Getting Started in Large Format 4x5 Photography
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- Опубліковано 3 лип 2024
- Getting started in large format 4x5 photography shows you ideas for 4x5 cameras, and all the accessories you will need to starting taking photos. I look at the inexpensive cameras as well as the more expensive cameras. You will leave having a grasp of what camera equipment you will need to get started working with large format 4x5 film.
Love to see comparison to today’s high end digital photos to highlight the differences
The highlights come out better on film. It has a less processed look. The colors look more subdued, less neon- or videogame-like. There's more presence in the shots. You don't have any digital artefacts. Objects that are in the background fade and blend away better (no nyquest limit). There will be specks of dust and dirt. The amount of information (in large format) will dwarf any digital image, in both resolution and color information. Digital has to guess by interpolation 2/3 of its color information. It has to then assign each pixel a number with color information. The pixels are lined up in nice neat rows. Film has tiny ink clouds which are spread out randomly. Digital, by my estimate, looks more clinical and sterile, more video-game like. Film, high-end, looks sharper, more put together, with a natural look to it. If you look all day at digital images, your brain will start to like the brighter colors with less variation between shots. If you look at all film collections for a while, your brain will start to prefer the less saturated look.
Your videos are such a service! So informative and also a great sense of excitement and joy and possibility!
Thank you for that. That’s what I am aiming for✌️
Great video
RS. Canada
I have been back to see this a number of times.
Todd, you are very good to listen to. 👌
Cheers, Kevin.
Thanks very much, glad there is some info there for you.
Thank you so much for this. I’m so excited.
Terrific. I will happily share this with others. Thank you.
I appreciate your clear explanations.
I learned on a Crown Graflex working for a weekly newspaper in Michigan. It was 1968 then. I was able to buy the camera from the newspaper as they decided to discontinue using it. What a deal. Thanks for your great informative video. I understand what you are saying about getting the photo on film from loading, shooting, developing, and printing. Nothing like it.
I bought mine from a paper as well. Thanks for watching!
Excellent Video Todd!! Perfect timing and thanks for the info today on my large format.
Had a Crown Graphic , a B&J monorail, and finally a Linhof Kardan 45 way back. Purchased a Wista wood field in the nineties and over the years purchased my lenses. Now that I’m retired I’m getting interested again. I always loved the process. I didn’t expect gas prices to be the biggest deterrent going forward.
Nice video.
Oh man, gas prices just killing us. It costs me $75 in gas to do a video now.
Really appreciate this content!
Always loved the slow methodical process of shooting 4x5. Look forward to the next installment.
Have the same Technika 1971. Regards from Warszawa :-)!
Yes mine is from 1970, just had it completely rebuilt, it's a wonderful camera! Thanks for the note! Cheers
Todd, great video, solid advice. The linhof is the holy grail
Your channel is such a great resource! Thank you!!
Thanks!😉
Thank you your video is very informative, you certainly cover everything that a large format Photographer needs.
Fantastic. Your enthusiasm makes me want to shoot large format!
wonderful clear explanations and presented professionally in an engaging manner. Thank you Todd.
great video. gonna binge the rest now. thank you.
👍👍
Thank you for a good and informative foundational and particularly giving input on the tripod!
I would love to get one day one of those cameras.
I had zero intention of watching this movie. Glad I did. Super enjoyable and insightful!
Perfect, and thank you!
Thank you so much, this is so inspiring for me, to get into large imagery, for all the reasons you mention.
Simon Falkentorp That’s great news! Yes it’s super rewarding. Best of luck thanks for watching!!
Thank you for this. I recently inherited my great grandpa’s Zeiss Ikon Taxo and had no idea what to do with it. It’s in great condition so now I just need to try to find the film backs! Super helpful!
👍👍👍 great intro, really cool style !!!
Thanks for our this together, great insight
You're welcome. Cheers
Great lesson.
I love your videos!! I started shooting with a large format camera in 2018, had it stolen in 2020 and just got a new one! Thank you for the videos!! keep up the amazing work!
