Any LF systems particularly well suited to architectural?

[david_munson]

Hi everybody. This is a question for those of you who do or have done architectural photography to much of an extent. Considering all the different LF systems available today, I was wondering if any one in particular was especially well suited to or preferred for architectural photography. For that matter, how about lenses? Thanks.

[jim_galli1]

Dave, I suppose you will get as many opinions as answers listed.

Assuming for your application the weight of the camera won't be as big

of a drawback as in other apps like backpacking, I think a Cambo 4x5

with a bag bellows would be an excellent possibility. They are

inexpensive, can be assembled on a short rail, and the movements

possible have almost no limits.

 

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Movements are your first priority in Architecture because of the

phenomenon of the center of your lens almost never being in the center

of the desired picture layout. For that reason you will have to spend

some $ on the lenses because you will need very large image circles.

The Schneider XL series would be an excellent place to begin looking.

80, 110, and 150mm.

[trevor_crone1]

Dave, one of the most versatile 4x5 cameras for architectural photography is the Ebony SW45. This is a light, compact non-folding field camera. Its standard bellows allow full movement with such lenses as the 35 Apo-Grandagon on a 10mm recessed lens board, 47XL Super Angulon on flat lens board. It has 60mm front rise, 25mm front fall and a back rise of 50mm. There is an extra bright wide angle fresnel for such super wides has an accessory. What I particularly like about this camera is its ready to use straight "out of the box". It can easily be stored with lens and Ebony's folding focusing hood attached. With a 75mm Granagon, the focusing hood, 67mm screw filter and lens cap, this set-up is only 145mm deep!

Good luck,

[armin_seeholzer]

Hi Dave

 

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I prever a Arca Swiss F-Line because she is a light-weight und stable

like a rock.A god lens combination would be 72 or 75 mm, 90mm and 210mm

or 300mm!

Good luck!

[larry_huppert1]

I second the Arca Swiss F line for architectural work. If you have

extra $, the metric version is very nice particularly the geared rise

and shift. The design allows lenses to at least 47mm to mount

without a recessed lens board. I've also found the built-in levels

to be extremely accurate.

[steven_s._miric]

Hi....I just join the "Toyo Club" with the almost new VX 125. Yes,

some of you would say that this is an expensive camera. Yes, if you

buy it new from dealers in US. I am located in Canada, and I got mine

for less than I would pay the Arca Swiss F line 4x5. I use it almost

only for architecture and interior shoots. Here is my lens line up: 47

XL, Fujinon SWD 90/5.6, Rodenstock 150/5.6, Rodenstock 210/5.6. I

would like to get 75mm and 300mm at some point. The camera is so user

friendly. Geared movements and all. Can be stored in the same Ligtware

box as my previous AS 6x9 F line. And it is just 200 gr. more in

bulk. I use it with roll film holders , too ( 6x9 Toyo and 6x7 Calumet

C2 ). I keep it in "ready mode" in the box with Manfrotto plate

attached, so the only thing I do prior to viewing is to unlock

colapsible mono rail. I am used to seeing the up side down image, so I

use the baloon hood all the time. Another great feature is the smaller

lens boards from Toyo field line in combination with the adapter board

for Toyo View.

Again, the camera is so solid and nicely finished. By my personal

standards, the finish is much better than AS cameras. As far as green

paint finish: use it, don't abuse it.

Movements: geard rise/fall is one hand operation. Fine focus on both

ends.Locable rear standard in any position...List is so long. Great

bellows.

So, Dave: before You make the decision, see this camera.

[garry_edwards2]

I'm in England, so availability may be different in different places,

but I use a Sinar P2 with bag bellows for architectural work. Why?

Because, every now and then I need a lens that just isn't worth

buying, so I hire it, and I can always get lenses with Sinar panels.

In addition to that, it is a very workmanlike camera and has ample

movements for the purpose. It also moves on the lens axis, which can

be a great help because it saves time.

 

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Hope this helps.

[adam_friedberg]

the previous answer raises an important question - what do you need?

is weight a major concern? will you need to rent lenses/accessories?

if weight doesn't matter, and for commercial work where you can hire

an assistant it shouldn't be the first concern, i would get a sturdy

rail camera with base tilts and/or lots of direct shifts. if you are

going to rent accessories i would get a sinar, either the x or p2.

arca stuff is great but availability is a problem and good luck

renting. if you are working alone and carrying stuff all over both

the arca and ebony sound great. personally i use a linhof kardan bi

and a technikardan depending on the situation, and rent the sinar x

system.

[ellis_vener_photography]

My primary use of a 4x5 camera is for photographing architecture

for clients. Mostly I photograph either residential interiors or

small commercial spaces like restuarants, nightclubs and bars.

