INTRODUCTION TO THE 5X4 CAMERA WITH RICHARD WHITE
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- Richard guides you through the basics of how a 5x4 format film camera works and explains why he still shoots this format.
In this film Richard guides us through a basic overview of a 5x4 film camera and the range of operations used to set it p for shooting.
He then explains why he still chooses to shoot on this format and the benefits of combining a small digital camera as almost a Polaroid, to help when deciding on whether or not to set-up for an image and to aid with composition.
Equipment - Ebony Ti 5x4 format and Fuji XE-1
To check out all our photography training videos go to www.thephotographeracademy.com
I had a 5x4 Speed Graphic years ago. I still use my medium format cameras regularly, but now that I'm retired have been giving thought to getting another more versatile view camera. Thanks for this very excellent video!
I love all three of Richard's videos and everyone should watch them to learn, Unfortunately Richard passed away just recently in May 2020 from a heart attack so enjoy all you can while these videos are still up. RIP Richard White.
Hi Cary, we didn't know he had passed, so sad and great guy and we loved working with him
Excellent video!
8x10 inches is 203mmx254mm which equals 51562 sq mm, therefore divided by a 35 mm negative of 24mmx36mm (864 square mm) is 51562/864 = 59.67 so to make a 8inch by 10 inch image you would have to enlarge the negative by nearly 60 times.
Dear Richard,
I believe that I detected some drops of moisture on your Ebony camera in this video. Presumably there had been a bit of drizzle. I call that going beyond the call of duty, because of the love you bear for your subject matter. Thank you! Best wishes.
Luke Wiseman. A bit of a drizzle has no detrimental effect on a quality FIELD CAMERA/VIEW CAMERA.
I wonder why the Brits say 5x4 and we in America say 4x5. It makes more sense to say 4x5 but the Brits also have the steering wheel on the wrong side. So they are crazy like that. :)
It's 5x4 because we have been at it longer.
Thanks for the excellent video.
When I first looked for a large format camera, I wanted either a Deardorff or an Ebony. For various reasons (primarily financial) I first bought a Graflex and later a Calumet.
I only have normal and wide-angle lenses for my Calumet because my bellows will only handle lenses up to 165mm in focal length. I primarily shoot landscape, architecture, and product shots with my 4x5 cameras.
As a compositional tool and as an exposure tool, I use a Canon G15, Olympus Ep3, or Fuji X-Pro2 digital camera. Of the three, even though the G15 produces the smallest digital image, it is my personal favorite because it is the only one that allows me to set an aspect ratio of 4x5.
A magnification factor of 8.5 will enlarge a 35mm image to... an 8×12. You can't get an 8×10 without some 'loss'.
I've a Linhof Technika IV, plus lenses, cams & various accessories. I inherited it from my dad (RIP). Thankfully, I also inherited his photography gene.
Richard, you say the Ebony is based on a camera from the time photography was introduced to the world. I think that is incorrect.
I observed something falling off from the top of the front frame @ 1:30..
Never heard a 4-5 called a 5-4 !
A real photographers camera.
It might sound mad but i just like to look at the 5x4 camera it just sits there begging you to use it, I don't get that with digital you look at them and you know it will end up on a landfill in 10 years time. The 5x4 can be used all your life and you will grow old together and still be used for the next and the next generations .
Excellent video. I've recently got myself a Crown Graphic, so your video was extremely useful to me, thanks.
p.s. sorry about the more-than-dumb question, but you kept on referring to this camera as a 5x4. I've always heard of 4x5, not 5x4. I assume they're the same thing, right? (Sorry, told you it was dumb.)
+Matteo Prezioso In England they refer to it backwards, so 5x4 instead of 4x5 like we say in the rest of the world.
Gregg Obst Hi Gregg, thanks. I've lived in your country 11 years, and was still unaware of that! Thanks again for the video, regards
Thanks for your Video and comments. I have had the offer of a Mamiya RB67 complete, I get it soon. I was interested in your spot light meter which you used in another video and wondered what make it was. I find exposure meters exspecive. Thanks again Ken
+Ken Holt You'll love it..I have one and the beautiful images you can capture with them is amazing..mamiya glass is as good as and in some ways (in my opinion) better than some of the modern lenses available now.once you get used to it being a completely manual camera and having to focus,set aperture and shutter speed using a light meter to get them right you'll enjoy it immensely..they are a heavy camera so I would suggest making sure you have a sturdy tripod..other than that enjoy using it and taking wonderful photos with it :-)
What a beautiful camera I shoot with the Chamonix F1 and most likely going to Buy the Chamonix 8x10 Alpinist this spring.
