A couple of my favorite large format photographers admitted on Facebook this morning that it has been a year since they loaded a sheet of 4x5. I think it has been a decade since I shot a sheet of 4x5 and that was in a studio. Almost as long since I shot anything on 6x9. I'm contemplating buying a 4x5, but just curious what everyone else is doing.
- Bill
Posted by Jack Brauer on August 8, 2010 at 2:36 PM
My trip to Norway last summer was my grand finale with the 4x5. That's when I realized finally for sure without doubt that 4x5 is simply too heavy for me to take into the mountains. I'm now shooting 5D2 w/ tilt/shift lenses, which, along with live view focussing, feels like a modern digital equivalent of a field camera. At half the weight. I'm loving it. The 4x5 is collecting dust now.
Bill,
I suggest you go Ben Hornes website and on to his blog. He is 4x5 and 8x10 exclusively and provides good insight into these formats. His comments on his trip to the Colorado Plateau are particularly interesting. Has video, too.
Joe Rogers
Posted by Jack Garrett on August 8, 2010 at 4:01 PM
A link would help here Joe. Took a while to find it.
I still shoot occasional 4x5 but it seems less and less. Still have about 300 sheets of quick-loads in my fridge so I am not giving it up totally, but frankly for most things I get great results from my D700. Realize that there is WAY more detail in a good scan of a 4x5 transparency but I have realized that for most prints the general public really can't tell or care and if they like they will buy, so it is more cost effective to go with 35 mm digital. Oh and now that I have Nikor 24 tilt shift I can have the advantage of tilt for better depth of field just like 4x5
Posted by Kalin Wilson on August 8, 2010 at 5:24 PM
I still shoot 4x5 and I'm hording quickloads. But, like Jack, I don't take it backpacking any more. I still love the detail and control available, but even though I may take it with me for a day hike, the conditions have to be promising for me to take it out. I can tell there will be a day when I stop using it, but I'm still holding on.
Posted by Scott Bacon on August 8, 2010 at 10:58 PM
I still have my 4x5 gear... Well, actually, its on loan to Jim Casteel right now, for him to play with. But like others above, over the last several years, I've moved to mostly using DSLR and tilt, shift lenses.
I don't get out and shoot nearly as much as I used to. And, frankly, as much as I hate to admit it, I was getting out-of-practice-rusty and inconsistent with my 4x5. I would get in the field for the first time in 3 months and then not enjoy it because I was bumbling with my equipment while the beauty was enfolding in front of me - not to mention the results. But shooting with the DSLR was, plain and simple easier (technically and mechanically), and I found I was really enjoying it again. Since that's the primary reason for my photography, I stuck with it.
Jack, are you sure the DSLR and TS-Es are lighter? Less bulky, yes, but less weight? I've not weighed my gear, but I think my 5d2, 24 TS-E combo weighs more than my Wista and 135mm. I guess the weight of film, and how much of it you're carrying, might be the deciding factor.
I believe I'm the one who posted on Facebook prompting Bill's inquiry. Still shooting 4x5 here, well sort of. Haven't shot a sheet since last fall I'm afraid. Having two kids under 3 years old will do that to you.
I've shot 4x5 for over 20 years now, absolutely love it, but to be quite honest there are only two reasons I still do-- 1) I have it, and 2), I simply can't afford a digital set up that would make feel like I'm filling that LF gap (like the 5d2, TS-E, etc). Since I have no digital stuff at all, I'll be starting from scratch, meaning big $$. Someday I know it will happen, but for now, I'll shoot the 4x5 now and then when I can. Having seen the results friends are getting by shooting multiple frames and stitching later, I know it would fill my need for "large".
That being said, I echo Scott's post about "getting out-of-practice-rusty". I'm actually heading up this Wednesday to shoot sunset on Loveland Pass with a buddy, and frankly I'm a bit nervous! I'll be extremely lucky if I even get a sheet off!
Posted by Dan Baumbach on August 9, 2010 at 8:12 AM
I've been shooting more and more digital, but I still shoot 4x5. I love working with my 4x5, but it is heavy expensive and limited in focal lengths. My longest lens is 300mm which is equivelent to a 90mm. I would like a 450mm but it runs about $1000. If I could afford a 21mp digital I might give up 4x5 all together. But there's nothing like the intense focus operating a 4x5 camera demands from you. It pulls you out of everything else and gets you totally present.
I rarely use my spot meter anymore and just meter with my D300.
- Dan
Posted by Dan Baumbach on August 9, 2010 at 10:05 AM
A number of people on CANP, Lon Overacker, Harley Goldman and Preston Birdwell shoot primarily 4x5.
- Dan.