Thanks for reaching out.
Ver nicely presented, however I think one thing which should emphasized is that ground focusing is not always a must and also framing your subject can be done handheld using the frame finder or small viewfinder as shown on the Graflex. I have been using my Crown Graphic in the late 50’s early 60’s for weddings as this was the trend.
For sure we did not shoot 24 shots in 5 minutes ! We carefully planned things ahead, so each shot would count…that was the plan ! The Graphmatic holders with 6 septums were a great help . Viewing with the metal frame finder enabled you to shoot quickly (eye to eye with your subject) you finalyzed the framing in the darkroom.
Try this, you’ll love it !
Great idea Todd. Well done.
Thanks mate! Hope you're safe and sound.
Thanks Todd, all's well here, watching spring time from indoors. Hope you and family are also good. Stay safe, looking forward to your next video?
Just came across your channel. I’ve been doing Photography since I was in high school, 1980. I collect vintage cameras and mostly still shoot film. But recently came across a Combo 4x5 and was looking for some videos to watch. Nice channel. Cheers
Thank you! More videos coming on 4x5 and 8x10 cameras, this week going to get out and shoot some photos!
Great video I have a Crown Graphic and just ordered a Fujinon 125mm I am excited to get started!
Great combo!
This is awesome! Thank you Todd, hopefully ill find the perfect large format camera for me soon
Irene Rudnyk Hi Irene I love the format! Let me know if I can help you out in anyway, I think we live in the same city. I always have a lead on some cool stuff. Cheers
Hey Irene, I'm on the same journey now :)
Corrections !!! You could shoot 6 shots with a graphmatic in 30 seconds …of a same subject ! but you know what I meant a few lines before !!! In those days when film was not free we just tried to capture the essentials. The 4x5 taught us a lot. We made 4x5 contact proofs !!
Nice. I have some of those Graphmatic holders, they’re great.
nice video. Looking forward to the rise and fall video.
That will be coming soon
Great stuff!
Thank you! Stay tuned
Very well presented an explained. i love doing large format .As you mentioned everything is slowed down which makes me consider my subjects differently.
In these times it's great to slow down a bit and get lost in this type of photography. Cheers.
A qwik, no non sense, simple lesson.👍...My journey... from 35mm to Med form...starting to question Large format..🤔
Do it!
Todd, I am a volunteer at the battleship USS Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. Since 2016, we have been working on re-equipping the ship's 1940's darkroom. This, of course, includes large format cameras...an 8x10 Deardorff and 4x5 Graphic View & Speed Graphic. One thing I had to re-orient to, having grown up in the 35mm era, was that CONTACT PRINTING was the first thing they did. Enlargements were kind of "the other way to print". After the 35mm explosion, it was the "primary" way to print, due to the tiny negative.
We found a home-made printing kit on EBay, with boxes of graded paper from the 1940's...none of which is made now due to enlarging becoming so popular. Even Kodak Velox, the world's first modern photo paper...invented by Edwin Baakeland, who later invented Bakelite plastic. 😊 (Now, enough of that...thanks for your videos on large format!)
Michael Fuller Thanks for the fantastic information. That sounds wonderful, when things settle down I will come and visit the battleship. So glad there are people like you preserving our history and photographic history. Thank you!!
Todd, if you come to the USS Alabama, every two months the Living History Crew puts on a "drill". Usually, planes "attack" the ship and 20mm & a 40mm gun fire a gas charge...it is quite a show!
Mike
Michael Fuller that sounds great. Deal!
Anyway you look at it it’s a major investment
Nice work, I love it! Tell me more!
More is on the way!
For budget in great quality there are also the Wista 45, the Toyo Field 45 and the Horseman 45 !
Yep all good, also Chamonix, Ebony, Canham, Wisner lot's a great stuff for the 4x5 photographer, hope to review some of them as well.
