Large Format


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you may want to check http://www.largeformatphotography.info

Frankly an optical scan of a 4x5 slide should be more than good enough, if you're not gonna be blowing it up too big.

I've built a foam case for me Sinar F kit manually and everything fits into my backpack
You may want to consider a 4x5 camera with a 6x7 or 6x9 roll back (Calumet)

if you have a digital camera with metering you can use it to shoot slides. or use your slr for metering, if you trust the results your'e getting from your SLR. once you shoot slides, you may never want to go back to negatives (at least that's how I feel nowadays)

I don't think there is any medium format kit that allows you tilt and shift options at a reasonable price at all. I think at the most a brand or two may have a specific lens iwth tilt and shift functions (rollei) but that lens cost about 3 times the amount you'd pay for a whole large format camera set up
and $7 is a small price to pay for a gigantic sheet of negative. steep learning curve but once you get used to it, you won't be able to go back to a smaller format....

If you're interested in a Sinar F1 do a search on that, I was in communication with a fellow who went by the Clubsnap moniker harshan who was selling his at a very reasonable price
 

kex said:
hmm...
anyone know who is the local agent for Toyo ?


Last time i checked ( that's long time ago )
the Toyo 'Agent' in Singapore is a bridal shop ? in Ang Mo Kio central
can't remember their name though

On a side note, there is a shop at level 2 or 3 of Bras Basah Complex
directly facing the escalator ( a graphic / frame shop ) with a toyo G
( if i remember correctly ) who seems quite willing to sell it
( says quote him a price ........ )
bellows may need slight patching though...
 

thanks all for your comments!
I am actually leaning back towards medium format to try and control running costs while I learn all the movement business. That's when I stumbled across the class of "technical cameras". I'm taking a look at the Horseman cameras which offer some movements in the front standard ... as well as the Silvestri T30, which apparantly takes some of the horseman accesories but offers only shift ... but is a specialized wide-angle camera.

anyone has any experience?
 

I think the big thing being miss is that you don't shoot 4x5 the same as you would roll film. Large format is all about patience and taking your time. I used to go out shooting with a friend, and he would shoot a roll of 36 to my 5 sheets of 4x5. if you only get 5 good shots on a roll of 36 then 4x5 is definately not for you. i spend 15-20 setting up for a shot and then 'click' and know i've got it, because you take the time to make sure before hand.

as for equipment, a cheap way to get into large format is the bender cherry wood kits. that is all i have, and if you take your time and put it together well you can get a 4x5 set up for around $300 USD without the lens. also makes you extremely familiar with your equipment, and easy to repair.
 

FYI.. there are a couple us that shot quite regularly with LF. If you are interested PM me.. and we can get together..

I found the cheapest way of going to LF with a reliable and mobile setup was with a field cam instead of a viewcam/monorail.

I am personally using a Graflex.. with a 127 Ektar and 90mm Schneider.. thats all I use.. compared to my 35mm gear..
 

hi gadrian

it would be nice to meet up with all of you to see how you guys do what you do... thanks.
I had a Crown Graflex but didn't use it much at that time so I sold it to another listmember (are you here?) ... I think the thought of a good field/technical camera may be the right thing for me....
while I don't have a super-big budget, I am also thinking of buying something that I can grow with easily ... perhaps horseman, linhof or one of the brands that pros use?
suggestions? Need a camera that has enough movements .
 

kristop said:
I think the big thing being miss is that you don't shoot 4x5 the same as you would roll film. Large format is all about patience and taking your time.

I am not sure if I can agree with you that large format is "all about patience and time". Large format FORCES you to have patience and time. In the old days of the handheld graflex etc, there was little patience and time as "photo-journalsits" fires away. You can still do that today, and maybe even faster with fanciful cameras like the Littman 45Single. Smaller format cameras especially those auto-everything ones ALLOWS you to show heck a lot faster, but you do not have to do so. Taking a "candid" shot or birds and butterflies, for example requires patience and time. And so is landscape photography. You just have to be patient and wait.

1 The most compelling reason TODAY for largeformat is camera movements. (However I am not sure if modern digital processes might negate this advantage in the future).

