andyk

Anyone have a suggestion for tall people? I have an f64 4x5 pack, but it fit like a daypack which is uncomfortable with the weight. the lowepro Supertrekker is really no better as all the weith is still on my shoulders.

 

- Andy

The trick is to have enough distance between the subject and backgroud to avoid spill. I have a diagram - send me an email at andy.kochendorfer@on24.com and I will send you a copy.

Raymond, It is very important that all of the knobs be loose - do not force anything! There is of course a button tab on the top of the camera that acts a lock, but it is important when opening and closing the camera to keep all locks off and knobs loose. The focus slide and lens plate should be all the way back toward the ground glass with the lens plate rise locks loose before closing. Let the lens plate fall forward (down) before closing. I think that I have my manual around here and if I can find it, I could scan it if you cannot find the manual elsewhere.

I recently obtained an excellent Graphic II 4x5 camera, but without any

lensboards. I need a Copal 1 for a 300 mm I have - does anyone where I might

get a lensboard for a Graphic II? There are no flat lensboards on eBay for this

camera.

 

Thanks in advance!

I have owned a Toyo AII for serveral years and must say that it is my favorite camera for field use. It has been backpacking with me and in all sorts of weather and always worked great. I highly recomend it.

 

It is a bit heavy, but the rugged build is worth it. Just get a carbon fiber tripod!

 

Do not expect to use this camera for studio use, however. The max extension is small and a 300mm is the limit. long lenses with Copal 1 shutters and size are few and most have high f-stops, unless you are willing to pay a great deal for a lens. Better to have something like a Sinar for studio use.

Try the classic book: "Painting With Light" by cinematographer John Alton. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520089499/qid=1143057287/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-2994094-1346412?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

 

In production, we often spend a great deal of time on the background elements - think Rembrandt here. When you only have a talking head in the foreground, you need an interesting background to keep the viewer's attention.

 

- Andy

Dave - Get a changing tent. I purchased a Photoflex tent from B&H for ~$70 and it works great, plus it folds flat when not in use and is very light weight. The tent gives you a constant physical space to work within, unlike the changing bag which is collapsed. Just remember not to use changing bags/tents in direct light - find a shady spot or better yet, do you loading the early AM or evening if possible.

PhotoFlex is here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=41880&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

I noted several posts about the Epson 4990. I have a Epson Photo 25xx (I cannot remember exct number - it is a little over a year old). My biggest complaint has been focus - the Epson flatbed that I have canniot focus - this has been a big problem for detailed scans as anything beyond 1200 dpi starts to get alittle fuzzy. Has Epson fixed this with the 4990?

I was out at Mono Lake at dawn with my Toyo 4x5 and a bus full of "photo tourists" showed up before sunrise. About 50 people walked past me at South Tufa and gave me a mixture of strange looks and silly remarks like "is that an antique?" or "are you surveying?" They sounded like New Yorkers and they were all walking around with the latest digital SLRs; easliy $10K hanging from each their necks. They were all taking pictures in the near dark without tripods deployed. Are fuzzy, seriously underexposed frames the new fashion on the East Coast?

 

I took 4 frames, each carefully composed and capable of 4x5 foot-sized enlargements with detail.

 

"High tech" and disposable income do not a photographer make.

 

Since I aquired the 4x5 about two years ago I have learned to slow down and really look; to see. I have been a professional videographer for broadcast networks for over 20 years and have shot a great deal of 35mm and 16mm film for national commericals, but I am now amazed at how much I have been missing by moving fast with an SLR camera.

 

I now take far fewer frames and am much happier with the results.

 

Andy

Have you considered a Toyo AXII? I have had a Toyo for a number of years and been very happy with it's ruggedness and features. I use a 300mm Nikon at full bellows extension and that is the limit of this camera. It backpacks well. There is also a carbon fiber versio (model number escapes me) if you are looking to drop some weigght on your back.

 

- Andy

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I appreciate your responses.

 

- Andy

Any recomendations for economical 4x5 film, particularlly black &

white film? I have a camera, but not much $$ for film. I have looked

on eBay, but many of those folks require PayPal, which I refuse to

use because of all the security holes in PayPal.

 

Thanks,

Andy (poor LF dude)

Folks...

 

Thanks you very much for all the great information! The Kodak solution sounds interesting... especailly since I am on a budget.

 

Thanks agin,

Andy

I recently aquired a Toyo Field AII for landscape work. I have

gotten some requests for portaits, but I am unfamiliar with what

constitues a good portrait lens for 4 x 5. Any suggestions out there?

 

Thanks,

Andy

Sony and Panasonic make DV converters. You pug the composite audio/video outputs (and control-S if you have deck control) into this box and then take the DV output and plug that into your Mac or PC.

The easiest way is to use Media Cleaner to turn your clip into a MPEG movie. Open Media Cleaner and browse for your DV clip. Once open, select the output formats you desire and hit go. I suggest Windows Media format - most folks can play this back and it compresses well for CDRom applications. The best would be Quicktime, but it takes more space.