I was given a Graphic View 4×5 camera yers ago and have just got it restored and am ready to try my hand at landscape photography. It’s not a lighter field camera so I won’t be doing any hiking with it. To start I thought I would try Armstrong Woods State Park and maybe drives to the beach for some sunsets. So far I only have two lenses, 150mm and 205mm. These are 35mm equivalents of 50mm and 66mm. I definitely will want to add a few wider lenses too. So why am I shooting film instead of my new R5 with RF lenses. The biggest reason is because I find it very enjoyable and relaxing. I also haven’t had a lot of experience with film like many people my age have had, and since most people I know shoot digital it’s a way to be different. Here is a short blog that I agree with about shooting large format film. https://photographylife.com/why-shoot-large-format-film
Here is my 4×5. I added a polaroid viewer so I don’t have to crawl under a dark cloth but time will tell if I continue to use it instead of a dark cloth.
This topic was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by SteveM CompChair.
Wow, that’s quite a setup. I know nothing about these cameras but would love to learn more. With all the myriad of buttons and dials on modern DSLRs, I’m curious how you control exposure, DOF, etc. with a camera like this. Perhaps a show-and-tell at an in-person SRPS social event?
Wow, that’s quite a setup. I know nothing about these cameras but would love to learn more. With all the myriad of buttons and dials on modern DSLRs, I’m curious how you control exposure, DOF, etc. with a camera like this. Perhaps a show-and-tell at an in-person SRPS social event?
Hi Phillip,
I would be more than happy to show off the 4×5! If your interested in flowers our Rhododendrons are in bloom and the SRPS members have an open invitation for the season. https://santarosaphotographicsociety.org/forums/topic/second-annual-ruddy-rhododendron-invite/If you decide to visit I could show you the camera. If enough are interested I could do a demo for the club as well.
Basically the lens is mounted to the shutter which is all assembled on a removable lens board. I open the aperture all the way compose and focus on the ground glass in the rear. Then close down to shooting aperture to check DOF and focus again. After that the film holder is slid into place, dark card removed, and exposure made! So far I have only shot black and white film, but just purchased some color negative and transparency film to try out. FWIW a single color image can cost you $15 depending on film type. This will definitely force me to take my time, and do everything I can to make the shot count!
This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by SteveM CompChair.
at open studios first two weekends in June, I will have on display my 8×10 Kodak Masterview camera. come have a look. Studio 9… at 321 Buena Vista in Santa Rosa. Map is at bottom of webpage
at open studios first two weekends in June, I will have on display my 8×10 Kodak Masterview camera. come have a look. Studio 9… at 321 Buena Vista in Santa Rosa. Map is at bottom of webpage