Selecting A Large Format Camera
If you love photography and want to expand your skills, then it may be time to change to a different camera format. 35mm may be the standard and the easiest to learn, but there are plenty of other cameras out there for you to master if you're looking for a challenge. Take, for instance, the large format camera – when wielded properly, these machines can yield detailed and beautiful prints that are simply not possible with smaller film.
Concerns of Having a Large Format Camera
Shooting with a large format camera is very, very different that with a 35mm. While you will still have the traditional focusing you are used to, large format cameras allow you to adjust the front and back lens planes. Essentially, this gives you the unique ability to directly manipulate the perspective and depth of field of your images. It also makes using a large format camera more difficult as you have more factors to adjust.
In addition, using a large format camera in sizes 4x5 and above, often requires free loading your film in light free environments (although some sizes do offer pre-loaded film packs). And most importantly, if you're planning to shoot with a larger format film, don't think that you can drop it off at any local photo store or pharmacy. You will either need to take it to a dedicated photo lab or print the images yourself. The cost for large format film is also more expensive both in the cost of film and for processing.
What Size Format to Choose?
Although large format cameras are available in multiple sizes, the most common is 4x5 and 8x10. If you're looking for a large format camera to start with your best choice is going to be a 4x5 camera. The cost of the camera and film will be less expensive than a larger format and will be easier to get your film processed. Additionally, unless you're using advanced methods (such as contact printing) to create your final prints, the difference in quality between the two won't be enough to make up the additional cost.
What Type of Format to Choose?
Most large format cameras are considered "view" cameras. View cameras come in a couple of varieties, each with strengths and weaknesses – Flatbed cameras which are very portable and light but limited in their accessories, and Monorail cameras which provide tons of image manipulating flexibility at the cost of mobility. Think first about what you plan on photographing and then make your decision based upon those needs. If you plan on taking landscapes, a monorail camera will give you lots of ways to change depth and perspective but it will be very cumbersome to hike with over long distances.
Large format is a very interesting and complicated method of photography. As you increase in format size, the detail of your photos will be better but it will also be more expensive and be more difficult to move your equipment easily. You can think of large format as HD photography- the image gets larger but the grain gets smaller relative to the image size. Many larger format cameras will cost at least $200 so be sure that it fits your needs before you buy!
Concerns of Having a Large Format Camera
Shooting with a large format camera is very, very different that with a 35mm. While you will still have the traditional focusing you are used to, large format cameras allow you to adjust the front and back lens planes. Essentially, this gives you the unique ability to directly manipulate the perspective and depth of field of your images. It also makes using a large format camera more difficult as you have more factors to adjust.
In addition, using a large format camera in sizes 4x5 and above, often requires free loading your film in light free environments (although some sizes do offer pre-loaded film packs). And most importantly, if you're planning to shoot with a larger format film, don't think that you can drop it off at any local photo store or pharmacy. You will either need to take it to a dedicated photo lab or print the images yourself. The cost for large format film is also more expensive both in the cost of film and for processing.
What Size Format to Choose?
Although large format cameras are available in multiple sizes, the most common is 4x5 and 8x10. If you're looking for a large format camera to start with your best choice is going to be a 4x5 camera. The cost of the camera and film will be less expensive than a larger format and will be easier to get your film processed. Additionally, unless you're using advanced methods (such as contact printing) to create your final prints, the difference in quality between the two won't be enough to make up the additional cost.
What Type of Format to Choose?
Most large format cameras are considered "view" cameras. View cameras come in a couple of varieties, each with strengths and weaknesses – Flatbed cameras which are very portable and light but limited in their accessories, and Monorail cameras which provide tons of image manipulating flexibility at the cost of mobility. Think first about what you plan on photographing and then make your decision based upon those needs. If you plan on taking landscapes, a monorail camera will give you lots of ways to change depth and perspective but it will be very cumbersome to hike with over long distances.
Large format is a very interesting and complicated method of photography. As you increase in format size, the detail of your photos will be better but it will also be more expensive and be more difficult to move your equipment easily. You can think of large format as HD photography- the image gets larger but the grain gets smaller relative to the image size. Many larger format cameras will cost at least $200 so be sure that it fits your needs before you buy!