Tim, the iPhone 15 sux!
excellent large format photography education this....
krishna R 🙏
@@toddkorolphoto Hi sir, I m deeply impressed by your work and the allure to photograph in large format 8x10 is growing fast in me. Im basically a professor by profession and passionate nature photographer from India. I need your help in my new love for large format. Thanks for being an inspiration.
krishna R Thank you so much for the kind words!!!
Im so keen to get into 4x5, the main thing I'm worried about is the longevity of film itself. Hopefully at very least Portra 160, and Delta 100 is still around for years to come.
Right now from what I hear is film sales have gone way up in the past few years, there are a lot of people now shooting film, so as long as they can make money from film, they'll keep making it. Both Kodak and Ilford have seen increases in film demand. And both companies are even doing runs of specialty film, and odd formats, 7x17, 11x14 etc. So I think we are good for awhile, Cheers
Can you do lens recommendations as well 🙏🏻
Hi Todd I bought a 4X5 Sinar 25 years ago and I never used it since I did not have money to buy all the parts , but now slowly I am buying the parts that I need to make it work. I have a question. Maybe you can help me and make a video of how to remove the rear and front standards from the base of the monorail, it doesn't make sense to me. I bought the bases of the rear and front but they com with the standards. I only need the base but I don't know how to remove them. Thanks for your videos , very educational.
Nice video
Thank you very much!!
Very well done thank you. I use the Pacemaker Speed Graphic with a good size Manfrotto tripod. As with all my other cameras the weak link is the connection between the arca swiss plate and the screw hole at the base of the camera. I'm hesitant to crank that too tight but unless I do there is always slight movement. Is this something I will have to live with?
There are some better plates with cork and you tighten with a hex wrench that work better for me.
Thanks for these great videos for us beginners! Can I ask you what the name of the loupe you use is? It was hard to hear on the video. Thank you.
Thanks so much! I use a Canon loupe, they only make one. www.binocularscanada.com/products/productdetail.aspx?pid=2885A002
I miss my Technica now....
As a suggestion for videoing the proper, sequenced large format work flow from tripod out to tripod back.
Yes great idea, I am going to take you through my whole process from setting up the tri-pod to shooting the photos in large format, stay tuned!
Good job ... Makes me want to dust off my Speedgraphic :)
Thanks, do it. I know where you can buy 4x5 film in Calgary, Canada, place called The Camera Store ;-)
@@toddkorolphoto yeah you can buy sheet film from nearly any photography dealer that carries film online.
Hi Todd, thank you for a lovely clear intro. I have a question for you 😅 I would like your advice on a 150mm lens for a Linhof Technika 3 camera. What should I look out for?
Thanks,
Michael
Any of the modern day 150mm lenses will work great, a Nikon or Fuji or Rodenstock all F/5.6.
@@toddkorolphoto thanks!
This was a very helpful video, thank you. One question and I apologize for not looking harder but where did you send your Linhof to be refurbished?
www.laflexcamera.com
@@toddkorolphoto Thankyou!
How to achieve Rise & Fall on the Crown Graphic would be nice and is it necessary to re-install the lens - board up-side-down.
I am working on that video now! Stay tuned.
My negatives keep getting bigger. Large format here I come!
What i like to hear!
Excellent tutorial, please:I'm new to the world of large format, a question after you take the first photograph, do you have to remove and turn the film holder to take the second?
Yes you have to return the dark slide, then flip the holder, remove the bark slide and take another photo. Also have a look at my how to old film for more tips.
@@toddkorolphoto Thank you very much, compliments for yr excellent channel!!!!
What's your opinion of a Voitlander & Sohn Bfaunschweig, Heliar f4.5/15cm, for landscape photography? I tend toward more intimate rather than sweeping vistas.
It sounds good, never tried it. Try it out, could be just the look you’re looking for.
Really informative - what power is your loupe 4x?
Yes 4x.
Great video. What is the Canon loupe you use? and cost? Thank you!
I have seen them used for $100-150 dollars. It’s a great loupe. Canon 4X.
