Julian Elliott wrote:......................................
*edit* Forgot. I do love looking at the work of people like Mr Cornish. However, I wouldn't know why he uses a particular camera and for what reason. I do know that he has preferred LF for a long time. But why he uses particular camera movements etc are beyond me at the moment. That is why I asked the question "so, as someone who spends a lot of time doing landscape photography, what movements should I be looking at as a must have and why".
well, this I know from memory re JC's work............he prefers a quick set up, (it's after all about chasing the light etc etc,) so he opts or used to opt for a fixed back Ebony with a 90mm lens or possibly another lens with a different focal length (of course) - because he regularly uses that set up it means that it's an extension of his own body, in a way of thinking of course. I guess he only has to tweak the front standard and he will have exactly what he wants. With a 90mm lens on a 4x5 and stopped down everything is pretty well going to be sharp from shortly in front of him to the horizon
and you could have a look at the work of David Fokos, particularly the seascape scenes if that's what you're possibly after - I can say that DF uses an ancient 10x8 Korona (with minimum movements) and one lens for a lot of his work. I know that that's 10x8 stuff but the principal is the same
Jools - post on here or send me a pm if there are others whose work that appeals to you and if you want to find out what sort of gear that they used.................but there's always the possibility that that's going to complicate matters etc etc and fog up your way of thinking
fwiw, one of the greatest photographers, imho, namely Paul Strand went through life with just a couple of lenses, he clearly felt that he didn't need any more and he could use them for both of his chosen formats
Charles referred to the Sinar set up. Joking aside re a Mule and the weight, if you're after a Camera design that has all feasible movements, then you'll get it with a monorail, no mistake..............................
it's a damn tough call, been there so many times but a lot of it is plain practice and experimentation etc
let me know if I can help
regards
andrew