Machinery My old 4x5

My old 4x5 · **4 Likes**

Trying to run some more film through my large format camera and lenses, sure is fun to work with!

SSGGeezer · 08-13-2018, 07:02 PM - **1 Like**

Very cool! Do you have to cock the shutter with that lever before each shot, or is that just setting the shutter speed?

**bobbotron** · 08-13-2018, 07:16 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

Very cool! Do you have to cock the shutter with that lever before each shot, or is that just setting the shutter speed?

You do have to cock it before each shot!

There's a trigger on the camera, or you can use a release cable. This lens in particular (a venerable old Kodak Ektar) has a separate lever to cock the flash mechanism.

To set the shutter speed, you rotate the outer ring on the lens (slowly, it's an old shutter.) To set the aperture, there's a small arm near the bottom you rotate.

Further, you can't look through the lens while you take the photo, you have to insert a film holder and take out the dark slide.

Any time your modern camera seems to be slow or hard to use, consider the steps above!

(Mind you, the view cameras blow the doors off film plane movements available via SLR tilt/shift lenses.)

gmans · 08-13-2018, 11:25 PM

Originally posted by bobbotron

Trying to run some more film through my large format camera and lenses, sure is fun to work with!

Lovely photo and great works of camera.

Cheers

Photogoof · 08-13-2018, 11:29 PM

That looks like a blast to use!

reh321 · 08-14-2018, 05:55 AM

I know a guy who recently went from P&S back to a camera like that. He's having a great time he says.

**bobbotron** · 08-14-2018, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by reh321

I know a guy who recently went from P&S back to a camera like that. He's having a great time he says.

It's good fun! Makes for slow, deliberate work, they sure are fun to work with. That would be quite the change!

**gaweidert** · 08-14-2018, 07:39 AM

I would like to give it 25 likes. Everyone here should have a chance to spend a week at a workshop learning to use one of these.

normhead · 08-14-2018, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by gaweidert

I would like to give it 25 likes. Everyone here should have a chance to spend a week at a workshop learning to use one of these.

Ya, I spent a school year learning to use them so no thanks, but maybe everyone else....

I saw and old guy in the park with one once on the Track and Tower trail. He was setting up the tilt shift for the perfect image...

The biggest problem for me with 4x5 Cameras is the slow frame rate.

reh321 · 08-14-2018, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by gaweidert

I would like to give it 25 likes. Everyone here should have a chance to spend a week at a workshop learning to use one of these.

The whole thing looks fascinating, but there are two reasons I'd not use one on a regular basis

(1) I'm a digital guy now - I'd hate to have to scan every negative

(2) My back isn't up to taking that where I take cameras

**bobbotron** · 08-14-2018, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by normhead

Ya, I spent a school year learning to use them so no thanks, but maybe everyone else....

I saw and old guy in the park with one once on the Track and Tower trail. He was setting up the tilt shift for the perfect image...

The biggest problem for me with 4x5 Cameras is the slow frame rate.

Each to their own! I'm definitely not ditching my K3, but it's sure nice to spend some time around the farm lining up a shot. Takes about... 10 to 20 minutes to get one lined up? It's a fun way to spend some time.

---------- Post added 08-14-18 at 12:12 PM ----------

Originally posted by reh321

The whole thing looks fascinating, but there are two reasons I'd not use one on a regular basis

(1) I'm a digital guy now - I'd hate to have to scan every negative

(2) My back isn't up to taking that where I take cameras

It doesn't have to be an either / or kind of thing.

They make "field" 4x5s that are lighter. The bender is a fun piece of wood working, but I think it's "medium heavy duty" WRT to 4x5 cameras. Also not very durable, it wouldn't like hiking well. I'd love to get a travel large format camera, but not really spending more money on camera gear these days.

This winter I bought a 4x5 enlarger, going to make some prints soon.

---------- Post added 08-14-18 at 12:13 PM ----------

Originally posted by gaweidert

I would like to give it 25 likes. Everyone here should have a chance to spend a week at a workshop learning to use one of these.

I agree!

I totally get why it's not everyone's cup of tea, but they sure are a joy to mess around with.

---------- Post added 08-14-18 at 12:14 PM ----------

I should post up a photo of the other 4x5 camera I own... a studio job with screwed up bellows... makes the Bender above look puny by comparison!

