Being in college sometimes sucks.

[monkeykoder]

For some reason the other day I instantly got interested in seeing what one can do with a large format camera. problem is of course that I'm broke and there don't seem to be any large format cameras I can fit into a birthday budget. Can anyone recommend something to look at that will take a 4x5 picture (of decent quality) that I could get setup with for under $500?

 

[Jeff Canes]

speed graphic, i got one with the standard lens, all most never use off of ebay with a few film holds recall it being around $200-300, then i got 5 more holder for like $40-50, and Pete Christie sold me a developing tank cheep

 

[monkeykoder]

I was looking into those but it seems they're going for pretty high on ebay right now almost as high as some of the newer bodies. Maybe I just need to wait and keep checking.

 

[Jeff Canes]

Yes, I just checked too, they seem a lot higher that I recall paying, the cheeps model a both Freestyle and B&H is a Toyo 4x5 for $900ish, Freestyle also has pin hole 4x5 for $70-300

 

[monkeykoder]

I've seen Calumet bodies used for about $300 on adorama but that is going to put me well above the $500 mark for a full setup.

 

[monkeykoder]

How long ago did you buy yours?

 

[table1349]

For some reason the other day I instantly got interested in seeing what one can do with a large format camera. problem is of course that I'm broke and there don't seem to be any large format cameras I can fit into a birthday budget. Can anyone recommend something to look at that will take a 4x5 picture (of decent quality) that I could get setup with for under $500?

A little off track here, but maybe some food for thought. You mention being a college student and being broke. MF & LF is more expensive to shoot than 35mm. Something to possibly consider at this stage. I would hate for it to be like buying a Ferrari and not being able to afford tires for it.

 

[monkeykoder]

I would hesitate to say it is more expensive overall. Just estimating I'd say 35mm is about $.20 per shot while LF is about $1 per shot which means if I can improve my shots by a factor of 5 by being forced to work on technique I'll be shooting at about the same cost.

 

[Antithesis]

I've seen a few body/lens combo's go for ~$150 on ebay, but it's rare and will undoubtedly be in poor condition and have come out of someone's attic. You can get cheaper MF bodies, but they still won't be cheap. If you want to get into film, 35mm will be the cheapest and will have the most readily available film and processing.

 

[monkeykoder]

I have a few 35mm cameras I'm looking for that next step up in care on each image. I did introductory B&W last semester and I'm hoping to step it up and actually have something to really challenge me (I could have done introductory with a blindfold on (oh wait...)).

 

[Bifurcator]

For some reason the other day I instantly got interested in seeing what one can do with a large format camera. problem is of course that I'm broke and there don't seem to be any large format cameras I can fit into a birthday budget. Can anyone recommend something to look at that will take a 4x5 picture (of decent quality) that I could get setup with for under $500?

You can make a large format camera fairly easily! All you really need to buy is the lens, lens mount, and maybe a stand or pod - but pods are makable too!

There are many good designs out there on the web for free and downloadable.

 

[monkeykoder]

I was thinking about that but I don't have enough experience with LF cameras to come up with a design and pre-made plans/kits are almost as expensive as the original bodies. If I had a free set of plans I'd probably go for it though.

 

[Bifurcator]

http://shop.lomography.com/bulldog/specs/
http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00F/00FRSJ-28480484.jpg
http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00F/00FRRJ-28479584.jpg
From this photo you can see almost everything that's needed. The bellows can be anything that doesn't hang down between the film plate and the projected image. Some people use bailing wire and vinyl lined cloth. It doesn't have to be accordioned like that.
Here are the actual plans to that camera: http://www.camerabellows.com/Downloads/Bulldog Instructions.pdf

http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00M/00M8FL-37814184.jpg Interesting looking beast...

http://www.cyberbeach.net/~dbardell/index.html Here's a bunch of plans for $10 a pop.

This looks like a nice design: http://users.libero.it/qua.fabio/cam2.htm and http://users.libero.it/qua.fabio/plans/plan.htm But you don't "need" dovetailed corner joints like that.

Here's another from the same guy: http://users.libero.it/qua.fabio/cam1.htm

Here's a whole book on it that will hand-hold you thru every step for $35 http://home.online.no/~gjon/jgcam.htm There are links there to pics that show enough info that you don't even need the book actually.

Here's a whole buttload of them linked from the same guy that's selling the book: http://home.online.no/~gjon/camerabuilders.htm

Etc. etc. there are more and better ones out there. Those are just the first 4 or 5 from searching for "DIY 4x5 camera".


Do use a hardwood if you can though. It produces much less dust and of course looks better.

 

[monkeykoder]

I might have gotten a speed graphic off ebay for a reasonable price.

 

[monkeykoder]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=230282179473

So close but the seller hasn't contacted me back about the possibility of picking it up (I drive up to Auburn twice a week) Even if there is something wrong with the camera I'm sure I can get it in working order for under $500 total my dad basically insisted that he buy it for me.