Large Format Photography Beginner's Guide: 4x5 Cameras - Intrepid, Speed Graphic, Sinar F2 📝 BLOG: mrleica.com/large-format-photography-4x5/ Kit List, Camera Info & Photos ▶️ WATCH NEXT: More Film Camera Reviews - bit.ly/3eBvxq7 ⭐️ PATREON: Join today for more videos - from £1+VAT! - www.patreon.com/mrleicacom ☕️ Thank Matt with a coffee - www.paypal.com/paypalme/MrLeica ✅ CHECK eBay: (US) ebay.to/2F0HoxY (UK) ebay.to/3ijzle2 (DE) ebay.to/3iqDNYs (FR) ebay.to/2ZJ3E75 (HK) ebay.to/32A8xBu
Really enjoyed this one. I joined the Navy in 1975 and went to Navy Photo school after boot camp. First camera issued to me was a Speed Graphic. You can't appreciate a Speed Graphic until you lug it around in that big brown box with a wooden tripod on you,r shoulder. At the end of school we were issued a 35mm Topcon, a real tank of a camera.
I have always wanted a large format camera! I've never shot with one, but I heard it is an amazing experience. You can manipulate an object, such as an egg, and make it look round. Incredible cameras. Love them.
Thanks Lucy, yes if you have the time to play around they are a lot of fun to experiment with.. if you can find one on eBay they make for a fun past time.
I came here for the Graflex + Aero Ektar combo. And it's the most beautiful thing in the world. Owned two Aero Ektars already and I don't think there is a better portrait lens ever made!
Matt Really refreshingly interesting video! Like probably most photographers these days, I had no idea how large format worked. Twenty minutes later, we have a far better understanding Many thanks 😊
a great video matt, Ps: from your review blog of this camera system (sinar F2) good choice, with the f2 rather than the f or f1; however, you still can buy an F1 and use it here, the extensions, as well as the lens standard (the 'multi-purpose' standard in that case); as they operate off the same rail system, have the same bellows frame size, accessorys so you can adapt the camera, use the bellows in a gang style for macro shooting, or just for a long lens (300;360;450) as the camera can take it, you add extensions, std's, bellows and the lens, done! no design considerations to stop you, like a field camera has, just simple bellows factor compensation.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom yes, as from my 'basic' research, the normal rail {base} is primarily for the 150 normal and wider lenses{125/90/75};as this is only ~6"(120cm?)long to use a 180 or 210 and higher you DO need the extensions, or for macro with any of the lenses, as the guide rail (square track above the monorail), stops 1/2" before the end, as that's where the safety cap gets screwed on; if you go past it, the standard car can freefall in yaw, as this guide rail is there to stop this. The other advantage of the longer rails, is that the other standards can be added front and rear to add focussing bellows hood, Lens hood, filter system {has it's own std. frame}, and as the 'ganging' component to extend bellows draw for macro.
Matt, at 11:43 there is one correction, the sinar CAN take "process" or barrel lenses as there is a sinar shutter which adds to the back of the front std, between it and the bellows, so a DB lens board can be used, you see them on the P3's when using the sinar 30\\45 sensor backs.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom yes, I've only just got into sinars myself, but as a 'modular camera system'; see Mat Marrash's video on sinars, they are fantastic, esp. since there is no electronics to go wrong!
When I stumbled across your video, I was curious because I wondered why a glamour photographer would be interested in large format cameras. I primarily use 4x5 for shooting architecture and products and find it too slow for shooting anything else. Thanks for the video.
Hi Matt, I still wait for the moment when I will get my first proper camera for LF 45 format, but I have built a wooden DIY pinhole camera in that format. To the point - I did not have the tank for processing of film sheets - but I found the Stearman Press SP-445 Compact 4x5 Film Processing System - and I love this device. This is alternative tank for 4x5 film sheets development.
Thanks Rudolf, great to hear that you built your own camera, very cool! .. and thanks regarding the Stearman Press SP-445 Compact 4x5 Film Processing System
The focus magnifier (Loupe) should focus on the inside surface of the ground glass where the image resides. specialty loupes are pre-focused to that spec or some have a slight focus adjustment to get the ground glass sharp prior to examining the image. regular loupes focus on the outside side of the glass and may not give a satisfactorily sharp image.
