Enrique, there are several of us around here who shoot 4x5, both color and B&W. I use a 4x5 view camera almost exclusively, and shoot color transparency and color negative films.
Are you looking for recommendations or comparisons of different films, or both, or something else? Also, if we know what your needs/expectations are, we can perhaps give better advice.
I did stop using my 4x5 camara because I can't find labs to develop the negative o transparency. How did you do that?
I did use epsonn film scanner, is't good enough?
About quality, 4x5 are very good, What you thinking about?
Thanks
Enrique Vizcarra
Posted by Joe O'Hara on September 15, 2009 at 10:20 AM
I don't know where you're located, Enrique, but we in the US typically send our 4x5 film by an express service to a lab for processing (unless we're lucky enough to live in an area where there is one nearby). That adds to the cost, of course, but if you save up 30 or 40 sheets of film, the shipping costs are less important. Maybe you could do the same. There are many good labs around.
Many people, including myself, use Epson scanners such as the V750 for 4x5 film. In my opinion, for prints up to 16x20 at least, it is hard to see the difference between the V750 and a drum scan.
There's nothing like a 4x5 transparency or negative for image quality. We're not carrying all this gear just for the exercise!
It would be helpful if we knew where you are located. As Joe says, many of us send our film to a lab for processing. I use A&I in Los Angeles, CA. I usually send batches of 15, or so, sheets at a time. Their charges are reasonable, and their service is consistent and excellent.
If your current scanner fills your needs, that's the key. If not, the Epson V750 is excellent, as Joe indicates. If you need really big prints, you'll have to resort to either a pro level flatbed scan, or a drum scan. There are service bureaus such West Coast Imaging or Calypso that will do these. They are not inexpensive, by the way.
While I really love looking at the big 4x5 transparencies, and the prints are wonderfully detailed, the main reasons I use a view camera is that I love the control I have over the shape of objects in the scene (by using back tilt and swing) and placement of the plane of focus (by using lens tilt and swing). The real joy, though, arises from the visusalization of the image, slowing down, and the attention to detail using a view camera necessitates. For me, it is wonderfully relaxing.
"[i]What do you think about film future? do you think labs still working films?[i]"
There is something of a resurgence of large format photography, so there are still many choices available in various LF sizes. Therefore, I wouldn't worry overmuch about LF films going away any time soon. Some LF films are no longer available; in particular most Polaroid, some B&W, and all Kodak Ready Load.
As was mentioned, labs that process LF film are still around; certainly not as many as a few years ago, but processing is still available in 35mm, medium, and large format. You'll just have to dig a little deeper to find a good lab.
There is something of a resurgence of large format photography, so there are still many choices available in various LF sizes.
I totally agree with Preston's comment here. The thing that seems to get a bit tricky these days are the folks still supporting the E-6 processing in general. This is not to say they are not out there, but one issue is the cost increases as time goes by. Another is the actual technical support to many of the 20+ years old E-6 machines still in use.
I'm lucky, my processing support is right in Riverside with a great couple of folks. However, a recent E-6 outage had them held up for about a week or so trying to locate support to fix it.
So, as us film folks hang on we can only hope the support remains intact too.
What do you think about 4x5 Digital Back? at accesible price? am I dreaming?
To be honest Enrique I would say the price on those backs are off the charts, at least for my budget. If there was any need or want to shoot digital I would suspect the great DSLR's available these days would do a fine job overall.
Enrique, a true 4x5 digital back would likely cost you $60,000 US, or more. If memory serves me correctly, these are scanning backs that must be tethered to a computer. Therefore, they aren't much good in the field. Besides, you could buy, process and print a lot of film for $60K!
Discussion
12 repliesLooking galerias on this site I found pictures that were taken with film 4x5 cameras,
Some one still using 4x5 film?
I have one view camera 4x5, But I had to stop using because it's hard to find labs for 4x5 film cameras.
I have too, Medium format camera and digital Nikon D300
Enrique Vizcarra
Are you looking for recommendations or comparisons of different films, or both, or something else? Also, if we know what your needs/expectations are, we can perhaps give better advice.
-P.
I did stop using my 4x5 camara because I can't find labs to develop the negative o transparency. How did you do that?
I did use epsonn film scanner, is't good enough?
About quality, 4x5 are very good, What you thinking about?
Thanks
Enrique Vizcarra
Many people, including myself, use Epson scanners such as the V750 for 4x5 film. In my opinion, for prints up to 16x20 at least, it is hard to see the difference between the V750 and a drum scan.
There's nothing like a 4x5 transparency or negative for image quality. We're not carrying all this gear just for the exercise!
Best regards,
Joe
It would be helpful if we knew where you are located. As Joe says, many of us send our film to a lab for processing. I use A&I in Los Angeles, CA. I usually send batches of 15, or so, sheets at a time. Their charges are reasonable, and their service is consistent and excellent.
If your current scanner fills your needs, that's the key. If not, the Epson V750 is excellent, as Joe indicates. If you need really big prints, you'll have to resort to either a pro level flatbed scan, or a drum scan. There are service bureaus such West Coast Imaging or Calypso that will do these. They are not inexpensive, by the way.
While I really love looking at the big 4x5 transparencies, and the prints are wonderfully detailed, the main reasons I use a view camera is that I love the control I have over the shape of objects in the scene (by using back tilt and swing) and placement of the plane of focus (by using lens tilt and swing). The real joy, though, arises from the visusalization of the image, slowing down, and the attention to detail using a view camera necessitates. For me, it is wonderfully relaxing.
-P
What do you think about film future? do you think labs still working films?
I am in Sonora, Mexico, I suppose I can send my films to Mexico city
Thanks for your comments.
Enrique Vizcarra
There is something of a resurgence of large format photography, so there are still many choices available in various LF sizes. Therefore, I wouldn't worry overmuch about LF films going away any time soon. Some LF films are no longer available; in particular most Polaroid, some B&W, and all Kodak Ready Load.
As was mentioned, labs that process LF film are still around; certainly not as many as a few years ago, but processing is still available in 35mm, medium, and large format. You'll just have to dig a little deeper to find a good lab.
-P
I totally agree with Preston's comment here. The thing that seems to get a bit tricky these days are the folks still supporting the E-6 processing in general. This is not to say they are not out there, but one issue is the cost increases as time goes by. Another is the actual technical support to many of the 20+ years old E-6 machines still in use.
I'm lucky, my processing support is right in Riverside with a great couple of folks. However, a recent E-6 outage had them held up for about a week or so trying to locate support to fix it.
So, as us film folks hang on we can only hope the support remains intact too.
LF are great to landscape and macro (statics objects) too.
I like the way to get all in focus and the clean and lot of details pictures
What do you think about 4x5 Digital Back? at accesible price? am I dreaming?
Enrique Vizcarra
To be honest Enrique I would say the price on those backs are off the charts, at least for my budget. If there was any need or want to shoot digital I would suspect the great DSLR's available these days would do a fine job overall.
-P
Sure, you right, that's Why I wrote "Digital backs to accesible price" , :)(I am dreaming)
I did send email to photolabas is mexico, and I am waiting for answers about 4x5 film process, and film scan process.
I hope found some lab in mexico, because the near lab to my in USA I guess is in Phoenix Arizona.
Thanks for your comments, and I hope soon take pictures with my 4x5 Camera and my mamiya 645 medium format again :)
Enrique Vizcarra
Intellicolor Lab
3600 Lime St.
Riverside, Ca. -92501-
Phone: 951-682-1600
Fax: 951-682-3841
Email: Intellicolor@gmail.com
Owner is named Tony.