richard_boulware Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Surprised no one has even brought this up,...but I think that many LF shooters have overlooked a great opportunity. That opportunity is the use of LF cameras, hand held...when that rainbow or other event happens in just seconds. I use my Super Technika V both on a tripod and in the hand held mode. Sometimes,..when opportunity strikes...I can grab the V and make the shot when others are still unpacking their tripod. Any thoughts/...or are my views out of vogue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Richard the last time I saw someone actually using a handheld 4x5 was at a ku Klux Klan Rally in Vidor, Texas in 2000. And he was using a rollfilm back on is Linhof Technika (things were moving to fast for me to notice the type. I agree that it is a forgotten art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chad_jarvis1 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 I'm sure there are plenty of Graphic users out there who agree whole-heartedly. Being "out of vogue" is crap, for it implies that someone else dictates your (or my) style. I say do your own thing the way you want, and enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_jefferson Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Richard, <p> I always hand hold my crown graphic, usually bounce out of the explorer and off chasing trains, deer, turkeys, antique autos, and anything that catches my eye. only thing that goes on a tripod is the 8x10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micah_marty1 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 I agree that there is (still) a place for this kind of photography, and although I don't have anything focusable like a Super Technika, I've played around with handholding homemade/prefocused LF cameras (see for example http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~qtluong/photography/lf/cameras/hand-held-11x14.html). For me at least, the biggest strike against handheld LF shooting (except in rainbow-like "emergencies") is the cost of film and processing: tripod work always results in a far higher percentage of keepers than handheld work, and at several bucks a sheet I personally can't afford to be snap-happy ala Cartier-Bresson in his prime. But then too I suppose that that "risk" is part of what makes the handheld LF successes so rewarding. Anyway, thanks for your post, Richard; it makes me want to go out and experiment some more (without the tripod)! <p> <><><><><>< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enrique_vila1 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Hi... <p> I have just sold my Tech V, but was a happy owner for a time. I had all the equipment needed to use it hanheld, including grip,viewfinder and cammed lenses. <p> The fact is that I Never used it (not even once), mainly due to high weigth. <p> Probably guys with Graflexes have had better luck. <p> Cheers.. <p> Enrique.- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micah_marty1 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 These URLs always get broken up. In the one listed in my post above there should not be a space between the 1's in hand-held-11x14-html. <p> <><><><><>< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewart_ethier2 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Of course there are reasons it is a lost art .... <p> Manual metering is awkward while handholding an LF camera. Film holders and darkslides are awkward while handholding an LF camera. Depth of field is poor at f8. Film speeds are too slow, especially in color. <p> Bottom line: you'll get better results from MF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_goldfarb Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 I'm always toying with the idea of getting a Speed Graphic or Technika, then I just think of how much easier my medium format SLR is to deal with (no need to change cams and stops when changing lenses, rollfilm, spot metering prism, easier to handhold, etc.), and I come to my senses. I have enough 6x6 backs to use the zone system or multiple film types in medium format, so sheet film doesn't hold that attraction. I guess if I wanted one camera to bridge the gap between medium format and a view camera, I would do it, but I'm happy with my 6x6cm system for what it does well and with my 8x10" system for what it does well, so 4x5" handheld doesn't really make sense for what I do right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_eskridge2 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Handheld 4X5 photography is still viable but doens't seem to be appreciated by most in this group. It is a different kind of photography in most cases - unless you are just in a hurry or are prohibited from using a tripod. <p> I just purchased a Grafmatic to use with my B&J with an eye toward occasional handheld use. <p> Both of these cameras are lighter than the Linhof Master I once had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_goldfarb Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Addendum: I guess the place I've seen Speed Graphics used handheld most recently has been for Polaroids--once at a Mothers' Day gospel pageant, where a photographer was selling Polaroids outside the theater to mothers dressed in their holiday finery, and once behind B&H Photo, where the staff was using a Speed Graphic with a Polaroid back to take what I presumed to be an ID photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_atherton2 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 I've been using my Super Graphic (with a Linhof grip on the side and a couple of Graphmatics) for hand held photography since I got it a couple of years ago or so - great fun. <p> A number of us on the Streetphoto list have been using LF hand held for Street type photography. <p> I have often used it hand held in this way for assignments, as do a number of other photographers I know. <p> It isn't so difficult. And the rig is really no harder to swing around or less bulky/heavier than my Nikon F4 and all it's gizmos I carry around - not in practice, anyway. And the PE's swoon when they get that big neg... (E6 100 pushed to 400 if need be) and also B&W <p> How do you think all those hundreds of thousands of Life shots were done...? <p> tim a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_salomon Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 While evryone seems to be talking about Technikas and Graphics there is a photographer shooting in Hawaii a while back, Jack Dykstra, who was shooting hand held with a 45 Technikardan. Somehow he attached a grip and a finder. We never saw the camera. Only some pictures. <p> then there is also the Wista RF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_galli4 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Richard there's another train shooter and I've lost his name. I'll describe him and you can probably tell me. Met him on the Nevada Northern. Picturesque