[LargeFormat] Intro & Teaching Camera Advice

[Stuart Phillips]

I'm not sure I would have a 210mm as my only lens. Maybe a 150mm.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Briggs" <MichaelBriggs@Earthlink.net>
To: <largeformat@f32.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2003 2:27 AM
Subject: Re: [LargeFormat] Intro & Teaching Camera Advice


> >
> >
> > 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/
>
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