4X5 Shooters

[jchooper12]

Are there any 4x5 shooters in the area? I am getting a Tachihara 4x5 camera soon and wondered if there was anyone in the area that would like to meet up some time. This is a new venture for me, actually never shot film but after seeing someone using a 4x5 and looking at the glass and seeing the amazing details during composing, I was hooked. I know there are a lot of drawbacks to shooting 4x5 and a lot of advantages. I have gone over and over in my head weither or not I should get into it.

If you are a 4x5 shooter what makes this type of photograpy fun for you? I think I will become a much more insightful photographer by shooting with 4x5, it will force me to use my eyes more rather than just pop off shots on my D300. I always tell myself I need to slow down and really use my eyes but I always find myself bulling forward and just snapping a bunch of crap shots that fill up the Hard Drive.

Well anyways, if you shoot 4x5 I would love to meet you.

[venchka]

Anti-Spray & Pray is where it's at.

Big Dog, this one's for you.

Be afraid. If you meet Mike Castles, and you should, don't even think about looking at the ground glass on Mike's camera. You've been warned!

Search this forum for an announcement about the exhibition of photos from the Texas Church Project. The opening reception is Jan. 10. in Dallas. You will have a chance to meet several like minded individuals.

Keeping big negatives alive on the Upper East Side of Texas,

Wayne

[jchooper12]

Bummer, I will not be around for that event but I am sure there will be more in the future. Thanks!!!

[venchka]

The show will be up for a month. Do go see it.

Big Dog, David Brown, should find this post soon enough.

[bondarnes]

I sold the Sinar and Nikkors almost three years ago, because I had not used it in over a year. My last client who would pay for the difference went out of business. There is nothing that can come close to a 4X5 chrome, except an 8X10 chrome. And an 11X14 chrome looks almost 3-D

I think I still have a Super Speed Graflex around here someplace if I had to shoot a 4X5, but the lens on it isn't that great.

[venchka]

...and then there is Matt Magruder's 12x20. The ground glass is like looking at a wide screen TV. A rather large TV. The prints can not be described with words.

Don, if you ever decide to put the Graflex up for adoption, I could give it a good home.

[Murph]

Once you have seen a 4x5 transparency, you will understand. If I had the money, I would get a whole plate Ebony (6.5"x8.5") and start shooting film again. There are days I really miss my old view camera, I gave it to my sister in law as a coffee table conversation piece.

Look for the old Goerz Dagor lenses in Copal shutters, they have a look to them that you don't find in the more modern lenses. And Tri-X, oh my, Tri-X on a 4x5....

Originally Posted by bondarnes

I sold the Sinar and Nikkors almost three years ago, because I had not used it in over a year. My last client who would pay for the difference went out of business. There is nothing that can come close to a 4X5 chrome, except an 8X10 chrome. And an 11X14 chrome looks almost 3-D

I think I still have a Super Speed Graflex around here someplace if I had to shoot a 4X5, but the lens on it isn't that great.

[Murph]

I could not, would not want to look at this, I would be in love. 12x20 platinum contact prints or 12x20 albumin contact prints, oh my.....

You will find that a 4x5 or larger view camera forces you to slow down, look around you, smell the roses. I think you become a better photographer overall from having the discipline of large format. Look here for lenses: http://www.lensandrepro.com/USED/used-lgf.htm#4X58X10

Originally Posted by venchka

...and then there is Matt Magruder's 12x20. The ground glass is like looking at a wide screen TV. A rather large TV. The prints can not be described with words.

Don, if you ever decide to put the Graflex up for adoption, I could give it a good home.

[PIC]

I have done 4x5 and 8x10 mostly with my Arca Swiss
but also Linhoff Sinar Calumet and several others.
"35 DSLR" can be more a crap shoot and fix it in PS.
8x10 film and process is like $20 per shot.
MFDSLR is the best compromise between "35 FFDSLR" and large format quality & time.
Its also our money commerical camera - Phase One/Mamiya 645 w/ P+65 60 meg back.

[venchka]

Join The Large Format Photography Forum if you have not done so already. There are more of us in Texas than you might think.

Yo Murph! Someday we need to meet in the middle somewhere. Maybe Perdnalez Falls or Gruene Hall. That would a be a hoot. Set up the big cameras at the bar and take pictures of tourists. I'll let you look through my wee 4x5 ground glass. Heck, I'll let you borrow the Speed Graphic. I have a 1908 Voigtlander Collinear II in a Graflex board. Not a Goerz, but it ain't too shabby either. Shiner beer and sheet film. That's livin!

[Murph]

Sounds good. I might get my 4x5 back from the sister in law, and shoot some film.

Originally Posted by venchka

Join The Large Format Photography Forum if you have not done so already. There are more of us in Texas than you might think.

Yo Murph! Someday we need to meet in the middle somewhere. Maybe Perdnalez Falls or Gruene Hall. That would a be a hoot. Set up the big cameras at the bar and take pictures of tourists. I'll let you look through my wee 4x5 ground glass. Heck, I'll let you borrow the Speed Graphic. I have a 1908 Voigtlander Collinear II in a Graflex board. Not a Goerz, but it ain't too shabby either. Shiner beer and sheet film. That's livin!

[jchooper12]

Wow, this is great to hear the praises of large format. I have so much to learn I cannot believe it!!! I talked to a guy at the Camera Stop in Plano and he just completed a course at UTD that covered Large format photograpy, processing, etc. I am going to look into that and see if they are offereing it again. I would love to meet up with some of you to just go over the basics of the camera etc, that is once I get mine(currently being built). I am getting the Tachihara Field Camera, will still need to get a lens to start out and I am guessing some filters for WB. I have been being guided by Terry Donnelly and Mary Austin on what I should be getting, they are great. You can see their work at http://www.donnelly-austin.com

[Big Dog]

Dang! Ears were burning again.

The Texas Church Project show will be up from Jan 8 - 22. If you can't come on the 10th, go another time.

See Magruder's work at: www.scootermagruder.com

Yes, the ground glass on his camera (and the negs, of course) are the size of a 21" widescreen monitor/TV!

I am not a LF guy myself, I shoot mostly 120 with some 35mm. But I am 98% in the film group. (If I ever loose it and buy that Sony Alpha I covet, that percentage may change ...)

So, I recommend not only the Large Format forum http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/index.php

... but "apug" as well www.apug.org

Also, check out http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ for a lot of good info on living with large format cameras.

There quite a few sheet film guys in the metroplex. I can't even count them all, actually. Sometime in the spring, I am going to try a film get-together again. So, the medium is alive and well, just not for the, well, see my sig line.

[timbertoes]

jc, do pm me when you get your setup. There are a couple+ places near where you live that should make for some good landscape type images. we can hook up and share the good times. we can sneak in a few beers if you like :)
I am in the process of learning an Omega 4x5.

[jchooper12]

Sounds great, should be around a month when I get my camera and will be buying a lens and other stuff!!!