Speed Graphic: For outdoor daylight photograpy most of the time the focal plane shutter was shot. For shots with a flash bulbs an optic with an inside leaf shutter was neaded.
Pro tip when using flatbed scanners. Dont use the holders. Just put the film directly on glass. If you are not sure if the film is flat, buy (in this case really large) ANR glass and put it on top of the film. You get much better results than with holders. Works also for 35mm and medium format.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I wrote long comment but I don't see it anymore. So I will try to simplify. The secret of scanning directly on glass is to put the film emulsion/matte side down. Then just flip it in post process. When you scan with holder you put it glossy side down. The biggest negative I have is 6x9 medium format and I don't get any rings this way. Some people say you can try to use acrylic glass instead of ANR and get the same result for less money. I don't have experience with this but will give it a try soon. Some people even do "glass sandwich" scanner glass -> ANR/acrylic glass -> film matte side down -> ANR/acrylic glass matte side down. That will straighten the film even more. I have tried this with 2 ANR glasses but they were too thick and the picture was not sharp anymore. There is short article on 35mmc "Scanning from the emulsion" explaining it more in details. Good luck
Thanks Scott for the LFP love! The video was less popular than I had hoped but I will share more 4x5 vids in the future to keep it varied. I have at least 2 videos planned in the nearer term. Stay tuned!
I'm very tempted to have a go with large format. What's holding me back investing in it is the long term future of film and the support industry that goes with it?
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I rather just shoot with a Mamiya RZ or a mamiya 6 or 7 if I was going to do that. 120 and 35mm film with be the first to go if film does anyway. I see going down the 4x5 route about a £1500 investment which is fine as long as I can get the film and chemicals for the next 10 years or so without the prices going through the roof
I am in search of a Speed Graphic for my Aero Ektar, and I have been watching Adam Welch video on adapting Toyo rotating back (which I have a spare) to the camera. However, the person who made the adapter plate no longer produce them. And here I am, another Matt video to the rescue! Did you do the Combo rotating back conversion yourself or did it come with the camera already?
The SINAR in this video is the model F; a light model for use in the Field. It has a light front and back standard The heavy model P is for indoor; it has two heavy standards. The model C is for ??; it has a light front standard and a heavy back standard.
Thanks Jaco, good info. I think I said mind is an F. I’ve always called that since it was listed as a F on eBay! (But I didn’t know the differences so thanks
A mr. Camera Prepper tries to tell something on Pocket 110 and Leica 24x36, by comparing the cameras to the view cameras of 4 x 5 and 5 x 7.formats With most camera' types you can shoot any photographic subject, but some subjects might need a certain camera or format. Over the decades the camera formats got smaller and smaller. But the limit is here,. The Lakehurst Hindenburg zeppelin airdisaster was shot in 1937 with six frames in one minute with a handheld 4 x 5 press camera. Roger Fenton shot the Crimean War in 1850 probaby with 8 x 10 camera. Sir Cecil Beaton was in India in 1944 with his Rollei 6 x 6. Kyoichi Sawada was in Vietnam with his 24 x 36 mm Leicas. He needed no auto-focus nor motor drive. There is no war photographer with a Minox or a Klimsch. In Vietnam the Tri-X 135-36 in your Leica M3 or Nikon F gave the 2 x 3 m superior black and white prints. Nobody went into the jungle with a LF 5 x 7 for a shift or tilt shot or with a Pocket 110 to make a snapshot Mr Camera Prepper can you shoot five frames / sec wih your Schneider lens ? You might try another brand like Rodenstock, Voigtländer, Meyer, Busch, Zeiss, Laack, Astro, Sutter, Kern, Reichert, Boyer, Berthiot, Angenieux, Ektar, Ross, TT&H, Fuji, Komura, Nikon, Topcon , My advise (as a modest pro) to you as the Pro; a DIY lens will suit you best. Most of the people who are enjoying Matt's Leica ( LF) videos are normal people with a photo hobby. They have a SLR or a DSLR, some have lcameras with a larger formats. They practise ther photo hobby on a sunday afternoon or during the week, There are no healthy Pros who read all Matt's stuff. Except me, but I am an old analogue grumpy bear whith his wooden tripod leg fighting from a mol hill against exaggerted photo fuss. I had my first 4 x 5 in 1965, let Matt Osborne get his LF 4 x 5 toy in 2021. We wait and will enjoy his next 4 x 5 talk. He might become mr. LF in the weekends.
