Beginner Getting started in LF

lindsay

lindsay

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Lindsay
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So, I gave i to GAS and ordered a Chroma Snapshot from Steve at the Photography Show. So the downhill slope started, 4x5 now, who knows where it will lead?.
I have now bought: a double sheet film holder; a longish shutter release cable; a Schneider-Kreuznack f8/90mm (couldn't find anything shorter at a reasonable price); ad ordered some sheet Fomapan (should have thought of this at the show).

What else? I imagine I can use my existing print dev trays for developing sheet film? Should I get more film holders? Can anyone point me to a good "learning LF" resource?
Cheers.
 
A loupe of some sort for focussing on the ground glass and something to cover your head and the glass. This is to keep out light and avoid people seeing you using an anachronism. :-)
 
Andysnap said:
This is to keep out light and avoid people seeing you using an anachronism.
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:LOL:

Yes definitely get a self-consciousness bypass

A change bag is good for loading in the boot of the car and could save needing another DDS, that said I've got more DDS than I ever use and I'd happily send you one.
 
Processing film in trays, what a nightmare!
 
Sounds like an idea, yes. I'm in Wellingborough, near Northampton.
 
lindsay said:
Sounds like an idea, yes. I'm in Wellingborough, near Northampton.
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Although it's been a while, mostly due to Covid, we do have regular meets, we even had a large format meet at the National Arboretum, but that was a long time ago.

Maybe its time for another meet, where folk can have a look at LF gear and have a go.
 
lindsay said:
Can anyone point me to a good "learning LF" resource?
Cheers.
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Ansel Adams books "the camera" and "the negative". I consider them my go to bibles for LF. And they're a damn good read anyway.
 
Nod said:
A long weekend with @Asha?
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Thank you Nod, I take that as a huge compliment .

There are of course many other LF togs much more knowledgeable than I who I’m sure could offer better advice, nonetheless I’m more than happy to share my experience if it helps others.
 
Few that I can think of with such a scenic location on the doorstep (and a fresh LF darkroom!!!)
 
A random internet friend has just posted me a Burke & James' 4x5 Speed Press Camera, also my first, so enjoying the resources everyone is sharing.
 
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I have been looking at LF for a while and it seems difficult to find a camera under about £1200. This is out of my price range at the moment. Are there ways to get in to LF at a lower price point?
 
Yashica FX3 said:
I have been looking at LF for a while and it seems difficult to find a camera under about £1200. This is out of my price range at the moment. Are there ways to get in to LF at a lower price point?
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Chroma cameras, Stevelmx from of off this very forum makes them and they are very reasonably priced and do the job perfectly.
 
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As Andysnap just said. I have just started this journey with one of Steve's 4x5 Chroma Snapshots.
Camera body - £250 (show price, I think they are £285 normally?)
Schneider Kreuznach 90mm/f8 lens with sutter - £125 (generally around £130-160 on eBay)
Film holders - bought a couple off here for £45 and given a couple very kindly by StephenM of this parish
Pack of 25 sheets Fomapan - £45
4x5 developing tank - new £106, one very kindly also gifted to me by StephenM
Usual developer, fixer etc.

So startup cost was £420 plus film and developing paraphernalia ££160 if you buy the tank and chemicals new
(I have bought a darkcloth for £20 too to attract attention to myself, but there are alternatives. Asha also recommended a good loupe for focusing, which I already had)
 
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Wow. Lindsay, it is great to hear that there are people out there who are supportive and helpful to that extent.
I will definitely look into the Chroma cameras. I really know so little about large format.....I hope to spend some time with someone in my area in the future to get to understand the basics.
 
Yashica FX3 said:
Wow. Lindsay, it is great to hear that there are people out there who are supportive and helpful to that extent.
I will definitely look into the Chroma cameras. I really know so little about large format.....I hope to spend some time with someone in my area in the future to get to understand the basics.
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Hi. As much as I don't get to spend as much time on the forum here as I used to (as it feels like I'm pretty much living in my workshop!), I'm happy to help answer any questions you have about large format cameras. As Lindsay posted above, my SnapShot is designed as a handheld 4x5 camera, although it also has a pair of tripod threads built in for when you want to use it in a fixed position.

Alternatively, I also have my Carbon Adventurer, which is a full technical field camera, with removable bellows (to switch to ultra wide bag bellows if required)and fully independent movements on both the front and rear standards.
 
Yashica FX3 said:
I will definitely look into the Chroma cameras. I really know so little about large format.....I hope to spend some time with someone in my area in the future to get to understand the basics.
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I knew nothing about LF until very recently, despite always being fascinated by old field cameras. Since talking to Steve and then receiving the assistance offered in this thread, I have learnt a lot to enable me to get started, and I'm hoping it will lead to improvements in my photography generally. There are some lovely and supremely helpful people on this site.
 
