My new $30 field camera!

[Ole]

...
1) the shutter only goes to 200. Sorta slow for hand-held.
...

What???? I've shot my 5x7" Technika hand-held at 1/50 - the fastest speed on a Compound #5 shutter. Thanks to the weight of the camera, the negatives were pin sharp, even with a 300mm lens.

1/200 is NOT too slow for hand-held with 4x5" film!

[jd callow]

Ole,
What is your technique, is it what we see in your Avatar? Are you an average bloke like the rest of us or do you have some asgardian blood flowing through your veins?

Seriously, I am interested in how to properly handhold a press camera. I can hh my Mamiya 6 at very slow speeds, but it is egronomically perfect with a vibration free shutter.

[Ole]

Quite correct - except that in my avatar I'm only aiming. I then locked the focus, set and cocked the shutter, attached the cable release, inserted film holder. The pulled dark slide, lifted camera, aimed, and stepped on the air bulb of the release.

[cjarvis]

I also own a B&J Press camera. It looks like a complete disaster, but it's light tight and tough little camera. I think Speeds/Crowns are better suited to shooting handheld, but for the price, the B&Js offer the best bang for the buck.