Ha thanks for the smile as usual Jaco. Just to correct you a little I got the 2 LF cameras in 2014(ish) so i've had them a while. I've had the honeymoon phase and now tend to shoot 35mm for speed. I don't really ever get a "normal relaxed downtime weekend", i'm making content for you guys to comment on. As such I don't really find time for LF but maybe in the future!
That's brilliant. I love the versatility, yet walk around handheld speed of the Crown Speed Graphics. Is there a 645 mask and back for it? I'm starting out w/ the Mamiya Super 23.
As sensors get larger leaf shutters get more desirable. Hope there is move to develop leaf shutters rather then the software and electric processing of tracking and fast focus manufacturers seem to have put importance (obsession) on…great video.
Ok i gor the 1950 Pacemaker Speed 23. Love it. Its Blooming brilliant. Easy to carry ealk around. Using the 6 shot Grafmatic 23 & Hassleblad flash handle w/ Nikon SB-80DX. Tad under 3kg.have a Mamiya RB68 67 back in 645 Now i need a flash cable adapter What did U find if anything?
Thanks Ryan, I think you are in the 1% of my viewers that might be interested ha. It's nice. Super light and compact when paired with a small lens. I used it in Poland with models.
Matt, you are using the wrong focusing loupe. You need a loupe without a clear cone at the end. The loupe must consist of two tubes; the outer must be placed against the screen the inner must can be moved in and out to focus.
Great intro to the format, it may encourage photographers who want a slower more considered approach to their images. Does the Speed Graphic suffer vibration with that shutter ?
What to do when the developing time is 15 minutes and the temperature is not 20 Celsius but 24 Celsius? At a higher temperature the developing time must be shorter. How to calculate the newdeveloping time? The magic number alwaijs is 3 The temperature difference is 24 - 20 = 4 the developing time is 15 3 x 4 x 15 = 180 The NEW developing time: 15 minutes minus 180 seconds = 15 - 3 = 12 minutes
Matt, how did you modify the SG back to put on a different back? I want a rotating back on mine, and a newer ground glass/fresnel combo for better viewing experience!
Hi Jacob, as mentioned in the video I bought mine "finished" on eBay so it was ready to go. I don't have the skills to work on cameras i'm afraid. Maybe ask in a LF forum and hopefully someone can help.
I guess to develope 6 sheets of 4x5 film in the Paterson tank', you need 900 cc developer. Agfa Rodinal/Adox Adonal is the soup for all BW film developing. All 1 : 50 dilution of Rodinal gives perfect negatives. For the six sheet films is needed 18 cc Rodinal + 900 cc water = 900 cc developer. Rodinal is a one shot developer.
Tell me about gour rotating back. Dod it effect focus distance to tile w/ rangefinder? Re: shutter. My 1951 Pacemaker Speed 46 is showing lag in shutter, spring return ferls weak. About how much was the service of just tension & timing?
Mine came ready mod'd so I have no knowledge on how they made it. I did send it for a service in 2022 when the shutter would not fire. It cost £300 for the service in the UK and it went to a LF specialist.
Nice roundup, but let's face it: putting up with this massive level of inconvenience just to get swings/tilts/rise/fall makes the Fujifilm GX680 seem overwhelmingly logical by comparison…
Thanks JL, I originally bought 4x5 cameras for the movements but because I tend to work at a faster pace I tend to pick up 35mm or MF cameras first. My Rollei SL66E gives me tilt in a portable package so that works a bit like the GX680 for me. Great suggestion.
don't waste your money on an intrepid. they couldn't even manage something as basic as having light seals around the lens board or film holder. not even a bit of black paint.
