Starting over. AAAHHH!!

[Michael R 1974]

Some years ago I sold my large format gear and started concentrating more on 35mm work. Now I find myself really wanting to go back to LF. What a terrible decision it was selling my LF stuff. I have to start all over now. New camera, a few new lenses, center filters, film holders, focusing loupe, and on and on. Worse, I've always had a mental block when it comes to used equipment. So somehow I have to find like $10,000 and start from scratch. Dammit!

[CGW]

Medium format?

[Rick A]

Get over yourself and buy used gear.

[L Gebhardt]

Get over your aversion to used equipment and save thousands. Buy from KEH and you'll be happy with the quality.

[holmburgers]

I have an aversion to new equipment...

Seriously, now is the time that you could probably get an equal or better LF set-up for a quarter of what your old set-up cost. Finding used items that are as good as new is what most of us do all time time.

[CGW]

Re: used gear. Just be patient and picky. I've found all the gear I want in the condition I like just through watching and waiting, stalking off-time auctions and systematic hunting.

[Ken Nadvornick]

What a terrible decision it was selling my LF stuff. I have to start all over now... Dammit!

Just don't now sell your 35mm equipment to pay for a LF upgrade...



Ken

[Michael R 1974]

Just don't now sell your 35mm equipment to pay for a LF upgrade...



Ken

Oh no, no way I'm making that mistake again.

Re Medium format, never liked it. The image quality increase over 35mm is not enough to merit the reduced flexibility.

[jeffreyg]

Although it's been a while since I bought my 4x5 field camera and three lenses plus some other goodies new but it didn't approach the 10k you mention. As others have mentioned you should be able to find excellent used equipment well below your figure. Some may need a new bellows or a shutter but it must be easy to come in under that amount.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

[Poisson Du Jour]

I would think medium format is a better pathway given the rising cost of sheet film for LF. And the second hand market is a better place to spend money that on stuff in jewelled, spot-lit display cases. Generally one keeps all equipment and never pensions some or all of it off just to serve an upgrade. All formats have their use and no one format can claim to be universally suitable for every situation.