Fantastic video. Need one of these cameras
Excellent. Thank you very much.
I am trying to get into wet plate photography - (portraits ideally) but I am completely confused on what camera is best to use.
Can a MPP camera like this here, be used for both large format AND wet plate photography, such as tintypes etc? thanks
You can, you just need a dark slide for the film and a dark slide thats been customised to hold plates and you can put either in depending on what you want to do :)
I agree with Elliot,the only thing is your double dark slide could be filthy over time with Colodion marks,that also goes for your camera unless you keep it pristine.it will also rust the metal parts inside the dark slide.
That's a very sturdy looking tripod and head, what model is it? I just acquired a Busch Pressman 4x5 and Kodak Master View 4x5 but don't want to use put them onto my standard size DSLR tripod -- the Master View's a monorail beast. I like your setup.
+Marc Meeks, I don't know the exact model but it's made by Gitzo.
Thank you.
I love the look of those cameras. Is there any way of using it digitally for us who didn't grow up in a darkroom? I know nothing of film and am not really interested in learning but love the possibilities in movements in these cameras.
There is, but not without a stratospheric amount of money. A company called Better Light make scanning backs for them, and they cost $10,000 plus, depending on which model you go for. They need a power supply as well, and being scanners they cannot capture moving subjects, so they are pretty much limited to still life... It's easier just to buy a pack of velvia and get used to film!
If you're interested in photography, you should learn to use film.
Thank you!
So you Brits call it 5 x 4 eh? We in the US call it 4 x 5. :)
Richard lives in Mansfield, Victoria, Australia.
His accent is Australian...
FAIL
it's 5x4 for english speakers - and 4x5 for american speakers. vive le différence.
You americans like to be different if it can be mucked about you will do it.
Everyone else in the world says 4x5 rather than 5x4 but ...
Thank You.
Very nice, but unfortunately this gentleman's diction takes gettting accustomed to.
Brits call them 5x4
Americans call them 4x5
Canadians call them some old camera
Abigail Sockeye those crazy Canucks.
The most bizarre aspect of this video is that you are outdoors in the rain! Your camera and lens are getting wet and you show absolutely no concern about that whatsoever! I've been using a large format camera since 1990 and I would never use it in the rain without using an umbrella or something to keep it and the lens dry. You don't even mention the fact that it is very important to keep your camera, lens, light meter and film holders dry. If you were to actually put the film holder in that camera and expose a sheet of film, the film would most likely get wet and be ruined. You must have shot this video in the rain as a lark or joke. Perhaps you wanted to see if anyone would notice the rain and write a comment about it. Well, it would seem that I win the prize or whatever because no one else wrote any comment about the rain. Aside from the rain, I found your discussion of the camera interesting. However, I think that it would be very helpful to someone who is considering purchasing a large format camera if you could talk about and show all the equipment which is required before one can actually photograph something or someone with it. Most people have no idea what equipment is required. Also, it is easier to understand if you say that the image on the ground glass is upside down and reversed rather than "back to front". You should also show how to use a focusing cloth and explain that the image on the ground glass is very dim and without using a focusing cloth you would not be able to see the image. I would say that many subjects are not suitable for a large format camera because it is a rather slow process. The amount of time it takes to put the camera in the right position for a good composition, leveling the camera front to back and side to side, tightening the knobs so it stays put, focusing the image on the ground glass, using the camera movements if necessary, setting the proper film speed on the light meter, using a light meter to determine the correct shutter speed and f/stop and determining how much depth of field you want, setting the shutter speed and f/stop, closing the lens, cocking the shutter, inserting the film holder in the camera back, pulling out the dark slide, making the exposure by releasing the shutter, putting the dark slide back in the film holder, and removing the film holder from the camera takes quite a bit of time. However, photographing subjects which are suitable for a large format camera is very satisfying because you can take your time and really study your subject and get in tune with the thing or the person. Also, when photographing a person (once the camera is ready and the focus is set) you can look at and talk to her or him without the camera getting in the way.
Rolf Hesse I never take my 4x5 out when it might rain. It is made of wood so I baby it. I use my Hasselblad on those days.