beginner's questions (several)

Hi. I read your homepage on LF photography and have been interested in

dabbling in it. I shoot exclusively 6x6 now (Rollei), but really like

the look of 4x5 shots w/ velvia. I've been considering gettting a used

field camera and one lens, like a 150 or 210 or larger. Okay. There are

a number of basic things I still don't quite understand about LF photography.

I presume that only a single sheet of film is used w/ one holder. Suppose

I can manage to load a sheet of 4x5 into the holder (I've yet to attempt

this). I guess one first needs to determine the movements, then extension,

and then bellows compensation for the exposure (after it's focused). How

does one compensate for tilts/rise,etc. I understand that the compensation

for extension is based on the difference between teh extended and infinity

focus bellows locations, but how does one account for the radial light

fall-off from tilts without resorting to complicated equations? Now suppose

I have the shot composed and use a standard loupe on the ground glass back

to focus. (does one really need a cloth for this? I have a schneider 6x6

loupe that has a pretty big skirt). Now I guess one then removes the ground

glass back,inserts the holder, pulls out the drawslide and takes the

exposure. Afterwards, one inserts the drawslide, pulls out the holder, and

goes on to the next exposure. How does one get teh film developed. Do you

just drop the holders off at the pro-lab and they remove the film , or does

one need to remove each individual sheet tat home and then drop off all the

exposed film in a light-proof envelope?

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Finally, I'm interested in a 4x5 view camera. So far , the horseman FA45 or

HD 45 look good, and I can get a used one from $700 to $1500 for the FA45 (the

$1500 one, while the HD45 is around $700-800). The Lindhof mastertechnika

looks really nice, but the cheapest used one I can find is $2500, and I dont

really want to spend too much since I'm not sure how much I'll like LF

photography, and plus I have alrady invested $$$ in my Rollei 6008 system,

which is my primary camera.

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Do you have any experience w/ the Horseman or Lindhof field cameras? Any other

brands that you'd recommend?

The light loss due to extension and movements is for the

most part neglectible. The only case where you really need

to compensate is for extension while doing close-ups.

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Some people use a built-in hood to compose. However to

focus with a lupe I think a dark cloth is practically

necessary in most cases, unless you get a reflex viewer.

Those are somewhat cumbersome.

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You don't remove the ground glass, but instead

insert the holder in front of it (the ground glass is

mounted on springs).

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Most labs could work with the holders, but some would charge

you an extra fee if you give them the film in holders as

opposed to giving it to them in a box (you use the box in

which the film originally came). All this film manipulation,

although it is a nuisance, is really no big deal, and you

could avoid it altogether by using quickloads (for 4x5 velvia).

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Honestly, apart from the hinge which allows for more front

rise, there are almost no significant difference between

a Master Technica and a Technica IV. Unless the light weight

of the Horseman is essential for you, I would recommend

the Tech IV (I have one, although I don't use it these days),

which is a very good buy. The HD lacks some important

movements. Both the Horseman cameras cannot use long lenses.

Check out Steve Simmons book on Using a View Camera. Also look at the Kodak book on large format photography. It has a good sequence of all the steps needed to take an image. Its shortcoming is that it still doesn't admit that there are other products in the world not made by Kodak.

One very good approach is to take a community college class, a workshop or rent a 4x5 package for a weekend & see how you do. You might really take to it. Good luck