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ADMIN: WHAT'S NEXT ON THE LF PAGE ?


qtluong

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Brilliant site. I like the idea re 10x8 section as I feel that this

will be the next area manufacturers will attempt to drop their

support in, ie films, pro lab d&p etc etc. Forget medium format as

this site has the best for want of a better word atmosphere! and no

flaming. If I want medium format help I will go to the MF forum. This

site is so good that any none equipment problem is normally answered

here.

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QT Great site...great following... If there is one improvement I

would like to see...it would be when there is a paticular thread

(question) of interest, that one can tag this thread and have any of

the responses go directly to thier email. This will make the threads

more sensible, whereas when someone may disagree with the last

poster, he may not go re check this thread for long time, hence many

other posters fog the rebuttal...whereas if the original poster read

the rebuttal, he could go back on and explain or conceed his

point...I think everyone would benefit by this system. It also would

help us track the items of interest without scrolling through the Q&A

page each time...

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QTL

 

<p>

 

Many compliments on the wonderful creation and maintenance of the LF

site. It's truly a great resource for all of us involved in the

medium. As for suggestions, I'd like to second several comments that

have been made regarding LF photographers who are increasingly using

the 6x9 format on their LF cameras. Any articles regarding roll film

would be greatly appreciated. After shooting 100% 4x5, I've found

myself shooting about a 50/50 mix of 4x5 and 6x9. With pro films

getting faster and with ever finer grain structures I've found very

little difference between the formats when enlarging to 20x24 or when

presenting the images to editors.

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I was fortunate to find your web site and have been enjoying it

thoroughly! I began in MF and still do quite a bit of shooting with

that camera and those lenses. My urge to get to bigger images began

when I bought a Fuji 617 and have shot extensively in that format. A

bit later, I came into LF with a Sinar P and have now stepped up to a

new P2.

 

<p>

 

My story and evolution is probably not usual. Nor have I given up on

shooting the other formats-I have merely rotate as the circumstance

and mood occurs. I would welcome, discussions, links, articles and

sharing of information on MF and Panoramic so that I don't have to

dart between a lot of other sites. Also, I am always one to forget

conversions and equivelencies between formats so lens comparisons and

the like, would be a welcome addition.

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I feel that this forum should work towards the goal of becoming an

inclusive " View-Camera Users Forum " rather than concern itself with

film format. The challenges and rewards of view camera photography,

extend well beyond mere film size. Each film format has its

advantages

and disadvantages and can be debated ad-nauseum. The common thread of

this forum should be based upon view camera technique and NOT film

size.

The view camera experience is unique unto itself, their is no

confusing

it with any fixed lens camera regardless of format. I myself chose an

Arca 6x9 view camera over a 4x5 model, will merely changing the rear

standard to a 4x5 unit fundamentally change my perspective on

photography? I think not. I find that the dialog on this forum is

far

more relevant to my photographic style, than that of any traditional

medium format forum. For those who say ?large format, for large

formats

sake?, I think that you are short changing yourselves. Inclusion into

the view camera fraternity rather than exclusion based on film size,

should be the guiding premise. For those of you that I've offended I

offer my condolences, for I believe your way of thinking is

endangered.

But I certainly do not offer an apology for holding this opinion. I

shall now set off my soap-box, thank you for you time and

consideration.

Bob P.

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I think Tuan has been doing a great job of editing the site, so if it

expands to include more on rollfilm view-cameras or MF cameras with

lens movements or even TS lenses for 35mm, I'm not too worried. I

don't see a slippery slope here leading to a

Canon-vs.-Nikon-24-200mm-zoom free for all, and maybe a single page

on TS lenses might be a way of introducing some 35mm users to LF. By

the same token, some topics might be added in the spirit of "Large

Format" on the grounds of film size alone like LF TLRs (Gowlandflex

and such, but not MF TLRs) or LF panoramics (Cirkut Camera, but not

Widelux) without losing the spirit of the enterprise.

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A comparison of MTF/contrast quality of 210 mm lenses woud be helpful.

For example, does the G-Glaron f/9 210 mm with aperture set at f/22

provide MTF curves at infinity focusing comparable to the f5.6

Apo-Symmar with aperture closed down to as low as f/8? Does the 210

f5.6 XL provide superior MTF's to the Apo-Symmar, and if so, how

significantly? How much better if at all is the G-Claron or 210 XL at

1:1 than the 5.6 Apo-Symmar? At what size print enlargement are the

advantages if any readily detectable to the nak

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I'd like to add my interest in camera support. As one who is trying

to get equiped in LF on a budget (which I'm starting to wonder if

that's an oxymoron) it would be very easy to spend close to a

thousand dollars plus on a Gitzo Mountaineer, a good ballhead, and

quick releases. Also as a hiker, the heavier and less expensive

options are not something my knees relish. I know there are less

expensive alternatives, like Slik carbon fiber tripods and Giotto

ball heads, but just don't know how they perform. I think some of us

neophites might benefit from a review of this sort of equipment.

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I am experenced in large format 8x10 kodak Masterview as well as

11x14 and regularly use an 14x17 improved empire state from the

1880s. Most of my lenses are 80+ years old too.

 

<p>

 

I would really like to see pages devoted to ULF/LF discussions

including lens selections/availability/sources and cost, older

shutter care and use, transportation of this type of equipment,

sources of reliable repair and maintainence and allternative printing

processes.

 

<p>

 

I would agree that their should be a place for MF view cameras too.

But if topics were organized by format size navigation would be

easier.

 

<p>

 

Finally, I have developed some knowledge of LF/Ulf cameras and the

available lenses that will cover these formats such as

dagors,protars, plasmats,artars,tessars etc and am willing to

participate in conversations and share my limited knowledge with

those of similar interests.

