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Hi all -- new here.

I'm interested in getting into large format photography. I shoot a
lot of landscapes and think the extra detail and precision is
something I could really get into. I'm wondering if the recent
Digital Camera revolution has affected the prices of the equipment.
Anybody know good places to look on the web for used stuff, film, etc?

Also, I remember buying a magazine about this. Am I correct in
thinking these types of cameras (and the mag) are called "view
cameras?"

Ryan wrote:
> Hi all -- new here.
>
> I'm interested in getting into large format photography. I shoot a
> lot of landscapes and think the extra detail and precision is
> something I could really get into. I'm wondering if the recent
> Digital Camera revolution has affected the prices of the equipment.
> Anybody know good places to look on the web for used stuff, film,
> etc?

http://tinyurl.com/3dzgl

> Also, I remember buying a magazine about this. Am I correct in
> thinking these types of cameras (and the mag) are called "view
> cameras?"

Some are, some aren't. To me, a "view" camera is one with rise, fall, swing
and tilt for both the back and the front ala Sinar, Toyo, etc. Others have
only front adjustments..."press" cameras like Speed Graphic, Crown Graphic,
Busch, Linhof Technika, etc. For landscapes, I would think something with
only front adjustments would be entirely adequate

There are also "field" cameras. They have the same features as view cameras
but generally have a wood frame (there are even kits to make your own).
While they lack the bizazz of a Sinar you wouldn't have to take out a second
mortgage to own one. Besides, they can be pretty snazzy in their own
right...mahogany or cherry...nice shiny brass...

Sizes range from 2 1/4 X 3 1/4 up to 20 X24. There are larger too. Most
commonly used are 4X5 and 8X10.

There is a "View" magazine. Linhof used to publish "International Photo
Technik" (there was an Engish version too" but I don't know if it is still
around.
--
dadiOH
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rec.photo.equipment.large-format




"Ryan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Hi all -- new here.
>
> I'm interested in getting into large format photography. I shoot a
> lot of landscapes and think the extra detail and precision is
> something I could really get into. I'm wondering if the recent
> Digital Camera revolution has affected the prices of the equipment.
> Anybody know good places to look on the web for used stuff, film, etc?
>
> Also, I remember buying a magazine about this. Am I correct in
> thinking these types of cameras (and the mag) are called "view
> cameras?"

"dadiOH" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<8R7Bc.4285$(E-Mail Removed)>...

>
> Some are, some aren't. To me, a "view" camera is one with rise, fall, swing
> and tilt for both the back and the front ala Sinar, Toyo, etc. Others have
> only front adjustments..."press" cameras like Speed Graphic, Crown Graphic,
> Busch, Linhof Technika, etc. For landscapes, I would think something with
> only front adjustments would be entirely adequate

Forgive my ignorance but all I can think you're talking about here is
tripod mounts?


> Sizes range from 2 1/4 X 3 1/4 up to 20 X24. There are larger too. Most
> commonly used are 4X5 and 8X10.

Jesus. What in the world does a piece of 20 x 24 film cost? $500?
What is that size most often used for? Science?

"Ryan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> "dadiOH" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:<8R7Bc.4285$(E-Mail Removed)>...
>
> >
> > Some are, some aren't. To me, a "view" camera is one with rise, fall,
swing
> > and tilt for both the back and the front ala Sinar, Toyo, etc. Others
have
> > only front adjustments..."press" cameras like Speed Graphic, Crown
Graphic,
> > Busch, Linhof Technika, etc. For landscapes, I would think something
with
> > only front adjustments would be entirely adequate
>
> Forgive my ignorance but all I can think you're talking about here is
> tripod mounts?
>
>
> > Sizes range from 2 1/4 X 3 1/4 up to 20 X24. There are larger too.
Most
> > commonly used are 4X5 and 8X10.
>
> Jesus. What in the world does a piece of 20 x 24 film cost? $500?
> What is that size most often used for? Science?

Usually used to make contact prints. That way you achieve basically all
the detail in the negative.

Ryan wrote:
> "dadiOH" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:<8R7Bc.4285$(E-Mail Removed)>...
>
>>
>> Some are, some aren't. To me, a "view" camera is one with rise,
>> fall, swing and tilt for both the back and the front ala Sinar,
>> Toyo, etc. Others have only front adjustments..."press" cameras
>> like Speed Graphic, Crown Graphic, Busch, Linhof Technika, etc.
>> For landscapes, I would think something with only front
>> adjustments would be entirely adequate
>
> Forgive my ignorance but all I can think you're talking about here
> is tripod mounts?

All view and field cameras are used on tripods. The only hand holdable 4x5
cameras are the press cameras like those mentioned above.

Field and view cameras are used on tripods for a couple of reasons. First
of all, the entire purpose of the camera is to give one control of depth of
field and/or perspective by manipulation of the front and/or rear standards.
You can't do that if the camera isn't stationary. Secondly, the only way to
focus them is by using the ground glass panel at the back...one opens the
shutter puts a dark cloth over your head and the rear ground glass. The
image is upside down of course but one soon gets used to that.

There are a few view cameras - Sinar is one - that have an accessory gizmo
that enables right side up viewing without darkcloth. They are expensive.
Very expensive. Dark cloths work just fine...

--
dadiOH
_____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.0...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
____________________________

Ryan wrote:

> I'm interested in getting into large format photography.

Here's a site with a pretty comprehensive list of cameras, info about them
and links.
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/roundup4x5.html

--
dadiOH
_____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.0...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
____________________________