Which Large Format to buy/usage/advice

[Muzamil Choudhury]

Hi

I know that I have posted in the Classified section that I am looking for a Sinar p2 but I am really looking for advice. I am looking for a decent set up of camera,lenses and everything ready to go. I might have a tripod so I dont need that.

I have read so many links regarding Large format cameras but I cannot make my mind up? I have roughly a £1000 max budget or stretch more if need be, for a full camera setup including some lenses. I dont particular like worn out gear and lenses which are marked so would prefer good condition. I want to invest in some nice clean gear which also makes me feel good when I go out an take photographs. I like artists like Thomas Struth but dont know fully what I like taking photos of yet but I guess I just want to get out there and start. I have read a Large format book but got lost with much of the technical info regarding lenses and also which cameras. I dont really go up in the hills and take images of landscapes but would do if i got out there and knew where to start,I enjoy more of the work similar to Thomas Struths which include,portraits,architecture,people,and everyday life.

It would be nice to get some advice on exactly what I should buy in the sense of camera models,lenses,film types, where to get my prints done and even where I can get more help. ~The camera needs to be sturdy and made easy for use too.

thanks and I hope I have made some sense

[Clive Gray]

No one can tell you exactly what to buy as we are not you , but if you want some reasonable suggestions

With your budget a Sinar F1 is a sensible choice it can fold up over the rail and fit into a backpack should you ever wish to do that and will have more movements than the majority of wooden field cameras also they are plentifull and cheap

175 + vat at teamwork

http://teamworkphoto.com/shop/index.php ... 5n3qn0jj06

Ffordes list two at the moment

199

http://www.ffordes.com/product/11101918175381

249

http://www.ffordes.com/product/11093016502081

The above is a much later one and has a metering back that looks to be a really good deal


180mm is a little longer than standard but for 150 that Marc Wilson is asking the lens he has for sale is a bargin

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3092

Ffordes have a sinar copal 1 board for 19 its an older green norma board so you might want to look for a newer one

http://www.ffordes.com/product/11101918162381



Peter Walnes has a pair of ag bellows for 35

http://www.peterwalnes.com/component/pa ... /Itemid,1/

I can not find one at the moment but get the Sinar Binocular viewer note viewer not the reflex one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sinar-Binocul ... 0395681184

That went for 48 which is about the right price

The X7 Loupe that Phil is selling here is a good deal

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3099


The above gives you a complete hightly flexible camera with a lens and no need for a dark cloth

If you need a light meter ffordes have a minolta Flash Meter IV for 89

http://www.ffordes.com/product/11091511072181


If you can not make a make shift dark room to load film you will need some sort of chaning bag if there is nothing secondhand about the calumet chaning room is quite usefull
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/produ ... oom/rm1000


There is a calumet in Mancester who hopefully will still have a stock of 5x4 on the shelf

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/store ... =d&ckey=UK

Peak imaging I hear mentioned for processing a lot but I do my own so others may certainly have better suggestions

I didn't see anyone especailly offering film holders but most of the dealers should have then some where between 8-12 you can probably get say 5 for 40

Discliamer as such

An F1 is reasonably reasaleable if you don't like it its also a very usefull camera which if you decide you like Sinar and buy other bits you will still find usefull

I haven't added everything up but if you got all the above you might have enough for another lens or to put towards a scanner if yyou do not already have one.

Some people may recommend wooden field cameras but they actually tend to cost more.

[Muzamil Choudhury]

HI
Thanks for all this info. I will look into it. Looks like the Sinar F2 is more of a lighter and good start than a p2

[Thingy]

Muzamil

You also might like to come along to a local or more national meeting of the UKLFPG when we hold one so you can look at the types of camera available and their usage - should you find with the monorail (Sinar) camera that you enjoy large format photography. The ideal light meter would be a spot meter, which allows you to select which part of the scene you wish to take precise readings from, so you might want to record both the scene's shadow & highlight detail. You might also want to look into the Adams' Zone System.

On the subject of film, black & white film gives you greater exposure latitude, good examples being Fuji's Acros & Ilford's Delta 100. If you are interested in using colour film, negative film gives more exposure latitude that transparency film, but the latter allows you to see the results without first having to make a print. Transparency film, especially Fuji's excellent Velvia 100 have a more limited exposure latitude. You really need to think about different film properties for different subjects. For portraiture, for example, you might prefer film like Fuji's Provia (transparency) or Kodak's Portra range.

Much of Struth's work was made using a 10x8 view camera - but this would be a very expensive way to do photography as sheets of colour 10x8 film are very expensive. For the work you are looking at doing you might think about whether you would prefer to use a large format camera for more specialist applications (eg architectural work - when back tilt is essential) whilst perhaps using a medium format rangefinder film camera (eg a Mamiya 7: 6x7cm, or the much cheaper, but heavier Fuji GSW690 Mk III*) for the documentary work.

A simple and easy to read book on large format photography was written by Steve Simmons, below.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Using-View-Came ... 0817463534

* Ffordes are currently selling one: http://www.ffordes.com/product/11113015575081

I wish you luck for the future.

Steve

[Trevor Crone]

FWIW, if I was starting afresh I would go with 5"x7". However I do appreciate that 5x7 cameras do not appear too frequently on the S/H market. For me it's the ideal format, large enough for decent contact prints (I just love contact prints) and not much of a hassle to undertake enlargements. A decent 5x7 enlarger such as a DeVere 507 can be purchased these days for reasonable money. 4x5 reducing backs occasionally appear on the S/H market or if you've got the money can be bought new along with the camera.

I use formats from 4x5 to 8x10 (plus 5x7 reducing back) and if it wasn't for the bulky 8x10 camera I would certainly be using the 5x7 format a lot more. One must however take into account that the bigger the format of course the more expensive are the running costs. If B+W printing is your thing then savings can be had by using films from Adox or Foma.

[Muzamil Choudhury]

Thankyou very much for your reply.

I will check out the film you have mentioned. It is definitely an area I want to work with. I have just purchased a sinar f2 so lets see how that goes. 180mm lens. It is a starter for me as I purchased it from a very nice man called Marc Wilson so looking forward to getting it this week.

I will checkout 5x7 too in the near future after I get used to my camera, very excited and thanks to all for the advice

muzz

[Trevor Crone]

No turning back now Muzz

Marc is a nice chap to deal with, I bought a cracking little 135 Fujinon-W from him earlier this year.

[Clive Gray]

I'm not a user of the Zone System myself but the recommendation for that light meter was for a very specific reason as I do believe in doing spot metering properly.

As I believe Muzamil has said he has purchased a F2 it should come with a metering back, have a look at John D esq's page on the various Sinar film plane metering set ups

http://www.johndesq.com/pinhole/booster.htm

The best of which is the Minolta Flashmeter IV and the Sinar Booster 1

The Booster 1 goes realistacally for say 80 - 120 in auctions even some dealers price it at that.

Compensation for bellows extention or filter factors ? whats that .... as such.

[Muzamil Choudhury]

Hi Clive thanks for the info.
I am sorry but I got a bit confused with the technical stuff. I think I need to read up a but more. Very new to Large format, and just waiting t pick up my camera so not had any hands on. Ive been borrowed the simmons large format book which has been amazing....but lose the info a bit. I will check out the info you sent cheers