ryan_mcintosh

I am seriously thinking about purchasing one of these "Pocket Spot"

Light meter, but at 450.00 dollars...I want to get some feedback on

it first! Simply, is it worth it?

It can read a lower and higher EV rating then my current spot meter,

it is more durable, SMALLER AND LIGHTER.

Here is a link- http://www.meteredlight.com./spot1.htm

All comments are welcome on this product!

Thanks so much.

You check out the Large Format photographs site, Michael Smith and Paula Chamee, www.Michaelandpaula.com

Go to AZO and the board there, because they all shoot the largest camera you can find, and are VERY good at what they do.

Ryan McIntosh

Good to see your shooting 8x10 camera, and color at that! I bet that gets expensive, I shoot B+W 8x10 only.

Its really nice to see exactly what you are getting on your ground glass, then trying to look thru a tiny box!

Keep it up, and keep us posted on new work with the 8x10! (or 10x8) haha.

I purchased the exact same camera from Ebay a few years ago. Its a very fine camera, but abit heavy for me. Depending on what you want to spend on a lens, you could fine one on Ebay for a couple hundred dollars. I recommend getting a 300mm lens, as that is standard on your 8x10.

For a lens board, you see them on Ebay all the time. It is the square board that has 2 notches cut out at the top. Once you find a lens and lens board, you will have to take them both to a camera repair store to get the lens mounted properly. Try to make sure when you buy a lens, it also has the retaining ring with it.

I was quite upset when I found out they are doing away with the Arista EDU film. I use that in 8x10 size, for my 8x10 camera. I have been using the film since it came out and perfected the exposure and development times with it!

I am sure the new Arista ULTRA will have different times and everything. Damn it! I dont have time to redue film tests and everything now!

Ryan McIntosh

I have heard that the Canham is a truly wonderful camera.

you might want to look into that. You should go to a place where you can see the camera with your own two eyes and see how it feels to you. Im sure this is a big purchase for you and you would not risk buying something from JUST a person word or mouth.

Also, will you be selling your old 8x10 camera? I am a student and been shooting 8x10 for almost a year now, but I am looking for a old, used wooden field camera. Please email me or reply back!

Ryan McIntosh

www.RyanMcIntosh.net

The easiest 4x5 camera that I have EVER used in my lifetime was the new Arca-Swiss cameras. Using them, it is almost like the camera is not there and I have NOTHING to worry about.

If you are willing to pay that much, go for a Arca Swiss.

Ryan McIntosh

Many people do not know the difference between film that is underexposed or underdeveloped. Same with people not knowing the difference between overexposed and overdeveloped.

Chances are, you underdeveloped. You may haved mixed your dilution wrong or something.

What are you going to be contact printing on? I hope just not regular enlarger paper. I recommend that you try Kodak AZO contact printing paper. It is sold by Michael Smith and Paula Chamlee, go take a look at their site under "AZO" and read up about it. www.MichaelandPaula.com

You will thank me for how beautiful your prints will be.

Ryan McIntosh

www.RyanMcIntosh.net

"Ryan-why does it have to be an 8x10?"

I have been shooting 4x5 for many years now, and recently got into only 8x10 contact printing. The 8x10 has become the ONLY camera I use now.

I am thinking about getting a hard suitcase and wrapping the camera up with a huge blanket and maybe place some foam inside the case to keep everything from shifting. I CANNOT afford 500 dollars for a hardshell camera case right now. I will also wrap the ground glass with tape and possible sandwhich that between board, so that will not get broken. The lens will be taken on as carry on.

My tripod will be checked in a box most likely.

Thanks for everyones suggestions. I still have a few months to find and make the case for my camera. When I do...I will test it out by throwing it around in the air like they do at the airport. hahaha!

Thanks again,

Ryan McIntosh

I will be leaving the country for about a week soon, and wanted to

take my 8x10 camera, big tripod and everything that goes along with

it. I have decided to mail my 8x10 film, just to be safe in

airports...but what about my camera and tripod?

I currently have a large monorail Calumet, which will not fit into a

backpack and I have no case for it. I could possible fit it into a

big duffle bag...but I dont think they would let me take that on as

CarryOn. Is it safe to check it?

Also, my tripod is VERY big and heavy for the 8x10. What would be

the best way to take that also. I assume to check it as luggage, but

should it be wrapped up or in a box?

