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#1
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New to Large Format
Hi, I would like to start to use large format cameras.
Have you any suggestion for a novice ? I have seen a lot of large format cameras, but some seem very similar, only the price is very different, what do I have to look for in a large format camera? Regarding the lenses, I would like to use a 4x5 camera, what do you suggest to start with ? Has someone an approximate idea of the cost of these lenses ? (new and used) TIA Gianni Piccoli Italy |
#2
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"Gianni Piccoli" wrote in message newsan.2005.01.27.14.23.26.139351@*RE*MO*VE*wpwe b.com... Hi, I would like to start to use large format cameras. Have you any suggestion for a novice ? What kind of large format photography do you wish to do? It makes a difference. For field work, here's a complete system (from Ebay Italy) http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...91283 00&rd=1 Of course, there are far less expensive alternatives, but we need to know what _kind_ of work you wish to do - rugged outdoor photography, easy-access outdoor photography, studio? |
#3
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Gianni Piccoli wrote:
Hi, I would like to start to use large format cameras. Have you any suggestion for a novice ? I have seen a lot of large format cameras, but some seem very similar, only the price is very different, what do I have to look for in a large format camera? Regarding the lenses, I would like to use a 4x5 camera, what do you suggest to start with ? Has someone an approximate idea of the cost of these lenses ? (new and used) Gianni what do you want to photograph? Do you really like wide lenses or longer ones? Will you be carrying the camera far? Or will it stay inside? |
#4
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Have you any suggestion for a novice ?
Your questions are too general to be answered here in a meaningful way. Books can, and have, been written to help people new to large format photography learn about buying and using large format equipment. The books by Leslie Stroebel and Steve Simmons are both good but there are others as well. I'd suggest buying one of them or checking one out of your local library if they have any, visit web sites devoted to large format photography (e.g. www.largeformatphotography.info), do some reading, and get at least a general idea of what type of equipment might be suitable for your purposes, . Then armed with a little knowledge you can pose more specific questions here while also telling us what type of photography you plan to do with your camera and what your price range for camera, lens(es), etc. is. "Gianni Piccoli" wrote in message newsan.2005.01.27.14.23.26.139351@*RE*MO*VE*wpwe b.com... Hi, I would like to start to use large format cameras. Have you any suggestion for a novice ? I have seen a lot of large format cameras, but some seem very similar, only the price is very different, what do I have to look for in a large format camera? Regarding the lenses, I would like to use a 4x5 camera, what do you suggest to start with ? Has someone an approximate idea of the cost of these lenses ? (new and used) TIA Gianni Piccoli Italy |
#6
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In addition to the articles on the View Camera website, try to find a way to
borrow or rent a view camera, lens, and a polaroid film holder and buy a box of polaroid film to try out for a weekend. Let's see, you'll also need a tripod and a dark shirt to use as a focusing cloth. The best way to get to know this is to try it. As for buying equipment in Italy, I've never been there. I understand that it can be more expensive than here in the States, but I don't know for certain. Almost everything I've bought for photography has been via E-bay and for the most part I've gotten very good prices and good quality but your experience may be different. For example, my 5x7 Burke & James wooden field camera with an ancient 250mm lens cost me US$150 a few years ago and that's about the price of a Speed Graphic camera and lens these days. (I've since bought better lenses and sold the old one.) A Speed Graphic is often described as a reasonable starter camera for someone new to large format; at the least you ought to be able to sell it for about what you paid for it, should you decide that view cameras aren't for you. The same goes for older Calumet monorail 4x5 cameras; they often sell for about the same price as the Graphic cameras. Good luck! Mike C program run. C program crash. C programmer quit. |
#7
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As said in previous replies, it is important to know what you are planning
to do in LF. Start reading some books. An example: I do mainly landscape and a little bit architecture, and I need a portable gear for backpacking in the mountains. So I bougt a used Woodman camera, which is lightweight but has some limitations (bellows draw). I use a 90mm and a 135mm Congo lens, and a 150mm and a 240mm G-Claron. All of them are relatively lightweight, and I carry with me only those I plan to use (sometimes I am wrong). The Woodman does not turn up very frequently on ebay, but it's still available new at Horseman dealers (www.horsemanusa.com). Never saw a Congo lens on ebay either (www.cosmonet.org/congo/index_e.html), but G-Clarons appear frequently. However, if you will do more studio photography, the above may not be exactly what you need, although it's workable. BTW: there are ebayers in Italy, too, I bought some photo stuff from there. Have a good takeoff into LF Heinz "Gianni Piccoli" schrieb im Newsbeitrag newsan.2005.01.27.14.23.26.139351@*RE*MO*VE*wpwe b.com... Hi, I would like to start to use large format cameras. Have you any suggestion for a novice ? I have seen a lot of large format cameras, but some seem very similar, only the price is very different, what do I have to look for in a large format camera? Regarding the lenses, I would like to use a 4x5 camera, what do you suggest to start with ? Has someone an approximate idea of the cost of these lenses ? (new and used) TIA Gianni Piccoli Italy |
#8
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Thanks everyone for the answers, in fact I will start to visit the web
sites you mentioned to build an idea of what I can do with large format cameras. I will want to take some pictures at home and take advantage of the large format camera capability to focus objects on different planes, but I will also like to bring the camera outdoor and take pictures of landscapes. Gianni Piccoli Italy |
#9
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Heinz Grau wrote:
As said in previous replies, it is important to know what you are planning to do in LF. Start reading some books. An example: I do mainly landscape and a little bit architecture, and I need a portable gear for backpacking in the mountains. So I bougt a used Woodman camera, which is lightweight but has some limitations (bellows draw). I use a 90mm and a 135mm Congo lens, and a 150mm and a 240mm G-Claron. All of them are relatively lightweight, and I carry with me only those I plan to use (sometimes I am wrong). .... Heinz, I am also considering getting into LF, and I would be looking mainly at landscapes, with a bit if architecture/cityscapes. Do you find the amount of available movement with your camera limiting, or is it adequate? Steve |
#10
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Hi Steve,
for me it's adequate, the Woodman has quite good movements for its price (and weight). But if you want to go into indoor architecture, you will need more movements and an exchangable bellows, so you can use a bag bellows with your wideangle lenses. This may be the case for citiscapes, too, where you sometimes cannot move away from your objects. "Steven Kefford" ""keff.antispam\"@ f2s.com" schrieb im Newsbeitrag ... Heinz Grau wrote: As said in previous replies, it is important to know what you are planning to do in LF. Start reading some books. An example: I do mainly landscape and a little bit architecture, and I need a portable gear for backpacking in the mountains. So I bougt a used Woodman camera, which is lightweight but has some limitations (bellows draw). I use a 90mm and a 135mm Congo lens, and a 150mm and a 240mm G-Claron. All of them are relatively lightweight, and I carry with me only those I plan to use (sometimes I am wrong). ... Heinz, I am also considering getting into LF, and I would be looking mainly at landscapes, with a bit if architecture/cityscapes. Do you find the amount of available movement with your camera limiting, or is it adequate? Steve |
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