I've been doing it for sixteen years.

 

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My general recommendation is to buy a camera that is a yaw free

design as this makes the inevitable shot where you have to

incline the angle ofthe bed or monorail of the camera, much

easier to work with.

 

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Weight and packed size is always a problem as someone has to

haul the thing and the related pieces somewhere. I agree that

the Sinar p2, C2, or X cameras are great, but I found them to

bulky and heavy. But as was earlier pointed out renting

accesories is much easier, and the built-in calculators for

instantly determining swing or tilt angles and then determining

hyperfocal focusing at reasonable f/stops (I consider f/16> f/32 to

be a reasonable range) to be very valuable.

 

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But I really don't like the Sinar F1 or F2 cameras.

 

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After ten years of using a Sinar C (the Sinar C has the rear

standard of a P and the front standard of a Sinar F) I spent a year

of trying other cameras before deciding to switch to the

ARCA-Swiss F-line. I really like the fact that , like the Sinar

cameras the ARCA-Swiss cameras are yaw free designs, and

because unlike the Sinar cameras I don't have to refocus after

applying any rise or fall. The camera is also easier to use with

lenses shorter than 65mm due to the design of the monorail.

ARCA-Swiss claims that you can use down to a 43mm lens

before having to resort to a special recessed board.

 

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My kit of lenses is as follows: 65mm, 90mm, 150mm, 210mm &

300mm. For interiors I mostly use the 90mm, then the 65mm ad

then the 150. For exteriors: the 90mm, then the 150mm, then the

65, then the 300mm, then the 210mm.

[david_munson]

Hi all- thanks for the responses. All of this is just some early

research into what I may need equipment-wise upon finishing college

and entering the delightfully competitive world of commercial

photography. Architectural photography is my main focus at this

point, though this could shift at some point. I'm currently using a

Linhof Kardan Bi, which I really like, but I've found that it isn't

the most wide-angle-friendly camera out there. Since it's a number

of years old, too, some of the original accessories are pretty hard

to find (not to mention expensive when you do find them). Basically,

I need something that I can use with shorter (47mm XL, etc) lenses

pretty easily that wouldn't complain with a 300mm either. Weight

really isn't much of a concern. I'll probably have to rent some of

the more exotic optics, early on at least. Again, thanks for the

responses.

[adam_friedberg]

just curious - what trouble are you having with wide angles on your

linhof? i have not had any problems. i use a 65 with a regular board

and it should take a 35 with a recessed board. it is a very good

camera for architecture. the base tilts, although not yaw free, will

allow focal plane rise, and it can be made somewhat compact for

transport by swinging the standards parallel with the rail. besides the

lack of rental availability for accessories and the rail being out of

production, i'm not sure what else one could need for architectural

photography. but if you want a new camera ....

[rob_tucher1]

I'm weighing in late but I would like to say that the Linhof

Technikardan 45S is my choice. I have a Sinar C with 4x5 and 5x7

backs and use it for certain applications and when I must have a

bigger chrome or neg. than 4x5, but I much prefer to use the Linhof.

It is compact, light, accurate, has many accessories, and supports my

lenses of 58mm to 14" (355mm) with no other rails or anything. I have

made an extension back for it that accomodates a Speed Graphic shutter

that will allow me to shoot up to 600mm barrel. It is an amazing

little camera and I must say I have never had the difficulties many

complain about...difficulty in folding with either the bag bellows or

the regular accordian type, stiff operation in cold weather, or

whatever. I just wish they made larger ones in 8x10 or 5x7.

 

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With this camera I go on site with my large lens inventory of 58, 65,

72, 90, 121, 135, 150, 165, 180, 210, 240, 270, 305, 355, 18", 19",

20-3/4", 21-3/4", and 600, and I fit it all into a large lightware

case and an adapted black plastic ammo case. I also have a 36"

telephoto but it is huge and cannot be carried easily.

 

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The Sinar C is very sturdy but it is harder to get that around on

site. All in all I go with the Linhof, though I have heard great

things about the Arca Swiss, which is certainly a much more modular

system, like the Sinar but more compact. Pricey too.

[msitaraman]

I see an Arca-Swiss 4x5 Compact goes for the equivalent of about

US$ 2000 plus shipping at www.robertwhite.co.uk these days.

 

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I'm only a long-term prospective, not actual, user of large format

but this sounds like an excellent price from a company that I've

used a couple of times with total satisfaction.

[b.s.kumar]

I've been using a Sinar F2, and though it hasn't given me any serious trouble, it does seem more delicate, compared to my Linhof Master Technika. I'm planning to switch, and my choice would be the Linhof Technikardan. That would enable better integration with the Technika.