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Anonymous
Does /p/ shoot large format view cameras, and if so what starter kit does /p/ recommend?
>> Anonymous
No.

:'(
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Don't shoot large format cameras?
What's the matter?
Too LARGE for you?

Camera-Specific Properties:Image-Specific Properties:Image Created2007:08:07 21:04:39
>> fence !!POey2hdozCZ
i shoot with a horseman 4x5 once in a while, when i have the money and time. it's a very, very expensive form of photography.

1. there are no starter kits. pretty much every piece of a large format system is sold separately. a large format "camera" as sold is just a frame with bellows, and the monorail or l-frame. usually, they'll throw in a groundglass with a field camera.

2. check ebay. once in a while, you'll find a full 4x5 (or 8x10) outfit for sale. be absolutely sure that it's a full outfit and not just the camera. the camera itself, like i said, is next to useless.
>> Anonymous
>>1244041. there are no starter kits.
Incorrect. There are no NEW starter kits. There's also no reason for a beginner LF photographer to buy a new camera.

I would recommend checking out any of the old graflex 4x5 cameras. Either the Speed Graphic or Crown Graphic are fine, and it doesn't really matter which model (as long as it's 4x5) for a beginner. Later models will have better movements, but that's about it. Check out www.graflex.org for more info.

You can get a complete kit with body, lens, ground glass, a couple film holders, and probably even a cable release pretty easily for $100-200.

Bear in mind that large format cameras are exceedingly simple, so the only thing that is really going to affect your image quality is the lens. Since you're dealing with such huge negatives, even a modest performing lens will stomp super high-end 35mm and digital lenses into the ground. You will not get better images by going from a $200 4x5 camera to a $2000 4x5 camera.
>> fence !!POey2hdozCZ
that's a very good point. i forgot about graflex, et al.
>> fence !!POey2hdozCZ
>>124430

my turn to correct myself. you can usually get full 4x5 outfits at a local camera shop. they're pricier than online (600-1000 bucks), but you can inspect what you're getting beforehand. that's pretty crucial for 4x5, where old bellows, loose hinges and the like can cause all sorts of problems.

also, check craigslist. prices in my area average 2500 bucks, but i've seen a few obscure brands for as low as 400.