Buying Your First Large Format Lens & Tips

Interested in a Standard 4x5? standardcameras.com
Any other tips for those starting out in large format, or questions of your own about buying used lenses? Share in the comments! 🖤
0:00 | Intro
0:25 | Lens specifics
1:00 | Buying on eBay
2:25 | Things to avoid
3:50 | Matching the Lensboard
5:00 | Recessed Lensboard
6:37 | Buying on KEH
8:00 | Multicoating
9:45 | Lensboard Basics
10:40 | Buy a cable release!
Common Large Format Mistakes: • Common Large Format Mi...
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[@oddododo831]

Thanks Drew for the video. I especially appreciated you showing the issues to look out for when buying lenses second hand.

[@saltytrigger]

I found your channels (YT/Twitch) via a comment on Harris Heller's video. Great stuff man!

[@MARKLINMAN1]

Excellent explanation, Thank you.

[@poorusher]

Cheers 😁

[@joannecoates5917]

Hi drew I just got a linhof press camera and none of the boards seem to fit the camera. Any tips?

[@drew_nikonowicz]

Best recommendation I can make is to try and do a google search for the exact model of the camera you have and see if anywhere notes what lensboard it takes. I don't talk about it in this video, but all the boards I'm showing are Linhof boards. But there are also Toyo boards, wista boards, and so many more. It might just be that you need to pick up the correct lensboard style!

[@royleeduvall9746]

Most of the video was very good - except for the advice on lens boards. Linhof is not common to all cameras. I own a Toyo and a Sinar - both 4x5 and they both use different lens boards. There are boards that adapt to linhof boards for both of those cameras, but they are not the standard. Otherwise a well put together presentation.

[@drew_nikonowicz]

“The Standard 4x5” is the name of the camera I make and sell. 😁 IIRC what I say in this video is referencing that, not “all 4x5s” in general. Regardless, never hurts to remind comment readers that there are many different kinds of lensboards!

[@jeremoe1]

I'm new to large format. I bought the same lens you have, the Rodenstock 150mm Sironer-N. It didn't come with any lens caps and I've been having difficulty locating some. What size cap do I need and where can I get them? I appreciate any info you can give to assist me. Nice video, too.

[@drew_nikonowicz]

I’ll admit I don’t know what size cap you would need - my best (and it’s not great) suggestion would be to do some searching on eBay and other similar sites. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!

[@jeremoe1]

@@drew_nikonowicz No problem. I thank you. Love your channel !