Yet Another 'getting into LF' question

[malinmalin]

Hi,

My first post in *any* LF forum...

Have been shooting almost exclusively 6x6 for quite a few years and I knew
--well a friend of mine warned me --that one day I'd be stepping in LF.
There are 2 local sellers offering 2 different cameras and I'd be interested
in knowing what you guys think: Have I completely lost my mind, knowing
the following:

1. My home darkroom doesn't allow me to print beyond 6x7
but I have access to a public community lab with 4x5 enlargers.
2. I shoot primarely portraiture and figure studies, sometimes landscape
and architecture but I'd like to start doing some macro work.

One guy is selling a Cambo Legend 4x5 with a #0 lens board
but no lens, and nothing else for $350CAN. I'm supposed to go check
the camera this evening.

Then I saw another add for an ArcaSwiss Discovery kit 4x5
with 3 lens board, a fresnel glass plate, a standard below
and one wide-angle, a 25cm rail extension for $1000 (!)
and 4 lenses for more dinero:

90mm Super Angulon f :8 Schneider: 350,00$
150mm Symmar 5.6 Schneider (vintage): 300,00$
210mm Symmar 5.6 Schneider :350,00$
305 mm G-Claron f :9 Schneider (cover 8x10) 275,00$
and film holders (25) for 100$CAN.

Considering my 'style' is there anything in there that is worth while for a LF newbie like me?
Am I just having a fit of GAS?
And what do you think about the price?

regards,
jf

 

[Nick Zentena]

305 mm G-Claron f :9 Schneider (cover 8x10) 275,00$
and film holders (25) for 100$CAN.

Considering my 'style' is there anything in there that is worth while for a LF newbie like me?
Am I just having a fit of GAS?
And what do you think about the price?

regards,
jf

Is the lens in a shutter? If so it's a good price. The holders if reasonable shape are a good deal to.

 

[edtbjon]

If you can afford it the Arca is in a totally different league than the Cambo. Much easier to work with and quite a bit smaller too. It will hold most of that value for quite some time to come.
When it comes to lenses, you can easily start up with just two lenses (or even the single normal 150). E.g. the 90 and the 150. But the lens choice depends mostly upon your style of photography. As large format photography is more static in nature, you should take that into the concideration too. You can easily find a 210 later if you want something slightly longer. There are lots of them around.

//Björn

 

[Bill Mitchell]

Are you out of your mind? 4x5 requires a darkroom, or spending a fortune at labs. up to 16x20 (or larger) you won't be able to tell any difference from good 6x6 negatives.

 

[Ray Heath]

g'day mal

what do you hope to achieve?

why 4x5?

why not 8x10?

Ray

 

[df cardwell]

There is no 'standard' about how to use a LF camera,
and no 'correct' camera to own. The right camera, right technique is all up to YOU.

For Macro work, back in the day, 'Press cameras' were used; either Graflex or Linhof.

For classic studio Portraiture, you seldom need more than a tiny bit of front tilt, and rise.
For shooting portraits in the field, or fashion, you need none. A Graflex is sufficient.

For architecture, depending on what you are doing, you seldom need more than minimal movement. For many pictures, you end up shooting with no movements because the complex image planes cancel out movements. A Graflex is sufficient.

The typical learning curve of an LF shooter was to spend two years learning how to do all the movements, then 8 years learning to not use them. This was in the day you used the thing every day to feed yourself.

For portraits, or figure, or fashion, the only reason to use a monorail camera over a press camera, is to be able to set all the movements in opposition to each other (called, Skew)
in order to get a sliver of clear focus in a sea of swirls. I hope that is still out of fashion.

So, I'd suggest a simple Crown Graphic and use it till you know what you're doing.
In a year or two, you'll have learned what you really need.
Chances are good it will be all you really need.

The Cambo is a very complex camera, a very fine one,
and you'll need a long time to explore all the movements and stuff.
The Arca is likewise fine, and worth the difference in price.
But every feature you pay for now will distract you from learning your craft,
and slow your development as a photographer.

(this opinion, I promise, will be in the minority !)

bon chance !

 

[keithwms]

Make contacts, do Pt/Pd etc., enjoy the learning process, and have fun!

LF will change the way you think about photography. It likely will not displace your MF gear, but rather will cause you to think different thoughts... and that is good.

Do avail yourself of a fuji instant film back (PA45) for learning, and a rollfilm back would be useful too. You can also shoot to RC paper and develop quickly as a way to learn the basics.

Again, enjoy the learning process.

 

[John Kasaian]

I suggest keeping it simple---one camera, one lens, maybe 3-6 film holders. Older monorails like the Calumet 400 and Graphic View II will do everything more modern monos do and cost you far less. They are built like tanks without the little plastic thingys to break. With patience you should be able to find one under $200US. Put a 210mm lens in a decent shutter up front and you're well on your way!