Why do you use large format?

[Roger Hicks]

If of course you do. There are always multiple reasons but the main ones for me are tonality (bigger negs = better tonality, easier); camera movements; and decent sized contact prints, which rules out 4x5 inch. A good contact print is a "magic window" -- http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps magic window 1.html -- but you can do that with enlargements as well. There are plenty more arguments. What are your reasons?

Cheers,

R.

 

[Vickko]

I sure could use continued encouragement to keep on with LF.

Maybe I just like heavy metal and glass.

I just spent yesterday re-covering a Tech V and last night aligning the rangefinder/locks/lens for a 110mm lens.

Sure, it is special to be viewing through the ground glass, but, maybe my fantasies of shooting hand held with this kit are unrealistic.

And the camera won't close with the 110mm mounted. That is a big kicker for portability.

 

[Moto-Uno]

The first 4x5 tranny I got back and held up to a window had me hooked!! Having come from 35mm slides it was a bit of a revelation to view without my projector.
Peter

 

[Peter_Jones]

Not used mine yet (other than with a 6x7 back), but I'll be sure to post when I do 🙂 (This morning I ground a decent ground glass to fit my Crown Graphic, now brighter and with grid lines)

I got it to try LF out - there are, like you say, a lot of arguments for - I personally like the fact that it is a more drawn-out process and perceived by the layman as difficult. It's an antidote to the "digital age" 😉

 

[Sparrow]

... it was part of the course

 

[Mr_Toad]

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......masochism?


.

 

[kuzano]

Seeing that first and subsequent negs in the light

Seeing that first and subsequent negs in the light

The first one WOW!!

Over the years I have used a number of 4X5 cameras, starting with a graflex Crown that I bought at the big old church camera store in Ohio, in 1987.

Have had a number of more contemporary field and monorail cameras over the intervening years, ending up with a couple of Super Graphics the last few years.

Excitedly awaiting the arrival of two of the TravelWide 4X5s from the Kickstarter program. They should soon be assembling about 1500 of those according the the recent update.

But, it's still the WOW factor of those negatives. I still have a few hundred sheets of film in the freezer, including 150 envelopes of Readyload and Quickload, which I plan to use for a lightweight kit with the TravelWides.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Just ordered an Ebony lightweight (3.2kg) 8x10..due in here in 1 month..
Cant wait..
Reason..
1. Because I'm nuts..
2. Its fun..
3. Its fun..
4. I like the big screen..although..its a bit smaller than my 7x17 (personal fave..) or my 12x20 w/ 11x14 reducing back..or my 16x20..
5. Getting back into LF again..getting older now..need something that I will be able to handle easily..
5. There is a lil 130mm f12 coated wa Rodenstock Perigon..that I'm a gonna plunk on it...heaven..
6. Will do 4x10 panos on it too..
7. This one is the non folder..downright speedy..for an 8x10..
8. Did I already say..its fun..!

 

[Sparrow]

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......masochism?


.

... and that

 

[f16sunshine]

Tonality, easy and quality of scanning/scans.
I use only 4x5 for now although with a future larger DR would like to get a 8x10 kit together and even do some wet plates.

I use a simple crown with 135 and an old Cambo Mono rail with 150 and 300.
I learned LF workflow on the Cambo a couple decades ago.

Simplicity and concerted workflow gives a different approach to photograph.
I enjoy that aspect of using the monorail very much.

The crown I use with a polaroid back or with a graphmatic holder. Pretty much always handheld at f8 .
Per load I get 10 shots polaroid or 6 with the graphmatic. Focusing with a rangefinder It's not as slow as using the monorail and I never mess with movements. It feels like a big camera rather than a large format camera but that big 4x5 negative…. yeah it's nice!

I'm lucky my crowns RF is calibrated quite well to the lens. One reason I stay with that lens!

 

[Stdon]

That's what I started with. My Dad was a Chicago based professional from 1934 until he retired in 1974 and shot nothing but LF. Around 1956 he sat down with me and basically started my education with his peers and co-workers chipping in as well. He also consulted with Busch and they gave him a Model D which I still have, shoot and love.
I shoot mainly Hi-speed motorsports and in fact a month ago I decided to fire up the Pressman and shoot a few frames at a race. Problem is I didn't check the 2 flash guns which had some corrosion so couldn't fire the shutter with them and had to resort to panning a Sprint Boat crossing at over 100mph hand holding with one hand and triggering with the other. (USSBA)
I have several lenses as well as sets of grades of soft focus. I pretty well stick with B&W and soup them myself then scan.
Other than my history and sentimental value with it I just love the medium. And will probably pick up a 5X7 soon. PITA for film but the negs are 2X as big and not any more difficult to lug around than a 4X5 and far easier than a 8X10.