4x5 and Larger are "REAL" cameras, Leica are 110 film format compared to these ! :D As a pro I used both 4x5 and 5x7 inch Sinar and Linhof cameras with Schneider Lenses
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom It can be a challenge to know what each positions of either the back or the front of the camera does to the image :D I am hoping for much cheaper 4x5 digital backs :)
In Vietnam the Tri-X 135-36 in your Leica M3 or Nikon F gave 2 x 3 m superior black and white prints. Nobody went into the jungle with a LF 5 x 7 or a Pocket 110. Can you shoot five frames / sec wih your Schneider lens ? You might try another brand like Rodenstock, Voigtländer, Meyer, Busch, Zeiss, Laack, Astro, Sutter, Kern, Reichert, Boyer, Berthiot, Angenieux, Ektar, Ross, TT&H, Fuji, Komura, Nikon, Topcon , My advise (as a modest pro) to you as the pro; a DIY lens will do.
If the photo shops and the You Tube photo boys in Europe and in the U.S.A. had as much know how on Large Format photography as you have on Leica photography, everybody would trade his Leica and buys himself a 4x5 camera. I have heard annd seen all the LF photo professors. Are they the actors of the BBC Goon Show? Mr. Matt LF Friday in the USA talks too much. He is a tiny show off. He chooses optics with a much too small image circle for his big negatives. He thinks the long bellow extension of a LF 360 mm lens at infinity, causes an extra long exposure tme. The poor guy does not understand the optical formulas. I do and can calculate them by heart, because I am an old school analog photographer. Forget the Large Fprmat professor David Hancock who keeps on killing his Cambo SC 2 camera; after he had his morning coffee on the couch, next to his farting dog. Do not see the Technika vlog, made by Linhof UK. The lady probably hates her job and treats the Technika in a way she might damage the gear box of a Land Rover. In Munich at Linhof's a voluteer is doing something obscure on a Linhof Technika. I am not afraid of the bombing my photo stdio by Linhof or Cambo. Combo was never be able to find any photo studio in Holland since the Sixties So what about Linhof? I love my Linhof cameras since 1965. Because of the quality, the models, the after sale service, the brochures and the five huge books on Linhof Photography, published by Heering. Please, do not tell anybody I also cherish my SINAR Norma; with its four bladed Copal leaf shutter. On this 20x20 cm shutter all lenses on their boards can be mounted. A funny sight to see a trio: Swiss camera plus German lens and Japaneese shutter. In the Netherlands the photographer Jan Paul Mioulet also became a photo "professor". He now does photo workshops, publishes books on photography and is a photo technical editor of the "professional" photomagazine Pf. In my opinion the Pf is a kind of funny item, because "professor" Mioulet claims cameras must have the lenses of the same brand as the camera body. So me and Mr. Stanley Kubrick did it all wrong by mounting "third party"lenses on our cameras.
Large Format Photography Beginner's Guide: 4x5 Cameras - Intrepid, Speed Graphic, Sinar F2
📝 BLOG: mrleica.com/large-format-photography-4x5/ Kit List, Camera Info & Photos
▶️ WATCH NEXT: More Film Camera Reviews - bit.ly/3eBvxq7
⭐️ PATREON: Join today for more videos - from £1+VAT! - www.patreon.com/mrleicacom
☕️ Thank Matt with a coffee - www.paypal.com/paypalme/MrLeica
✅ CHECK eBay: (US) ebay.to/2F0HoxY (UK) ebay.to/3ijzle2 (DE) ebay.to/3iqDNYs (FR) ebay.to/2ZJ3E75 (HK) ebay.to/32A8xBu
Really enjoyed this one. I joined the Navy in 1975 and went to Navy Photo school after boot camp. First camera issued to me was a Speed Graphic. You can't appreciate a Speed Graphic until you lug it around in that big brown box with a wooden tripod on you,r shoulder. At the end of school we were issued a 35mm Topcon, a real tank of a camera.
Thanks Thomas! I really wish I had gone to your school!! What a great start to life! A Speed Graphic and a Topcon! Awesome :)
I have always wanted a large format camera! I've never shot with one, but I heard it is an amazing experience. You can manipulate an object, such as an egg, and make it look round. Incredible cameras. Love them.
Thanks Lucy, yes if you have the time to play around they are a lot of fun to experiment with.. if you can find one on eBay they make for a fun past time.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom They sure do! Maybe some day!
@@LucyS565 👍🏻😊
I came here for the Graflex + Aero Ektar combo. And it's the most beautiful thing in the world. Owned two Aero Ektars already and I don't think there is a better portrait lens ever made!
Thank you! Yes really nice lens, I need to make myself use it more soon! I'll try to ignore the distractions of 35mm!