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08-13-2018, 07:02 PM - 1 Like	#2
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Very cool! Do you have to cock the shutter with that lever before each shot, or is that just setting the shutter speed?

08-13-2018, 07:16 PM - 1 Like	#3
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349 Original Poster	Originally posted by SSGGeezer Very cool! Do you have to cock the shutter with that lever before each shot, or is that just setting the shutter speed? You do have to cock it before each shot! There's a trigger on the camera, or you can use a release cable. This lens in particular (a venerable old Kodak Ektar) has a separate lever to cock the flash mechanism. To set the shutter speed, you rotate the outer ring on the lens (slowly, it's an old shutter.) To set the aperture, there's a small arm near the bottom you rotate. Further, you can't look through the lens while you take the photo, you have to insert a film holder and take out the dark slide. Any time your modern camera seems to be slow or hard to use, consider the steps above! (Mind you, the view cameras blow the doors off film plane movements available via SLR tilt/shift lenses.)

08-13-2018, 11:25 PM	#4
gmans Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hunter Valley,NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,466	Originally posted by bobbotron Trying to run some more film through my large format camera and lenses, sure is fun to work with! Lovely photo and great works of camera. Cheers

08-13-2018, 11:29 PM	#5
Photogoof Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,422	That looks like a blast to use!

08-14-2018, 05:55 AM	#6
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	I know a guy who recently went from P&S back to a camera like that. He's having a great time he says.

08-14-2018, 07:32 AM	#7
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349 Original Poster	Originally posted by reh321 I know a guy who recently went from P&S back to a camera like that. He's having a great time he says. It's good fun! Makes for slow, deliberate work, they sure are fun to work with. That would be quite the change!

08-14-2018, 07:39 AM	#8
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	I would like to give it 25 likes. Everyone here should have a chance to spend a week at a workshop learning to use one of these.

08-14-2018, 07:52 AM	#9
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by gaweidert I would like to give it 25 likes. Everyone here should have a chance to spend a week at a workshop learning to use one of these. Ya, I spent a school year learning to use them so no thanks, but maybe everyone else.... I saw and old guy in the park with one once on the Track and Tower trail. He was setting up the tilt shift for the perfect image... The biggest problem for me with 4x5 Cameras is the slow frame rate.

08-14-2018, 07:58 AM	#10
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by gaweidert I would like to give it 25 likes. Everyone here should have a chance to spend a week at a workshop learning to use one of these. The whole thing looks fascinating, but there are two reasons I'd not use one on a regular basis (1) I'm a digital guy now - I'd hate to have to scan every negative (2) My back isn't up to taking that where I take cameras

08-14-2018, 09:09 AM	#11
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead Ya, I spent a school year learning to use them so no thanks, but maybe everyone else.... I saw and old guy in the park with one once on the Track and Tower trail. He was setting up the tilt shift for the perfect image... The biggest problem for me with 4x5 Cameras is the slow frame rate. Each to their own! I'm definitely not ditching my K3, but it's sure nice to spend some time around the farm lining up a shot. Takes about... 10 to 20 minutes to get one lined up? It's a fun way to spend some time. ---------- Post added 08-14-18 at 12:12 PM ---------- Originally posted by reh321 The whole thing looks fascinating, but there are two reasons I'd not use one on a regular basis (1) I'm a digital guy now - I'd hate to have to scan every negative (2) My back isn't up to taking that where I take cameras It doesn't have to be an either / or kind of thing. They make "field" 4x5s that are lighter. The bender is a fun piece of wood working, but I think it's "medium heavy duty" WRT to 4x5 cameras. Also not very durable, it wouldn't like hiking well. I'd love to get a travel large format camera, but not really spending more money on camera gear these days. This winter I bought a 4x5 enlarger, going to make some prints soon. ---------- Post added 08-14-18 at 12:13 PM ---------- Originally posted by gaweidert I would like to give it 25 likes. Everyone here should have a chance to spend a week at a workshop learning to use one of these. I agree! I totally get why it's not everyone's cup of tea, but they sure are a joy to mess around with. ---------- Post added 08-14-18 at 12:14 PM ---------- I should post up a photo of the other 4x5 camera I own... a studio job with screwed up bellows... makes the Bender above look puny by comparison!