Thanks so much. Any help is needed.

Ryan McIntosh

Thanks for the suggestion on the bag. I will look into that.

As for the Bender 8x10, I do not think that would be any better then what I have. I find its very diffifult to use a full rail camera in the field, and my calumet is the same basic design as the Bender (just metal and plastic). With carrying those skinny wooden parts in a backpack, something would FOR SURE get broken. The camera is a good price thought.

As for the "Worlds lighest" 8x10 camera, that would not really work eaither. First off, I cannot afford 1,600.00 dollars for the body, and it seems to me that they just skimped on metal and stuff to make it. This may make it lighter...but I am sure it makes it weaker.

Anyone have any suggestions for a wooden field camera that could fold up? Price range- 400-900 dollars possible.

Thanks.

I am sure this has been asked before, but I am looking for a new

8x10 camera for the field, that can fold up preety small...and is

somewhat light weight. I really do not have much money, so paying

more then 1,000.00 for a camera is WAY out of my budget. I would be

willing to purchase one used also.

I have been using the heavy Calumet 8x10 monorail camera, and I can

no longer carry that when hiking.

Also, does anyone know a company that makes backpacks to fit a 8x10

camera into?

Thanks,

Ryan

My best suggestion is to pick up a Ansel Adams good like The Negative, and read about The Zone System. That is all you need to know, plus more.

Ryan McIntosh

www.RyanMcIntosh.net

I am a full-time photography seller on Ebay. I sell my 8x10 AZO contact prints, and to tell you the truth... more then 1/2 of all my sales are out of the USA! Because shipping cost ALOT more, I charge a set fee of 10.00 in the US, and 22.00 outside the US. I have had GREAT success in selling my photography, and will continue too for a long time.

Here is a link, I only have a few prints up for sale right now.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZryanmcintoshphotographyQQhtZ-1

Ryan McIntosh

Use a Ries tripod. www.riestripods.com

Read about how they can dampen vibration.

Using a Ries, and using a heavy tripod will help.

I am leaving the country in a few weeks to go photographing, and was

wondering what would be the best way to take film there? I am

shooting 4x5 and 8x10 200asa film. I could take all the film in

there boxes...but I am afraid they will want to open them up to see

whats inside. Or I could take the film loaded in the film holders.

Any suggestions would be a help. Thanks

Ryan McIntosh

www.RyanMcIntosh.net

www.riestripods.com

Get a Ries Tripod. They are the nicest tripod you can possibly get. Get the tripod that cordinates with what size format you are shooting. Both Ansel Adams and Edward Weston used Ries tripods, and all of the best photographers of today use them also, so they must be good.

Ries tripods are very light, very easy to use, very beautiful and well crafted, and provide the least amount of vibration/shake because all vibration is realeased in wood, rather then a metal tripod where the vibration travels to the head where your camera is.

Read up about them on the site. You might be able to find a used one on Ebay also.

Ryan McIntosh

www.RyanMcIntosh.net

Yes, I got the EXACT lens that you have here, and I got the lens ring from Midwest Photo Exchange. SK Grimes will charge you a arm and a leg for it (Most likly over 100.00 dollars for a stupid little ring)

Goodluck. Also, can you get a cable release to work with that shutter? I cannot find one with enought "Throw" to fire the shutter!!!

Ryan McIntosh

www.RyanMcIntosh.net

I would not confuse someone that is FIRST starting Large Format by explaining to them what all the movements do, the zone system, blah blah blah. All that complicated stuff should wait at least a few days after learning the camera.

When I first learned large format, I was told what all the movements did, but since I had never used the camera before...I had absolutly NO clue WHEN to use them!

Having LOTS of practice is the most important thing. Period.

Ryan McIntosh

www.RyanMcIntosh.net

Besides for the cost of those cameras, I would LOVE to own one. J and C film is your best bet for weird size films and large film.

Ryan McIntosh

150 bucks ehh? Will you build me one? PLEASE!!!! How much would you want to build one?

Ryan McIntosh

Wow! Just getting into Large Format photography, and you purchased yourself an Arca-Swiss? Sheesh! Hope you are serious about your photography. That is one heck of a camera. When I start making more money with my photography I will hopefully be able to afford one. haha.

Ryan McIntosh