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Anonymous
Am interested in view camera/plate format photography but I don't know whether this requires tremendous amounts of knowledge and skill, or money.

Has anyone here ever used a view camera?

Can they be obtained and used cheaply?

Do cheap modern view cameras exist? Or would I have to buy a used one?
You would expect it to be possible to have a cheap one since it only needs one lens and a box at the minimum.

Also not ruling out the possibility of trying to make a crude camera myself, but I probably would not get very good results.

Any advice would be appreciated.
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>> Anonymous
Make sure you get a Rodenstock lens. Other stuff is not important.
>> Anonymous
If you're a skilled craftsman, you can make your own for about 100 bucks. Search "build your own view camera" on amazon.

You can pick up a view camera from the 1950's or 60's (not a linhof, but some obscure brand) for about 50 bucks, but you'll have to pay some money to fix light leaks, etc.

Your best bet is to a) pick up a new Tachihara for 800 bucks, or b) get a used horseman for about 450.

You'll still need a lensboard (100 bucks), very sturdy tripod (400 bucks), film holders (150-200 bucks a piece, holds one exposure, you'll want two or three), light meter (view cameras don't have one, 200 bucks), film (25 bucks a "roll").

Oh, and a lens, which used will still cost you 800-900 bucks.

Not a cheap hobby.
>> Anonymous
>>78329
Alrighty
>> Anonymous
> I don't know whether this requires tremendous amounts of knowledge and skill, or money.

It only needs tremendous amounts of patience and determination.

> Has anyone here ever used a view camera?
Yes.

> Can they be obtained and used cheaply?
Yes but depends on your needs and on your definition of "cheap"

> Do cheap modern view cameras exist?
Again, what is "cheap". Anyway, check this out: http://www.toyoview.com/
>> Anonymous
>>78337
Well, not soaring into the thousands
>> Anonymous
>>78333
Wonderful post thanks
>> Anonymous
>>78338

Then yes, it is expensive.

If you really want to go large format anyway then go Speed/Crown Graphic.
Or medium format ...
>> Anonymous
One thing I have never quit grasped is how to judge the quality of a lens before buying it.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>78333
>light meter
If you have a digital camera and can do some math in your head to deal with the fact that the view camera will probably have a different aperture range and possibly ISO (depending on the film), you can use that as a light meter.
>> Anonymous
>>78342
Good Idea
>> Anonymous
why do ppl shoot medium or large format?
only bcs they can make larger prints out of it?
>> Anonymous
>>78357

yep. plus, view cameras offer so much control, it's ridiculous.

funny thing is, the question used to be "why do people shoot with 35mm?". This is well before Nikon and Canon took over the world.
>> Anonymous
>>78357
Bellows cameras are used for:
1. VERY large prints
2. VERY shallow DoF (although with f/1.2 lenses now available for 35mm, I don't know who needs something even shallower)
3. Tilting/shifting the focal plane with any lens
4. Just for fun
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>78371
Or small prints with an absurd amount of detail. E.g., using an 8x10 camera to make an 8x10 contact print with no need to enlarge at all.
>> /b/ loves you Anonymous
it's true.
>> Anonymous
>>78333
>film holders (150-200 bucks a piece, holds one exposure, you'll want two or three)

i dont think he wants the gold plated film holders, so that price aint quite right...
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>78388
http://www.adorama.com/VW45CFHL.html
Two-pack for $65
>> Anonymous
Who here would buy a digital small format view camera in a heartbeat?

*raises hand*
>> Anonymous
May I present to you the eBay price list:

If you're a skilled craftsman, you can make your own for about 100 bucks. Search "build your own view camera" on amazon.

You can pick up a view camera from the 1950's or 60's (not a linhof, but some obscure brand) for about 50 bucks, but you'll have to pay some money to fix light leaks, etc.

Your best bet is to a) pick up a used 4x5, they seem to go for around 150-300 dollars.

You'll still need a lensboard (20 bucks), very sturdy tripod (100 bucks), film holders (10-40 bucks a piece, holds one or two exposures, you'll want two or three), light meter (view cameras don't have one, 200 bucks), film (25 bucks a box).

Oh, and a lens, which used will still cost you 300-800 bucks.

Not a cheap hobby.

also, a changing bag (to put film in holders, 20 bux) and a case/bag (for to keep your investment in working order 50-200)

plus this does not cover developing, will you do your own or ship it out?
>> Anonymous
>>78390
doesnt quite look like 200 dollars for one
>> Anonymous
>>78391
ive thought about making a tiny view camera that would use 120 for the lulz, but making a film holder would be a bitch
>> Anonymous
Large format is so obscure nowadays that the same old lens sometimes can go for $10 or $1000 depending on who sells it. Also, stuff for 8x10 and larger formats tends to be much more expensive than for 4x5.
>> Anonymous
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wisner-4x5-Technical-Field-Camera-Complete-Photo-Outfit_W0QQitemZ200154901806QQi
hZ010QQcategoryZ15247QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Quick e-bay search found this. 4x5 view camera, with lens, filters, tripod, holders, everything.

Currently at $105.63 plus $44.25 shipping.
>> Anonymous
>>78404

With NINE days left. That thing is going to fetch a lot.
>> Anonymous
>>78407
It could. It all depends. And even if it does go up to hundreds of dollars, it's exactly what OP needs, all in one place.
>> Anonymous
>>78391

http://www.horsemanusa.com/digital/LD.html
>> Anonymous
>>78408
I'm betting it goes for over $2,000.
>> Anonymous
>>78411
Nice, but wouldn't one have to use insanely short LF lenses because of the sensor crop?
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>78398ive thought about making a tiny view camera that would use 120 for the lulz

Such things already exist. Hasselblad Arcbody and Flexbody, Fuji GX680III, Graflex 2+1/4 cameras, and a variety of others.

>>78333

Your advice and prices are dubious at best. You can get into large format for a whole lot cheaper.

I'd recommend a Graflex speed or crown graphic 4x5, it really doesn't matter which one for a beginner. You can get a complete one with lens (usually a 140mm-ish Wollensak Raptar or Kodak Ektar, both plenty good to get a feel for the format) in working condition for under $200 on ebay. Film holders are dirt cheap, you can get good quality used ones for about $10 each without too much looking.

If you're planning on shooting black and white, learn to develop it yourself. If you're going to shoot color and can't do it yourself, find a good lab and expect to pay between 5 and 10 dollars per shot to get it processed.
>> #fortune Anonymous
#fortune
>> #fortune Anonymous
#fortune
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>78438
>>78464
Dear dumbass who can't figure things out without having them pounded into his head:

#fortune does not work on /p/.

Hugs & Kisses,
ac