most portable large format camera.

[jordanstarr]

i'm considering getting into large format photography. i got a couple medium formats and only see myself going bigger. i'm considering a 4x5 camera as i have a 4x5 enlarger with lens and carrier to boot. i shoot in some pretty sketchy areas of the city where i don't have a lot of time to shoot before security or cops catch me or junkies start eyeing my gear (sorry for the seemingly prejudice remark, but i live in east vancouver and work at a homeless shelter. i know lots of guys who wouldn't hesitate to jump me for my gear if they can get 20$ for it).

to make a long story short, any recommendations for a small 4x5 camera? it doesn't matter so much if it is light -i'm still young and i'm used to carrying around lots of gear. i just need something that is quick and fairly small -discrete.

[Nick Zentena]

What are you photographing?

If you can handle the limits of a press camera it's an obvious answer. The B&J is metal under the skin so can stand a knock or give a whack -)

[jordanstarr]

i shoot lots of urban street photos, not landscapes. i like to shoot interesting things in areas of the city that is being torn down and "modernized". yes, i was looking at the pretty cameras, like the graflex with a 125mm lens. i haven't really done my research though. it was just a question to point me in the right direction. i wasn't sure if there was a really good portable SLR-style one that was perfect for what i'm looking for. i doubt it though. it would be too good to be true.

[Nick Zentena]

LF SLR tend to be big.

http://graflex.org/articles/series-d/

That's a SLR.

[Peter De Smidt]

How about a Toho FC45-x? See: http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/toho.htm

[KenM]

Linhof Technika's fold up into a fairly small package, but they do tend to be on the heavy side.

[jnanian]

hi jordanstarr

i do kind of what you like to do too ...
a speed graphic is great for doing urban photography.
it can go really wide ( i regularly use a 65mm lens on mine ) and
as long as a 15" telephoto as well.
it is great for those documentary shots and portraits where you don't
care if lines converge/diverge ... and it is really easy to take photographs
and get the heck out of there - handheld or on a tripod ...

i like to hang around while buildings were being demolished pretty often
(handheld) and photograph the stuff of yesterday that won't be around tomorrow ...

you might be in luck though,
this is a prototype 4x5 slr :

http://www.apug.org/forums/forum44/3...g-4x5-slr.html

[David A. Goldfarb]

In the city under those conditions, you want something that sets up quickly and can be put away quickly. The main movements you need are rise for tall buildings and shift is nice when you might want to look down a street or alleyway, but you don't want the street to have to be in the center of the frame. Infinity stops are handy. It also helps to get comfortable using a folding hood rather than a darkcloth, so you can keep your eyes open and see what's happening around you.

Press cameras with those movements are ideal. I usually use a Linhof Tech V for shooting around the city, but if that's out of your price/comfort range, there are many less expensive options.

[k_jupiter]

In the city under those conditions, you want something that sets up quickly and can be put away quickly. The main movements you need are rise for tall buildings and shift is nice when you might want to look down a street or alleyway, but you don't want the street to have to be in the center of the frame. Infinity stops are handy. It also helps to get comfortable using a folding hood rather than a darkcloth, so you can keep your eyes open and see what's happening around you.

Press cameras with those movements are ideal. I usually use a Linhof Tech V for shooting around the city, but if that's out of your price/comfort range, there are many less expensive options.

You need a beat to hell 4x5 Crown Graphic with a Graphmatic back, lens stops for each of your lens set for infinity. Get your infinity set up with your range finder, then use f11 or so or smaller to cover most things in focus.

Street shooting at it's best.

tim in san jose

[jnanian]

LF SLR tend to be big.

http://graflex.org/articles/series-d/

That's a SLR.

i have one of those, but don't really use it for "urban documentation" --
not because mine is big or heavy (its not THAT bad) but because
it is shot waist-high when not on a tripod (and me on a tall ladder),
so the perspective tends to be "from the belly" instead of higher up.
you can hold the camera upside down,
it isn't as well balanced holding it over your head as it is
holding it infront of you, but you can get those slow shutter speeds easier .

in a lot of ways, a slr is a lot more fun to use than any of the other cameras i have.
(the main camera i use these days.)
it makes it easy to be spontaneous and shoot large format
(2 things that don't usually get said in the same sentence) ...

good luck!
john