Bob Werre

Started photo school in 69', and all assignments were based on the 4x5 format including action, children and even old flash bulb assignments. Cameras were generally the Calcumet or Burke & James monorails with 8" lens. This was a problem solving part of the school. So many had Pentax, Canon or Nikon's of the time but it was the problem solving and discipline in completing the assignment that was paramount.

First real job was shooting catalog work--we shot all images 'to size' meaning if it was going to be used full page (8X11) we shot it with a 11X14 Deardorf on E3 films! Most shots were in the 4/5 or5/7 size. The Deardorf had reducing backs plus wooden masks that fit our 8 x 10 back. With this you could shoot two 5 x 8 shots, or two 4 x 10s or any combination on one sheet of film Final film was then cut and glued into a 4 page layout to fit the presses for typical sales catalogues. Christmas season started in July!

My last view camera was my 8x10 Super Cambo with three lenses. I was shooting very select studio shots next to my Nikon D2 but later Phase-one backs beat the Cambo overall. Especially when it came time to view an image on screen; despite the fact that I owned an 8 x 10 Polaroid back.

Smudgey Loc: Ohio, Calif, Now Arizona

Yes 4X5 GRAFLEX SPEED GRAPHIC, and one that you forgot to mention 2 1/4 3 1/4 GRAFLEX SPEED GRAPHIC and everything that went with it. Processed the sheet film in my own darkroom and did my own printing in both color and BW. I spent hours and hours in the darkroom.

dmsM43

Yes, an Arca 4x5 and a Kodak 8x10. Believe it or not, Kodak made cameras many years ago, including my folding 8x10. It folds up into a large lunchbox. I bought it for $800 with a 12" Ektar lens. I still have both cameras, but I have not used them for years. I had a darkroom, but moved to a new house and I have not built another darkroom. I'm thinking about building a new darkroom and going back to film, since one of my hard drives died with my photos on it. Luckily I had backups. No such problem with film, I still have all of my negatives and slides and no worries about failing electronics.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

That was a lot of work, huh, Bob? ... No wonder you started Christmas in July!

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Drat!!!!

The latest hard drives are much more robust ... no need to worry about THAT happening, again ....

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

I have used several 4x5 view cameras, an 8x10, plus a 4x5 speed graphic and a Linhof Technika. I believe that Ansel Adams used an 8x10. Do you know how big an 8x10 enlarger is? They had to punch a hole in the 10 ft ceiling in order to accommodate it.

dmsM43

The hard drive that died was a new one. It lasted about a week. I sent it back for replacement as it was under warranty.

twowindsbear

There has been several references to Speed Graphic cameras. One mentioned 2 shutters. Can anyone enlighten me about how a Speed Graphic is such a unique camera?

TIA

Bob Werre

Yes we decorated our sets with Christmas balls, lights and the other usual stuff. Probably finished up in Oct. At that time you either started working on a White Sale book or perhaps a Spring hardware book. The alternative was to be laid off till next year.

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

You can mount most any lens you want on it as long as you have a board to fit them on. You didn't need a shutter for the lens because the camera has a focal plane shutter. I had three different lenses for mine.

Bob Werre

[quote=twowindsbear]There has been several references to Speed Graphic cameras. One mentioned 2 shutters. Can anyone enlighten me about how a Speed Graphic is such a unique camera?
The camera lens had a typical shutter surrounding the lens which worked well for flash bulb or electronic flash units--the downside was shutters at that time often weren't as fast as indicated. Some of the shutters (Ilex) had top speeds of 1/60--so if it's not accurate, 1/30 might be actually correct. The second shutter was basically a focal plane shutter near the back of the camera that you wound up a bit like a kids toy. It could be used for higher shutter speeds (hence the term Speed Graphic).


I never owned one that really worked--back cloth shutter was mostly gone on a junker I bought. My employer had a much later version that had a faster lens (hi-end Rodenstock lens) shutter--1/800 they claimed. To cock the shutter you actually twisted the lens hood, so it was fairly fast. If you coupled that shutter with a Graf-matic holder you could shoot news action--think that was for 6 shots. Also at one time Graflex also made a 3 x 4 version for those who took the middle road in film sizes!

I think some much earlier versions (up to 5 x 7) were basically a single lens reflex with a stove pipe viewer. Those were sort of WWI vintage.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Yes, I know, Shelty ... I've used one or two ....

They ARE huge!!!

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

[quote=Bob Werre]

Bob ... you may well need to explain what stove-pipe viewer was, too ....

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Welcome interesting question. I remember mayima and others I can't remember. I was an advertising Art director and this
might be interesting. Most of our high end advertising shots in the 70's, 80's and maybe 90's were always Hassalblad 2 1/4.
We shot 4x5 for intense product shots with a mamiya 4x5 in studio. 8x10 when we needed a lot of photo information that we would
turn in to a sub dye transfer print in NY that a specialist retoucher could do changes with dyes and chemicals.
Art Beck one of the best food photographers I worked with many food clients with 8x10 Kodachrome sheet film made of him.
I am not really sure that the larger formats were for client relations. 8x10 film on big light boxes was pretty sexy.
Overall the Hassalblad was very good and my choice.
What is strange about this when I owned a Audio Visual staging company was all the slides we blew up on huge screens for
shows with music and documentary sales shows. If shot with a nikon and good lens the shots help up to large size on big screens
really well. We liked Fugifilm for the 35mm images. It was warm and sharp. I know this is a bit off topic but maybe interesting.
I guess I am wondering about the alternatives were not used by famous photographers.
Crazy but some of the medium digital cameras now interest me. And price is coming down.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

I'd start bringing in the new hardware line, if I were you ...