building a system

[Ian Grant]

Add MWClassic to the list of reasonable priced 2nd hand cameras, sometimes he has some great bargains.

Ian

[KenR]

I think you have to decide what you want to use the camera for, prior to purchasing. If you are going to use it for studio work then a monorail is the way to go. For architectural work, a monorail or a field camera with a lot of movements and the ability to use a bag bellows for wide angle lenses is probably best. For hiking then weight becomes the most important factor. I started with a Crown Graphic and learned a lot about large format photography with this, but then got a field camera when I found the limited movements on the Crown were a factor.

[klarifon]

Thank you all for the valuable information! I think I'll use it mostly for landscape of some sort. What about the sinar F1 or F2? I've heard they are reasonably easy to use in the field.

I've been out of town playing in a musical so I haven't had the chance to answer your messages before now.

[DanielStone]

I have a sinar f2 for sale with a 75mm Super Angulon f/8. great kit

great condition, read more about it here(craigslist posting here in LA)

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...611980824.html

-Dan

[ronlamarsh]

To start in 4x5 you'll want an enlarger, I would suggest looking for an old omega D2 they're cheap and work. But you'll need a lens also plus all the other stuff for enlarging. Rather than 8X10 getting an older Burke&james 5X7 and doing contacts with that is another option plus you won't invest so much that if you don't like it you won't feel stuck. I have one that I refurbished made my own lens boards plus have one with a packard shutter and a 13" apo wollensak that is very satisfying. you can use the large negatives to try alt process too.