 6x9cm on steroids!


Peter

Foma sells 10x15 cm film
Best Regards
Mads

I only have the holders (metal plate holders with sheaths) and a Linhof adapter to use them on "modern" 5x7" cameras. Yet another format I haven't used yet...

Thank you, all, for so much advice. I've been mulling things over and doing some research, and now have even more questions (and ramblings).

I'm a little nervous of getting a 5 x 7, because I can find very little sheet film to fit it online, at least. (FP4 and HP5 at Silverprint is pretty much all I can find.) Is there a secret film source that I'm missing? I could get a 5 x 4 back for one - how rare are they? Is it possible to adapt 5x7 darkslides for 5x4 film, for the times when I want to play with a different emulsion, if I can't get the right back?

I am (amazing coincidence) going to be in Manchester this weekend, and could potentially nab a couple of hours on Friday to look at this, if the seller's fairly central, but I'm not sure that I can properly tell a 5 x 7 from a half plate camera. So that's probably not an option.

If I were to go with a 5 x 4 (and that's seeming more likely at the moment, because I can find very little in the way of 5 x 7) I have these options;

I emailed MXV, and they have a Linhof Kardan for £99 - but no suitable and cheap lenses at present. But I could find a lens elsewhere. Is the camera likely to come with a lens board (I will email and ask), and if not, how hard are they to get? Am I best off looking for something that will let me interchange backs easily? Because it might be good to use roll film sometimes.

I think I do want something with a bit of movement - the capacity for silliness there appeals, apart from anything else. So I *think* I've narrowed things down to wanting a monorail camera. And I want a 150mm lens. I learned to photograph using a 50mm on 35mm, so starting this with the equivalent seems right.

I'll keep an eye on ebay as well, and see if something perfect-looking appears there. And I can always find the camera now (it's meant to be my Christmas present) and save for a lens. (Although how sad to have the camera and not be able to use it....)

Thank you all for your help! Sorry about all these quite clueless questions.

Efke, Foma & Kodak all make 5x7. Since you say "5x7" you're probably in North America. For 5x7 sheet film (well, all my sheet film) I go to either Badger Graphic or Freestyle.

roswell said:

Thank you all for your help! Sorry about all these quite clueless questions.

Click to expand...

Not clueless questions, no way. This sort of thing is what APUG is all about. Film photographers communicating with each other. Everybody starts new at something sooner or later. When I decide to do wet plate, or start shooting underwater MF, I hope to ask the same sorts of questions.

BTW, since I have gathered by now that 5x7 is sort of an odd duck in the UK, how much different is 13x18?

John Kasaian said:

Efke, Foma & Kodak all make 5x7. Since you say "5x7" you're probably in North America. For 5x7 sheet film (well, all my sheet film) I go to either Badger Graphic or Freestyle.

Click to expand...

No - I'm based in the UK. I think I pick up internet terms for things, because most of my friends are not hugely into photography (and the ones that are, are less into analogue processes, or stick with 35mm).

There might well be plenty of 5x7 film available here, and that its just that I dont know where to find it.

JBrunner said:

BTW, since I have gathered by now that 5x7 is sort of an odd duck in the UK, how much different is 13x18?

Click to expand...

I haven't seen it listed anywhere. That's not to say that it doesn't exist, though.

http://www.fotoimpex.de/
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/
http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/cart.php?m=product_list&c=202
Ilford FP4 HP5 and Delta100 is available in 5X7"
Adox/Efke 25, 50 and 100 is available in 5X7.
Foma 100 and 200 (Bergger?) is available in 5X7"
There are more internet shops than these.
Kind regards

JBrunner said:

BTW, since I have gathered by now that 5x7 is sort of an odd duck in the UK, how much different is 13x18?

Click to expand...

A couple of mm's, enough to be a problem if you mix thing up.
Kind regards

Dead Link Removed are a good source for your film needs, including 5x7", and are in the UK.

Already mentioned in this thread, but a good starter option could be an MPP Microtechnical camera - I'd go for the MK VII or MK VIII versions. They have a coupled rangefinder, so can be used handheld, but also have a reasonable degree of movements, both front and back. The back rotates too, which can be useful.

Old Kodak Postcard 3-A Folders have lenses that will cover 4x5 with a miniscule amount of movement and can be had for about 30 quid on the Auction site. A thread (there was a url link here which no longer exists) - has a shot I took with mine in it.

Bob.

JBrunner said:

When I decide to [...] start shooting underwater MF, I hope to ask the same sorts of questions.

Click to expand...

The hard part is pressurising the bellows


Peter