Newbie.....Help me buy a Large Format Camera.....

[keithwms]

I have used a 4x5 Toyo before and I like it very much. The opportunity to move the front and the back plane is something that I would do more of (I do some architectural photography).

If you want to do wide angle architecture with perspective correction then you may want a system that enables you to use bag bellows. Most field systems are wretched for wide architecture and don't permit you to swap out bellows or to get very short bellows extensions.

Think about focal lengths and field of view and what you want to be able to shoot with this camera; that will guide you to the lenses, which will then guide you to an informed decision about what sort of bellows options you need.

[Nick Zentena]

About building a long term system. Lens and filmholders are basically universal. You might need new lensboards to mount the lenses to a different body but that's not too hard or expensive.

New? I think Badger has a deal on new starter field cameras. Used will be much much cheaper.

When you say architecture what do you mean? Old barns aren't that demanding. I'm guessing the guys doing interiors need much more from the camera.

[Sagelike]

toyos are a very nice modular system.
that means you can buy a 4x5 toyo monorail
and ifyou want to expand it to be a 5x7 or 8x10 camera
you keep the front standard and buy a new back and bellows and maybe a
new rail for the camera ( not to forget lenses if the lenses you will already have
won't be suited for a larger format ).

i use a toyo45cx and it has suited me well for many years, but i started off with
a graphic view II, a camera i wish i never sold. the graphic view II is a solid/well built
camera that can take 90mm (wide) to more than 210mm ( long ) and it will afford you
as many movements that you can imagine you would need shooting architectural photographs.
often times they come in a fiber box that holds the camera, film holders, lenses dark cloth, light meter
and the camera. they are worth their weight in gold!

i am not sure if you have poked around http://www.graflex.org but they have a ton of information on graphic/graflex cameras.

good luck!
john

This is great information.
'ppreciate it.

About building a long term system. Lens and filmholders are basically universal. You might need new lensboards to mount the lenses to a different body but that's not too hard or expensive.

New? I think Badger has a deal on new starter field cameras. Used will be much much cheaper.

When you say architecture what do you mean? Old barns aren't that demanding. I'm guessing the guys doing interiors need much more from the camera.

Well for now it's light exterior work but at some point I want to do more interior work.

So the main thing is to be able to add on once I start.

[monkeykoder]

Well from what I've read you'll probably want a camera with interchangeable bellows so you can have a bag bellows for wide angle and a standard bellows for your other lenses.

[Bob-D659]

They all can be added onto until you run out of storage room Seeing as the camera body is almost the least expensive major part of a "starter system", you can get two for the price of one excellent lens if buying used, unless you set your sights on a Linhof 5x7. Depending on where you live, you may find a system locally for a real good price, or check the classifieds on this site, there is a nice looking Toyo hiding there, or order one from KEH.

[TheFlyingCamera]

Take a look at the Shen Hao HZX 45AII. Has more movements than you'll ever need (you can easily outrun the image circle of most of your lenses with bellows contortions), has interchangeable bellows, the accessory bag bellows is very inexpensive. They go for about $600 give or take.

[JBrunner]

SK Grimes just posted a CLA'd Toyo View 45D with a bag bellows & lens boards in the APUG classifieds for $300. Add a decent wide-ish lens and the bits, and you've got a super good set up for architecture, and you're also still going to be well within your budget.

It's not a pack camera, much more suited to architecture, working out of the car, etc.

Consider a start with this type of set up, build up a lens selection/collection, and then add a field camera for hiking, etc. Since you've gone against all good advice from "sane" persons, and fallen into the abyss, it's unlikely that this will be the only LF camera you will buy, but rather just the first.

[raucousimages]

I am a big Toyo fan. For the money the best bet is a 45D but you do not have interchangeable bellows. A 45G, 45GII, 45GX or 45CX are all great cameras and can be had for good prices. Avoid the 45E. The geared rise/fall is plastic and breaks.