New cheap 4x5 format film camera (Page 2): To me, large format photography is more than just a large negative. Without the swings and tilts, this is no more than a toy. I like the idea...

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

JPL wrote:

I saw a new 4x5 film camera project on Kickstarter. This seems to be very cheap and good camera for those who want to experiment with large format film without spending a lot of money on the gear. The camera is called Malefic camera and can still be had for as little as $109 if the backers will be many enough to launch the project. I could not resist to jump on this for curiosity sake

To me, large format photography is more than just a large negative. Without the swings and tilts, this is no more than a toy. I like the idea of using modern materials to cut costs. Perhaps a more traditional design with a rubberized bellows that can swing and tilt and accept longer focal length lenses would be more desireable. Allowing for the fact that the video showed the camera on a very flimsy tripod, changing film holders on the delicate looking body appeared to be a touchy operation. Before I would invest in this type of project, I would first like to see convincing market research. With the information shown on the Kickstarter page, I would consider this a risky investment.

Denny45acp Loc: Sparta,Michigan

I been using a Speed graphic for 30 years. Works in. All types of Michigan wearther.

silverwren Loc: Alabama

I have an old Crown Graphic that makes excellent photos. I don't think they are expensive. I got mine about 35 years ago so I know it was not expensive then. Just a couple of film holders and I was ready to go. I did my own processing. It is a fun camera and still looks cool, like in the old movies. I assume they can still be found in good shape. Mine has held up.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

JPL wrote:

I saw a new 4x5 film camera project on Kickstarter. This seems to be very cheap and good camera for those who want to experiment with large format film without spending a lot of money on the gear. The camera is called Malefic camera and can still be had for as little as $109 if the backers will be many enough to launch the project. I could not resist to jump on this for curiosity sake

It doesn't have all the swings and tilts of a typical 4x5 camera but in this day and age they probably aren't needed provided one scans the negative into PS or some equivalent software.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

jackm1943 wrote:

It doesn't have all the swings and tilts of a typical 4x5 camera but in this day and age they probably aren't needed provided one scans the negative into PS or some equivalent software.

You failed to consider that potential customers are interested in film, not in digital imaging. You are assuming that those people want to convert film images to digital to refine them. I do not think that is the case for the majority of the potential customer base. To me, a big part of the fun of using view and press cameras is the ability to make linearity adjustments and expand depth of field by using the swings and tilts.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

lngroller wrote:

watch this one, by the time you purchase film holders lens etc for the one you are looking at you will be above the starting bid on this one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sinar-f-4x5-camera-with-Schneinder-5-6-210-lens-and-extension-tube/253234503129?_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D48741%26meid%3Da0728e6ca185470da123aa42435f4235%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D2%26sd%3D172952743998&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

Memories light the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories of the way we were

Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were.

Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
If we had the chance to do it all again, tell me, would we, could we?

BebuLamar

JPL wrote:

This is a really nice camera.
I agree that the traditional 4x5 camera is in many ways a good option with all the movements for tilt and shift. On the other hand the new camera on Kickstarter is light and easy to use and can be a lot of fun for newbies to experiment with. And no bellows to damage and less need for tripod are points to consider. Those who really get into this will of course want to get a real 4x5 sooner or later.

A 4x5 camera and fixed focus is bad in my opinion. Polaroid cameras although are cheap and images smaller than 4x5 yet they all have focusing capability. Without AF in the 4x5 format is very bad.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Just Fred wrote:

The name "Malefic" doesn't inspire confidence in me. Reminds me of "malevolent."

Strongly agree. Starting any product or company name with "Mal" is a very bad idea, no matter what follows. >Alan

John Geyer

Love your comment about rubber bands to keep cut film holders from coming open in backpacks. Have you ever used a cut film holder? The holders on "YOUR" picture show cut film holders that have metal tabs that rotate to lock the dark slide in place so they wont come open in a backpack. I use Fidelity holders never had one come open. I have forgotten lock was in place and had to unlock, rotate lock, to pull slide.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

BebuLamar wrote:

A 4x5 camera and fixed focus is bad in my opinion. Polaroid cameras although are cheap and images smaller than 4x5 yet they all have focusing capability. Without AF in the 4x5 format is very bad.

Autofocus is not practical or desirable on a 4x5 camera. On a view camera, the camera is always used on a tripod and the focusing is done on a ground glass at the focal plane. On a press camera, a rangefinder is more appropriate. It sounds like you are thinking about a 4x5 more along the design of a traditional 4x5 areal camera, but with focusing capability. Such a design in plastic or other modern material with the addition of autofocus would be ridiculously expensive and the market would be extremely limited.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

bpulv wrote:

You failed to consider that potential customers are interested in film, not in digital imaging. You are assuming that those people want to convert film images to digital to refine them. I do not think that is the case for the majority of the potential customer base. To me, a big part of the fun of using view and press cameras is the ability to make linearity adjustments and expand depth of field by using the swings and tilts.

Three of my excellent photographer good friends, and myself, are now scanning their 4x5 negs and printing with high quality inkjets, and I really think that is a trend although you are correct that there will always be people who still like to print in the darkroom. I agree with your last sentence, and tinkering with the adjustments was one of the reasons I enjoyed using my 4x5's. I'm trying to talk my granddaughter, who enjoys using film, into taking my Wisner 4x5 outfit. She's into medium format but is not doing too much large format yet.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Reinaldokool wrote:

Memories light the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories of the way we were

Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were.

Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
If we had the chance to do it all again, tell me, would we, could we?

Like Buttah!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

lngroller wrote:

the $109 camera is fixed focus.

Look at the video again.
The photographer is turning a focusing ring at 1'27".

Read the info on the website.
"We designed an efficient and steady plastic mechanism to get the subject focused from 70cm* to infinity using an ergonomic ring.
Focusing can be done by using a traditional glass ground or using a laser rangefinder (to get subject distance)."

"The focus mechanism is available from 65mm to 150mm lenses."

Using shorter lenses however, you're SOL:
"For 45, 47, 55, 58mm we can provide only the fixed focus version"

I agree with you though- I'd find a good, used, real 4 x 5.
KEH is a good place to start looking.

BebuLamar

bpulv wrote:

Autofocus is not practical or desirable on a 4x5 c... (show quote)

Did I say Autofocus? I said fixed focus is bad. Manual focus is desirable. DOF on a 4x5 is narrow without focusing is very BAD.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

rmalarz wrote:

I've seen 'real' 4x5 cameras going for about that on line. I've never been inspired to 'invest' in a kickstarter project. There is no guarantee that they will be successful, or be around long enough to provide service if needed.
--Bob

yup, a nice graphic 5x4 can be had with lens on ebay for around that price.