I've just finished loading up two double-sheet film holders (4x5) in a changing bag for the first time. Having read up about the notch in one of the short sides to orient the film sheet, I was quite nervous about getting it wrong, so I first got one sheet from the box and deliberately fogged it in order to practice in daylight. That having been done and found surprisingly straightforward, I then did it in the bag. No problems! So I hope to get into the park today or tomorrow to make my first exposures and then develop later in the week.
 
stevelmx5 said:
Hi. As much as I don't get to spend as much time on the forum here as I used to (as it feels like I'm pretty much living in my workshop!), I'm happy to help answer any questions you have about large format cameras. As Lindsay posted above, my SnapShot is designed as a handheld 4x5 camera, although it also has a pair of tripod threads built in for when you want to use it in a fixed position.

Alternatively, I also have my Carbon Adventurer, which is a full technical field camera, with removable bellows (to switch to ultra wide bag bellows if required)and fully independent movements on both the front and rear standards.
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Thanks. I am sure I will be picking your brains and asking for advice. I love the resolution that large format offers and would love to have a better understanding of the technicalities...I will definitely be in touch at some point.
Best wishes.
 
lindsay said:
I knew nothing about LF until very recently, despite always being fascinated by old field cameras. Since talking to Steve and then receiving the assistance offered in this thread, I have learnt a lot to enable me to get started, and I'm hoping it will lead to improvements in my photography generally. There are some lovely and supremely helpful people on this site.
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I have to say, my experience in this forum has been so positive and supportive. It seems to be a great community.
 
@stevelmx5 I feel out of my depth with large format photography....I don't know where to start. Are you aware of any resources that would be helpful and give me some insight?
 
There is Kodak Book of Large Format Photograph, I borrowed a copy from my local library years ago, its worth a look if you can find a copy.
 
A lot of help was offered to me when I started this thread by @StephenM : LF Photography blog
and @Asha

I think the main learning I have obtained (apart from what bits of kit I need) is to do things slowly and methodically, and to practice before it becomes important - eg after buying a box of film, I got one sheet out of the box (in a changing bag) and deliberately let it fog, so that I could practice loading the film holder for the camera and the one for the developing tank in daylight. Then when I went out to shoot my first two negs, I re-learnt how to use my light meter beforehand and practiced fitting and removing/turning/refitting the film holders.
 
Well, I developed my first two negs yesterday and they turned out completely clear. After much dwelling on it, I think I developed unexposed film after mixing up my film holders and my white/black convention.
So I exposed two more today, being a bit more careful about it by only having one film holder and following the convention, and they have produced images. A little early to say what the results are like but I think rather out of focus as I haven't yet got the hang of focusing on ground glass and need to spend more time calibrating the helicoid on my Snapshot, but at least I have something! First time B&W developing in over 30 years so I'm easy to please!
I'm now going to print out a focusing aid and stick it to the garage wall outside, put the Snapshot on a tripod and get under a darkcloth and start calibrating, ready for the next effort. Good fun!
 
lindsay said:
I think I developed unexposed film after mixing up my film holders
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Maybe a pad of PostIt type page markers could be used to mark exposed sheets/holders?
 
I think once you get into the habit of always following the darkslide convention you’ll be fine. It doesn’t matter what method you use as long as you’re consistent. I favour white side = unexposed black side = exposed.
 
I wasn't going to post again, but given this thread is one of the few I look at from time to time, I'll make this penultimate post.

I came across an interesting take on the holders convention that gives a three way id.

Step 1. Number the holders.
Step 2. Apply the same numbers to the dark slides.
Step 3. When loading film, make sure holder and dark slide numbers are the same, show white side.
Step 4. When unloading film, put a dark slide from a different holder in the now empty holder showing black side.

Result (assuming white = unexposed, black = exposed or empty):

If white shows, good to expose.
If black shows: if numbers match, exposed; if numbers don't match, holder empty.

I'm reserving one final post on the forum, which could end up deleted, so in case it is, I'll say my goodbye now. I've enjoying meeting all that I've met, interacting with all on F&C and most in other areas... Some of you know why I've decided to go. Nuff said.
 
StephenM said:
I wasn't going to post again, but given this thread is one of the few I look at from time to time, I'll make this penultimate post.

I came across an interesting take on the holders convention that gives a three way id.

Step 1. Number the holders.
Step 2. Apply the same numbers to the dark slides.
Step 3. When loading film, make sure holder and dark slide numbers are the same, show white side.
Step 4. When unloading film, put a dark slide from a different holder in the now empty holder showing black side.

Result (assuming white = unexposed, black = exposed or empty):

If white shows, good to expose.
If black shows: if numbers match, exposed; if numbers don't match, holder empty.

I'm reserving one final post on the forum, which could end up deleted, so in case it is, I'll say my goodbye now. I've enjoying meeting all that I've met, interacting with all on F&C and most in other areas... Some of you know why I've decided to go. Nuff said.
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I shall be very sorry to see you go Stephen, your wit and wisdom will be sorely missed and the forum will be a poorer and sadder place without you
 
RaglanSurf said:
I shall be very sorry to see you go Stephen, your wit and wisdom will be sorely missed and the forum will be a poorer and sadder place without you
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I very much agree with Nick's words Stephen, and had noticed you hadn't been posting so much recently. I think many of us ebb and flow with hobbies and pastimes in these troubled times, so hopefully you may revisit in the future. My fingers are firmly crossed that you and yours are all well. (y)
 
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