[LargeFormat] about to take the jump

[Dan Kalish]

 Jeff:

 To supplement others' comments,

You don't say what other media you've used.  Whatever you've done, large
format photography is far more expensive.  The cost of the camera is only a
small part of the cost.  You'll need a lens with shutter.  Minimum $300.
Then there's the tripod.  You need a sturdy one with a sturdy head:
$100-$200.  Then the film ($1-$2 a sheet) and processing (about $3 a sheet).
Just be aware of what you're in for.

Ebay is a mixed blessing.  I recommend that you find a repair shop that you
trust, have them evaluate the camera, and make sure that the seller
guarantees the camera's quality.  I had what I thought was a nice deal on a
Linhof Color for $275, but Marflex said it would cost $200 to repair it.
Back it went.

I prefer dealing directly with shops.  Fortunately, I live in NYC where
there are plenty: PhotoGizzmo, B&H, PhotoHabitat, Lens and Repro, Adorama.
Long distance, there's Badger and the guy in Pennsylvania.  These places
usually have entry level cameras and will provide support.  Most important,
you can handle the camera and determine if you're comfortable with it.  You
can't do that with an eBay camera.  Unless you know a lot about LF (and
enough to ask the right questions of an eBay seller), eBay is not a good
idea.

 YMMV


 Dan Kalish
Flushing, New York, New York, USA
>
> > Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 23:40:34 -0500
> > From: William Wiseman <elox@hot.rr.com>
> > To: largeformat@f32.net
> > Subject: [LargeFormat] about to take the jump
> > Reply-To: largeformat@f32.net
> >
> > I have decided to take the jump to a 4x5 camera. After some research
> > and reading, I think a monorail camera will work for me since almost
> > everything I will be doing would be close to my car or indoors. I'm
> > also not a small guy and my normal camera backpack weighs in at 30 lbs.
> > (with tripod) so carrying a camera case/pack isn't going to be a big
> > deal. My biggest problem is a tight budget.
> >
> > After some looking, I am considering one of the older Calumet/B&J
> > Orbit/Kodak with round rails. They seem to all be the same basic camera
> > and all seem to go for around $100 (sans lens) on ebay. Would this be a
> > reasonable choice? Is there some problem that makes these cameras
> > undesireable? Also, most seem to have a 20 to 22" rail but is a shorter
> > rail available or was this a standard size bar/tube where a shorter
> > rail could be easily made?
> >
> > TIA.
> >
> > JeffW.
>
>
> Dan Kalish
> Flushing, New York, New York, USA
>