[LargeFormat] about to take the jump

[Slobodan Dimitrov]

Myself, I've been toying with the idea of getting a Calumet Cadet. Used
they cost about $200-300. A camera like that you can trash along the way
until a life threatening camera model bug bites you.
Slobodan Dimitrov


William Wiseman wrote:
> 
> >       You'll also need many smaller items which add up.  Film holders,
> > focusing cloth, groundglass magnifier, a case or backpack, separate
> > exposure meter and lens shade/filter holder and filters.  If you want
> > to do your own black and white darkroom work there's more.
> 
> This is one reason I have been aiming for either a lower cost camera or
> a moderate priced starting kit. And since I am cheap, I get snipes a
> lot on ebay. :-)
> 
> >       I don't mean to discourage you or anyone.  I've had large
> > format experience in the past, about twenty years ago.  Recently,
> > I've outfitted a darkroom for a maximum size of 5x7 negatives and
> > a print size of 11x14 and though modest, it's been expensive and
> > taken more time than I thought it would.  Then, working with new
> > unfamilair equipment takes some time before speed and ease of
> > handling is reached.
> 
> I'm in the process of going from a temp darkroom to a permanent one. I
> have a 4x5 enlarger with lenses, negatives holders, etc. that covers
> from 35mm to 4x5. From 4x5 I should be able to get 16x20 w/o reversing
> the column.
> 
> >       The same is true for the camera!  With large format, a routine
> > needs to be established by repeative use, at first without film!  So
> > that mistakes, like forgetting to close the shutter or pull the dark
> > slide, can be avoided.   It's not the creative part.  But failure to
> > establish
> > a workable, repeatable routine is the biggest stumbling block for the
> > new
> > large format user to overcome.
> 
> Now, nobody laugh, but I have actually been fiddling around with an
> old, plate-type 4x5 folder and a Mini Speed Graphic to get the feel for
> the process involved. The movements on these cameras are non-existent,
> but it has let me get the feel of ground glass focussing, remembering
> to close the shutter (most of the time) and using the film holders w/o
> moving the camera. So, I hope this will keep me from making SOME of the
> obvious beginner mistakes. But I bet I do still make some.
> 
> JeffW.
> 
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