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Absolute beginner needs advivce



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 29th 04, 07:21 PM
Bert
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Default Absolute beginner needs advivce

Hi,

I've just discovered your newsgroup, so here goes!

I want to move up from 35mm / digital because for me quality of final image
is important. I'm unsure wether to go to 6x6 or right into 5x4 (shooting
mainly ladscapes). I've seen the quality you can get from 5x4 (fantastic),
but I have some concerns and questions. If anyone can advise or maybe there
is a 'beginners website', a link of two would be appreciated. I'd add that I
like to take my time over taking a photograph, so setting up and time isn't
a problem.

Here are some of my questions:

Cost is not an issue, and I appreciate finest engineering / optical quality,
so recommendations for suitable cameras please (Ebony? Hasselblad - is the
SWC worth considering?)

How much 'better' is 5x4" over top quality 6x6cm (typically I'd want
enlargements to A2/A1)

What's the best lens available (wide-angle)?

I've been told you need to take the lenses apart to mount on the board, is
this difficult or can it be done by the dealer?

Is the fuji quickload system worth considering?

How do you develop the film (!) - how easy/difficult is it compared to
processing 35mm?

On a picture by picture basis, how much does it cost on average to process
and print the relative formats?


I have a hundred more questions!

Any help or comments appreciated.

Regards

Steve




  #2  
Old August 29th 04, 08:00 PM
Largformat
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Default

Here are some resources

www.viewcamera.com

There are several articles that will be helpful in the Free Articles section

Books

User's Guide to the View Camera by Jim Stone


Large Format Nature Photography by Jack Dykinga


Using the View Camera that I wrote



Steve Simmons



Subject: Absolute beginner needs advivce
From: "Bert"
Date: 8/29/2004 12:21 PM Mountain Daylight Time
Message-id:

Hi,

I've just discovered your newsgroup, so here goes!

I want to move up from 35mm / digital because for me quality of final image
is important. I'm unsure wether to go to 6x6 or right into 5x4 (shooting
mainly ladscapes). I've seen the quality you can get from 5x4 (fantastic),
but I have some concerns and questions. If anyone can advise or maybe there
is a 'beginners website', a link of two would be appreciated. I'd add that I
like to take my time over taking a photograph, so setting up and time isn't
a problem.

Here are some of my questions:

Cost is not an issue, and I appreciate finest engineering / optical quality,
so recommendations for suitable cameras please (Ebony? Hasselblad - is the
SWC worth considering?)

"How much 'better' is 5x4" over top quality 6x6cm (typically I'd want
enlargements to A2/A1)"

?????

"What's the best lens available (wide-angle)? "

What focal length??

"I've been told you need to take the lenses apart to mount on the board, is
this difficult or can it be done by the dealer?"

It is easy, just unscrew the rear element and the retaining ring. There are
photos in some of the resources I listed above

Is the fuji quickload system worth considering? This is color only. I would
suggest getting a new Polaroid holder and you can then use Fuji and Kodak
pre-loaded films as well as Polaroid films

"How do you develop the film (!) - how easy/difficult is it compared to
processing 35mm?"

Color, send it to a pro lab. Black and white is easy in a home darkroom. There
is an artifcle on tray processing on the view camera web site

"On a picture by picture basis, how much does it cost on average to process
and print the relative formats?"

More but you wiull use less film


I have a hundred more questions!

Any help or comments appreciated.

Regards

Steve
  #3  
Old August 29th 04, 08:36 PM
Gregory Blank
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Default

Oh "GOODIE" a newbie!

In article ,
"Bert" wrote:

Hi,

I've just discovered your newsgroup, so here goes!

I want to move up from 35mm / digital because for me quality of final image
is important. I'm unsure wether to go to 6x6 or right into 5x4 (shooting
mainly ladscapes). I've seen the quality you can get from 5x4 (fantastic),
but I have some concerns and questions. If anyone can advise or maybe there
is a 'beginners website', a link of two would be appreciated. I'd add that I
like to take my time over taking a photograph, so setting up and time isn't
a problem.


First its fair to inform you it will take some time to acquire the
skills to utilize the camera in a manner that will produce good work.
Lots of people try larger format cameras and cast them aside. It also
takes gumption to lug the cameras around in place of smaller easier to
wield formats. I have been doing LF work since I was twenty, and am now
40.

In any event I try to encourage anyone to try the larger format cameras
mainly because its good for the users that others will buy film,gear etc.
Keeps the makers in business.


Here are some of my questions:

Cost is not an issue, and I appreciate finest engineering / optical quality,
so recommendations for suitable cameras please (Ebony? Hasselblad - is the
SWC worth considering?)


