Leica M for a 4x5. Crazy?

i'm located in Sydney, Australia. the price of LF gear out here are quiet high, they're also hard to come by and shipping from the US for large items can be $$$.

thanks for all the advice everyone. much appreciated! if anyone is generally interested in a trade, plead PM me. i'll put an add up after I finish moving house in a few days.

also, i know i want a 4x5. as i said, i had had a 501CM for a few years that i stopped using when i got the Leica gear. i then sold it when money was tight (it's been one of those years), now i'm looking to get back into a larger format and i do prefer the 4x5 aspect ration to square and i like the idea of easily making 4x5 contact sheets in the darkroom and scanning those large negs (as well as making wet prints naturally).

i don't mind anything being 'bulky' or 'taking so long to set up'. developing film and spending hours in the darkroom is my meditation, as is the act of photographing. driving to a location, setting up a camera and then waiting for hours for the right moment is also therapeutic for me.
 
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cnp,

You are not crazy. 4x5 is a special format that is rich, slow, sharp and rocks. While I agree to listen to Roger, being in OZ you have a set of different problems with cost and shipping and stuff. I think you will find as much different in glass as you have in M or LTM glass here. Kodak made a fine 4x5 years back. You might check over at APUG for more info on different cameras. Don't forget about NZ as a source for gear. Not a stones throw but a lot cheaper than from over here (US). Drop a note to thenews@grinz.co.nz and ask to join the email, interesting stuff from time to time.

Good luck on finding the new friend. Don't forget the kick a55 tripod.

B2 (;->
 
Thanks Bill. Luckily I have a monster of a Manfrotto studio tripod I somehow inherited a few years ago. It's a beast and has never really seen use from me, but I imagine it will come in handy for the 4x5 though I may opt for a lighter tripod head.

Thanks I'll jump on that email. I'm also looking at a new Shen Hao (HZX or TZ-45IIB) or some Ex condition secondhand Wista DX's around... the idea of a field camera is starting to grow on me. Just need this Leica kit to sell or someone to offer a suitable 4x5 setup trade.
 
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