Simon great stuff as always. I'm thinking of getting a 4X5 field camera. I was going to buy a Fuji 75/5.6, but it sold before I could go back to get it. Any advice on which camera to get? I want something like a Toyo 45CF or Tachihara which can fold up and is relatively light.
Katie, how do you like slide film after you first try?
For 4x5 field cams, particularly for wider lenses, I'd look at the Canham DLC , toyo 45a ( more rugged than the cf), or maybe master technika if you really have some coin to spend. A nice monorail is actually a good choice too, despite what it might look like. Something like a horseman. Most field cams have some serious compromises, just a matter of which ones.
Ed Sawyer wrote:
For 4x5 field cams, particularly for wider lenses, I'd look at the Canham DLC , toyo 45a ( more rugged than the cf), or maybe master technika if you really have some coin to spend. A nice monorail is actually a good choice too, despite what it might look like. Something like a horseman. Most field cams have some serious compromises, just a matter of which ones.
Thanks for the information. I travel too much to lug a camera more than a few pounds around with me. Just buying a camera that requires a tripod is probably pointless for me, but I'd like to give it a try.
That 3rd shot is great Nate. I was surprised to see that it was Velvia.
I love how portable my Crown Graphic is, and that I don't need a recessed lensboard for 75mm. I'm sure a camera with more movements would be nice, but I don't use many movements. I definitely would trade it for a Chamonix though! Those are beautiful.
Yeah that 3rd shot was in rather subdued lighting which is why I think it looks so un-Velvia.
I'd love a Crown Graphic, but the prices seem to be ridiculous. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place. I don't really care about movements anyway, just want the larger format. Any suggestions where to find one?
TWoK wrote:
Yeah that 3rd shot was in rather subdued lighting which is why I think it looks so un-Velvia.
I'd love a Crown Graphic, but the prices seem to be ridiculous. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place. I don't really care about movements anyway, just want the larger format. Any suggestions where to find one?
I just looked on Ebay and holy crap they are expensive. I thought I overpaid but compared to the prices now I got a good deal. CC-400 and the like monorail cameras can be had super cheap. But they aren't as easily portable.
Katie - Those are very nice indeed, what is the camera/lens?
Nate - Thanks very much, loving that second shot.
Regarding LF - go for it! Even scans using the V750 are incredible in quality...
Movements are a strange thing, now I can't seem to live without them!
I would second the idea of a Chamonix, LF can be a bit hit and miss to start with, the more precise the camera is the more enoyable to use it and the better the results will (probably) be...
I would certainly be interested to see what you would do with it - movements etc give lots of new creative possibilities. Something like a Cambo Wide is even hand holdable...
denoir wrote:
... With color negatives (Ektar 100, Portra 400, Portra 160 VC & NC) ... not too seldom things that look like 1960's East German postcard colors: http://peltarion.eu/img/m6/ektar100-018.jpg
It has a certain(Yellow-Greenish) color cast to it, which is relatively easy to 'fix'.
Try to put a Level layer on top of your image in PS and in the layers setup dialog using the White point eye-dropper start clicking on the yellowish band just below the actual image (below remainings of the black strip) area until you hit the right spot and the colors will start looking more pleasing.
Once the colors look right, put one more, this time Hue\Sat, layer and increase the Sat by 3-5%
Nate - well, seeing how each image on this roll (and I consider it a test roll) cost me almost $3, I am not sure that slide film is for me. Unless I can develop it at home (which I CAN, not sure I want to) I will probably stick to C-41 and even more to B&W (which is my mainstay).
I do really like the color and sharpness of the film, though. It's beautiful!
Thanks Simon. Nate - nice series. I like the look of Neopan 400 at 1600. How do you like it as a replacement for Neopan 1600.
Finally scanning some of my last batch of Kodachrome. What a great film. It had it's problems, but it just looks like what a color photo should look like.
Man that's a great shot. I miss Kodachrome. It was great. I still have a case of Neopan 1600 in my freezer I am saving for something more deserving, not sure I'll ever find that so I'll start shooting it soon. Neopan 400 @ 1600 is good, but not at punchy or unique looking as PR1600.
I decided to take a shot wide open with the 75/4.5 nikkor-sw today, even without filters and under indirect sun, the shot was 1/60s, tripod-less large format would be tricky at least with Velvia.
You'd probably want something like a 135/3.5 Planar or 150/2.8 Xenotar (both of which are usually quite pricey and heavy) and to push some 400 to 1600 - no one makes 1600 film in 4x5 do they?
Either that or get a BIG flash and nuke the hell out of people
Haha noooo! don't put any pressure on me! I'm only learning
I'm also going to do all my developing and scanning at home, so don't expect faithful colour and proper densities at the start!
