4x5 Photography - Intro to Large Format Part 3

FPP's Michael Raso demonstrates the basics to understanding 4x5 Large Format Photography with the Wista 45D Camera. www.filmphotogr...
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[@brycepinson8641]

I feel the need to point out that this camera is referenced as the "Wista D", but the "Wista D" is a metal folding field camera. The camera in this video is the "Wista DX". Just posting for anyone trying to find the camera after watching the video.

[@Foxglove963]

Exactly. I have the Wista DX, of course!

[@martinbarry62]

Might be dated, but this is the first time I see how large format works. Great stuff!

[@neilpiper9889]

A Press 5x4 like a Speed Graphic are more robust than a camera like the Wista and also can be closed up with a compact lens like a Schneider 90cm Angulon still mounted. With a drop board and front tilt you have a useful Landscape tool. Also, it you use a 6x9 rollfilm back the 90mm makes a great slightly wide/normal lens. I have used a Wista and a Mpp monorail and found them cumbersome. Especially the monorail.

[@Foxglove963]

neil piper. Wista field 45DX of rosewood is my favourite 4 X 5" camera, I also use a monorail wooden 8 X 10" camera. Iam wary of cameras on which but a very limited choice of lenses can be used, coupled to a cam. On the Wista field I can use a choice of different lenses, (including barrel lenses) the camera works a breeze and is fast setting up.

[@Foxglove963]

Cameras with cams have a limited choice of lenses. The Wista DX field is most quick to set up, unlike the hassle with erecting the front standard that is common with cameras like the Chinese Chamonix. You don't need a drop board with the Wista as one uses tilt of the whole camera instead, and corrections of the front standard, in addition the back features rear tilt!! You can use a vast selection of lenses and even more vintage lenses using an iris holder. You can't do that with the MPP.

[@samuellerman-hahn650]

Great video, but please show some large format camera movements in your next film.

[@marceloyanez7208]

Great video, Mike!

[@四川老罗]

Oh, Mike! Where have you been for the last 4 months?! I had been waiting for you to post a new video on the channel during that time.

[@xjoexedge]

ive been waiting for this so awesome thank you

[@pandaenthusiast01]

mike raso is the coolest

[@phillipramones5882]

Do a video on tin type photography!!!!!

[@ThirdHandWelding]

Great stuff!!!

[@MatteoPreziosoPH]

Love it! p.s. 4:24 - 5:00 Once you've taken the shot, shouldn't you be flipping the slide from white to black?

[@nickfanzo]

Matteo Prezioso you flip it the way you want

[@archywiseman]

Yes, that is standard procedure.

[@mc-ec3bu]

The lens is now on the camera . It's a good job i'm only 3 years old.

[@FrankATracy]

Love my Wista field camera. Mine was modified by Zone VI Studios. (Do you remember Fred Picker?). It was modified to have a stronger tripod mount. I have always preferred the Wista over my Sinar F. But both are great cameras! To check out Fred Picker's outstanding newsletters, go to: zonevi.dk/junk/?page_id=1341 Not all 83 are listed, but the first 62 can be read at leisure. For an index to his newsletters, check out: www.jbhphoto.com/articles/zoneindx/znindex.htm Fred Picker is truly missed!

[@FrankATracy]

Here's the new link for the index: www.jbhphoto.com/articles/zone-vi-newsletter-index/

[@Mr._Magee]

Once the film is exposed in the film holder and you don't want to process the film yourself. Would you send the film holder with the exposed film to a lab, or is there another method of sending film out to be processed? Thanks

[@michaelraso]

Terrific question. Some labs will take the film holders, process the film and then return everything. If you lab won't do that buy yourself some black, light tight bags and remove the film from the holders and ship to the lab in the bags. (If you have any old empty 4x5 boxes...even better. Hope this helps!

[@Mr._Magee]

Thanks Micheal, that's a big help. I'm currently using a medium format camera but would like to buy a large format camera. Your video is excellent in explaining how it works. Can't wait to give it a try myself.

[@nickfanzo]

Process it yourself!

[@myronhensel]

How does this camera compare to the movements of the Shen Hao?

[@Foxglove963]

Myron Hensel. Both cameras have the same range of movements. Wista is Japanese, Shen is Chinese.

[@Batou123]

I love it!

[@alexcorona]

Maybe show a packfilm conversion on these?

[@joe_suf1473]

I just purchased the same camera and was wondering are the bellows replaceable?

[@michaelraso]

Hi Joe, Don't know. Try asking Mat Marrash - [e-mail] Great deals on 4x5 film at filmphotographystore.com/collections/4x5-sheet-film

[@Foxglove963]

Joe-suf. The bellows need to be glued on. I have done it, it's not a big job though.

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

can I use ANY 4x5 lens on any 4x5 camera as long as I have a board for it?

[@B3D5X]

Jesse H yes but some old "barrel" lenses don't have built in shutters so your camera will need to have a focal plane shutter (like a speed graphic) or you'll have to find some other way to keep from prematurely exposing your film.

[@Foxglove963]

Jesse H. Check out a vintage universal adjustable iris, mount it on a lens board , then you can use hunderds of different lenses without the need to make a separate lensboard for every lens.

[@HigbeeEddie]

Thanks, can you explain barrel lenses?

[@B3D5X]

Eddie Higbee barrel lenses are any lens without a built in shutter

[@pepeg.luthier566]

What is the weight of that camera without lens?

[@michaelraso]

Not sure of exact weight but it's very, very light.

[@oudviola]

about 3 pounds. the lenses are around a pound, so the system while large is actually pretty light. it's all the film holders...

[@robertbartelmes7623]

Ahah! ... you switched from a Fuji to a Nikkor SW during the lens mounting scene ...

[@rictrexell2118]

I don't think Wista's are made any more, but even if they are digital is so much improved that these are fast going the way of the horse buggy. Only pictures taken for billboards and such need a LF camera. This video is 5 years old and a lot of things have changed in 5 years.

[@nathanjohansen7169]

Film forever Ric. Film forever.

[@neilpiper9889]

Most shutters on these are now slower than indicated. Tests need to be done.

[@nickfanzo]

neil piper actually there are still new lenses made

[@neilpiper9889]

Schneider is still going strong, they are my favourites, especially the Super Angulons.

[@nickfanzo]

neil piper Correct and incredibly sharp