Matt
Really refreshingly interesting video!
Like probably most photographers these days, I had no idea how large format worked.
Twenty minutes later, we have a far better understanding
Many thanks 😊
Thanks Ronald! Happy I could ‘help’
a great video matt, Ps: from your review blog of this camera system (sinar F2) good choice, with the f2 rather than the f or f1; however, you still can buy an F1 and use it here, the extensions, as well as the lens standard (the 'multi-purpose' standard in that case); as they operate off the same rail system, have the same bellows frame size, accessorys so you can adapt the camera, use the bellows in a gang style for macro shooting, or just for a long lens (300;360;450) as the camera can take it, you add extensions, std's, bellows and the lens, done! no design considerations to stop you, like a field camera has, just simple bellows factor compensation.
Thanks Andy, I have the short and long rail for the F2 (I got the longer one after to help me focus longer lenses/ or get close etc)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom yes, as from my 'basic' research, the normal rail {base} is primarily for the 150 normal and wider lenses{125/90/75};as this is only ~6"(120cm?)long to use a 180 or 210 and higher you DO need the extensions, or for macro with any of the lenses, as the guide rail (square track above the monorail), stops 1/2" before the end, as that's where the safety cap gets screwed on; if you go past it, the standard car can freefall in yaw, as this guide rail is there to stop this.
The other advantage of the longer rails, is that the other standards can be added front and rear to add focussing bellows hood, Lens hood, filter system {has it's own std. frame}, and as the 'ganging' component to extend bellows draw for macro.
You've made the process incredibly clear. A tremendous service to your fellow photographers. I love your videos.
Thank you Diane!
Thank you for the video. I just recently purchased a 4x5 Sinar and this video is most timely.
Ah perfect! Great cameras, enjoy!
Matt, at 11:43 there is one correction, the sinar CAN take "process" or barrel lenses as there is a sinar shutter which adds to the back of the front std, between it and the bellows, so a DB lens board can be used, you see them on the P3's when using the sinar 30\\45 sensor backs.
Ah thanks Andy! I'm no expert with LF so I appreciate your input
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom yes, I've only just got into sinars myself, but as a 'modular camera system'; see Mat Marrash's video on sinars, they are fantastic, esp. since there is no electronics to go wrong!
When I stumbled across your video, I was curious because I wondered why a glamour photographer would be interested in large format cameras.
I primarily use 4x5 for shooting architecture and products and find it too slow for shooting anything else.
Thanks for the video.
Thanks, yes they are too slow for my usual photography but I like the process and would love to use them more when I find time
Hi Matt, I still wait for the moment when I will get my first proper camera for LF 45 format, but I have built a wooden DIY pinhole camera in that format. To the point - I did not have the tank for processing of film sheets - but I found the Stearman Press SP-445 Compact 4x5 Film Processing System - and I love this device. This is alternative tank for 4x5 film sheets development.
Thanks Rudolf, great to hear that you built your own camera, very cool! .. and thanks regarding the Stearman Press SP-445 Compact 4x5 Film Processing System
The focus magnifier (Loupe) should focus on the inside surface of the ground glass where the image resides. specialty loupes are pre-focused to that spec or some have a slight focus adjustment to get the ground glass sharp prior to examining the image. regular loupes focus on the outside side of the glass and may not give a satisfactorily sharp image.
Ah thanks Stuart, very interesting. I didn't know that.
Excellent introduction, very interested to see more!
Thanks Bert! It looks like my subs are less interested in this one but i'll try to put a few more out to help people, especially roll film backs.
I just bought a Chamonix 45N-2. Looking forward to trying large format.
Amazing, Congrats Nelson!! Enjoy 4x5 :)
Speed Graphic:
For outdoor daylight photograpy most of the time the focal plane shutter was shot.
For shots with a flash bulbs an optic with an inside leaf shutter was neaded.
Thanks! I have used modern flash with FP shutter, when lens had no shutter (projector lenses etc)
Pro tip when using flatbed scanners. Dont use the holders. Just put the film directly on glass. If you are not sure if the film is flat, buy (in this case really large) ANR glass and put it on top of the film. You get much better results than with holders. Works also for 35mm and medium format.