Posted by Tom Mangan on August 9, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Very interesting read here and the post in the landscape forum. I had been going back and forth on this very issue as it appears many of us have for the last year or so. I have not shot a sheet of 4x5 since last fall as well and primarily use my 5D II for most of my work now. There have been a number of reasons that I have been slowly transitioning away from 4x5 but two occurrences really started me moving towards the 5D II as my primary camera.
The first occurred when I brought my film to PhotoCraft in Boulder last fall to be developed. By this time PhotoCraft had moved locations and I was shocked to find out that I could no longer get my film developed via their economy service. When I inquired to why this was, I was sheepishly told they no longer have their E-6 line and in fact had not even brought it over to the new building in the move. Film was now going to Reed in Denver and would take 3-5 days depending on drop off time. This not only slowed the time it takes to get film back to review, but furthermore the cost had increased substantially. I was surprised by this as I believed PhotoCraft would be one of the last holdouts as they had an excellent reputation nationwide and serviced film photographers from all over the United States not just Colorado. I really had my ‘ah-ha’ moment on this day.
The second nail in the coffin for me was when Fuji announced they were discontinuing Quickloads. I have film holders and use them on occasion. For my style, Quickloads worked well. They were easy to pack, easy to load, easy to transport etc. Traditional film holders are too bulky for me to backpack with and frankly the discipline needed to load, unload and clean in a darkroom takes some fun out of the process for me.
I’m lucky enough that I can hold onto my 4x5 kit currently and some day I may be inspired to use it again. It’s served me very well over the last 11 years and may do so in the future. I recently paired down my six lens kit (75,90,110,150,240,360) to a much more basic but just as useful three lens kit (90,150,210). I sold the expensive lenses and used them to buy a couple of TS-E lenses for my Canon system which works almost as well for my uses but is still more limited than view camera movements.
Shooting with a large format camera really helped me to mature as a landscape photographer. Shooting with a 4x5 has an almost zen like quality at times and one can really hone in and slow down. That being said, many zen moments were lost because the camera could not be setup in time, exposures were wrong, the wind was blowing or I simply ran out of film. Last fall when I started to transition to more of a digital SLR based workflow, I found attempting to choose a format for certain shots distracting. At this point I decided that I would jump head first into using a digital SLR as my primary camera. I have found the move liberating and I have been very happy with the quality of my 5D II files compared to the hundreds of expensive drum scans from my 4x5’s and 6x17’s.
I’m not saying one is better or worse, but for me not being burdened with film and scanning has really allowed me to concentrate more on photography and work more efficiently and effectively. I like Guy, think I did not want to see digital technology mature so quickly. I was resistant because large format was comforting for me in what was a constantly changing industry. I miss the camaraderie of large format photographers, but more and more I’m seeing all the same people on this side of the fence.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on August 9, 2010 at 1:13 PM
I shoot 4X5 primarily for landscape photography and do so actively. I carry an Panasonic LX3 with me when I carry the LF camera, but I found carrying the LF gear and a DSLR to be very distracting, so I stopped doing that. When I shoot LF, I only shoot LF.
I would also note that the large format community has been growing rapidly in the last couple years. There has been a resurgence in early technology like wet plates and hand coated contact printing methods and old soft focus lenses. That seems to be where alot of the growth has been happening.
Posted by Laurent Baig on August 10, 2010 at 2:51 PM
I have a digital, but I just can't seem to use it seriously. 4x5 is it for me.
Digital, smigital. But I don't do this for a living. I do it because I enjoy it.
Posted by David Summers on August 10, 2010 at 4:13 PM
I've always thought that shooting large format film is like an addiction. Almost everything about shooting 4X5 is painful and self abusive, but when you get a perfect chrome on the light table all you can think about is going out to get another "fix".
I am in the same boat as Brent. Having a two year old kid (and another on the way) doesn't leave much time for serious photography, and (for me) trying to take a large format camera on a family vacation is a recipe for disaster.
I never print larger than 20X30, and I think that the latest generation of DSLR's can produce good results at that size so it is time to make the switch.
I'm hoping to squeeze in a few outings this fall to use up the film in the fridge and then I'll probably sell it all to fund a new digital kit. I think that the digital setup will be much more conducive to sneaking in some photography during a family trip. (or at least I hope so)
Discussion
14 repliesA couple of my favorite large format photographers admitted on Facebook this morning that it has been a year since they loaded a sheet of 4x5. I think it has been a decade since I shot a sheet of 4x5 and that was in a studio. Almost as long since I shot anything on 6x9. I'm contemplating buying a 4x5, but just curious what everyone else is doing.
