marc_lieberman1 Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 I took the plunge. Yesterday, I traded in my Nikon DSLR, my half-dozen autofocus lenses, and all my 35mm gear (except for a Leica M3 and a couple lenses), and my medium format stuff (except for the Rollei E2 and Iskra I), and I bought a Speed Graphic with a 135mm Schneider and a 180mm Caltar, a Poloroid back, a few film holders, a better tri-pod head, some Poloroid film and a box of Tri-X. My kids are too young to wait patiently while I figure out how to make the thing work. So now I must turn to PNET for advice. Where are some good spots in Los Angeles to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon using this thing? (No, I'm not going to take it to Disneyland with the kids.) And remember, just say "No" to cameras that are younger than you are! Please post your favorite 4x5 shots for inspiration.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffpolaski Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Wow! Talk about taking the plunge. I do still use the DSLR, along with 1970s era manual bodies. My Bessa 66 and Voigtlander Perkeo II are older than I am, but the 2x3 Crown Graphic is a bit younger. That and a light meter completely redefines street photography here in center city Philadelphia. I don't know anything about LA. I do know that people will let you photograph them a lot more with the Graphic than they will with a modern camera. Consider a 120 roll adapter for the Graphic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfophotos Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Umm, you traded all that in for a $200 (max) camera and some accessories? If you said a Sinar view camera, sure. But a Speed Graphic? Oh well.... have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert lee Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 "I traded in my Nikon DSLR, my half-dozen autofocus lenses ... and I bought a Speed Graphic ..." Well, okay... Not a particularly rational decision though. "Where are some good spots in Los Angeles..." In keeping with the theme: 1. Hollywood Blvd. around the Chinese theater at dusk. 2. Parts of Korea Town around the Wiltern Theatre. 3. West Hollywood. 4. Maybe the L.A. Central Library and Union Station area. Take public transport to keep your nose to the ground. The Red Line metro is a good candidate. The 20 or 21 bus will take you further west out into Westwood. Hop on the #1 Big Blue bus all the way out to the ocean at Santa Monica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin carron Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Marc, congratulations! I went in the opposite direction to you (4x5 to digital) but I am sure you will learn a lot from the discipline of LF. When each shot counts so much more then more thought has to go into each shot. Here is a favorite of shot of mine using a 90mm Angulon on to a 5x4 camera but in this case with the 6x9 roll film holder/ I assume you are aware of these websites : http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ and http://graflex.org/ good luck!<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_b.1 Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 A few photogenic spots (in no particular order):The Watts Towers, Echo Park, Griffith Observatory, Mullholland Fountain, Travel Town (in Griffith Prk), La Brea Tar Pits, Natural History Museum, Getty Center, Almost anywhere Downtown, especially Walt Disney Concert Hall. Dorothy Chandler Pavillion, City Hall, Central Library, MOCA. I think the Ice Skating Rink is still set up in Pershing Square. Bring the kids on any of these outings. Most are free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chromatic-aberration Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 I hope you got some money back on that trade, as it seems a bit lopsided financially speaking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc_lieberman1 Posted January 8, 2007 Author Share Posted January 8, 2007 Guys- Thanks for your input. And by the way, I gave my other equipment to the store owner to sell on the auction site. I also bought the Speed Graphic. I didn't trade all my gear for the Speed Graphic. I may be naïve or I may be stupid, but I'm not both! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_limiti Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 The speed graphic is a fun camera to use. Have fun with it. Whenever I take it out, I always get lots of questions from people passing by. <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/3209118">Lighthouse</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zissis_parras Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Congratulations! Enjoy your camera, get yourself a flash handle and use a manual electronic flash with that camera you will really have some fun. Enjoy. Zissis<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 It's a nice hand held 4x5 camera! Have fun! That's what it's all about. What lens did you get with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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