Thanks. Do you not get Newton rings? That's what I've had in the past placing directly on the glass. I find holders have been better for me.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I wrote long comment but I don't see it anymore. So I will try to simplify.
The secret of scanning directly on glass is to put the film emulsion/matte side down. Then just flip it in post process.
When you scan with holder you put it glossy side down.
The biggest negative I have is 6x9 medium format and I don't get any rings this way. Some people say you can try to use acrylic glass instead of ANR and get the same result for less money. I don't have experience with this but will give it a try soon.
Some people even do "glass sandwich" scanner glass -> ANR/acrylic glass -> film matte side down -> ANR/acrylic glass matte side down. That will straighten the film even more.
I have tried this with 2 ANR glasses but they were too thick and the picture was not sharp anymore. There is short article on 35mmc "Scanning from the emulsion" explaining it more in details. Good luck
@@ptrbask640 thank you 🙏🏻
I'd love to see more large format content, especially seeing them in action.
Thanks Scott for the LFP love! The video was less popular than I had hoped but I will share more 4x5 vids in the future to keep it varied. I have at least 2 videos planned in the nearer term. Stay tuned!
I only use two cameras now.
An MPP Microflex with a 147mm Schneider f3.5 lens and a Ricoh GR digital camera from 2005.
Nice!! I need to dust off my 4x5s
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom 👍
I'm very tempted to have a go with large format. What's holding me back investing in it is the long term future of film and the support industry that goes with it?
You can use 120 backs on them too if 4x5 was ever discontinued.. I'll do a video on this as I prefer using 120 backs on mine. (weird I know!)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I rather just shoot with a Mamiya RZ or a mamiya 6 or 7 if I was going to do that. 120 and 35mm film with be the first to go if film does anyway. I see going down the 4x5 route about a £1500 investment which is fine as long as I can get the film and chemicals for the next 10 years or so without the prices going through the roof
@@RichardsModellingAdventures that makes sense. Less money if got the Intrepid and shop around for lenses. (Easily under £1k)
I am in search of a Speed Graphic for my Aero Ektar, and I have been watching Adam Welch video on adapting Toyo rotating back (which I have a spare) to the camera. However, the person who made the adapter plate no longer produce them. And here I am, another Matt video to the rescue! Did you do the Combo rotating back conversion yourself or did it come with the camera already?
Hey Rex! My SG/AE was a complete kit already finished, Imported from the US
The SINAR in this video is the model F; a light model for use in the Field.
It has a light front and back standard
The heavy model P is for indoor; it has two heavy standards.
The model C is for ??; it has a light front standard and a heavy back standard.
Thanks Jaco, good info. I think I said mind is an F. I’ve always called that since it was listed as a F on eBay! (But I didn’t know the differences so thanks
A mr. Camera Prepper tries to tell something on Pocket 110 and Leica 24x36,
by comparing the cameras to the view cameras of 4 x 5 and 5 x 7.formats
With most camera' types you can shoot any photographic subject, but some
subjects might need a certain camera or format. Over the decades the camera
formats got smaller and smaller. But the limit is here,.
The Lakehurst Hindenburg zeppelin airdisaster was shot in 1937 with six frames
in one minute with a handheld 4 x 5 press camera.
Roger Fenton shot the Crimean War in 1850 probaby with 8 x 10 camera.
Sir Cecil Beaton was in India in 1944 with his Rollei 6 x 6.
Kyoichi Sawada was in Vietnam with his 24 x 36 mm Leicas. He needed no
auto-focus nor motor drive.
There is no war photographer with a Minox or a Klimsch.
In Vietnam the Tri-X 135-36 in your Leica M3 or Nikon F
gave the 2 x 3 m superior black and white prints.
Nobody went into the jungle with a LF 5 x 7 for a shift or tilt shot or
with a Pocket 110 to make a snapshot
Mr Camera Prepper can you shoot five frames / sec wih your Schneider lens ?
You might try another brand like Rodenstock, Voigtländer, Meyer,
Busch, Zeiss,
Laack, Astro, Sutter, Kern, Reichert, Boyer, Berthiot, Angenieux, Ektar, Ross,
TT&H, Fuji, Komura, Nikon, Topcon ,
My advise (as a modest pro) to you as the Pro; a DIY lens will suit you best.
