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Opinion sought: Omega 45D



 
 
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  #1  
Old September 26th 09, 06:06 PM posted to rec.photo.equipment.large-format
Alan Browne
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Posts: 12,640
Default Opinion sought: Omega 45D

I'm not a LF guy (Hassy 500C/M is what I do have).

There is a "mint" Omega 45D for sale near here with monorail, ground
glass back/grid, 34/35mm opening on the lens board. Claimed as "mint"
including the bellows.

No lens.

(Pls. Suggest lens to cover studio portraits, architecture and landscapes?)

Is this a good camera? (Quality tilt/rise, etc.) for architecture and
landscape? (Has a rotating back).

Do I need additional film holders?

  #2  
Old September 26th 09, 08:04 PM posted to rec.photo.equipment.large-format
Alan Browne
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Posts: 12,640
Default Opinion sought: Omega 45D

Peter wrote:
On Sep 26, 1:06 pm, Alan Browne
wrote:
I'm not a LF guy (Hassy 500C/M is what I do have).

There is a "mint" Omega 45D for sale near here with monorail, ground
glass back/grid, 34/35mm opening on the lens board. Claimed as "mint"
including the bellows.

No lens.

(Pls. Suggest lens to cover studio portraits, architecture and landscapes?)

Is this a good camera? (Quality tilt/rise, etc.) for architecture and
landscape? (Has a rotating back).

Do I need additional film holders?


They are far from the fanciest of LF cameras. They permit a
reasonable range of movement and are decently stable. Rotating backs
are a convenience. Common choices for lenses:
studio portraits 240 to 360 mm
architecture 75 to 120 mm
landscapes 135 to 210 mm

Note that LF portraits are a little less finicky about focal length
(compared with 35 mm) as there is a lot more film to work with.

Is it a good camera? If it really is mint, you will probably spend
quite a while before you encounter a limitation that would be fixed by
a more expensive camera. I would compare the Omega with some of the
Toyo cameras (Toyo acquired Omega if I remember right). It is also
somewhat similar to the Cambo SC early models.

Do you need additional film holders? It depends on how many you have
(or perhaps some come with the camera) and how much you plan to shoot
at one time. Consider that you may take more than one type of film
with you. I am usually content with 4 to 8, depending on what I do.

I think I should mention the price. I have several of the Cambo SC
cameras and picked them up at around $100 each. If this is a first
large format camera and the price matters to you and the asking price
is much higher than that, in view of the basic nature of your question
it might be wise to look at and try some other similar cameras before
settling on that one. There are many, many choices and what seems
fine to me might be far from what you are aiming at. I would also
verify the claim that it is mint (by careful inspection). Of
particular note would be the quality of the bellows and the stability
of the camera when all locks are tightened.

You mentioned that it has a lens board. You will probably need more
than one. It is a point to explore (again I think that Toyo boards
are compatible, but you should check that point).


Thanks for the good advice. I will see the camera before I buy it, so
at least there is that. ( I trust the seller as well, a long time
specialty camera dealer in Montreal. The photos of the camera show it
to be very clean looking).

I contacted the seller who says he probably has 2 or more lenses in his
cupboards.

I might make larger aperture lens boards - unless it is more difficult
than I assume!!

Thanks for the hints on price.

I've come close to renting a Horseman on occasion. Something I might do
before buying this camera. Fall is coming and the colours are beginning
to turn ... not sure I can build the camera fast enough. I'd stick to
the simplest landscape photos before attempting architecture.

Cheers,
Alan
  #3  
Old September 26th 09, 09:08 PM posted to rec.photo.equipment.large-format
K W Hart
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Posts: 142
Default Opinion sought: Omega 45D


"Alan Browne" wrote in message
...
I'm not a LF guy (Hassy 500C/M is what I do have).

There is a "mint" Omega 45D for sale near here with monorail, ground glass
back/grid, 34/35mm opening on the lens board. Claimed as "mint" including
the bellows.

No lens.

(Pls. Suggest lens to cover studio portraits, architecture and
landscapes?)

Is this a good camera? (Quality tilt/rise, etc.) for architecture and
landscape? (Has a rotating back).

Do I need additional film holders?


Taking your questions in reverse order:
You will need film holders. Additional? Common film holders hold two sheets
of film, one on each side. How many back for your Hassy do you normally
carry? Generally speaking, the larger the film format, the more careful the
photographer and the fewer 'insurance' shots we take- generally. There are
quick-load films available- more expensive for the convenience, and there
are multi-sheet film backs that can be prone to jamming.

It doesn't take much for a view camera to be a "good" camera. Are the
adjustments secure and in-line? Do they lock in place securely? There should
be detents for the 'normal' postions of the tilts/rises- are the detents
secure? How is the bellows? Is it pliable? Any light leaks? Since it's a
monorail, are the front and rear supports secure on the rail, not able to
wiggle side-to-side.

