u/LBarouf

I was discussing with some friends and then we asked ourselves a question: if we were to do everything again and we could only get a single camera, what would it be?

Considering that I owned and have used submicro all the way to LF, and considering availability and prices of film and development… where would you start over as a user? Not a collector question, a user. Not a pro, an amateur. Any and all styles, not just one in particular. Any format, any film, color and/BW: your choice.

Do you go instant? Half frame? Full frame SLR? Medium format rangefinder? Large format view camera? And why?

And as a friend told me: why not half frame? Most 35mm movies were shot and projected on something like half frame!

Has anyone tried sheet film adapters (52012) to shoot dry plates?

I know people have converted the Polaroid 100 backs for wet plates and can do dry plates as well, but i would like something more compact. And shooting sheet film in my 503 is not something i find appealing to me when i have large format view cameras. But… small dry plates are appealing to me.

Any recommendations?

Has anyone tried sheet film adapters (52012) to shoot dry plates?

I know people have converted the Polaroid 100 backs for wet plates and can do dry plates as well, but i would like something more compact. And shooting sheet film in my 503 is not something i find appealing to me when i have large format view cameras. But… small dry plates are appealing to me.

Any recommendations?

Has anyone tried sheet film adapters (52012) to shoot dry plates?

I know people have converted the Polaroid 100 backs for wet plates and can do dry plates as well, but i would like something more compact. And shooting sheet film in my 503 is not something i find appealing to me when i have large format view cameras. But… small dry plates are appealing to me.

Any recommendations?

Has anyone tried sheet film adapters (52012) to shoot dry plates?

I know people have converted the Polaroid 100 backs for wet plates and can do dry plates as well, but i would like something more compact. And shooting sheet film in my 503 is not something i find appealing to me when i have large format view cameras. But… small dry plates are appealing to me.

Any recommendations?

Anyone here using a 500/200 series camera with 6x4.5. And CFV backs? Whats your trick for composing properly in 3 different aspect ratios?

I know of the Hasselblad part number 42264, which os a great idea but insanely expensive. Are the custom
Bright screens the only alternatives? Anyone can comment how good they are with critical focussing and if they throw off the PME meters.

At the moment i use masks. The Hasselblad mask for CFV is not bad but its another thing to lose. Lost it once already. Not precise for 6x4.5 neither.

I have some old kodak black and white film for C-41 processing. Can I expect decent results if I throw them in with other rolls being processed in D76 or ID11 ?

For those who have or had an AutoLab, i am considering the ATL-2000. What would you say is the minimum rate for this to make sense. Is there a rate, can 1 roll a week still make sense? Unlike Fuji minilab, i dont believe there is any waste if you dont process “enough”. If i dont fill all 6 rolls and dont process daily, is there any loss incurred that i dont know of?

I don’t see them mentioned often while the 55mm,80mm,105mm and 180mm get all the attention.
Are there good reasons to get them and some not to get them?

How can i find out if a lens will be making an image circle large enough for 8x10, 5x7 or 4x5. All the lenses i use of 4x5 so i know, but the question on how to calculate or find out remains.

Thank you,

I would like to attempt making film from scratch. Then later my own photo sensitive paper.

Where can i source all the chemicals at a reasonable price? Silver nitrate crystals seem to be way too expensive to me. There must be places where i can source that stuff for less, no?

Has anyone used a converted Pathfinder to regular 4x5 and a regular camera like a Linhof Technika, Graflex Crown Graphic, Toyo/Horseman 45, etc…

How would you compare? Is it much more compact?

I have too many cameras and looking to scale down. I would keep a Sinar F on rail for studio type of work, and a portable one. Debating between a Speed Graphic that has a Aero Ektar 178 and multiple lenses, a Linhof Technika or converting Pathfinder. I love the AeroEktar, i could always get a shutter mounted on it to be used on my Sinar, thats not so much of a concern. At this point its about going from 8 camera bodies down to two.

If anyone has recommendations or ideas for me it would be greatly appreciated!

What do you prefer to use when shooting? Which viewfinder to help you compose, the optical view finder, the electronic one or the rear screen?

View Poll

Feels like they abandoned the format.

I develop mostly for print. So far i love printing in black and white. What i like about large format is each sheet can be developed on its own, providing freedom to develop for different contrast one sheet at a time.

Thats’s the part i love about camera systems, i can use my backs for different film stocks. But…. I can also use different back for different contrasts. For my Hasselblad system V system, i now have over 22 backs. I have 3 different bodies but still, i can get rid of a few. But my point and question is, for those of you who develop to print, that develop so it’s easier to print and use the zone system…. Do you also use backs to separate your shots by contrast? I keep 3 stacks, for high contrast, separate from normal and low contrast.

As a side question, if for some reason you did not intend to print, would you develop differently? Is there something you favour when developing for scanning, for example you aim for highest acutance? I personally scan in the highest definition as an off site archive means to get another copy, and should gelatine prints not be possible, i can still large print using digital technology.

Thanks,

I’m looking at getting a used projector. For it to work in my situation it would have to be a short throw model. I see some Epson for sale in mu area.

What should i be on the lookout for? What breaks on those? Any tips?

Thanks,