Just bought my first large format camera

[snay1345]

I just bought a Anniversary Speed Graphic off Ebay and I am patiently waiting for it to arrive in a few days. This will be my first time wandering into large format (except for my homemade 4x5 pinhole). But I was wondering if there is anything other than the camera that I should be getting my hands on while I wait. I am thinking some kind of case to hold all of the film holders to carry around. But since I am new to this I have no idea what else I might need.

I am now going to be looking into getting a scanner, and looking around for a larger enlarger than the one I have. But I have also seen people who have modified besseler 23c enlargers (the one I have) to take 4x5 negs.


Thanks for any info.

[werra]

Holders are easy to carry around with whatever small/medium shoulder bag you happen to have. The ones with adjustable interior walls are especially convinient.
Considering you have already 4x5 pinhole, you have all the equipment to process the film.
Get some more film and holders and you are all set.
Watch out GAS pithole about new lenses etc And bigger formats. You will not stop, at least for some time, til you reach 8x10 (Do not ask how I know this.)

[mopar_guy]

You may want to get some filters for B&W shooting. If the camera has a Kodak Ektar or Wollensak Optar lens, the best bet would be to locate a Series VI filter holder in the proper size and a few Series VI filters. You may also want to have a CLA done on the front shutter. Enjoy a great American made camera.
Regards,
Dave

[WetMogwai]

I can't imagine a modified small and medium format enlarger will do a good job with 4x5 unless it is heavily modified, as in rebuilt completely. Watch Craigslist and similar sites for a real 4x5 enlarger. I saw a listing for one and ended up getting an Omega D2, a few 35mm enlargers, and a pile of other darkroom equipment for $100. When one head is up and the other is down, the D2 stacks with my C-700 Super Chromega, so it doesn't take much space to store.

[John Kasaian]

A small zippered soft sided cooler meant to hold sandwiches can hold several 4x5 holders. I like the old plastic Riteway 4x5 holders.

[snay1345]

Here is what I was referring to in converting my enlarger.


http://www.deadbread.com/crumbs/23c.html

[David William White]

Here is what I was referring to in converting my enlarger.


http://www.deadbread.com/crumbs/23c.html

shortcut: make the lamphouse as described if you wish, but use it on the camera. keep your nice enlarger intact. but plenty of 4x5 enlargers around if you have a car.

[Perry Way]

4x5 is fun, and cheep too. Something larger sizes can't claim is they are cheep. You can enlarge 4x5 for a cheep cost. Enlarging 8x10 on the other hand is astronomically more expensive because those enlargers are room size. But you know that already... I only bring that up to shine the light on eBay. eBay is seasonally good with the options on enlargers. They appear and disappear from week to week but the fact of the matter is nobody wants to spend to get them shipped, so they generally go for cheep price on eBay (shhhhhhh! don't let the secret out!). So if you look in your local area, or limit it to a few hour drive you can likely score big time for a cheep price. I bring this up because I don't think the 23C provides enough room for 4x5 honestly but maybe it does. It just seems too small, to me. Not to gloat but I got an excellent Omega D5XL with the color head, turret with 3 lenses, two diffusion light boxes or whatever they are called one for medium format and the other for 4x5 and I got negative carriers for 6x6, 6x7, 35mm, and 4x5 all for like $175, on eBay. Had to drive 4 hours to Los Angeles and back. There are deals like that, that will make you forget the idea of modifying a medium format enlarger. It only takes a little diligence to keep checking.

[Christopher Walrath]

Posted wirelessly..

Don't forget the monstrosity of a tripod you should have.

[mopar_guy]

I got my Beseler 45 MXT enlarger about a two years ago through an eBay auction. The seller was Washington State Surplus Property. No lens or negative carriers, but the cost was about $18 if I remember correctly.