My clients are aircraft brokers, they don't have a couple of grand to blow on an air-to-air shoot. Therefore, no opportunities for me and my work to do what you do with an air-to-air. Plus, I don't have access to an airplane like you do.
But, I love what I do and I enjoy flying all over North America photographing these beautiful jets and God has blessed me so much by allowing me to do what I do. I am so thankful and grateful.
Jeff W. wrote:
In another of what I call "tribute to dad" moves, I purchased a Linhof 4x5 camera. While my wonderful wife thinks I'm overly sentimental about such things, she supports my goofy photography interests 100%.
Like the Hasselblad I acquired a while back, the Linhof is a camera dad used a ton when I was a youngster. I'm going to need some nice glass to help this camera fulfill its potential. Therefore, I wanted to check-in with my MA2A associates and see if anyone has a large format lens or two that they might be interested in selling. If you have something you'd like to show me, please let me know here and I'll send contact info via a PM....Show more →
UPDATE - While everything looked terrific to me, after inspection by a Linhof technician, serious problems were discovered. Actual corrosion was found in several areas inside the camera that I had not noticed. Two broken pieces inside the camera bed and it was so stiff in swing movements that I thought it may have been frozen. In the end, nothing more than a pretty face. My Linhof guy says he sometimes sees this from Linhof's being sold from Asia. He believes that at some point the Linhof was disassembled for the purpose of copying parts to produce counterfeit Linhof's. Then the real Linhof is reassembled (improperly) and sold to a local camera shop where the unsuspecting proprietor resells to folks like me. It is on it's way back to Japan and a full refund + return shipping has been made - including profuse apologies. Say what you may about eBay, their return and purchase protection polices are generally good.
While very disappointing at first, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. After shipping the Linhof back to Japan, I was informed that the US Arca-Swiss distributor lives a few miles from me. We had lunch on Saturday and I got to demo several cameras. A brand new Arca-Swiss F-line Metric Field 4x5 w/micrometric Orbix has been ordered and should be in-hand in a couple of weeks. While Dad never owned an Arca-Swiss camera, the fellow who is the US distributor also managed the best camera store in Phoenix for many years - Photomark. Turns out he knew dad very well and had sold him lots of equipment. At our Saturday luncheon, he talked more about my dad than he did the Arca-Swiss camera's I demoed. It was a natural for me to order one.
That's a great story, Jeff. You both must have been quite surprised when the two of you made that connection to your Dad.
I'm hoping when you get going with the new camera that you'll have some time to show us how the darn thing works. I have to admit, I have no idea. For instance, why the bellows? Is that how a view camera focuses? I didn't even know Arca-Swiss made cameras.
Looking forward to seeing your images, although I imagine the web won't do them justice.
msalvetti wrote:
That's a great story, Jeff. You both must have been quite surprised when the two of you made that connection to your Dad.
I'm hoping when you get going with the new camera that you'll have some time to show us how the darn thing works. I have to admit, I have no idea. For instance, why the bellows? Is that how a view camera focuses? I didn't even know Arca-Swiss made cameras.
Looking forward to seeing your images, although I imagine the web won't do them justice.
Mark
Thanks Mark. I'm thinking this Arca-Swiss camera will remind Jim of a smaller version of his Sinar. Generally speaking, the bellows effectively accomplishes two things. One; it acts as a flexible lens barrel to facilitate using different focal lengths - wide angle lenses compressed and telephoto lenses expanded. Two; it allows for variious movements e.g. swings, tilts, shifts, etc. You focus the camera by changing the distance between the lens in front and the film back in the rear. It is a fine adjustment, but very rudimentary.
Here is a short video of a fellow demonstrating a basic version of the exact camera I ordered -
You will really enjoy the way a large format camera introduces a deliberateness to photography. Additionally, there's nothing quite like laying a beautiful 4x5 transparency on a lightbox. Enjoy partner, I'm sure you will create some great stuff with your new gear.
Jeff W. wrote:
UPDATE - While everything looked terrific to me, after inspection by a Linhof technician, serious problems were discovered. Actual corrosion was found in several areas inside the camera that I had not noticed. Two broken pieces inside the camera bed and it was so stiff in swing movements that I thought it may have been frozen. In the end, nothing more than a pretty face. My Linhof guy says he sometimes sees this from Linhof's being sold from Asia. He believes that at some point the Linhof was disassembled for the purpose of copying parts to produce counterfeit Linhof's. Then the real Linhof is reassembled (improperly) and sold to a local camera shop where the unsuspecting proprietor resells to folks like me. It is on it's way back to Japan and a full refund + return shipping has been made - including profuse apologies. Say what you may about eBay, their return and purchase protection polices are generally good.
While very disappointing at first, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. After shipping the Linhof back to Japan, I was informed that the US Arca-Swiss distributor lives a few miles from me. We had lunch on Saturday and I got to demo several cameras. A brand new Arca-Swiss F-line Metric Field 4x5 w/micrometric Orbix has been ordered and should be in-hand in a couple of weeks. While Dad never owned an Arca-Swiss camera, the fellow who is the US distributor also managed the best camera store in Phoenix for many years - Photomark. Turns out he knew dad very well and had sold him lots of equipment. At our Saturday luncheon, he talked more about my dad than he did the Arca-Swiss camera's I demoed. It was a natural for me to order one....Show more →
Jeff …. you are indeed a case! I saw clean through what you did – getting us all sympathetic and on-side with the unfortunate Linhof story. Then “poof”, you switch sold us on a monorail! Man, that thing has more knobs and machine scales than a whole line of lathes or mills. Are you going to use one of those newfangled digital cameras as an exposure meter – or do you already have the obligatory Gossen Lunasix? I’m pumped for you and can hardly wait for the results / progress reports.
You're doing fine, great in fact! That type of subject matter has a lot of hit and miss in it. I use the center spot focus pretty much exclusively, but honestly, there are so many customizable options these days that it's a little scary to begin fiddling with it. Shooting into the sun, while it's always been kind of a no no, presents some very cool light opportunities, which you seem to be discovering. Keep on exploring it, you'll get some great stuff.
Thanks Jim. I’ll keep at it. What I have in my head is something like the following – only with some sweet side light. Oh, come on – a boy can dream – can’t I?
Great story Jeff, is that an Arca D4 head there?
Let us know how that piece of equipment goes, it's high on my wish list but I'm coping with a cheap Chinese copy at the moment.
looks like fun!
