Does anyone shoot LF handheld?

[darinwc]

I love using the rangefinder on my Century Graphic to shoot handheld.

I've been thinking of gettign a 4x5 crown graphic or RB graflex to shoot on a monopod. Anyone here shoot handheld using a rangefinder, fixed focus, or LF slr?

[philldresser]

Ole shoots 5x7 handheld

Phill

[jnanian]

hi darin --

i shoot my speed graphic and rb/series d (both 4x5) handheld.
i documented some buildings being knocked down in boston and providence just this way with a speed graphic ... (the hotel avery + the olde outlet department store )

the recent views of buildings in providence at night were all handheld with the rb.

i have thought of using a monopod with both ( thanks to ara g, i realize my tiltall is a monopod too ) ... but never done it ...

john

[df cardwell]

shot bicycle races with an 8x10 handheld.....

[Dave Wooten]

Crown graphic with press shutter-re sets after each shot---90 mm angulon-vintage--at infintiy @ 10 ft or so, stopped down....I don't use the rangefinder, just point and fire....sometimes aim with the flip up sports finder, composition will become 2nd nature after awhile, it is really no big deal, SOP for news photographers for 50 years ... I do street stuff, you can practice with a 120 back, the beauty of it is people will think your nuts waving the graflex around and going through your loading routine etc... in my case they are probably not far off, have been using also 612 and 617 backs, the graflex is indeed the next wave of the future, it is the best, the most affordable system, and the most fun....everyone should have a couple, you can pack a roll back or two loaded, color and b and w, and also 5 to 10 4 x 5 holders, the camera you carry, loaded either open or closed, everything else fits in one "Blaze-On" bag, over the shoulder (I prefer the green one, you better call Matt right now!).......... Wee Gee is alive and well in the Mojave desert...stay tuned...... oops you said large format....sorry...

[David A. Goldfarb]

Sure--4x5" Linhof Tech V and 5x7" Press Graflex SLR. Here are some 4x5" handheld shots I've posted before (click the image to cycle through about a half dozen or so)--

http://www.echonyc.com/~goldfarb/halloween

There are a couple of good threads on this topic at the lfphoto.info forum.

[Dave Wooten]

Hello Dave G,

Those are great!.....perfect example of the inherent quality of these formats! BTW I also like your "Suckling Pigs" shot, but can t remember where I saw it...

[David A. Goldfarb]

Hello Dave G,

Those are great!.....perfect example of the inherent quality of these formats! BTW I also like your "Suckling Pigs" shot, but can t remember where I saw it...

Here you go, Dave--



but this was with a 6x6 Voigtlander Superb TLR, if I remember correctly. Fairway Market and Columbia University have been buying up all the buildings on this street. I'm not sure if this sign is still there, but if it is, it won't be for long.

[Pinholemaster]

Yep

Speed and Crown Graphic cameras handheld.

It's amazing how spontaneously you can shoot with these cameras. Guess that's why they were press cameras!

Have fun!!!

[ricksplace]

You becha! Pre-Anny Speed with a 127/4.5 Ektar, viewfinder with the right mask, and the rangefinder set for that lens. I also have the dreaded "graflex" back. (you remove the gg to fit the filmholder -the kind with the groove down the sides) It also fits the bagmags. I have four. 12 shots each.
A steam train came through town about 2 years ago, and stopped at the local station. I shot two bags of negs (24), some while the train was moving, some while stopped, all handheld. I thought it would be fun to shoot the train with a camera from the same era. The bystanders thought it was pretty cool too. I have a 16X20 in my livingroom from one of those negs. I'll scan a few of them and post them as soon as I can get over to my brother's place. I don't even own a scanner. If you want to handhold shoot with a 4X5, I really recommend a speed graphic with a bagmag. No fumbling with film holders. Just fit the bagmag and fire away. Frame with the viewfinder, and focus with the rangefinder. Not much different than shooting medium format. Shooting at sunny 16, the focus is pretty forgiving anyway.

Since you don't use the gg, you have to remember to open the focal plane shutter to use the lens shutter. Don't ask me how I know this.

Rick.

ps.
The bagmag is sort of like a manual grafmatic. It holds 12 septums (thin steel filmholders). After exposing a shot, you pull a lever that moves the exposed septum into a leather bag. You then manually manipulate the septum back into the mag behind the unexposed septums. Each septum is numbered and you can see the numbers through a red window (like roll film) so you always know how many shots you have exposed. It sounds more difficult than it really is. It's simple and fast once you get the hang of it.