Most of the people who are enjoying Matt's Leica ( LF) videos are normal
people with a photo hobby. They have a SLR or a DSLR, some have lcameras
with a larger formats. They practise ther photo hobby on a sunday afternoon
or during the week, There are no healthy Pros who read all Matt's stuff.
Except me, but I am an old analogue grumpy bear whith his wooden tripod leg
fighting from a mol hill against exaggerted photo fuss.
I had my first 4 x 5 in 1965, let Matt Osborne get his LF 4 x 5 toy in 2021.
We wait and will enjoy his next 4 x 5 talk. He might become mr. LF in the weekends.
Ha thanks for the smile as usual Jaco. Just to correct you a little I got the 2 LF cameras in 2014(ish) so i've had them a while. I've had the honeymoon phase and now tend to shoot 35mm for speed. I don't really ever get a "normal relaxed downtime weekend", i'm making content for you guys to comment on. As such I don't really find time for LF but maybe in the future!
That's brilliant. I love the versatility, yet walk around handheld speed of the Crown Speed Graphics. Is there a 645 mask and back for it? I'm starting out w/ the Mamiya Super 23.
Yes I need to get mine out again for a play!
As sensors get larger leaf shutters get more desirable. Hope there is move to develop leaf shutters rather then the software and electric processing of tracking and fast focus manufacturers seem to have put importance (obsession) on…great video.
Thanks William, yes great comment! That's why most of the good MF cameras have the leaf shutters.
Ok i gor the 1950 Pacemaker Speed 23. Love it. Its Blooming brilliant. Easy to carry ealk around. Using the 6 shot Grafmatic 23 & Hassleblad flash handle w/ Nikon SB-80DX. Tad under 3kg.have a Mamiya RB68 67 back in 645
Now i need a flash cable adapter
What did U find if anything?
Congrats. I don't think you can fire flash with the SG camera. You just leave the shutter open and manually fire the flash. That's how I did it.
Sweet, been waiting for this video. How's the intrepid to use?
Thanks Ryan, I think you are in the 1% of my viewers that might be interested ha. It's nice. Super light and compact when paired with a small lens. I used it in Poland with models.
Matt, you are using the wrong focusing loupe.
You need a loupe without a clear cone at the end.
The loupe must consist of two tubes;
the outer must be placed against the screen
the inner must can be moved in and out to focus.
Ah thanks Jack. I don’t shoot much LF currently but noted for future, thank you
Great intro to the format, it may encourage photographers who want a
slower more considered approach to their images.
Does the Speed Graphic suffer vibration with that shutter ?
Thanks Leonard, yes to hopefully inspiring a new audience. No the SG seems fine even at 1/60 in the test shots I did once getting it repaired.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks Matt.
What to do when the developing time is 15 minutes and
the temperature is not 20 Celsius but 24 Celsius?
At a higher temperature the developing time must be shorter.
How to calculate the newdeveloping time?
The magic number alwaijs is 3
The temperature difference is 24 - 20 = 4
the developing time is 15
3 x 4 x 15 = 180
The NEW developing time:
15 minutes minus 180 seconds =
15 - 3 = 12 minutes
Thanks Jaco, i've not seen this before. Thanks for sharing. I do stand developing so less exact.
Matt, how did you modify the SG back to put on a different back? I want a rotating back on mine, and a newer ground glass/fresnel combo for better viewing experience!
Hi Jacob, as mentioned in the video I bought mine "finished" on eBay so it was ready to go. I don't have the skills to work on cameras i'm afraid. Maybe ask in a LF forum and hopefully someone can help.
I guess to develope 6 sheets of 4x5 film in the Paterson tank',
you need 900 cc developer.
Agfa Rodinal/Adox Adonal is the soup for all BW film developing.
All 1 : 50 dilution of Rodinal gives perfect negatives.
For the six sheet films is needed 18 cc Rodinal + 900 cc water =
900 cc developer.
Rodinal is a one shot developer.
Thanks, yes I just make up 1L so 10ml of Rodinal for 1:100. Rodinal does 2-3 tanks not 1-shot as many believe.
Tell me about gour rotating back. Dod it effect focus distance to tile w/ rangefinder?
Re: shutter. My 1951 Pacemaker Speed 46 is showing lag in shutter, spring return ferls weak. About how much was the service of just tension & timing?
