In at the deep end...

[onform]

OK not sure yet, (but I suspect so), if I have bitten off a little more than I can chew!

Since I got into photography 3 years ago I have had an itch that just needed scratching, I May start scratching! The other day whilst browsing fleabay I made without any real thought an impulse buy. I purchased one Busch Pressman 4X5 model D...



Some of you might able to able to tell it has been modified quite extensively with the aim to reduce weight and comfort during cold weather. It has no lens but has one lens board. I'm assured everything is clean inside and out. The bellows were replaced a couple of years ago and are in great condition. All the movements are like new and in general it has been really looked after.

What do you think? or :thumbsdown:

 

[excalibur2]

You're a brave man if you have only used 35mm before

 

[Asha]

OK not sure yet, (but I suspect so), if I have bitten off a little more than I can chew!

Since I got into photography 3 years ago I have had an itch that just needed scratching, I May start scratching! The other day whilst browsing fleabay I made without any real thought an impulse buy. I purchased one Busch Pressman 4X5 model D...



Some of you might able to able to tell it has been modified quite extensively with the aim to reduce weight and comfort during cold weather. It has no lens but has one lens board. I'm assured everything is clean inside and out. The bellows were replaced a couple of years ago and are in great condition. All the movements are like new and in general it has been really looked after.

What do you think? or :thumbsdown:

Go for it!......best way to learn is simply get on with it and make the inevitable mistakes!

Do some homework on it, sort a lens, film etc and go play.....so long as you get fun from it, then that's what it's all about isn't it??........perhaps some crap results to start with but so long as you accept that there is a learning curve then I don't see that you have bitten off more than you can chew.....just take your time with it!

 

[onform]

You're a brave man if you have only used 35mm before

:bang::bonk: shimples..!

 

[onform]

Go for it!......best way to learn is simply get on with it and make the inevitable mistakes!

Do some homework on it, sort a lens, film etc and go play.....so long as you get fun from it, then that's what it's all about isn't it??........perhaps some crap results to start with but so long as you accept that there is a learning curve then I don't see that you have bitten off more than you can chew.....just take your time with it!

A very steep learning curve methinks!!.. But the whole idea is to slow down and enjoy my photography again. But I'm under no illusions about being a little frustrated at first whilst I'm learning..

 

[Woodsy]

See, I don't think it's as steep a learning curve as people make out. If you've only shot 35mm before, but you've made the effort to understand the ways of film and how it behaves in certain conditions; such things as reciprocity, its dynamic range for a given film, sensitivities to certain bands of wavelength, etc etc. Should that be the case, LF is just a larger version of this. The main differences will be metering yourself, loading film etc. Learning the movements can come at what ever rate you wish. Movements are not essential and there are intrinsic advantages of LF over roll film formats even when camera movements are negated; tonal graduation, being able to push/pull discrete frames, higher ISO films become less of an issue with larger surface areas, etc.

Get stuck in, you'll see

Enjoying photography more by slowing down is EXACTLY the right reason to go for it. Numbers and tech specs etc mean naff all when out there taking photos for you

 

[raathistle]

I think the main thing with LF is the myriad different ways of doing something wrong. With the smaller formats where everything is done for you basically (especially with the modern AF eos-style systems) there's only a couple of things you can do wrong. With LF if you jump in and try and do everything from day 1 there are soo many different things its impossible to list them all

I would suggest you start off very simply, don't bother with the movements, don't take close-ups, don't keep swapping film types etc. If you try taking some fairly standard pictures and just get used to working with film holders, remebering to stop down your lens, metering for yourself using whichever technique you want, then you'll be fine

Incidentally, if that's anything like my MPP make sure that any lenses you buy the rear elements fit. On the more modern lenses the rear assemblies get scarily large, especially on the wide angles

 

[onform]

The guy selling me the camera has got back to me, (at my request), regarding any lenses he still has for the camera. He seems very honest and is offering any help I need to get started in the world of LF. He used to lecture in photography so he will hopefully be a valuable contact.

These are the lenses:

Linhof selected schneider symmar 150mm f5.6 convertible lens, shutter ok but needs a clean

Schneider 135mm xenar f4.5, shutter ok but needs a clean

Schneider G-claron 150mm f9 mulicoated process lens, No shutter

I was hoping for a 90mm or thereabouts but hey ho. What do you think?? All the prices seem very fair £100 each for first two and £90 for the third.

 

[onform]

Incidentally, if that's anything like my MPP make sure that any lenses you buy the rear elements fit. On the more modern lenses the rear assemblies get scarily large, especially on the wide angles

Yes this is one of the first things I read about this camera , the front standard is quite small and as such 90mm is about as wide as you can go.. and some of those are too wide! but the seller Wrote " I regularly used wide-angle lenses on this camera and with the new bellows and drop front it is capable of handling a 90mm lens without need for a recessed panel".