Jeff Cable
(K=3599) - Comment Date 11/15/2002
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Yes please Altaf. Of course I am speaking only for myself.
Cheers!
Jeff
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Brendon Cordero
(K=3524) - Comment Date 11/17/2002
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Yes. Any information is good stuff.
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Filipe
(K=18) - Comment Date 11/17/2002
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Yes! I'm developing a great interest in medium and large format.
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Marius Sundbakken
(K=47) - Comment Date 11/21/2002
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Sure, but I'm unsure whether I should save the money and go for a small format digital instead (e.g. Canon 1D).
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Stephen Gangi
(K=566) - Comment Date 11/23/2002
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If you shop smart and buy used (carefully!) you can certainly afford to go large format. Just do it a piece at a time so you have money left over for other things.
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David Goldfarb
(K=7611) - Comment Date 11/24/2002
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A digital SLR will cost upwards of $4000 and will be worthless in 5 years.
Any number of used 4x5" cameras can be had for around $500 with lens, figure a few hundred more for what else you need, and it will all be worth about what you paid for it, if you decide to upgrade down the road, and if you want digital output, you'll have all those chromes or negs you've made in the meanwhile that will still be scannable on better and better scanners.
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Russell Love
(K=7006) - Comment Date 11/28/2002
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Al,
I know that no one else enjoys my photos as much as I do when I take them, however, my dreams of when I retire (in 4 years one month and 20 days, not that I am counting down)is to eventually own a large format camera, travel the country, and take the shots I enjoy. If others get joy from it, then it's an added benefit. I figure I have a little time to start collecting and learning the things I need to do this. I know it will be a lot of trial and error, but what the hell! It's only my kids inheritence.
Later my friend,
Russ
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sean slavin
(K=3488) - Comment Date 11/28/2002
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I'd be interested in knowing. There's a lot of choices and it's hard to tell how well the actual cameras are built from looking at pics on a web site. 8)
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Enrique Vila
(K=34) - Comment Date 12/23/2002
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I think that such an article would be a great help for new LF photographers...
Goa ahead!... and don?t hesitate to ask for help...
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Brian E
(K=162) - Comment Date 12/30/2002
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YES! YES! YES! THRICE YES!
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Stephen Gangi
(K=566) - Comment Date 3/3/2003
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It's been a while, so I thought I would offer a (hopefully) short list of items needed to get started. 1) Obviously you need a camera. The 2 main types are monorail and field (or flatbed). Which one to choose depends on the intended purpose and personal preference. Press or technical cameras are a variation on the field camera, so I will group them with fields. For the studio, or close-up still lifes, I recommend a monorail. For trudging in the woods, a field is usually chosen. It has fewer movements usually, but is a lot easier to carry around. 2) With the camera, a lens is needed. These are usually mounted in a shutter. A shutter is not absolutely necessary, but makes things easier. 3) A good tripod and head (not just expensive, but good) is needed. You do not want your camera flopping over because the head could not support the weight. On the other hand the tripod should not be so heavy you never want to use it. 4) You will need film holders and film. No sense having a camera you can't use, right? 5) A dark cloth or focussing hood will be next. The groundglass can be dim, and ambient light will wash it out even more. Most people use a cloth. It can be home-made for practically no cost. 6) When looking at the glass to focus, some sort of magnifier or loupe will help a lot. It will be surprising the first time, to think you are in focus, look again through the loupe, and find you were a bit off. Finally, an exposure meter should be in your kit. Sometimes you can get by with the sunny 16 rule, but it is better to be sure. Some outfits label something a "large format" meter, and then charge premium prices. Any working meter will do. Some people use an incident meter, some use a spot meter, some carry both. Most photographers already have a meter anyway, from their 35mm or 120 film shooting.
I did not mention any specific brands, because each brand has fiercely loyal following. If you buy new, you will get a good camera, no matter what the brand. Large format is a small market, and word about a clunker would spread like wildfire. If you buy used, you can still get an excellent camera at a far lower cost, but you will have to be more careful. Some will be perfect, but others will be basket cases, and the prices can vary wildly. My luck has been good, but "let the buyer beware".
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Harvey Guikema
(K=10) - Comment Date 10/31/2003
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This would be helpful. Do you need to include darkroom equipment?
Harvey
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Ricardo Villagran
(K=1901) - Comment Date 11/11/2003
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Yes... are you going to post one?
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Aiman Nassar
(K=11961) - Comment Date 11/23/2003
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This is exactly, what I've been searching for on the net, for the last 2 months... Please do..
Thank you
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Peter Witkop
(K=3189) - Comment Date 11/26/2003
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Just wondering also if there might be interest in an article in view camera movements as well. If so I'd be happy to write one. I'd also be willing to write an article on equiptment as well.
Peter
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Jim Stevens
(K=104) - Comment Date 2/2/2004
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That would be fantastic. I've often browsed Ebay and thought of picking up a bargain view camera. A good article could push me over the edge!
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Jeff Dyck
(K=15) - Comment Date 2/20/2004
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I think you will be hard pressed to beat the information already compiled by Tuan at http://www.largeformatphotography.info/
There are several articles targetted specifically to LF beginners in addition to the many articles on technical and equipment issues. The site is definitley worth a look.
Jeff
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