John Rudiak (wizard@laplaza.org)
Sun, 31 Jan 1999 14:41:03 -0700
Michael, I would have to agree- especially when the medium is platinum, I doubt
whether the viewer could tell the difference if the print was made from a negative
produced by a $350 12" Commercial Ektar or a $1500 Apo Symmar. Silver prints and
color trannies, yes, for sure. Platinum prints? Doubtful. Also the $350 Ektar will
still be worth at least that amount when you go to upgrade.
My 8X10 Deardorf and 7X17 Korona lack front swings, but outside the studio I find
the back movements sufficient for 98% of the photographs I wish to make.
Get into the large format deal with what you can afford, you can always sell it
off for what you paid for it if you buy smartly, should you decide you need to
upgrade.
John
www.johnrudiak.com
Michael Keller wrote:
> But there is a tremendous amount of used gear, beat up, that you can buy at decent
> dollars. With large formats you don't need the best lenses, esp if you are contact
> printing. And you don't need all the movements, nor even the most precise
> movements, if you are doing landscapes, or even doing studio work if your time is
> your own (eg you can screw around all day getting the set up right).
>
> Modern gear is great when your time is costing money and you need be able to set
> up, precisely, and get the shot. If you don't mind slightly rickety, slightly ugly
> cameras (I like em!), you can get into large format for under a grand.
>
> My 5x7 Deardorff doesn't have front swings, but I never need that. It's a bit
> rickety, and it's been refinished badly, but it cost me under $300. I make my own
> lensboards, and my most expensive lens is a 115 Grandagon (which has appreciated
> in price since I bought it). BUT I also have a 210 Caltar, a 13" Wollensak ($100)
> and a 15" process lens in barrel ($35) that I added a Packard shutter to ($25).
> That's REAL ugly.<g>
>
> Richard Lahrson wrote:
>
> >
> > It is shocking what an 8 X 10 outfit can total up to in dollars. Today,
> > a lot of this gear is designed for the professional studio and has a multitude
> > of features and accessories that only serve to confuse someone who wants to
> > work more simply. A lot of Edward Weston's photographs were made with a
> > $5.00 lens he bought in Mexico. He used what tools were available in
> > that era such as the old style wooden tripod with "non-stop" leg ajustments.
> > For working outside in rough terrain. In that era, these tripods were
> > what was available. Today, small companies make similar tripods. But
> > they are very expensive, more beautifullly made, something you would be
> > better off bringing to a photo "gear show" than using.
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