Mine came ready mod'd so I have no knowledge on how they made it. I did send it for a service in 2022 when the shutter would not fire. It cost £300 for the service in the UK and it went to a LF specialist.
Have you used a stearman press dev tank? They look easier to use than the Patterson's and with less solution
Thanks Jonno, no I’ve not come across those, I’ll check them out thanks!
COMBIPLAN / HP sheetfilm developing tanks we need.
Thanks!
Nice roundup, but let's face it: putting up with this massive level of inconvenience just to get swings/tilts/rise/fall makes the Fujifilm GX680 seem overwhelmingly logical by comparison…
Thanks JL, I originally bought 4x5 cameras for the movements but because I tend to work at a faster pace I tend to pick up 35mm or MF cameras first. My Rollei SL66E gives me tilt in a portable package so that works a bit like the GX680 for me. Great suggestion.
don't waste your money on an intrepid. they couldn't even manage something as basic as having light seals around the lens board or film holder. not even a bit of black paint.
I'm not sure in their latest model is more refined..
Buy me a pint and offer me a safe house
and I will tell you all I know about Cambo.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom
4x5 and Larger are "REAL" cameras, Leica are 110 film format compared to these ! :D As a pro I used both 4x5 and 5x7 inch Sinar and Linhof cameras with Schneider Lenses
Ha yes..and Nice! I bought LF cameras originally as a challenge to push myself to learn more.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom It can be a challenge to know what each positions of either the back or the front of the camera does to the image :D I am hoping for much cheaper 4x5 digital backs :)
@@cameraprepper7938 ha yes, normally I try to zero everything on the camera before starting each time.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Yes, that is the way to do it :)
In Vietnam the Tri-X 135-36 in your Leica M3 or Nikon F
gave 2 x 3 m superior black and white prints.
Nobody went into the jungle with a LF 5 x 7 or a Pocket 110.
Can you shoot five frames / sec wih your Schneider lens ?
You might try another brand like Rodenstock, Voigtländer, Meyer,
Busch, Zeiss, Laack, Astro, Sutter, Kern, Reichert, Boyer, Berthiot,
Angenieux, Ektar, Ross, TT&H, Fuji, Komura, Nikon, Topcon ,
My advise (as a modest pro) to you as the pro; a DIY lens will do.
If the photo shops and the You Tube photo boys in Europe and in the U.S.A. had as much know how on Large Format photography as you have on Leica photography, everybody would trade his Leica and buys himself a 4x5 camera. I have heard annd seen all the LF photo professors. Are they the
actors of the BBC Goon Show?
Mr. Matt LF Friday in the USA talks too much. He is a tiny show off. He chooses optics with a much too
small image circle for his big negatives. He thinks the long bellow extension of a LF 360 mm lens at infinity, causes an extra long exposure tme. The poor guy does not understand the optical formulas. I do and can calculate them by heart, because I am an old school analog photographer.
Forget the Large Fprmat professor David Hancock who keeps on killing his Cambo SC 2 camera; after he
had his morning coffee on the couch, next to his farting dog.
Do not see the Technika vlog, made by Linhof UK. The lady probably hates her job and treats the Technika in a way she might damage the gear box of a Land Rover.
In Munich at Linhof's a voluteer is doing something obscure on a Linhof Technika.
I am not afraid of the bombing my photo stdio by Linhof or Cambo.
Combo was never be able to find any photo studio in Holland since the Sixties
So what about Linhof?
I love my Linhof cameras since 1965. Because of the quality, the models, the after sale service, the brochures and the five huge books on Linhof Photography, published by Heering.
Please, do not tell anybody I also cherish my SINAR Norma; with its four bladed Copal leaf shutter. On this 20x20 cm shutter all lenses on their boards can be mounted. A funny sight to see a trio: Swiss camera plus German lens and Japaneese shutter.
In the Netherlands the photographer Jan Paul Mioulet also became a photo "professor". He now does
photo workshops, publishes books on photography and is a photo technical editor of the "professional" photomagazine Pf.
In my opinion the Pf is a kind of funny item, because "professor" Mioulet claims cameras must have
the lenses of the same brand as the camera body.
So me and Mr. Stanley Kubrick did it all wrong by mounting "third party"lenses on our cameras.
Thanks Jaco!