There are literally a ton of different 4x5 type cameras basically
deciding what features you want and the weight you will carry are
starting points. If doing landscapes a field camera is probably what
you will want. Kerry Thalmann who posts here has a lot of insight
regarding lenses and their specifications....website at

http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/

In any event more expensive is not always the best choice when starting
there are alot of things to buy so being conservative until you find
wether you like using the LF cameras is probably prudent.


How much 'better' is 5x4" over top quality 6x6cm (typically I'd want
enlargements to A2/A1)


Typically we use standard printing paper sizes as opposed to office
notation :-) 8x10, 11x14 and 16x20 at just about any size the LF should
be head and shoulders above the 6x6.....you've seen it already!!!


What's the best lens available (wide-angle)?

I've been told you need to take the lenses apart to mount on the board, is
this difficult or can it be done by the dealer?


No problem at all, we use what is called a spanner wrench.


Is the fuji quickload system worth considering?


Personally I don't like it or the other readyload holders.

How do you develop the film (!) - how easy/difficult is it compared to
processing 35mm?


One exposure or 6 at a time. Not more difficult.


On a picture by picture basis, how much does it cost on average to process
and print the relative formats?


Really depends on the size, who develops and prints etc, etc.
(Just the film) B&W processed at home is under a buck.
and color runs about 3.00 to four dollars per exposure (If you use a
lab).


I have a hundred more questions!

Any help or comments appreciated.

Regards

Steve


--
LF Website @ http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918
  #4  
Old August 30th 04, 07:01 AM
Stacey
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Default

Bert wrote:



How much 'better' is 5x4" over top quality 6x6cm (typically I'd want
enlargements to A2/A1)


A good eye will obviously see it.


I've been told you need to take the lenses apart to mount on the board, is
this difficult or can it be done by the dealer?


This is done once, you buy a board for each lens.


Is the fuji quickload system worth considering?


Yes but not cheap, then again money is no object?



On a picture by picture basis, how much does it cost on average to process
and print the relative formats?



I thought cost was no object? :-)



--

Stacey
  #5  
Old August 30th 04, 01:21 PM
Chris Ellinger
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Default

On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 18:21:51 GMT, "Bert"
wrote:

I want to move up from 35mm / digital because for me quality of final image
is important. I'm unsure wether to go to 6x6 or right into 5x4 (shooting
mainly ladscapes).


If you tend to wide angle, you might consider the Mamiya 7
rangefinder. The lenses are unsurpassed, and 6x7 format provides
more usable negative for rectangular prints than 6x6.

The main disavantage for landscapes would be the difficulty of using
graduated filters with the rangefinder viewer, and lack of camera
movements. If you routinely use them, the Mamiya isn't really an
option.

Chris Ellinger
Ann Arbor, MI USA

http://www.ellingerphoto.com

  #6  
Old August 31st 04, 03:41 AM
Michael Scarpitti
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Default

"Bert" wrote in message ...
Hi,

I've just discovered your newsgroup, so here goes!

I want to move up from 35mm / digital because for me quality of final image
is important.


What kind of photography is important to you? That's really the
question. You can get really high quality images with 4 x 5. but
spontaneity is out of the question. There are no motorized 4 x 5
cameras (except large roll aerial cameras).

I'm unsure wether to go to 6x6 or right into 5x4 (shooting
mainly ladscapes).



You may tire of landscapes before you know it. It's overdone, anyway.
And often poorly.

I've seen the quality you can get from 5x4 (fantastic),
but I have some concerns and questions. If anyone can advise or maybe there
is a 'beginners website', a link of two would be appreciated. I'd add that I
like to take my time over taking a photograph, so setting up and time isn't
a problem.

Here are some of my questions:

Cost is not an issue, and I appreciate finest engineering / optical quality,
so recommendations for suitable cameras please (Ebony? Hasselblad - is the
SWC worth considering?)

How much 'better' is 5x4" over top quality 6x6cm (typically I'd want
enlargements to A2/A1)

What's the best lens available (wide-angle)?

I've been told you need to take the lenses apart to mount on the board, is
this difficult or can it be done by the dealer?

Is the fuji quickload system worth considering?

How do you develop the film (!) - how easy/difficult is it compared to
processing 35mm?

On a picture by picture basis, how much does it cost on average to process
and print the relative formats?


I have a hundred more questions!

Any help or comments appreciated.

