RE: [Largeformat] Welcome to Largeformat@onelist.com

["Pete Caluori" <pcaluori@hotmail.com>]

From: "Pete Caluori" <pcaluori@hotmail.com>

>From: "Randle  Bain" <rtbain@flash.net>
>This is an introduction to the large format group.
>
>My name is Randle Bain and have been shooting for many years now.  A few
>years back I owned a Pentax 645.  While the camera had some limitations, I
>fell in love with the tonal gradation available in the larger negative.  I
>sold the camera to buy a Leica (insert long story here) and have been
>shooting 35mm ever since.  Once you have had a taste of the big ones you 
>can
>never really go back.
>
>I toyed with the idea of selling the Leica and moving up to 21/4 square but
>decided against it (insert another long story here).  I thought (dangerous
>to be certain) what the heck; go large format.  With this lapse of good
>sense, I decided to try to find a 4X5.  Right now, I am bidding in eBay in
>an attempt to get an outfit a reasonable price.
>
>My favorite subjects tend to be outdoors.  I considered a field camera but
>decided this would be too practical.  A Calumet seems to be a good place to
>begin this adventure.  My favorite focal length in 35mm is a 28mm lense.  I
>understand it is difficult to translate directly o 4X5 format but 
>understand
>that a 90mm lense is roughly equivalent.
>
>The bad news is I know nothing about "real" cameras.  The good news is that
>I know nothing and am a willing student.
>
>Advice, comments and jeers are more than welcome
>
>Randle Bain
>rtbain@flash.net
>Motorcyclists know why dogs hang their heads from car windows
>
Welcome Randle,

Good luck in finding a camera!  Once you start shooting those large 
negs/tranies you wont look back.  I went from 35 to 6x6 and now shoot both 
4x5 and 8x10.

99.9% of my photography is outdoor; mostly landscape and some 
quasi-architectural - old barns, buildings, etc. (emphasis on old.)  I find 
the lens I use most often with 4x5 is a 135mm; I don't have a 90.  I always 
wanted one, just never found one at the right price.

If you plan on hauling your camera around in the field, you may want to 
place your emphasis on weight.  Pounds add up quickly, especially when you 
add the weight of film holders, tripod, etc.

Regards,  Pete
Colorado