[LargeFormat] Intro & Teaching Camera Advice

[Michael Briggs]

> 
> 
> So I have put together the following package from B&H and would greatly
> appreciate any advice. LF is new and strange territory to me. What little I
> know is purely theoretical. My goal is to get a solid and usable system for
> the least money possible. I budgeted $1700 (not nearly enough)! The
> practicalities of a public school purchase order precludes eBay and even
> vigulent cherry picking from the usual online used dealers.
> 
> Here are the uses I'm anticipating for this rig:
> 1)  classroom demo- cheapest Polaroid film possible
> 2)  landscape- Polaroid Type 55 (lovely Polargoo!), HEI, Maco, & Tri-X
> 3)  architecture- same as landscape
> 4)  limited studio- 120 roll chromes


If you need to reduce the initial outlay, I would reduce the numer of purposes,
at least for the time being.  

> 
> 1 Toyo-View 4x5 45C Camera                                   799.00   799.00
> 1 Rodenstock 210mm f/6.8 Geronar Lens with Copal #1 Shutter  399.00   399.00
>   >>>Both of these are USED items.<<<
> 1 Toyo-View 158 x 158mm Lensboard for #1 Copal                54.95    54.95
> 1 Rodenstock Metal Lens Wrench (for View Lens Retaining Ring) 14.95    14.95

> 1 Toyo-View 4x5 Folding Focusing Hood/Groundglass Cover      110.00   110.00
>   >>>Do I need this?<<<

No.  Use a darkcloth.   It works well, it is cheaper even if bought, and even
cheaper if you make one or adapte something else.    A nice one can be made by
sewing togother two squares of white and black fabric.  Something around 36
inches square.   You could even use a dark T-shirt or towel.   The students
will probably enjoy looking like old-time photographers.

> 1 Horseman Roll Film Holder 451 - 6x9cm Graflok Back         398.95   398.95

I suggest omitting this to meet your budget and temporarily give up on color
rollfilm.

> 4 Fidelity 4x5 Sheet Film Holders (Twin Pack)                 42.95   171.80
>   >>>Not enough of these, right?<<<

Correct, I would say a minimum of 6.  If you plan for several students to share
the camera before they can use a darkroom or changing bag, maybe two per
student.   For B+W negative film, I like to bracket at 0 and +1 stops from the
metered exposure -- this means one holder withh two sheets does one photo.

> 1 Fidelity Dark Slide (Plastic) for 4x5 Sheet Film Holder     12.95    12.95
>   >>>Do I need this?<<<

No.  The new sheet film holders come with dark slides.  The dark slides are
intended as replacements for lost or broken ones.

> 1 Polaroid Model #545i 4x5 Polaroid Sheet Film Holder        164.95   164.95

> 1 Toyo-View Focusing Cloth 36x48" (Black/White)               44.50    44.50

See comments above.  This is sufficiently cheap that maybe you don't want to
bother to make one.

> 1 Wista 5x Standard Focusing Loupe                            52.95    52.95
> 1 Tenba CCV45 Car Case for View 45 - Black                   185.95   185.95
>                                                                     2,409.95
> 
> These are "extras" that I really want but probably cannot afford.
> 1 Nikon Wide 90mm f/8 Nikkor-SW Lens w/ Copal #0 Shutter     699.95   699.95

It is probably best to start with one lens anyway.

> 1 Toyo-View 158 x 158mm Lensboard for #0 Copal                84.95    84.95
> 1 Toyo-View 4x5 Wide Angle Bellows                           369.00   369.00
> 1 Gepe 3.25" Cable Release Extension for Recessed Lensboards  17.95    17.95

Does the 90 mm need a recessed lensboard for the Toyo when you are using a bag
bellows?  If not, you don't need the release extension.

>   >>>Do I need this? I already have a nice Nikon standard release.<<<

Only for a recessed lensboard.  

> 1 Horseman Roll Film Holder 612 - 6x12cm, Graflok Back       699.95   699.95

Another item that could be left off.  I suggest starting simple with only one
format -- 4x5.

--Michael

P.S.  Check out the information at http://www.largeformatphotography.info/