Regards

Steve

  #7  
Old August 31st 04, 02:58 PM
Collin Brendemuehl
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Posts: n/a
Default

Starting in LF one should begin with something basic, just to learn
the
functionality. There's a lot of things to get a handle on before
making
the big investment into a high-dollar, high-quality piece of hardware
and
the glass that does with it.
Up to 16x20, a b&w print from a blad is hard to tell from a 4x5 b&w.
(Color neg prints are easier to tell apart.) In detail you may be
pleased
with what comes from medium format.
But LF gives you some lens and film plane movements that cost a bundle
on a medium format, and they're no available to all medium format
systems. Tilting is very practical on landscapes, a little

In 4x5, 8x10, & larger, any good lens is going to give you a nice
print.
There was a very good print in View Camera a few issues ago shot with
a
relatively inexpensive Wollensak 6 1/4" f12.5 lens. Even a mediocre
lens
give good results and you can be pleased with most of them. (In 4x5 I
do
recommend staying away from the Wollensak lenses on Graphics, except
for
the learning experience.)

For (indoor or outdoor) color work, like the landscapes you suggest,
color correction is most important. For that reason I'd recommend
going with anything but Fuji lenses. I really don't like their color
correction and it shows on chromes (though C-41 printing does
compensate for it well).

LF is expensive. Locally (Columbus, OH) I spend about $1 per sheet of
film, $2.25 for processing (C-41/E-6), and $2 each contact. That's $5
just to start. Then I add in the cost each of the mistakes and it's
roughly twice that price.

A 4x5 contact is worth framing. I use old 4x5 film holders that are
useless (the old graphic units) for simple frames. They're nearly
free and make a suitable display for either b&w or color.

Just get one and enjoy yourself.

Collin

"Bert" wrote in message ...
Hi,

I've just discovered your newsgroup, so here goes!

I want to move up from 35mm / digital because for me quality of final image
is important. I'm unsure wether to go to 6x6 or right into 5x4 (shooting
mainly ladscapes). I've seen the quality you can get from 5x4 (fantastic),
but I have some concerns and questions. If anyone can advise or maybe there
is a 'beginners website', a link of two would be appreciated. I'd add that I
like to take my time over taking a photograph, so setting up and time isn't
a problem.

Here are some of my questions:

Cost is not an issue, and I appreciate finest engineering / optical quality,
so recommendations for suitable cameras please (Ebony? Hasselblad - is the
SWC worth considering?)

How much 'better' is 5x4" over top quality 6x6cm (typically I'd want
enlargements to A2/A1)

What's the best lens available (wide-angle)?

I've been told you need to take the lenses apart to mount on the board, is
this difficult or can it be done by the dealer?

Is the fuji quickload system worth considering?

How do you develop the film (!) - how easy/difficult is it compared to
processing 35mm?

On a picture by picture basis, how much does it cost on average to process
and print the relative formats?


I have a hundred more questions!

Any help or comments appreciated.

Regards

Steve

  #8  
Old August 31st 04, 04:08 PM
No One
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Posts: n/a
Default

Well no. Some types are not all that over done and not all images are poor.

Like any other type of photography. Oh what hell just give
it all up right Mike?


In article ,
(Michael Scarpitti) wrote:

You may tire of landscapes before you know it. It's overdone, anyway.
And often poorly.



  #9  
Old August 31st 04, 05:05 PM
Gregory Blank
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Posts: n/a
Default

I disagree with Michael as well, there are alot of
bad images in any one catagory. But there alot great scenics done
as well. Mike likes to generalize to suit his personal taste
or lack of it, in his case.


In article ,
"No One" wrote:

Well no. Some types are not all that over done and not all images are poor.

Like any other type of photography. Oh what hell just give
it all up right Mike?


In article ,
(Michael Scarpitti) wrote:

You may tire of landscapes before you know it. It's overdone, anyway.
And often poorly.


--
LF Website @
http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918
  #10  
Old August 31st 04, 05:07 PM
No One
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Posts: n/a
Default

It is wondrous how with a hundred or more years of photographic image making
someone still manages to amaze with as simple a thing as a photograph of a
flower, a face or a shoe.


"Gregory Blank" wrote in message
...
I disagree with Michael as well, there are alot of
bad images in any one catagory. But there alot great scenics done
as well. Mike likes to generalize to suit his personal taste
or lack of it, in his case.


In article ,
"No One" wrote:

Well no. Some types are not all that over done and not all images are

poor.

Like any other type of photography. Oh what hell just give
it all up right Mike?


In article ,
(Michael Scarpitti) wrote:

You may tire of landscapes before you know it. It's overdone,

anyway.
And often poorly.


--
LF Website @
http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918



 




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