Stephanie Brim
Mental Experimental.
And what are EITHER of us doing up at this hour? GET TO BED! 
And off to bed with me, too, I think. It's 4:30 AM.
And off to bed with me, too, I think. It's 4:30 AM.
burninfilm
Well-known
Despite the utility of the Speed Graphic's focal plane shutter, the Crown does have some advantages:
1. Noticeably lighter in weight
2. Has a noticeably thinner camera body which I find easier to hold
And, most importantly for those who like WIDE angles:
3. Allows for 65mm lenses to focus to infinity
If you don't plan on shooting wide with a Speed Graphic, this shouldn't be a problem. There is an interesting article over on Cameraquest which shows a standard lensboard modified with a recess for wide angle use, so perhaps something could be fabricated for wides on a Speed. Also remember that the Super Graphic is lacking the focal plane shutter, just like a Crown.
1. Noticeably lighter in weight
2. Has a noticeably thinner camera body which I find easier to hold
And, most importantly for those who like WIDE angles:
3. Allows for 65mm lenses to focus to infinity
If you don't plan on shooting wide with a Speed Graphic, this shouldn't be a problem. There is an interesting article over on Cameraquest which shows a standard lensboard modified with a recess for wide angle use, so perhaps something could be fabricated for wides on a Speed. Also remember that the Super Graphic is lacking the focal plane shutter, just like a Crown.
Buze
Established
Received a Crown this morning, my first LF camera. What a lot of fun ! Managed to shoot and process 4 test sheets without making a fool of myself too
The size & sharpness of the image is amazing. I had to manufacture a makeshift film holder, sice I &#(*&#($ lost my Epson 4990 4x5 holder ("I'll never use that anyway" bah), but even then the results are fantastic!
I have the Optar 135mm and the Ektar 203mm; haven't tried the Ektar as yet.
The size & sharpness of the image is amazing. I had to manufacture a makeshift film holder, sice I &#(*&#($ lost my Epson 4990 4x5 holder ("I'll never use that anyway" bah), but even then the results are fantastic!
I have the Optar 135mm and the Ektar 203mm; haven't tried the Ektar as yet.
S
shaaktiman
Guest
Thanks everyone.
Let's say I wanted to buy a newer, sharper lens in the 135 to 200 range. Can anyone recommend something for around 100-$200?
Where can I buy a lensboard?
Let's say I wanted to buy a newer, sharper lens in the 135 to 200 range. Can anyone recommend something for around 100-$200?
Where can I buy a lensboard?
Abbazz
6x9 and be there!
shaaktiman said:
Shaaktiman,
For less than $200, my suggestion would be a single coated Schneider Symmar ("convertible") 150mm f/5.6, which doubles as a useful 265 mm f/12 portrait lens when you remove the front cell. A modern multicoated lens would exceed your budget.
For lens boards, apart from ebay, try Midwest Photo Exchange.
Cheers,
Abbazz
S
shaaktiman
Guest
Well, in that case I can increase my budget. I am really interested in having a good lens. If you have a few ideas please let my know, I am a little lost in this world. I have gotten the process down, and would really like to have a modern lens to make the most of the 4x5.
Especially considering the extra hassle using the speed graphic entails compared to my mamiya 6. And the 6 lenses are so good that the photos it gives me are the equivalent or even a bit better than my speed graphic with the zeiss on it. Using the SG is fun, but if I am going to go through the expense and time involved to really use it often I want it to blow the socks of my medium and 35mm format.
What would you consider a good value in terms of lenses? Considering that I am nuts for image quality. (If you know of something that's $600 but is really much much better than what I can get for $400, please don't hesitate to mention it.)
thanks so much
Especially considering the extra hassle using the speed graphic entails compared to my mamiya 6. And the 6 lenses are so good that the photos it gives me are the equivalent or even a bit better than my speed graphic with the zeiss on it. Using the SG is fun, but if I am going to go through the expense and time involved to really use it often I want it to blow the socks of my medium and 35mm format.
What would you consider a good value in terms of lenses? Considering that I am nuts for image quality. (If you know of something that's $600 but is really much much better than what I can get for $400, please don't hesitate to mention it.)
thanks so much
Jason Sprenger
Well-known
Well, for blowing socks off stuff, a Rodenstock APO Sironar-S 150mm/5.6 is about it for a normal lens in 4x5, IMHO. Sharp from wide open to the limit of diffraction and small enough to fit inside a Graphic while mounted. I hear good things about the Rodenstock APO Sironar-S 135mm/5.6 as well.
