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A lot of newbee questions about 4x5
Hi,
I am planning in buying a new (and first) monorail 4x5. I was thinking about the Linhof Kardan RE. Why I don't want to go used? Because I bought all my cameras used, and I would like to have a new one, that I will use, that will bear using marks made by me etc. I know it's a psychological caprice....
I compared with Toyo and Cambo entry-level cameras, and it looks like the linhof is better desingned. It seems also relatively small and light. This being said I am not a pro about these things
Do anyone have experience with this particular model?
-Is the back revolving, can you shoot both landscape and portrait?
-Schneider or Rodenstock lenses?
-150mm or 180mm,? I would like to have plenty of movements.
Where to find a polaroid back that takes fuji instant peel-apart film? It seems that both are discontinuated.
How does it fit on a tripod??? It seems stupid but I can't figure it out!
Is there any necessary and really usefull accessories except the usual ones?
Any advice will be appreciated!
Kris
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Seems as good a place to start as any. Pictures of this camera for some reason don't usually show the rail clamp, but that is how the rail attaches to the tripod. Looking over at the Linhof website the "tripod base" is sold separately from the camera body, so be sure you get one.
I don't know for sure, but the back is probably reversible--it should come off and be replaceable in either the vertical or horizontal position, rather than rotating in place.
Schneider and Rodenstock both make excellent lenses.
You'll have more movements with a 180 than a 150 in general (some 150's may have a larger image circle than some 180's), but 150 is a more popular choice as a normal lens.
The Fuji PA-45 back and I think the Polaroid 550 take 4x5" pack film like the Fuji pack film.
If you ask about this camera on the lfphoto.info Q&A forum, Bob Salomon, the US Linhof rep, is very likely to have up to date answers to any questions you might have about Linhof products.
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 Originally Posted by kristopher_lawrence
Because I bought all my cameras used, and I would like to have a new one, that I will use, that will bear using marks made by me etc. I know it's a psychological caprice....
I can understand that. But are you saying this is your first ever LF camera?
Not sure it makes sense to compare an entry Cambo to a Linhof. Doesn't Cambo make some budget cameras aimed at the student market?
Some of your questions are very basic which leads me to guess you're just starting out. If that's true I'd suggest getting something cheap and cheerful to learn on first. You may hate a monorail and end up wanting a field. Or you may want a different format.
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Originally Posted by kristopher_lawrence
Hi,
I am planning in buying a new (and first) monorail 4x5. I was thinking about the Linhof Kardan RE. Why I don't want to go used? Because I bought all my cameras used, and I would like to have a new one, that I will use, that will bear using marks made by me etc. I know it's a psychological caprice....
I compared with Toyo and Cambo entry-level cameras, and it looks like the linhof is better desingned. It seems also relatively small and light. This being said I am not a pro about these things
Do anyone have experience with this particular model?
-Is the back revolving, can you shoot both landscape and portrait?
-Schneider or Rodenstock lenses?
-150mm or 180mm,? I would like to have plenty of movements.
How does it fit on a tripod??? It seems stupid but I can't figure it out!
Is there any necessary and really usefull accessories except the usual ones?
I have a slightly older model, though essentially the same. It certainly isn't either small or light! The back doesn't revolve as such but can be taken off and replaced at 90 degrees, so yes you can do portrait or landscape (but no odd angles in between).
Schneider, Rodenstock, Nikon or Fuji. All produce (or produced) fine LF lenses. Worry about the age and condition of the lens rather than the maker. 150mm are more common – and thus likely to be cheaper S/H.
The new Linhofs with the square-ish section rail do not use clamps: there are two threaded holes (1/4" and 3/8") in the underside of the rail for the tripod screw.
Useful accessories? Bag bellows if you intend to get a wide angle lens. Some people like compendium lens shades – though I'm not one of them. Better to buy a load more dark slides. Don't forget to buy a lens board for each lens...
Happy shooting. It's a superbly built, if not particularly sophisticated, camera.
Richard
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Some questions for you:
Do you plan of shooting color or B&W or both?
Are you shooting exclusively in a studio or out the trunk of your car, or will you be taking your kit on hikes as well?
How much are you budgeting for this acquisition?
RE your new vs. used issues, I think the psyche is more likely to be stoked by when you see that first 4x5 negative come out of the soup than by anything else! 
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I am with John on this one. I have bought two, yes two, new cameras. A Minolta XD11 and a Nikon FM2. The new camera exhilaration lasted about 40 seconds each................
