Large Format Photography Gaining Popularity
Despite the remarkable growth of digital photography, large format 4X5, 8X10 and larger format camera sizes are gaining in sales among photography purists. Arca Swiss continues to make a terrific line of very fine cameras.
Film Availability
Kodak is still continuing to produce film in the large format sizes.
Fuji as well is still continuing to produce film in the large format sizes, however, they are no longer producing ready loads in the 4X5 format.
Large Format Photography is alive and well.
Large format describes large photographic films, large cameras, view cameras (including pinhole cameras) and processes that use a film or digital sensor, generally 4 x 5 inches (10x13 cm) or larger. The most common large formats are 4x5 and 8x10 inches (20x25 cm). Less common formats include quarter-plate, 5x7 inches, 11x14 inches, 16x20 inches, 20x24 inches, various panoramic or "banquet" formats (such as 4x10 and 8x20 inches), as well as metric formats, including 9x12 cm, 10x13 cm, and 13x18 cm.
The Polaroid 20x24 inch instant camera is one of the largest format cameras currently in common usage, and can be hired from Polaroid agents in various countries.[1] Many well-known photographers have used the 235 pound (106 kg), wheeled-chassis Polaroid.
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The term of art "Large Format" refers to film and camera formats that generally use sheet film in sizes equal to or larger than 4 inches by 5 inches (or 9x12 cm). (Although there are some view cameras in sizes smaller than 4x5 inches, or 6x9cm). Large Format distinguishes large cameras 4x5, 5x7, 4x10 and 8 x10 inches, from medium format cameras and film (6x6, 6x7, 6x8, 6x9cm roll film cameras) and from small format cameras of 35mm, 110 and smaller film sizes. Above 8x10 inches, the formats are often referred to as Ultra Large Format (ULF) and may be 11x14, 16x20, 20x24 inches, or as large as film, plates or cameras are available.
Control
Most large-format cameras have adjustable fronts and backs that allow the photographer to better control rendering of perspective and depth of field. Architectural and close-up photographers in particular benefit greatly from this ability.
Aside from the focusing action common to all formats, the special movements of many large format technical and view cameras allow the front and/or back of the camera to be tilted out of parallel with each other, and to be shifted up, down, or sideways. Based on the Scheimpflug principle, these movements make it possible to solve otherwise impossible depth-of-field problems, and to change perspective rendering, and create special effects that would be impossible with a conventional fixed-plane camera.
Ansel Adams' photographs demonstrate how the use of front (lens plane) and back (film plane) adjustments can secure great apparent depth of field when using the movements available on large-format view cameras.
Digital camera sensor question?
Well, I found a Kodak Z981 that I may purchase since I don’t have a camera at the moment and while I don’t particularly *need one, a camera would give me an excuse to get out of the house every so often haha. The thing I was wondering about thought, was it’s sensor size. It’s pretty small according to wikipedia’s chart, it’s about the smallest at 1/2.33, CCD~type. I rememer hear that every camera these days has a good enough MP count, but it’s other important features such as a sensor size/typed that will matter more. One thing that might be worth mentioning, however I’m not sure if it makes much of a difference, is that it does shoot in RAW format. Everything else though is great on it, it has HD recording capabilities at 30 fps, a nice lens, and many features that are generally exclusive to a DSLR, such as the ability to change shutter speeds and it takes instant photos and is nearly an instant start up as well. Plus it has a viewfinder, which is really nice. But what really holds me back as I said, was the darn sensor. Should I pass it up and wait for something better, or at least something with a larger better sensor for right around $200? What do you think? Thank you very much in advance.
What would be a better brand then?
Help me choose a medium format camera?
Film only. No digital.
I’ve been shooting rangefinders for a while now. I develop and print my own film (black and white) I take colour film to the developer. Ultimately I want to shoot large format. Now i’m thinking if i should transition into medium format or jump into large format.
because this isn’t something i’ll stick with; i want to start cheap.
There are certain things I want to be able to do with it though. Use wide angle lenses for landscape. If possible, interchangable lenses, so i can switch to portraits. Are there some cameras that have a small tilt shift; like a large format camera?
I like the rollei’s and TLR’s because it is easier for me to get a low perspective on things.
However I also saw a rollei sl66. Mirror, bellows, look down style with ground glass. And i have a few quesitons:
is this a worthy investment?
With a mirror, will the shutter speed get too high and become difficult to hand hold?
Is there a mirror lock?
Can I change film backs?
Interchangable lenses?
Any major problems or concerns I should look out for?
Concerns about broken bellows?
tilt shift?
or are the TRL’s just a cheaper alternative to get my feet wet?
Probably the best camera that meets your criteria is the Mamiya C330 TLR with several lenses.
http://www.collectiblecameras.com/product.php?productid=170379&cat=590&page=2
After that, the Mamiya 645 or RB67 would be good choices.
What do you think of this camera and photo printer by HP?
The printer is a ‘HP Photosmart e317″
The Digital camera is 7850 digital camera
..i might get it.
Built-in flash
Stock Photo Item Specifics – Digital Cameras
Digital Camera Type: Point & Shoot Optical Zoom: —
Digital Camera Brand: Hewlett-Packard Digital Zoom: 4x
Product Line: HP PhotoSmart Manufacturer Warranty: —
Model: E317 Flash Type: Built-in flash
Resolution: 5 Memory Card Format: Multiple
Manufacturer Part Number: Multiple Battery Type: 2 x AA alkaline battery ( included )
Bundled Kits: — Condition: New, Never Opened
HP’s Home Photo Studio…with everything included!