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As much as I hate to deny it, digital is coming and in fact has

arrived to large format. I think this page should supply some

information or at least links to the large format digital web pages.

The primary limiting factor is cost. Digital backs for 4x5 cameras

are $20,000 or more and the scanners, especially transparency

scanners are at least as expensive and printers are in the same

ballpark. But like everything else that is digital the price is

going to come down and be available to even the amateur large format

photographers. Information on this new technology should be

available even if the equipment is too expensive now.

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  • 1 month later...

This is one of my favorite web sites. I enjoy the entire range.

Profiles and trip reports are exciting ideas. I would like to add my

opinion of what constitutes large format. I have two 5x7 cameras,

two 4x5 cameras, a Galvin 6x9 view camera, a Tachihara 6x9 field

camera, and a Mamiya Seven. I consider all my cameras to be large

format except the Mamiya Seven. But many times the situation I must

place myself in to take the desired photograph precludes the use of a

tripod, and at those times I am grateful for my Mamiya Seven. A

question, does a Wista 4x5 cease being large format as long as it has

a roll film back attached? Regards. Jerry Ellison

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  • 4 weeks later...

I use a Linhof Technikardan S23 with 6x7cm backs, and I insist on

calling myself a large format photographer, if that's all right with

the rest of you!;-)

Seriously, though,I really want to say just how impressed I am with

this site. The information carried here is immensely valuable, and I

love all of it. Even though I intend to keep on with 6x7cm, as my

present camera suits my purposes very well, I am very interested in

ULF issues, as it's so very hard to find out anything.

As far as seeing other people's work, the links to LF photographers

here are excellent: there is no need for criticism, just look. The

only real problem here is the limited resolution on the web in any

sensible timescale, which means that half of the point of LF is lost

at the outset - there is really no substitute for seeing the original

work.

I am very happy to tell anyone anything about my camera, but I have

little experience with other 6x9's, so it could not be truly

comparative: anyone still interested?

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  • 2 weeks later...

I am just begun Large-Format-Photography, especially the "old way"

with a Dryplate-Camera in 13x18cm and two old Voigtländer ("Avus" and

"Bergheil") in 9x12cm (Plates & Planfilm) and 6x9cm with

Rollfilm-Back. In germany i have found no websites obut this topic (it

is possible that i am really the first guy in germany, that had

"ressurect" a old dryplate-camera?? :-)

Now i am searching for informations about this "old style

photography" around the world. I think, it was a good idea to add a

little forum for this old art. Beginning with collodion wetplates,

dryplates and old fashioned printing-technics like Argyrotype,

Ambrotype, Albumen-Printing etc.

 

<p>

 

Greetings from germany

 

<p>

 

Carsten Corleis

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  • 1 month later...
  • 8 months later...

Here's my vote for more coverage of MF view cameras and work. There

seems to be a few more MF view cameras on the market now as compared to

a few years ago. The working methodolgies are the same for LF or MF

view cameras. For me, the lower film and processing costs are

attractive, and its wonderful to have the view camera movements to

boot!

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  • 3 weeks later...

I have only recently become aware of this fine site, you are all to

be commended for the content. In my lifetime 4 x 5 has been

considered to be "medium format" so I hope that I'm not excluded from

LF when I include 2 1/4 x 31/4 sheet film cameras on these pages.

Yes, I know that we are "red-headed stepchildren" these days. Kodak

has completely abandonded us and only Ilford currently catalogs film,

and that a single offering. I am able to use the format for survey

field work to set up 4 x 5 trips and for B&W copy work. Currently

I'm building a copy camera in 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 using a Polaroid MP-3

bellows and focus mechanism. Yes, I'll probably use some roll film

holders on it but have no cure for the inherrant film flatness

problems.

 

<p>

 

With that off my chest I would like to endorse David Goldfarb's

suggestion for a subject of lens maintenance since the vast majority

of my intrest is in field photography and all my lenses are 1960s and

older. All are essentially open to the weather. I'll leave the

adjustment to Steve but would love to have a general and brand

specific owner performed maintenance reference considered as a

subject.

 

<p>

 

Gnit Pickers and English Majors; Please disregard. I never could

spell and at my age I never will!!! Thanks, Ken

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  • 5 weeks later...

I like the forum for the wealth of information on it but I sometimes

wish for some usability improvements to be added.

 

<p>

 

I get the impression that you don't want to become a full time

webmaster / moderator and from what I've read, the members do a

decent moderating job if somebody steps out of line (rarely, I know),

but I'm a member of another bbs (www.scoobynet.co.uk & follow the

link to the forum) and I like how this is set up w.r.t. displaying

the most recent and replied to posts (i.e. the most recently replied

to post returns to the top of the pile and things are allowed to die

a natural death by dropping off the bottom of the page into an

archive if they are not posted to for a while). We've found the data

on number of posts and the nuber of times the threads are viewed

enlighening as it lets you keep up with the "hot topics"

 

<p>

 

I'm no computer techie and this probably would include a lot of work

to set up but hopefully would run itself (things like smilies and

inserting graphics possibly could be disabled to cut down data sizes

etc).

 

<p>

 

As for ruling out posts due to film formats, there was a comment made

that it should just be based on whether the camera has movements or

not. I think this is a good suggestion as we're all in the same boat

then - when I bought my 4x5 I was told that the market was dropping

off for this size as professionals (I'm not one) were switching to

smaller formats like 6x9 to suit ccds in digital systems and had no

need for "cumbersome" 4x5 systems. I only hope that this forum

doesn't become overrun by digital topics - I've nothing against it as

it's another technique, it's here and I can see some good uses for it

but cost prohibits a lot of people (plus logistics for outside work)

and there's life in us silver workers (and alternative process

people) yet!

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