I want to give LF a try and I'm looking at this for sales http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1306825 so any experts can share their view.
First time large format user
- Thread starter monty
- Start date
you did not said what specifically are you seeking views on so it is hard for us to comment. My only comment is that the 120mm accessories are good to have but not necessary. After all you want to shoot 4x5 and not 120mm.
Anyway the set is sold so you can explore other option. There is very few LF sets on sale here. Most of us get our stuff off ebay or the large format photography forum http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ (You can only access the Buy/Sell section 30 days after you register)
If you have not read through this http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1127594 then please do as it would help you make some decisions.
Anyway the set is sold so you can explore other option. There is very few LF sets on sale here. Most of us get our stuff off ebay or the large format photography forum http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ (You can only access the Buy/Sell section 30 days after you register)
If you have not read through this http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1127594 then please do as it would help you make some decisions.
Its a matter of "taste"... some like it sweet , some like it salty...
There are many different types of medium available, black and white, slides etc... from different manufacturers.
They all have different characteristics and feel to the final image.
Using a large format camera is very free, you get to use all different types of medium ( film type and sizes ), and you also have the freedom to use the lens that you like. Best part of all, the equipment itself ( the large format camera ) is free to MOVE, you are able to perform SHIFT, TILT and SWING to create your desired image.
We are not against digital in any way here, it is merely a personal preference.
There is nothing that the computer cannot do where a film camera can do, its just personal preference and something so call ....."character".
one more thing, if you intend to print big ( somewhere A2 or A1 ), then a 35mm or 120mm film size will not be enough.
hope I answered your question.
B
There are many different types of medium available, black and white, slides etc... from different manufacturers.
They all have different characteristics and feel to the final image.
Using a large format camera is very free, you get to use all different types of medium ( film type and sizes ), and you also have the freedom to use the lens that you like. Best part of all, the equipment itself ( the large format camera ) is free to MOVE, you are able to perform SHIFT, TILT and SWING to create your desired image.
We are not against digital in any way here, it is merely a personal preference.
There is nothing that the computer cannot do where a film camera can do, its just personal preference and something so call ....."character".
one more thing, if you intend to print big ( somewhere A2 or A1 ), then a 35mm or 120mm film size will not be enough.
hope I answered your question.
B
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Verticoastro
Senior Member
For me, it is a process of lugging the camera to location, operating the camera to get the images and having it develop to scan to digital and darkroom printing... So therapeutic ... I might not get very good shot at times. but it seems that I am able to appreciate almost most of the shot I had taken... The details, sharpness and the prints...
I am shooting with 4x5 camera now... Am preparing and planning my work flow to go up to 8x10 after attending a recent large format demo and seeing the 8x10 negatives and contact prints by Billy...
I am shooting with 4x5 camera now... Am preparing and planning my work flow to go up to 8x10 after attending a recent large format demo and seeing the 8x10 negatives and contact prints by Billy...
You can consider a Crown or Speed Graphic camera (press camera). Large format camera with limited movements, but closes up very small and compact. Easy to lug around and quick to set up.
I shoot LF for landscapes or architecture type shots, when I have time to compose the frame and adjust every single detail like others have said. The scene already looks gorgeous on the ground glass, even better on the negative. The amount of detail you can get in a scanned negative is astonishing, it's like shooting D800 36mpx (in reality the scanned image is more like 500mb-1gb).
The whole process is very therapeutic! And to think that photographers from so long ago already had this equipment!
I shoot LF for landscapes or architecture type shots, when I have time to compose the frame and adjust every single detail like others have said. The scene already looks gorgeous on the ground glass, even better on the negative. The amount of detail you can get in a scanned negative is astonishing, it's like shooting D800 36mpx (in reality the scanned image is more like 500mb-1gb).
The whole process is very therapeutic! And to think that photographers from so long ago already had this equipment!
sunnycamera
Senior Member
I used to think about trying large format as well,
but in the end, I dont know where to get large format film and development, also cost of dedicate scanner.
economy wise, medium format is more popular because of easy-to-buy film and grace develop shop and those cheap flatbed film scanner
of course, large format camera with 6x9 or 6x12 120 roll film back will be easier to enter than 4x5 film.
but in the end, I dont know where to get large format film and development, also cost of dedicate scanner.
economy wise, medium format is more popular because of easy-to-buy film and grace develop shop and those cheap flatbed film scanner
of course, large format camera with 6x9 or 6x12 120 roll film back will be easier to enter than 4x5 film.
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You can buy the film online (ebay, very cheap). Scanner can be bought used on Clubsnap or in the stores. It's much more flexible than medium format if you only shoot black and white, the experience is also very different. Urge you to try if you really like film.
you can try reading more about LF from these articles....
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1127594
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1127594
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