The leather on my Speed Graphic definitely needs some work done. Where can I send it to get it restored?
TheAnitdote I know you can get camera leather from here. www.cameraleather.com They might be able to help source a place to recover as well.
Where did you get the Linhof serviced?
At a place in Palm Springs. www.laflexcamera.com
who did the repair work for your camera?
I try to do most of the repair work myself if I can, for the Linhof it was done by www.laflexcamera.com/
Excellent, I'm looking for a better loupe. Will you share the exact model number of that Canon please.
This is the loupe I use. www.binocularscanada.com/products/productdetail.aspx?pid=2885A002
@@toddkorolphoto Thank you sir.
Hi, I recently bought a Crown Graphic Special 4x5 camera and I'm not sure what type of film holder to use. There are so many different ones on ebay.
You want to use any regular 4x5 film holder, newer ones are probably a little better.
@@toddkorolphoto Thanks!
I prefer 8x10.
I love 8x10.
Where did you get your Linhof restored?
www.laflexcamera.com
What king of loupe you have? I'm unable to find something similar.
I use a Canon 4x loupe. If you do a bit of internet searching you can find one, they're great.
Don't you also want a darkroom with 4x5 enlarger to go with it?
Btw View Camera Technique by Leslie Stroebel is a must read for those who want to learn in depth.
Indeed you do, I actually have an 8x10 darkroom, it's in another video of mine. I will check out Leslie Stroebel, thanks.
Todd: did u make a video explaining why u go up and then down with the bellows ? Don’t understand it
I did make one explaining here, here is the link. ua-cam.com/video/UZMdFiR5xUQ/v-deo.html
In my opinion only GITZO tripods are worth buying
Not sure about that anymore, I have two Gitzos, I like my Leophoto better. And cheaper.
Is it anybody making new lenses for 4x5 or 5x7? Thanks
At present time I do not think so. 😞
Although I have a very good one, I really hate ball heads with LF cameras.
I hate them with any decent sized camera. Really only useful for point and shoots or cellphones.
Hi Todd. Can you shoot instant film with the smaller camera?
For sure as long as you have the right instant film back
@@toddkorolphoto I did not want to make an investment in one of these cameras and find out that I cannot do instant or that a instant failt back would not fit. I have 5 years of black and white film darkroom work, but I can't handle the fumes anymore. I have been thinking about this for months and I'm glad that I found your channel. Thank for taking the time to explain everything.
@@cmrdccstonewall6524 Always see if you can find a camera you are looking at to test out first and make sure it does what you want it to do, I always try to do that so there is no disappointments. Good luck.
150mm = 43mm. it's a 3.5x crop.
Maltfalc Indeed. It’s widely considered a 45mm in 35mm terms. I was being approximate so people would have a relatable sense of what focal length it is. Some people also just consider it a “normal” lens as well.
Is that Centre St. in Sarnia?
It is not
Re: Exposing film sheets ... Not, "everybody does ...", I use the white for my exposed sheets and the black for film that is ready to expose. You see, when I started into large format photography, I had to figure out most things on my own. Therefore, I thought the white bar across the top of a film holder was to write the word, EXPOSED, and so that is how I proceeded to indicate when my film holders were exposed and unexposed. It is how I logically thought it was to be done. I hope I'm not wrong is saying that the best way is to find a system that works for you.
Yes for sure, I was going to go into that, but I will go into that in my next video of loading film, there are a few reasons for doing it either way. And I completely agree with you on your point of "find a system that works for you", I preach that all the time, do what makes the most sense for you!
I have no doubt large format photography can be a lot of fun and I really want to try it but I see three problems:
1. Ebay cannot be trusted as there are too many scammers out there trying to take your money.
2. A new field camera is tremendously expensive. The body cost is insane and the lenses are so costly that only famous photographers can afford them.
3. Even if you do get a large format camera at a decent price, let's say a Horseman, who will fix it since they're out of business? The parts aren't made anymore.