A 135mm lens on a 4x5 is a similar view to an 80mm lens on your 6x6cm Hassy.
So a 70mm lens on a 4x5 would be similar to a 40mm on your Hassy and a 270mm
lens on the 4x5 would be similiar to a 160mm lens on the Hasselblad.

Obviously, you will need a lens, unless you intend to do pinhole shooting.
As for which lens for each type of shooting, base it on your Hasselblad. If
your favorite portrait lens is 120mm, that's 1..5 times the normal 6x6cm
lens. Just multiply the normal for a 4x5 (135mm) by 1.5, and your new
favorite portrait lens should be 202.5mm.

Personally, I think the most important next purchase after the lens is a
good tripod or camera stand (if you are using it indoors).


  #4  
Old September 26th 09, 10:22 PM posted to rec.photo.equipment.large-format
Alan Browne
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Posts: 12,640
Default Opinion sought: Omega 45D

K W Hart wrote:
"Alan Browne" wrote in message
...
I'm not a LF guy (Hassy 500C/M is what I do have).

There is a "mint" Omega 45D for sale near here with monorail, ground glass
back/grid, 34/35mm opening on the lens board. Claimed as "mint" including
the bellows.

No lens.

(Pls. Suggest lens to cover studio portraits, architecture and
landscapes?)

Is this a good camera? (Quality tilt/rise, etc.) for architecture and
landscape? (Has a rotating back).

Do I need additional film holders?


Taking your questions in reverse order:
You will need film holders. Additional? Common film holders hold two sheets
of film, one on each side. How many back for your Hassy do you normally
carry?


One, though I'd like to have 2 or 3 with different film loaded. OTOH, I
shoot 15 - 20 rolls of 120 per year (0 this year!).

Generally speaking, the larger the film format, the more careful the
photographer and the fewer 'insurance' shots we take- generally. There are
quick-load films available- more expensive for the convenience, and there
are multi-sheet film backs that can be prone to jamming.


I'd be surprised if I took 20 shots per year with this camera.

It doesn't take much for a view camera to be a "good" camera. Are the
adjustments secure and in-line? Do they lock in place securely? There should
be detents for the 'normal' postions of the tilts/rises- are the detents
secure? How is the bellows? Is it pliable? Any light leaks? Since it's a
monorail, are the front and rear supports secure on the rail, not able to
wiggle side-to-side.


A good checklist. Thanks.



A 135mm lens on a 4x5 is a similar view to an 80mm lens on your 6x6cm Hassy.
So a 70mm lens on a 4x5 would be similar to a 40mm on your Hassy and a 270mm
lens on the 4x5 would be similiar to a 160mm lens on the Hasselblad.


Good stuff: pretty much covers my range of shooting. The 75mm looks
really like the lens I need first followed by 270ish.

Obviously, you will need a lens, unless you intend to do pinhole shooting.
As for which lens for each type of shooting, base it on your Hasselblad. If
your favorite portrait lens is 120mm, that's 1..5 times the normal 6x6cm
lens. Just multiply the normal for a 4x5 (135mm) by 1.5, and your new
favorite portrait lens should be 202.5mm.


I shoot portraits at 120 - 150 on the Hassy.


Personally, I think the most important next purchase after the lens is a
good tripod or camera stand (if you are using it indoors).


I have a Manfrotto 58B (heavy, ugly beast) that should do the trick
(just hope the rail bolts to 3/8"). I don't think my magfibre (55) is
up to the weight and bulk of the view camera.

It occurs to me that I may need to get an Epson transparency scanner.
Not quite as sharp as my Nikon 9000ED, but should more than suffice (v.
drum scans at $25-$30 per pop).
  #5  
Old September 27th 09, 01:32 AM posted to rec.photo.equipment.large-format
K W Hart
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Posts: 142
Default Opinion sought: Omega 45D


"Alan Browne" wrote in message
...
snip
It occurs to me that I may need to get an Epson transparency scanner. Not
quite as sharp as my Nikon 9000ED, but should more than suffice (v. drum
scans at $25-$30 per pop).


Aw, come on! If you are going to the trouble to shoot 4x5, print them
optically! How about this enlarger family-
http://eseco-speedmaster.com/imagingsystems.html ? I have the
Eseco-Speedmaster AF-45, and I think it's a fantastic piece of gear.


  #6  
Old September 27th 09, 01:41 PM posted to rec.photo.equipment.large-format
Alan Browne
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Posts: 12,640
Default Opinion sought: Omega 45D

K W Hart wrote:
"Alan Browne" wrote in message
...
snip
It occurs to me that I may need to get an Epson transparency scanner. Not
quite as sharp as my Nikon 9000ED, but should more than suffice (v. drum
scans at $25-$30 per pop).