Want to waste your money? Buy a new Linhof Kardan or fill in the blank....
Then wait a year or so and sell it to me at a 70% discount.
The best camera I have purchased?
1957 Deardorff 8x10. It's 2 months younger than me.
Shakes head....
Take a step back and think about what you want to accomplish, not what it takes to get you there.
Now think about what it takes to get you there.
Where does "NEW" fit into this equation?
tim in san jose
Where ever you are, there you be.
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Thank you all for your kind answer.
I will try to give more infos.
1-I plan to do both color and B&W, for color I will use ektachrome.
2-I am really not a landscape guy, I don't plan to hike around with the camera. I will certainly use it for some architectural shots in the city, but I plan do use it mainly in studio for various uses, portrait, conceptual shots and art copying. Slides will be scanned, and BW darkroom printed.
As for the comparision with cambo, the Linhof RE is an "entry-level" it sells for 1900$ at B&H. While, the basic Cambo sells for 1300$ and they seem at the very opposite of quality specs for an entry level LF. for 600$ more, the Linhof seems to be the best buy.
Why a Linhof? and Why new? Well I will tell you a story: When I got interested in photography I started with digital then ditched my DSLR after seeing the results of a Yashicaflex TLR. I wanted to buy one, I endend up with a Rolleiflex (50% of my most amazing work was done with this beauty!) for a good price. Then, I wanted a rangefinder for portability and fast lenses (I ruled out the SLRs because I CAN'T STAND NOT SEEING WHEN THE PICTURE IS TAKEN!!!) My father who was a photog in the 50's 60's, told me: «wait, spare some money and go for a leica, you'll end up buying one one day or another» I did this and I am proud of it, I never looked back. Leica's are great but their tiny negs are well... tiny. And since I have one, I am proud to tell people they are not necessarely the best cameras for everything and they are confused since I cannot be jaelous...
The same thing stand for a LF camera, «wait, you'll end up buying a Linhof one day or another...»
However, I am not a gearhead, I don't collect cameras, and I don't shoot test charts. I use them a lot for what they are best for. I am almost exclusively shooting normal lenses and it seems that all other focal lenghts are not for me, thats my vision.
As far as the used stuff goes, I don't like to buy on the internet (e*ay), and dealers in Ottawa-Montreal don't have this kind of stuff, and if they do, their prices are too high.
One last thing, I really HATE not well built goods, that are filmsy and/or don't work well as they are inteded to.
However, I am still opened to other possibilities, and any further advice will be appreciated!
Thanks a lot,
Kris
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I've owned three Linhofs (two 13x18 Technikas and a 4x5" Color), and now own none.
For 5x7" I use a Gandolfi or an antique German plate camera, for 4x5" I use a Speed Graphic or a Carbon Infinity (all right - or another Gandolfi). Anything larger and I have a good selection of different antique plate cameras, but really prefer the - 8x10" Gandolfi.
-- Ole Tjugen, Luddite Elitist
Norway
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Sinar.
You're right about Canadian prices. Harry's and Vistek in Toronto both carry various LF cameras.
Cambo used to sell a student camera at Calumet. I think about $500 or 600?
If you're willing to spend $2k plenty of choices. I think most of us will tell you the camera is the least of equation. If you're shooting only 4x5 I'd rather a Calumet CC-401 for a $100 and $1900 in lenses then $2k on a Linhof.
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I'll tell you a secret... Throwing around a couple grand here and there, it soon turns into real money.. (Sorry Everett Dirkson).
I took the plunge and spent 1600 bucks on my 8x10 Deardorff. But that included an 8x10 back, 4x5 back, 190WF Ektar (needed a CLA), a 12" Ektar, the lens boards, splitters for the 8x10 back, and the box. I went and found a 5x7 back for a couple hundred more. And yes, I sent 1600.00 to someone I have never met on EBay. It IS a leap of faith.
Stunning camera. Some scratches on the woodwork, but nothing is bent, nothing torn... I will never buy another camera. Just remember, a camera is just a black box. The Linhof gets no darker than a Speed Graphic.
One note... "I CAN'T STAND NOT SEEING WHEN THE PICTURE IS TAKEN!!!"
Have you ever used a LF camera before?
Hey Mister... wanna buy a B&J 5x7 Grover? Fell off the back of a truck. *L*
tim in san jose
Where ever you are, there you be.
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