Where do I begin?

[rthomas]

After more than a year spent as a research assistant, scanning and archiving 4x5, 5x7, 8x10, and 7x17 negatives for John Scarlata (my photo professor), I have felt the urge to get into LF or even ULF very strongly. Those huge negatives are simply amazing and I would love to be able to make 8x10 contact prints.

Few of my film cameras have built-in meters (only the F3 at the moment), and I learned exposure using a hand-held Sekonic L-86 meter with a Yashica 635 TLR. My current meter is a Sekonic L-308s (there have been several very similar models); it is a small and not-too-pricey digital meter (<$200?) with incident and reflected modes for both ambient and flash. It's what I use with my RB67. When I had a Calumet monorail in 1999-2000, I used a Sekonic L-158, which was very similar to the L-86; both are match-needle meters with selenium photosensors - no battery required but light levels have to be reasonable for them to work. I've played with the Gossen and Minolta meters but never bought one due to my sentimental attachment to Sekonic.

[John Koehrer]

I like the suggestion from smieglitz for a 5X7 with an additional 4X5 back. If you have access to the 4X5 enlargers for enlargements and 5X7 jewel like contacts, that's a pretty versatile combination.

[keithwms]

Try everything Come on down, you'll get 4x5, 5x7, 5x8, 4x10, 8x10, 11x14, and on top of that we have the famous Virginia hams and spicy crab dip....

[Martin Aislabie]

Follow Ian Grants advice - find someone or several people with 5x4 Cameras

Listen to wheat they have to say, go with them when they take them out to "play" and try them out on your sort of subject.

I made the jump a few years ago after following similar advice.

LF is completely different from 35mm or MF - it’s almost like starting all over again.

However, don't be daunted - LF is terrific fun and once mastered the quality of the images will knock your socks off

Martin

[Mike1234]

If you want to shoot B&W only then I second the suggestion for 5x7. It's a little longer (less squatty) and I really like that. That said, color film seems to be settling in on two sizes... 4x5 and 8x10... both are easy to find but other sizes are not as abundant. If you want to shoot color, sad as I am to say it, I suggest either 4x5 or 8x10.

[Stefan Findel]

These are the issues you face moving from 35 or 2 1/4 to LF:
size and weight of outfit
(probably) necessity of using a tripod
understanding LF camera movements
understanding hand held light meters
availability of film
processing requirements of sheet film
probably needing LF enlarger
shooting LF slows you WAY down in your imaging process
You won't know until you get the equipment and give it a try. You may love it, despite your current dreams you may find it is not for you.
Start with 4x5 and a lens, that is equivalent to your most used lens in other formats. At first you may not need a light meter, but use a digi or other camera you have for a reading.
Try to get equipment here or on largeformatphotography.com. I find there to be excellent prices for used things.
Ansel Adams' books are all you need for now - or ever. By the time you fully absorb what Ansel wrote, you hardly need any other books.
Doing LF from taking to processing must be experienced before you know, if it is 'your thing'.

[paulie]

4x5 contact prints are the perfect compromise of imagery beauty , my fav size contact print. 10x8 a close second

[keithwms]

My offer in post #13 remains...

Can you suggest a reasonable entry-level system for 4x5 film?

Crown graphic. A full kit with lens should run you ~$300. Add film holders and you're in business. Later if you decide to get another camera with more movements and such, you'll still love your crown.

Will I have difficulties tray processing the 4x5 negatives?

No problems, it's easy.

I've recently acquired AA's "The Negative" but it's not delivered yet. Any other recommendations on books that might be appropriate for an experienced 35mm photographer looking to make the jump into the big pool?

There are vast resources here and at the LF site, you honestly don't need to spend a lot of money on technical books. One book that interests me is Ralph Lambrecht's, and that may well be my first broad technical book; I haven't seen the new edition yet though. Of the ~dozen photography books I have, all but one are on photographers and their output, not on the technical aspects. The one technical one is Grant Haist's Monobath Manual!

Last, I assume that whatever camera I end up with will have no light metering--is that correct? Any suggestions on an entry-level light meter?!

You can use your 35mm to meter. Some 35mm cameras have metering features that greatly exceed those of meters costing much more! I use a DSLR to meter all the time.

[Stephanie Brim]

Now that I've used both I can honestly say that I really love the 5x7 format and will probably end up dumping the 4x5. In my opinion, the only thing that the Speed Graphic has going for it right now is the ability to use the myriad of barrel lenses cheaply available for the new LF user. If you're going that route, go Speed before Crown. The shutter *is* worth it, but be sure it works.

As to 5x7...there are many cheaper cameras out there that are functional, though probably not the best you can do if you have more than $200. I have a Burke & James View. It's a little wobbly and you definitely want to get yourself a cable release if you're going to be shooting longer shutter times. It does, however, have a great function to cost ratio. The movements are pretty full, the cost is minimal, and there's plenty of the cameras to go around...though not the reducing backs. (Grr...argh...general displeasure.)

[jnanian]

keith,

i shoot most of those formats,
but i might come down
for the crab dip and ham!

all that said
i can understand your frustration about large format.
the camera and lenses and film holders are only one element
of dealing with the format. sheet film can sometimes be difficult to process
especially if you are in a public darkroom.
since you are thinking about 4x5 as your first step, you might also consider
getting a tank or rotary processor. aside from loading it in the dark it is a daylight situation
so you won't have to deal with open trays or scratching your film or hangers and tanks.
like you would for 35mm, you load the film into a tube and then fill it with the chemicals.
it plugs in and you just time it ... it makes you feel guilty at times because you are just leaving
the work to a robot, but it works out well.
i agree with the suggestions of 5x7 ... bigger negative .. everything looks nice in 5x7 .. but
less choice in film &C.

have fun and good luck!
john