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#11
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Getting into large format photography
"John J" wrote
I respect the Graphics for what they can do well. Occasionally I will use a Super Techika for a hand-held shot. If one wants the most simple LF with no movements, then something like the Printex with the Kalart rangefinder is quite reasonable. (Ever seen one? I have a few of them and can post a picture.) No, I haven't. Is it "legal" to post a picture on this newsgroup? |
#12
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Getting into large format photography
"John J" wrote in message ... Howard Lester wrote: "John J" wrote I too second the emotion of looking for a Crown Graphic, As a university instructor I must disagree -IF the student is assigned to a large format project which requires camera movements. I'll leave it at that - self apparent: I hope. I agree with you, John. I think it's foolish to spend time and money with a camera that is so comparatively limited, when he could spend the same amount or maybe a little bit more on something that can satisfy his requirements for years to come. (I could be wrong about the overall costs, but you get the idea.) To me, "large format" means a camera with reasonably substantial, workable movements -- not just that it uses film that is 4x5" or larger. What could he learn with a camera with restrictive movements? Not recommended for a beginner. On the other hand, I would recommend a Crown or equivalent for a *seasoned* LF photographer to use as a *secondary* camera due to its relative portability - a portable camera that uses large size film. I respect the Graphics for what they can do well. Occasionally I will use a Super Techika for a hand-held shot. If one wants the most simple LF with no movements, then something like the Printex with the Kalart rangefinder is quite reasonable. (Ever seen one? I have a few of them and can post a picture.) My two bits - I started with the Calumet 4x5 monorail and found it much too cumbersome. So I acquired a MPP field camera and liked it one whole bunch. Compact, fairly light, solidly built, and lots of movements. Then I had an opportunity to get a Linhof Color monorail. Now here is what I had been looking for - kind of minimalist in design with all the bells and whistles you need. While I wouldn't take it backpacking (the Gowland Pocket View is better for that http://www.petergowland.com/camera/ ), it is small and light enough to be taken on road trips. I particularly like being able to focus moving the back standard...not feasible with any field camera. Result - the beloved MPP sits on the shelf. |
#13
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Getting into large format photography
Howard Lester wrote:
"John J" wrote I respect the Graphics for what they can do well. Occasionally I will use a Super Techika for a hand-held shot. If one wants the most simple LF with no movements, then something like the Printex with the Kalart rangefinder is quite reasonable. (Ever seen one? I have a few of them and can post a picture.) No, I haven't. Is it "legal" to post a picture on this newsgroup? Nope, but here's a link! http://www.digoliardi.net/printex.jpg (without the rangefinder attached) http://www.digoliardi.net/printex-mod.jpg (failed project - modify for 3" biogon) |
#14
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Getting into large format photography
As a university instructor I must disagree -IF the student is assigned to a large format project which requires camera movements. I'll leave it at that - self apparent: I hope. I agree with you, John._To me, "large format" means a camera with reasonably substantial, workable movements -- I started with the Calumet 4x5 monorail and found it much too cumbersome. So I acquired a MPP field camera and liked it one whole bunch. Compact, fairly light, solidly built, and lots of movements. Then I had an opportunity to get a Linhof Color monorail. OK. So here then is my second suggestion if pretzel confusion is the curriculum requirement. Any Sinar F series. Like the Graphic it too is plentiful on the bay. Bog simple and infinitely interchangeable with upgradeable bits as cash allows. Hell there is only 4 bits to them, Rail with clamp front and rear standards and bellows. But the clincher is, in my opinion, that the base tilt is close to the board base. Apart from the yaw free aspect which is probably lost on a student, it makes for easier focus due to it's relative closeness to asymmetric hinge point. So as you raise the standard this point doesn't change. Compare the Norma style. Raise the lens and the tilt point is way back down by the rail with the associated additional focus complexities. There are lots and lots of different cameras out there. It could be said they are all good, well nearly all, but few offer the parts, retro and currant compatibility along with the potential to extend the rail to the next county if one so wishes. Hmm, if one were to gather enough rails one could conceivably photograph ones own backside? Maybe if one stuffed magnets in them. Is that how they bend light? Would make setting the lens a breeze. = Otzi |
#15
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Getting into large format photography
In article ,
John J wrote: David Nebenzahl wrote: On 12/5/2008 5:20 AM John J spake thus: otzi wrote: May I venture a look at the Crown Graphic. Bog simple, light, easy, quick to use, robust, easy to repair, and there are lots and lots on the bay. [...] I did not mention the Graphics because I thought that the user was a student who would need it for a class, and for LF that always means a camera with generous movements, which the Graphic does not have. I too second the emotion of looking for a Crown Graphic, As a university instructor I must disagree -IF the student is assigned to a large format project which requires camera movements. As a former BFA candidate in photography at one of the better programs (at least, it was then), I agree with you: a camera with movements as limited as those of a Crown or even a Technikardan would not have been sufficient for most of the exercises we were assigned that required a large format camera. I owned a Wisner Trad at the time and there were studio exercises in the lighting and large-format classes which required me to get a monorail from the equipment cage just like everyone else, because the Wisner didn't have enough flexibility to get them done. On the other hand, a Cambo or Calumet or Graphic View would have worked, and those crunch down small enough to go in a backpack with some very minimal disassembly. Not as compact as a field camera but they will get it done and they are quite cheap. -- Thor Lancelot Simon "Even experienced UNIX users occasionally enter rm *.* at the UNIX prompt only to realize too late that they have removed the wrong segment of the directory structure." - Microsoft WSS whitepaper |
#16
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Getting into large format photography
how likely do you think it is that a beginning
photography student would be given an assignment requiring movements? At RIT? 100% At Brooks? Ditto At -fill in the blank with something worth its filling-? About the same. -- Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio Darkroom Automation: F-Stop Timers, Enlarging Meters http://www.darkroomautomation.com/da-main.htm n o lindan at ix dot netcom dot com |
#17
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Getting into large format photography
VOR-DME wrote:
A monorail camera is a better learning support, as it is a direct application of an optical bench. I would recommend a camera with clear zero indicators for beginners. And to the other poster - there are a lot of field cameras that permit focusing from the rear standard. Deardorff is just one. The ancient Century-1 is another. |
#19
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Getting into large format photography
John J wrote:
VOR-DME wrote: A monorail camera is a better learning support, as it is a direct application of an optical bench. I would recommend a camera with clear zero indicators for beginners. And to the other poster - there are a lot of field cameras that permit focusing from the rear standard. Deardorff is just one. The ancient Century-1 is another. Hey, shouldn't you be resting or something??? erie |
#20
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Getting into large format photography
erie patsellis wrote:
John J wrote: VOR-DME wrote: A monorail camera is a better learning support, as it is a direct application of an optical bench. I would recommend a camera with clear zero indicators for beginners. And to the other poster - there are a lot of field cameras that permit focusing from the rear standard. Deardorff is just one. The ancient Century-1 is another. Hey, shouldn't you be resting or something??? That's Tomorrow (Friday), 09:00. Thanks for the reminder! J |
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