guy and we should've been taking pictures of him. He's got an old Crown with a Lanthar, shoots nothing but Tmax 400, always has a cigar in his mouth, never meters because he knows what the tmax will do (that's not entirely true, I think I recall a Ptax meter) and always shoots handheld. I had a good time shooting with him for a couple of days. He was teasing me because I was hauling a tripod around for the 5X7. Oh yeah, he's got a whole car full of flash-bulbs and always does the night stuff with bulbs! A strobe would never do. Tell me who he is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred_de_van3 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 There are current production, light weight (under 3 Lbs.), modern, fast, flexable, modular, Hand Held LF cameras available, designed for just this kind of use with an eye to treckers and hikers. They are available 4x5, 6x12, 8x10 and are fully configurable. They are the GranView series of cameras. Best attribute, they are inexpensive. Take a look at http://www.granview.com <p> Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_walton2 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 This is the way I do aerials from helicopters. Works great and now with the new 400 Kodak color it's even easier! No problem here.Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilhelm Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 O. Winton Link? Died last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_kasaian2 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Richard you've got a good point. I've got a Gowland 8x10 Aerial that I've used on the ground as well as airborne. The camera was designed for a 300mm Nikkor M and I've been using it for a portfolio I'm working on. When I think of handheld LF I find myself in awe of the old time press photogs who made wonderful images as if the whole thing was second nature to them. It would be interesting to build an 8x10 with a focal plane shutter that could handle some of the fast old barrel lenses that one comes across on occassion---sort of like an old Fairchild that could be focused. If a long enough lens could be had it should take awesome close-ups of moving objects---like racehorses and such. I might just try it with the Gowland just to see if I can get by with f9 and 1/400ths at the next county fair(sort of like a Nikon F2 on megasteroids?) It would also be interesting to know how successful the Hobo cameras have been since the Hobo and the Speed Graphics would probably be the 'entry' level cameras for those interested in LF handheld. I got into LF handheld originally because the $60 speed graphic I bought at a junk store had a stripped tripod socket! Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlabrosse Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Believe it or not I saw what looked like a Speed Graphic in the background of some Olympic TV coverage the other day. Yes it was being hand held. I just about fell off the chesterfield (that's a couch for you yanks) when I saw it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_boulware Posted February 20, 2002 Author Share Posted February 20, 2002 Thanks to all of you who responded to my post. I enjoyed all the posts and got a chuckle or two. For the few nay sayers, let me just say that I just today signed a 120 day contract for large bucks, on a major construction project. When I first made my 'pitch' to get the account...I showed a portfolio to the owner and chief construction engineer. I showed some of my ads from TIME and NEWSWEEK and was surprised at his reaction, when I showed him some LF, B&W big prints from a pipeline construciton project.....and he replied..."WOW!...you're my man"! My point is simply this. Don't overlook hand held large format and the quality it can deliver. It impresses people who are not photo savy. Sure, I'll shoot this job with three 35's, but that Linhof Super Technika V,....got me the job. Richard (smiling all the way to the bank) Boulware. Thanks for your posts. (:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_buckels Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Don't forget the Hobo camera marketed by Bostick & Sullivan. Comes in 8x10, 5x7, and 4x10. Made to hold one very wide angle lens, stopped down a bit, and you just point and shoot using the top viewfinder. No bellows -- it's an 8x10 point-and-shoot! Very VERY tough construction. Made to be chucked in the trunk w/ a couple film holders. Tripods allowed for but discouraged! I've seen fantastic work with it. The guy who invented the camera and builds them is said to prefer using an Angulon (not super) 90mm, which puts the entire image circle inside an 8x10 frame. I don't remember the specs exactly, but once you stop down to like F22 you have focus from like 6" to infinity .... -jeff buckels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renee_galang1 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Guys, guys, guys I have been using a cambo wide with 47xl and recently with 150 sironar-N. The beauty of this camera is that I can easily do with hand holding but for some reason I have never tried??? Now you guys have induced me to give it a go, well, I'll definetely give it a shot........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j._mose Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 I still use my Super Technica V and Super Speed Graphic hand held from time to time. I wish I did a lot more than I do. I also have a 4 X 5 Super D Graphic which I finally used to take some shots in the neighborhood...that camera certainly got a reaction! Someone on the Graflex website is trying to arrange a gathering for Graflex users to go out and shoot (I think in the New Orleans area). This sounds like a great idea. Car clubs gather regularly with their classics and cruise. The idea of photo shoots with classic cameras and/or LF hand held cameras at various cities, national parks would be a lot of fun. Reading all of the responses makes me want to go out and shoot hand held too! <p> J. P. Mose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_atherton2 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Over on the Streetphoto list there is a required dress for shooting any form of Graphic (or clone) handheld: <p> <p> Black tapered pants with shiny, pointy toed black shoes, short sleeved shirt and thin black tie, along with a fedora. A sports coat optional for cooler weather. I suppose if you were shooting a Linhof, one of those little Tyrolean hats could be substituted, though the above look does seem mandated in my Linhof Handbook. <p> 20 or 30 of us shooting like that in New orleans would look pretty cool I think <p> tim a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chad_jarvis1 Posted February 20, 2002 Share Posted February 20, 2002 Alright! That's it. I'm putting a handle on my Deardorff. Now, where's that duct tape? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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