- Bill
I suggest you go Ben Hornes website and on to his blog. He is 4x5 and 8x10 exclusively and provides good insight into these formats. His comments on his trip to the Colorado Plateau are particularly interesting. Has video, too.
Joe Rogers
http://benhorne.wordpress.com/category/photo-trips/colorado-plateau-may-2010/
I don't get out and shoot nearly as much as I used to. And, frankly, as much as I hate to admit it, I was getting out-of-practice-rusty and inconsistent with my 4x5. I would get in the field for the first time in 3 months and then not enjoy it because I was bumbling with my equipment while the beauty was enfolding in front of me - not to mention the results.
Jack, are you sure the DSLR and TS-Es are lighter?
I've shot 4x5 for over 20 years now, absolutely love it, but to be quite honest there are only two reasons I still do-- 1) I have it, and 2), I simply can't afford a digital set up that would make feel like I'm filling that LF gap (like the 5d2, TS-E, etc). Since I have no digital stuff at all, I'll be starting from scratch, meaning big $$. Someday I know it will happen, but for now, I'll shoot the 4x5 now and then when I can. Having seen the results friends are getting by shooting multiple frames and stitching later, I know it would fill my need for "large".
That being said, I echo Scott's post about "getting out-of-practice-rusty". I'm actually heading up this Wednesday to shoot sunset on Loveland Pass with a buddy, and frankly I'm a bit nervous! I'll be extremely lucky if I even get a sheet off!
I rarely use my spot meter anymore and just meter with my D300.
- Dan
- Dan.
The first occurred when I brought my film to PhotoCraft in Boulder last fall to be developed. By this time PhotoCraft had moved locations and I was shocked to find out that I could no longer get my film developed via their economy service. When I inquired to why this was, I was sheepishly told they no longer have their E-6 line and in fact had not even brought it over to the new building in the move. Film was now going to Reed in Denver and would take 3-5 days depending on drop off time. This not only slowed the time it takes to get film back to review, but furthermore the cost had increased substantially. I was surprised by this as I believed PhotoCraft would be one of the last holdouts as they had an excellent reputation nationwide and serviced film photographers from all over the United States not just Colorado. I really had my ‘ah-ha’ moment on this day.
The second nail in the coffin for me was when Fuji announced they were discontinuing Quickloads. I have film holders and use them on occasion. For my style, Quickloads worked well. They were easy to pack, easy to load, easy to transport etc. Traditional film holders are too bulky for me to backpack with and frankly the discipline needed to load, unload and clean in a darkroom takes some fun out of the process for me.
I’m lucky enough that I can hold onto my 4x5 kit currently and some day I may be inspired to use it again. It’s served me very well over the last 11 years and may do so in the future. I recently paired down my six lens kit (75,90,110,150,240,360) to a much more basic but just as useful three lens kit (90,150,210). I sold the expensive lenses and used them to buy a couple of TS-E lenses for my Canon system which works almost as well for my uses but is still more limited than view camera movements.
Shooting with a large format camera really helped me to mature as a landscape photographer. Shooting with a 4x5 has an almost zen like quality at times and one can really hone in and slow down. That being said, many zen moments were lost because the camera could not be setup in time, exposures were wrong, the wind was blowing or I simply ran out of film. Last fall when I started to transition to more of a digital SLR based workflow, I found attempting to choose a format for certain shots distracting. At this point I decided that I would jump head first into using a digital SLR as my primary camera. I have found the move liberating and I have been very happy with the quality of my 5D II files compared to the hundreds of expensive drum scans from my 4x5’s and 6x17’s.
I’m not saying one is better or worse, but for me not being burdened with film and scanning has really allowed me to concentrate more on photography and work more efficiently and effectively. I like Guy, think I did not want to see digital technology mature so quickly. I was resistant because large format was comforting for me in what was a constantly changing industry. I miss the camaraderie of large format photographers, but more and more I’m seeing all the same people on this side of the fence.
I would also note that the large format community has been growing rapidly in the last couple years. There has been a resurgence in early technology like wet plates and hand coated contact printing methods and old soft focus lenses. That seems to be where alot of the growth has been happening.
Digital, smigital. But I don't do this for a living. I do it because I enjoy it.
I am in the same boat as Brent. Having a two year old kid (and another on the way) doesn't leave much time for serious photography, and (for me) trying to take a large format camera on a family vacation is a recipe for disaster.
I never print larger than 20X30, and I think that the latest generation of DSLR's can produce good results at that size so it is time to make the switch.
I'm hoping to squeeze in a few outings this fall to use up the film in the fridge and then I'll probably sell it all to fund a new digital kit. I think that the digital setup will be much more conducive to sneaking in some photography during a family trip. (or at least I hope so)