[LargeFormat] another newbie (me) - camera?

largeformat@f32.net largeformat@f32.net
Sat Feb 10 11:42:00 2001


Hello all!
	I am just another lurker coming into light :)
Although my work lies in 35mm, I was from the start impressed and fell in
love with medium format - the clear & crisp enlargements, mechanical beauty
of many (older) MF cameras, cleaner work with MF negs, and also the much
more complentative approach to photography it offers. While I am still
studying, I can't devote enough finances into photography (I keep my PJ
activities just enough to finance my personal devotion to photography) and
LF, I would like to move into larger format.
	The fields that I would like to cover there are mainly landscapes & travel
photography. As I have said, I don't have much funds available for LF (I
must pour what I have into 35mm :( , so I have narrowed my options to an
used field camera with one basic and one wideangle lens.
	I have been considering the UK made MPP IV, which looked very promising in
the specs, but then I found an opportunity to buy very cheaply one 13x18cm
(5x7") field camera, inspired my Linhof Technika I special. It's Meopta
Magnola. It features all the movements I can dream of in a field camera,
including bed fall, and movements on the back - it has sort of technikal
back (like the MPP or Technikas). 13x18 is not a problem for me, actually
it's better because I will be able to contact print all B&W stuff (and a
good & cheap LF enlarger I can get with my budget is 13x18cm anyway, not
4x5" only)
Only problem and my question is this:
	If anybody knows what kind of back system does it use. I would like to get
some more accessories in the near future, like roll-film back or panoramic
roll-film back 6x12, etc. I don't quite understand the different back
systems there are, but I think that most older cameras have backs for which
newer roll-backs are impossible to put on. What does "international" back
mean? Is it one of the newer systems? And as the Magnola is a copy or is
inspired by Technika I special, does it have same back as the Technika?
Which system is that? What holders are there for it? Will I be able to use
some other reducing back to 9x12cm (~4x5") (my scanner's TMA so far offers
only 4x5" maximum for trannies. It would come in handy at times to have the
occasional Velvia 4x5" scanned myself).

	I already have the basic accessories like spot meter, changing bag, but
would like to add a specialised 13x18 dev tank. JOBO would be of course
nice if it has one, but I would have to buy a whole system anew, as my
present one only allows 35mm and 120 films dev. What are the possibilites
of cheaper dev tanks for 13x18cm? I can get away with tray developing, of
course. And I plan to use a roll-back most (for colour work & traveling).
What else do I need? I can rig a adjustable-focus focusing loupe from my
normal lightable loupe easily (it's just 4x mag, though - is it enough?).
Focusing hood can be my black t-shirt in a pinch :). Anything else I need?
	Tripod is a bit of problem at the moment - in 35mm and 6x6 I am
available-dark type of guy, with solid monopod but not enough solid tripod
to support the camera (I could weigh it down with sand bags, though).
Perhaps I should get one of those surveyors' heavy wooden beasts we used to
use with our TV camera some time back... Or what Bogen/Manfrotto tripod in
the normal price range is heavy enough to steady 13x18? + 3-way (or pan) head.

Thanks a lot for all suggestions. I will summarize my questions bellow :)
	1) what types of backs are there - what type did Technika I special have.
What roll-backs can I use on it. What holders are compatible. An URL for
primer on back systems? Thanks!
	2) What other accessories?
	3) Tripod - a surveyors's wooden or new/used Manfrotto (Velbon? ...)?
Which (+head)? Not so expensive :(
	4) Lenses -  can I use the barrel long-focus or teles which are so cheap
for landscapes? 
	What cheaper wideangle is reasonable for it? I can get a 150mm (or 135mm?)
old-design (4-element) lens in shutter for it VERY cheaply, I guess it
would be enough for contact printing. What WA could I get for rollback?
Should I look for MF only WA (65 Angulon, etc...) or save for one of the
Super-Ang types?
	5) Anybody has numbers on max movements and widest angle usable on Magnola
(or at least the Technika I special)?

Thanks a lot
	Frantisek