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LF Novice
Within a few months I plan to break into LF, probably with a 4x5. I was wondering what a comprable lens would be to a 6x6 80mm for 4x5 format. Also I'd like to have a lens that covers 5x7 so I have plenty of room for swing, rise, tilt, etc.
I'm Also looking for suggestions on what type of 4x5 to go with, I think I'd like a monorail so I have a lot of freedom, but I also need to be able to carry this camera about 100yds.
Then I think I also need a ground glass back as well as some film holders, what are my options for a back? I'd enjoy one that allows me to use roll film to do panoramas, but I'm guessing that'd be very expensive...
One last chaviot is money, I'm fine saving my money for a while so that I come in to LF with a good camera. Although I would like to go LF sooner vs later.
In summary I'm a total novice. Please help! 
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The lens is easy an f5,6 150mm Symmar or Sironar are the most common, but Nikon' Fuji's are OK as well. Things like 150mm Xenar's, Ektar's, Tessars's etc have poorer coverage.
Cameras aren't usually that heavy, but I'd question why yo think you should need a monorail, I have two but find my Wista field camera has more than enough movements, and in over 20 years I've yet to come across a situation where the monorail would be better, except for commercial studio use.
New Shen Hoa's are affordable, second-hand Wista's, Tachihara's etc have plenty of movements are reasonably light easy to carry many miles, up mountains etc. Then there's always cheap monorails on this forum less than $200.
Ian
Last edited by Ian Grant; 07-06-2010 at 12:50 AM.
Reason: add
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 Originally Posted by Joe O'Brien
Within a few months I plan to break into LF, probably with a 4x5. I was wondering what a comprable lens would be to a 6x6 80mm for 4x5 format. Also I'd like to have a lens that covers 5x7 so I have plenty of room for swing, rise, tilt, etc.
I'm Also looking for suggestions on what type of 4x5 to go with, I think I'd like a monorail so I have a lot of freedom, but I also need to be able to carry this camera about 100yds.
Then I think I also need a ground glass back as well as some film holders, what are my options for a back? I'd enjoy one that allows me to use roll film to do panoramas, but I'm guessing that'd be very expensive...
One last chaviot is money, I'm fine saving my money for a while so that I come in to LF with a good camera. Although I would like to go LF sooner vs later.
In summary I'm a total novice. Please help!
If you can carry a small suitcase 100 yards you can carry a monorail 100 yards. Monos generally take longer to set up unles you want to carry it on it's tripod infantryman style. If you want to use the same camera to shoot 5x7 look for an Ansco Universal or similar flatbed---they fold up kind of chunky but there are 5x7 backs will fit them as well. If you don't want to shoot 5x7 someday there are lots of wooden clamshells like Tachihara, Wista etc...
Buy your camera with it's ground glass back so you can start shooting right away.
Yup, you'll need film holders. I like the old style Riteways for my 4x5.
Agfas and similar 4x5/5x7 flat beds have sliders---little pieces of wood than engage in slots in the back. With a 5x7 back that will give you two 2-1/2"x7" negatives on a single sheet of 5x7.
There are plenty of lenses that will cover 4x5 and 5x7 but I'll let other more knowlegable people make recommendations (I'm rather fond of the 203 Ektar 210 G Claron and 215 Ilex but these are a tad longer than what you asked for)
I hope this helps!
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the "normal" focal length for any given format is the diagonal measurement of the film plane
this is why a 80mm is considered "normal" for 6x6.
on 4x5, a 135 or 150 mm lens is considered "normal"
some prefer a 210 mm for their standard lens
any modern lens from the 135 to 210 length will give you plenty of lens movement to cover your swings, tilts, rise and falls
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Okay, thank you all for your prompt and informed responses. This was a lot of help!
Ian
If not a mono then what do you guys suggest I get for a camera? A field camera?
If a field camera than what should I go with? Would a wooden field camera be a bad idea because of its ability to warp?
John
I don't really intend to shoot 5x7, just stick with 4x5 for the forseeable future. Are there any backs that would allow me to shoot a panorama in 4x5? What are they called and about how much are they?
Pinholemaster
Thank you for the explanation of how to determine a "normal lens". If I got a 150mm lens that covered a 5x7 would it still be a 150mm lens on a 4x5 or is there a conversion factor? Also, Is this even applicable? I know you were saying that any modern lens would cover plenty of movements.
Thank you all again, this is extremely helpful and I think I've learned more from reading your posts then in my weeks of research. Thanks!
Joe
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My suggestion is a 150 Fuji "W" lens. Will cover both 4x5 and 5x7 so there is no issue with swings, etc. Any 210 lens will do the trick also, just be more limiting in 4x5 visualization.
Contact me privately and I'll give you a good deal on a B&J "Grover" monorail 5x7 with both 5x7 and 4x5 backs. Or the same backs on a 5x7 B&J "Watson" wooden field camera. The monorail is in excellent shape, the field camera needs refinishing.
tim in san jose
Where ever you are, there you be.
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Joe, my Wista is a wooden field camera, it's been around the UK, Italy, Greece, Turkey where it is now and many other countries. Woods very stable once dried
It's also extremely portable and fun to use.
Last spring I worked with one of my monorail cameras in the landscape while back in the UK, it was OK, my Cambo's light but just not as portable and not as quick to set uo and use. End results are the same, as that's the lenses not the camera.
Beware US cameras with poor movements like small format Agfa Ansco's and BJ's etc, they are heavy & cumbersome,
Ian
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Originally Posted by Ian Grant
Beware US cameras with poor movements like small format Agfa Ansco's and BJ's etc, they are heavy & cumbersome,
Ian
And cheap.
tim
Where ever you are, there you be.
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Originally Posted by k_jupiter
And cheap.
tim
Yes they are very cheap, that reflects their downsides. That's weight and functionality. It doesn't mean I wouldn't buy and use one, rather it would never be my first choice - I have enough 5x4 cameras already to choose from 
Ian
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Thanks for the quick response, I think I will probably end up going with a field camera based on your recommendation. Am I in higher danger of light leaks using a wooden camera than a metal one? I'm very concerned about a wasted exposure because in my style of shooting I tend to only be at a shooting location once (I get lost a lot )
Joe
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