2 Another reason for large format photography is simply a bigger negative to work on. But frankly, much many people here print mural size photos? Even Helmut Newton's "BIG NUDES" were done with a 6x6 format. Besides film quality has really improved. I think Tmax100 is sharper than PanF ( and i use Panf regularly). I am aware that sharpness is not the whole issue. And tonality is another thing. This is another reason I like largeformat.

3 A third reason for largeformat is alternative processes such as platinum and palladium printing. However, even for this, you don't need a largeformat camera. What you need is a large negative, and this can be done by enlarging a 35 or medium format negative or positive, either traditionally, or digitally. (I am talking B&W here)

4 But I think many, and that includes me, do largeformat is simple, they love it!
 

i am thinking of getting a good large format kit that I can grow with...
what would all of you recommend? Probably a more portable metal-frame field/technical camera..
what do pros usually use? Which system (& camera) should I look that is affordable yet flexible... what is the "nikon" of LF?

I'm currently thinking of the Toyo 45CF , 45AII and maybe an old tachihara...
any thoughts, anyone?
 

Keltzar said:
you are right in that brand isn't terribly important...

You are only partially right that brand isn't terribly important.

Except that Linhofs and Sinars and Arca-Swiss and Ebonys tend to be highly regarded, not because of the name, but because these brands are synonymous with great products.
 

I would personally recommend getting a 4x5 Tachihara field camera. To begin with, it's not too expensive, around US$600, and has sufficient tilt & swing that the best field camera can offer. I've got mine from Midwest Photo, Jim is a nice guy to deal with.

For a beginner in LF, a simple yet effective camera is crucial. Otherwise, you will end up figuring out what movement needs to be done underneath the focusing cloth, in front of the ground glass.

Regards
KW..
 

hi,
i guess i should call jim? Their website is never updated.

Is the Tachihara wood or metal? I've been advised to avoid wood-frame cameras in the tropics.

Agree about being simple and effective... from my recent research I'm leaning towards the Toyo 45CF ... but it seems to have mixed reviews.
 

Tachihara is a wood field camera. I've been using it for almost a year and just return from a trip to Tasmania, no problem at all.

To contact Jim, just email to the address given in Midwest website, they normally response within a day or two.

By the way, what's your intention of going into LF?
 

It started with a desire to try architecture. Then I got around to looking at 4x5 slides that friends had been taking ... and they were something else. Its an opportunity to develop a new way of thinking ... as I've gotten quite jaded with 35mm and even medium format.

I had a Crown Graphic for a while but didn't adequate explore it at that time. But right now, I'm looking for the opportunity to learn a new craft ... as well as trying to take a whole new approach to my photography.
 

it's really fun and challenging,IMO a totally diff league compared to 35/120 as u gain full control with all the movements available.
have to really think about wad movements to apply to get the results but the process of it are really enjoyable,especially when u get it right.
 

I am thinking more seriously of a field camera...
but there seem to be more view cameras available.. and often at a nicer price.
opinions?
 

i bought a monorail camera becoz i tot it is a better learning platform with all the movement options @ a low price,although u have to trade that for portability.after shooting for 3wks with it..i find dat a field camera with enuff front rise will suit my needs for architecture/landscape..
But if i were to do it again,i will still go with the monorail 1st.
 

re: Monorail is my understanding too... do you find it a hassle to lug around?
Is it a lot slower to set up than a field camera?

.. and wondering why you say you'll go with it again?
 

Keltzar said:
re: Monorail is my understanding too... do you find it a hassle to lug around?
Is it a lot slower to set up than a field camera?

.. and wondering why you say you'll go with it again?
If u drive,it is not a big problem,i usually strip down all the parts and stuff them in my domke F2.i have never use a field camera b4,but it is quite obvious monorail will take a longer time to set up,ard 1 ciggy time..
i will go with it again becoz of the versatility a monorail provide at that price,a field camera of that specs will easily cost many times more.
 

For the matter of public record since I don't see the info anywhere else:

Agent for Toyo cameras:
Yo-KA Photo Co.
721 Ang Mo Kio Centre Ave 8 #01-2805 Singapore 560721 Tel. No.: 64561530
 

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