Digital camera/photo printer combo has everything to get you started. HP makes it easy for you to take the plunge into digital photography by bundling a digital camera with a compatible photo printer — at a great value! This package includes everything you need to get started: a 5.0-megapixel camera, a fast printer, ink, and starter 8 1/2″ x 11″ photo paper. You’ll be able to take pictures and print them right away.
Print beautiful photos in as fast as 27 seconds. Take great pictures and print them — even borderless! — from 4″ x 6″ all the way to extra-long 8 1/2″ x 24″ paper size. The 7850 printer offers quick print speeds up to 20 ppm (pages per minute) in black-and-white or full color; printer also includes a removable 4″ x 6″ photo tray for creating frameable prints anytime. Plus, the 6-ink photo technology enables all gradations of grays and colors.
Focus up close from far away with 4x digital zoom. You can zoom in or out to frame your subject exactly the way you want it to look, whether it’s a bird on a nearby hill or a favorite football player on the field during the game.
Includes starter photo paper in 8 1/2″ x 11″ size. Experiment with your first photos by printing them in a large, frameable size on the included photo paper. You’ll quickly notice how the dense 5.0-megapixel resolution lets you print enlarged images beautifully, without noticeable “grainy” effects.
1.5″ on-camera LCD screen for preview/review. The built-in LCD lets you frame every shot before you click; after you’ve taken a series of pictures, review them all on the same screen — slide-show style.
Shoot mini movies in full-motion video with audio. Be ready to capture baby’s first steps, the graduate’s moment on the stage, and more…in sound and motion! This camera captures film clips with up to 24 fps (frames per second).
HP Image Zone software lets you sort and edit your photos on-camera. Crop and resize your photos, then file them by date or keyword so you can easily retrieve them later. You can even create your own greeting cards and photo albums! Plus, Image Zone can restore a picture you accidentally deleted or inadvertently edited.
Print directly via the included PictBridge™ cable or via SD/MMC cards. Both the E317 camera and the 7850 printer are PictBridge-enabled, so all you have to do is connect them with the included cable…and print! Store pictures in the built-in 16MB memory, or use Secure Digital™ or MultiMediaCard™ media (sold separately) to transfer picture files from your camera to your printer.
Backed by HP’s 1-year warranty*.
I guess it depends on what you plan to do with the camera and what kind of pictures you want to take. HP makes pretty decent printers and if you can get a sample shot printed from it prior to purchase depending on your satisfaction with the quality of the print that should be your main decision maker on that scale. Also be aware that if you’re going to be say, printing a book a photo printer isn’t the best choice because the quality is definitely inferior on that level.
As for HP cameras I’ve never had any personal luck with them. As the previous poster stated HP camera’s are ‘ok’ but for true quality I’d look at another brand. I’m a very big fan of Canons, but Nikons are also solid pieces of machinery, along with the sonys, in terms of reliable picture quality and satisfaction.
Where is the best place to buy a medium format camera?
I’ve been an avid photographer since I was 8 (My first camera was a Cannon T-50). About 5 years ago I lost all my equipment to a fire (no insurance), now I am finally starting to get back on my feet and I’m looking for a medium format digital camera like a: Hasselblad, or Mamiya. I’m not rich so I want a used camera and since I don’t really trust online stores for a purchase this large I was wondering where to find a good deal. I live in Missouri but next Spring I will be traveling to California and then up to Alaska, so anywhere on west of the Mississippi is okay. Any suggestions?
Two places, both you can check out the camera before you hand over your money.
1) a local camera shop that sells used cameras … you may have to wait until one comes available.
2) craigslist in a city near you.
3) (but you will not be able to check it out before you buy it) look at the used cameras avaiable on B&H Photo, Adorama, Calumet, Samy’s and other reputable Internet camera stores that sell used cameras, lenses and camera accessories.
I worry about eBay, since many people “dump” broken or damaged cameras, in fact even brag about it here on Yahoo Answers.
Should we even consider Medium Format Digital?
In the present technology re: digital photogrpahy and the availabilty of “35 mm ‘format’ digital cameras” having a range of 10-16 MP do we really need Medium Format Digital? or Medium to Large Format Digital backs?
Been staring at my 4×5 for the past 2 weeks and I’ve been considering a digital back for it.
ABSOLUTELY!
A physically bigger sensor is a better sensor. What happens is that there must be a certain gap between the pixel sensors to allow for charge path and data path wiring. So to make a smaller sensor, they make the actual pixels smaller. Nowadays they are so small that they are running into the law of diminishing returns where the pixels are so small compared to the distance between them that there is larger and larger error in what the sensor sees.
MF/LF sensors do not have this problem and so produce a much higher quality image. Don’t forget all the other pluses apply as well e.g. the ability to precisely position the lens on bellows to achieve optimal focus etc etc.
Notice that also there was an explosion from 3 MP to 16 MP and then it stopped? Again this law of diminishing returns. Whereas Hasselblad now as a massive 39 MP sensor. Yes the damn thing is expensive, but if your business supports the cost I would definitely get one.
The main thing that scares me about a $30K camera is whether I would make my money back before technology replaces it with something better that costs $300!