 

[Calzone]

Just ordered an Ebony lightweight (3.2kg) 8x10..due in here in 1 month..
Cant wait..
Reason..
1. Because I'm nuts..
2. Its fun..
3. Its fun..
4. I like the big screen..although..its a bit smaller than my 7x17 (personal fave..) or my 12x20 w/ 11x14 reducing back..or my 16x20..
5. Getting back into LF again..getting older now..need something that I will be able to handle easily..
5. There is a lil 130mm f12 coated wa Rodenstock Perigon..that I'm a gonna plunk on it...heaven..
6. Will do 4x10 panos on it too..
7. This one is the non folder..downright speedy..for an 8x10..
8. Did I already say..its fun..!

Emile,

You have good taste. One day I want a non-folding 8x10 Ebony.

Cal

 

[KM-25]

I use a Chamonix 45N-2, 8 lenses, 6 on carbon fiber boards, 24 film holders, two Kinematic 10 sheet Grafloc style backs and three 6x12 roll film backs. I have tried other cameras like a Sinar F2, Toyos and even a friend's Ebony for a week, none hold a candle to what the 45N2 does for me.

I shoot LF for large fine art prints made in my darkroom, 20x24's come very easily. I also like the opening of tonality and the movements are splendid. I have no interest in contact printing or 8x10, 4x5 is perfect as I can climb high peaks with it, ski double black diamond terrain and is the largest I can print from my enlarger not to mention a very manageable film price.

I now shoot very little 35mm, mostly 120 and 4x5 due to print quality.

 

[Gumby]

Camera movements for perspective control.
Large enough neg (barely large enough) for contact printing.

 

[mbisc]

If of course you do. There are always multiple reasons but the main ones for me are tonality (bigger negs = better tonality, easier); camera movements; and decent sized contact prints, which rules out 4x5 inch. A good contact print is a "magic window" -- http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps magic window 1.html -- but you can do that with enlargements as well. There are plenty more arguments. What are your reasons?

Cheers,

R.

1. I hate grain (and/or pixels for that matter).
2. I like movements.
3. It is fun and slow.
4. 4x5 is the smallest format that can reasonably be contact-printed (whether silver or alt process).
5. 4x5 is the largest format that can reasonably be processed in a daylight tank (JOBO 2509 or something).
6. Once I get my Travelwide, 4x5 is the largest format I can shoot handheld 😀

 

[enero]

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......masochism?


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Dont know about that, since I know more ladies that shoot LF then men. For me its about: The tone, the lenses, the process. I dont know if I find it all that fun these days. But there is that huge slice of satisfaction when I finally see my neg and everything I want to be in focus is 😀

 

[sojournerphoto]

5 by 7 contact prints and I like the process.

 

[Jason Sprenger]

I haul out my Pacemaker Crown Graphic when I want strangers to smile and ham-it-up for the camera.

It's such "a camera" that many folks get very excited and wonderfully cooperative.

With my other cameras, dSLR or rangefinder, the odds of a positive reaction is about 50/50, if that.

However, when I use the last great American camera, I get celebrity access. It's the reverse of stealth but there's a place for big goofy grins too.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I'm a starter although I had some LF camera's already in my cabinet (had shot quite some MF in the past though), I can't wait to start with my latest acquisition - and I always found the camera's a bit more appealing than the 35mm. This is 9 x 12:

Zeiss Ikon 'Favorit Tropen' by Ron (Netherlands), on Flickr

 

[Emile de Leon]

#9-11..

9. Chloride contact paper..I still have some Azo left...and Michael & Paula have their Lodima..
10. Alt processes..add spice to the mix..
11. Don't want to enlarge anymore..contact prints are enough..

12x20 Wisner..all dressed up with Schneider 250xl

You have good taste. One day I want a non-folding 8x10 Ebony.

Hey Calzone..
I'm right next to you..in CT..
If you are ever in the area..15 min south of Hartford..
Come on by..in about a month..the Ebony should be here..