In practice, all the major makes of modern lenses (Rodenstock, Schneider, Fuji, Nikon) do very well indeed, particularly in 135mm and 150mm focal lengths.
In practice, all the major makes of modern lenses (Rodenstock, Schneider, Fuji, Nikon) do very well indeed, particularly in 135mm and 150mm focal lengths.
W
wlewisiii
Guest
shaaktiman,
You might want to go over to the forums at www.largeformatphotography.info and do a search there. You're like to find a whole lot of good information on inexpensive lenses there.
I note that KEH has listed:
135 F5.6 TECH SYMMAR-S SYNCHRO-COMPUR SHUTTER B (4X5)(34 MOUNT) LARGE FORMAT VIEW LENS BGN $235.00
150 F5.6 FUJINON W SEIKO B (4X5)(35 MOUNT) LARGE FORMAT VIEW LENS BGN $165.00
Either would do nicely for what you want.
William
You might want to go over to the forums at www.largeformatphotography.info and do a search there. You're like to find a whole lot of good information on inexpensive lenses there.
I note that KEH has listed:
135 F5.6 TECH SYMMAR-S SYNCHRO-COMPUR SHUTTER B (4X5)(34 MOUNT) LARGE FORMAT VIEW LENS BGN $235.00
150 F5.6 FUJINON W SEIKO B (4X5)(35 MOUNT) LARGE FORMAT VIEW LENS BGN $165.00
Either would do nicely for what you want.
William
Buze
Established
I tried my "Kit lens" Optar 135mm f4.7 on my Canon 350D, just to see how sharp it was. As it turns out, it has very good colors & contrast, and is barely softer than a "super" 135mm like the Zeiss or the Takumar. In fact, I am amazed it's that good, considering it covers 4x5!
More there : http://www.flickr.com/photos/buze/242278625/
As for shooting the Crown, I'm having a ball. It's fantastic to be able to do both ground glass focus on tripod with movements AND the off shot focused using the rangefinder + optical viewfinder. It's just great!
More there : http://www.flickr.com/photos/buze/242278625/
As for shooting the Crown, I'm having a ball. It's fantastic to be able to do both ground glass focus on tripod with movements AND the off shot focused using the rangefinder + optical viewfinder. It's just great!
canonetc
canonetc
Pre-An SPeed Graphic
Pre-An SPeed Graphic
Yeah, as Matt said. You also use the "T" setting so you can look through the ground glass on the back of the camera and focus. Open the aperture all the way, and then you can see the subject more clearly. Then hit the shutter, and it closes. Reset your aperture and shutter speed, load your film holder, remove the slide, cock the shutter and you are ready to go. A cable release makes this a lot easier.
Chris
canonetc
Pre-An SPeed Graphic
matt fury said:
Yeah, as Matt said. You also use the "T" setting so you can look through the ground glass on the back of the camera and focus. Open the aperture all the way, and then you can see the subject more clearly. Then hit the shutter, and it closes. Reset your aperture and shutter speed, load your film holder, remove the slide, cock the shutter and you are ready to go. A cable release makes this a lot easier.
Chris
canonetc
Abbazz
6x9 and be there!
canonetc said:
With a little practice, it's easier that it sounds. But a Speed Graphic remains a large format camera, so it's a very different beast from a 35mm or MF rangefinder. No compulsive shooting allowed!
Cheers,
Abbazz
Buze
Established
Well, you CAN handhold the Crown/Speed, without using the ground glass. Thats why there is a rangefinder ! By using the rangefinder it behaves /exactly/ like an Iskra or other folding camera, just bigger.
Idealy you use a Grafmatic back, and you don't even have to carry film holders!
Here's one done that way :
Idealy you use a Grafmatic back, and you don't even have to carry film holders!
Here's one done that way :
Abbazz
6x9 and be there!
I use mainly my Speed Graphic on a tripod with barrel lenses.
I wouldn't qualify a Speed Graphic equipped with a huge 7"/2.5 Aero Ektar as a folding camera: you cannot even close the folding front with the lens on But it doesn't hinder David Burnett from carying this beast across the world to shoot news features with it.
Cheers,
Abbazz
I wouldn't qualify a Speed Graphic equipped with a huge 7"/2.5 Aero Ektar as a folding camera: you cannot even close the folding front with the lens on
But it doesn't hinder David Burnett from carying this beast across the world to shoot news features with it.Cheers,
Abbazz