I'm a strugling student about to purchase my first 4x5 camera for a class. I was debating on a Calumet Cambo sc (used for about $500). Does anybody have any opinions on this camera or like to recommend any other reasonably priced 4x5?

-- Nicole Ferrara (NIKKIGIRL@COMPUSERVE.COM), September 05, 1998

Answers

My first large format camera was a Calumet monorail. They are very usable cameras. My problem was that most of my photography is outdoors and may require a walk of 100 yards up to a mile or two and a monorail is not very practical for that. A field camera is more practical for that situation and many of todays field cameras have virtually as much movement as their studio counterparts. There is alot more expense for large format than just the camera, there is: lens boards, lenses, film holders, light meter, good tripod and all the darkroom supplies. I would want to do my own darkroom work if you have gone to all the trouble of making a large format image especially in black and white, if you work mainly in color and have a good color lab then that might be ok. I usually tell people to avoid large format photography because of the dedication that it takes but if you have this dedication then me telling you to stay away won't stop you. Good luck.

-- Jeff White (zonie@computer-concepts.com), September 05, 1998.

$500 is probably about as cheap as it gets. 5x4 cameras vary widely in their features and prices, and as you are just starting out, you won't yet know what you want. There are inevitable trade-offs: weight and size versus rigidity, precision versus ease-of-use, and all of these versus cost.

I've no experience of that camera, but do use a Calumet Cadet Wide, which I don't rate very highly, but it is (a) fairly light, and (b) can use the Schneider 47XL without a recessed board. I have heard that the other (more expensive) Calumets, like the one you mention, are better cameras.

You should also look at http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Large%20format%20photography, a Large Format forum. There are many similar questions there.

Remember to budget for a lens or two, $100 plus (secondhand), each, and some filmholders.

-- Alan Gibson (gibson.al@mail.dec.com), September 07, 1998.

Hello Nikki

You may want to check out the TOYO cameras for about $399 at Mamiya USA special student prices. Ask for a student price list to be mailed to from www.mamiya.com .

-- Mommy (000@ooo.com), September 08, 1998.

Although many people put it down, the Speed Graphic is a good choice for entry to 4x5 format. True, some the view camera movements aren't possible, but you do have some very useable options if you are clever. The Speed Graphic has a focal plane shutter, so you can use the less expensive barrel lenses, it is sturdy, not terribly expensive, and the coupled rangefinder makes many applications of the 4x5 format possible that you could never do with a monorail. Visit a few camera swap meets, or look in Shutterbug. Goo

-- Charles Kleesattel (kleesattelc@mason.k12.oh.us), October 06, 1998.