Aw, come on! If you are going to the trouble to shoot 4x5, print them
optically! How about this enlarger family-
http://eseco-speedmaster.com/imagingsystems.html ? I have the
Eseco-Speedmaster AF-45, and I think it's a fantastic piece of gear.


I'm sure it is but, there is no way I'm going the enlarger route. It's
bad enough that I'll have to take the film in for dev downtown (where
they conveniently have that drum scanner, damnit).

Is there a tank system to do E-6 at this size?.
I found a DIY system: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/unicolor/
that will do 2 sheets at a time. Not a process I'd like to do, however.
  #7  
Old September 27th 09, 02:14 PM posted to rec.photo.equipment.large-format
Alan Browne
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Posts: 12,640
Default Opinion sought: Omega 45D

Peter wrote:
On Sep 27, 8:41 am, Alan Browne
wrote:
K W Hart wrote:
"Alan Browne" wrote in message
...
snip
It occurs to me that I may need to get an Epson transparency scanner. Not
quite as sharp as my Nikon 9000ED, but should more than suffice (v. drum
scans at $25-$30 per pop).
Aw, come on! If you are going to the trouble to shoot 4x5, print them
optically! How about this enlarger family-
http://eseco-speedmaster.com/imagingsystems.html? I have the
Eseco-Speedmaster AF-45, and I think it's a fantastic piece of gear.

I'm sure it is but, there is no way I'm going the enlarger route. It's
bad enough that I'll have to take the film in for dev downtown (where
they conveniently have that drum scanner, damnit).

Is there a tank system to do E-6 at this size?.
I found a DIY system:http://www.largeformatphotography.info/unicolor/
that will do 2 sheets at a time. Not a process I'd like to do, however.


There are several systems that were developed to do E-6 or C-41 at
home. A problem may be the quantity of film you are thinking of
processing. For either E-6 or C-41 you will likely buy pre-mixed
chemicals for a large batch of film. They will have to be used fairly
soon. The temperature needs to be controlled carefully and is above
room temperature (ca. 100 F).

Where home processing shines is for black and white. If you use
simple developers (e.g. D-23 or D-76) and purchase the component
chemicals, you can make up only as much as you will need when you have
film to process. The processes are more flexible about temperature
(i.e., over the range of 68 F to 78 F); it is easy to calibrate the
processing time for the temperature and get repeatable results. I
have chemicals that were purchase in the early 1950s that are useful
for many developers and still maintain their potency, now. They are
conveniently not very expensive, even now. Obtaining a copy of the
Kodak book of formulas would be a good step if this interests you.


I do develop B&W, I'm not a stranger to it. I've researched the E-6
process in the past and get it. That doesn't mean I want to -do- it!

If I leap into LF it will be to do chromes. The Epson scanners (such as
the V700) or the Microtek M1 from what I gather on some forums give
results almost as good as the Nikon 9000ED (which I have).

Of course, for LF my Epson 3800 printer (17" wide) seems puny...
  #8  
Old September 27th 09, 02:40 PM posted to rec.photo.equipment.large-format
Howard Lester[_3_]
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Posts: 24
Default Opinion sought: Omega 45D

"Alan Browne" wrote

I contacted the seller who says he probably has 2 or more lenses in his
cupboards.

I might make larger aperture lens boards - unless it is more difficult
than I assume!!


Probably not. I once made one out of cardboard!



  #9  
Old September 27th 09, 03:48 PM posted to rec.photo.equipment.large-format
Alan Browne
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Posts: 12,640
Default Opinion sought: Omega 45D

Howard Lester wrote:
"Alan Browne" wrote

I contacted the seller who says he probably has 2 or more lenses in his
cupboards.

I might make larger aperture lens boards - unless it is more difficult
than I assume!!


Probably not. I once made one out of cardboard!


I'd want to make one a little more durable, methinks...

I would think that an accurate center for the hole is required, at least
to bring the lens/film square with no swings/tilts/rises.
  #10  
Old September 27th 09, 07:46 PM posted to rec.photo.equipment.large-format
David Nebenzahl
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Posts: 1,353
Default Opinion sought: Omega 45D

On 9/27/2009 7:48 AM Alan Browne spake thus:

Howard Lester wrote:

"Alan Browne" wrote

I contacted the seller who says he probably has 2 or more lenses in his
cupboards.

I might make larger aperture lens boards - unless it is more difficult
than I assume!!


Probably not. I once made one out of cardboard!


I'd want to make one a little more durable, methinks...

I would think that an accurate center for the hole is required, at least
to bring the lens/film square with no swings/tilts/rises.


Trivially easy to do. If you think cardboard isn't sturdy enough,
there's always tempered hardboard (aka Masonite).


--
Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism
 




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