New to LF: Need Advice on a Starter Kit

[brijphoto]

Hi UKLFPG

I am new to lf, and would like some suggestions as to what would be a good stater kit without spending thousands of pounds.

I will be shooting environmental portrait (outside) and landscape (urban and nature) and am keen to get a setup that will get me going
in my first project in India.

I have looked at Crown Graphic as an option. That might be the one for me but not sure so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Also, are there any dealers web or retail that specialist in lf where I can check prices etc?

many thanks

Brij

[IanG]

See my comments about Speed/Crown Graphics in this thread.

For Portraits they are great, Landscapes - really depends on what you want to shoot as movements are limited, I use quite a bit of front tilt/rise with my Wista and find the Crown Graphic limiting at times. Don't pay more than about £120 for a Crown Graphic.

You should look at MPP's the MkVII and VIII as they have far better features.

Ian

[dave_whatever]

NEW TO LF: NEED ADVICE ON A STARTER KIT

let go of caps lock, you're deafening me

[Joanna Carter]

NEW TO LF: NEED ADVICE ON A STARTER KIT

let go of caps lock, you're deafening me

Yes, I have gone through Brij's posts and corrected the subject lines.

Brij, would you please refrain from using all uppercase letters, even in the subject line. As Dave intimates, this is considered as shouting.

[numnutz]

Probably O.T., but if you are like me and routinely press the caps lock key by mistake and don't realise if for a few lines you may be interested in this:

Copy all text between the ####'s paste into text editor save and name "Capslock_to_Enter_Key.reg"
click file, enter into registry. Next time you reboot your caps lock key will become another 'enter' key.

######################################################
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout]
"Scancode Map"=hex:00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,1c,00,3a,00,00,00,00,00

######################################################

Of course back your computers registry before you do it.
I will accept no responsibility if your computer blows up of fails to work afterwards.
But it works for me.

nn

[Joanna Carter]

Probably O.T.

Only ever so slightly

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

And if we use Mac computers?

[dave_whatever]

Or an easier fix.

[Joanna Carter]

Or an easier fix.

Heheh - a true cross-platform solution

[numnutz]

And if we use Mac computers?

I always thought Mac users did not make mistakes / can type properly / etc. / etc.

nn

[timparkin]

Hi UKLFPG

I am new to lf, and would like some suggestions as to what would be a good stater kit without spending thousands of pounds.

I will be shooting environmental portrait (outside) and landscape (urban and nature) and am keen to get a setup that will get me going
in my first project in India.

I have looked at Crown Graphic as an option. That might be the one for me but not sure so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Also, are there any dealers web or retail that specialist in lf where I can check prices etc?

many thanks

Brij

Me and Dav Thomas have been looking at cheap cameras in order to rent cameras for some large format workshops we're running and it seems that one of the best value for money options is the Shen Hao non folder (TFC45A) http://bit.ly/76grQD - the great thing is this can be pulled out of the bag and shot immediatly. It will need a tripod though.

As for a lens, get something from 150-240 (this could be good - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Schneider-Symmar- ... 2eaa56c064)

Then you just need a cheap loupe (4x), darkcloth (inside out T-shirt), cable release and a double dark slide!

You could get your whole kit for £600-800?!

Obviously you could hang on for some deals on ebay and you may save 40% on the camera but it will be tough to get the same usability and quality.

Tim

or you could buy this and sell a couple of lenses... !!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/tachihara-4x5-woo ... 1c0f419f6c

[IanG]

Actually there's a really nice Wista with a good 135mm Nikkor lens & some darkslides on APUGfor $600 so that's a real bargain anda far better camera, you can use a 65mm without needing WA bellows etc.

Even with shipping, an if very unlucky import duties it's still a real bargain. Add 21% for Duties.

Ian

[steve simmons]

Before buying any equipment I suggest reading

Getting Started in Large Format that is available free on the View Camera web site. There is also an article on metering techniques free there as well.

www.viewcamera.com

and then go to Free Articles.

I will also be happy to help answer any questions.


steve simmons

[lostlandsuk]

It all depends on budget, that's a simple fact. How much have you got to spend?
Here in the UK there's a lot of really expensive gear (even second hand), we aren't as fortunate as our brethren in the States. If you're travelling, certainly the likes of a Shen-Hao (something that folds) makes a lot of sense, especially if you've never used LF before. I'll not mention my most bang for the buck fave (a Sinar F) simply for the fact that they are difficult enough to lug around in the UK, let alone India
Have you thought about using 6x9? Ffordes have a nice small Arca 6x9 monorail at the mo for not too much.
Lenses, well there's plenty of choice, though still expensive (relatively).
By the way, if that's the same Steve Simmons who wrote the book Using The View Camera, then I would certainly recommend reading that - superbly written and a much easier book to get a handle on than the Stroebel one.
phil

[Thingy]

If you like the technical side, Stroebel's book is the bees knees. If you want something that is straightforward and doesn't intimidate you, then I agree that Steve Simmons book is an excellent introduction.

In terms of bulk and weight, there is little difference between a 6x9cm and a 5x4 inch format camera. The advantage of the 5x4 is that you have the choice of using sheet film and you can buy a 6x7cm, 6x9cm rollfilm back for it or even a 6x12cm panoramic rollfilm back. Folding cameras are the least bulky, but a non-folding field camera is quicker to set up and easier to make adjustments with.... well the Ebony ones are....

If you are considering a portable, medium format camera, then Teamwork are selling a used Mamiya 7 with standard 80mm lens at the moment for £685+VAT at:
http://www.teamworkphoto.com/index.php? ... s_id=14472

[brijphoto]

Hey Guys

Thanks a lot for the postings...
I have so far only looked at 4x5 options. And there are a few things on e-bay, however its a difficult decision to make in taking the first step.
The difficult is in deciding what will work and what won't in terms of my experience as a total beginner.

Steve, thanks a lot for the link to the pdf...I will be reading that tonight.

I have also been considering a mamiya 7, however the dept of field is an issue as I want to be able to go from a narrow depth of field for environmental portrait to a wide
one for urban landscape images...

Cheers

Brj