How to Shoot with 4x5 Large Format Film - A Step-by-Step Guide

[@thevanishingsaxon663]

Photography is addictive. Started with 35mm, then 120 in 6x6, and now I'm here. All within two years.

[@bobbleczar]

took me 20 years to do the same but here I am. 4x5 seems magical.

[@The_Crooked_Path]

I feel like this will be me. I just started 35mm

[@RobbieMaynardCreates]

I just wanted to say I appreciate the amount of work that goes into shooting and editing this type of video. Well done, as always

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, man. These are the ones that always seem like a great idea, and then once I start shooting/editing I'm like, shit, this is going to take me forever, haha!

[@austinboogaert.]

Picking up my first 4x5 this weekend, excited and terrified.

[@ThePhotoDept]

another Kyle Mcdougall classic.

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙌

[@Tsudkyk]

I bought my first 4x5 today and I’m very excited to shoot large format. Thanks for sharing!

[@BillyWalkerMedia]

To say this video is excellent is truly an understatement - You have produced a pure piece of excellence!!

[@tedsmith6795]

Very comprehensive video. Great intro into LF.

[@raven_pheather4509]

Taking darkroom photography now! They just pulled out the 4x5!!!

[@sneakingelephant]

Been wanting to try 4x5 this past year but the price of entry and more importantly the knowledge barrier of entry seemed so large. I ended up securing a cheap box of expired ektachrome to try one day. Really happy that you made this video because it’s answered a lot questions I had

[@KyleMcDougall]

Happy it helped. Cheers.

[@protestagain]

Thank you Kyle. I bought perhaps the most expensive 4x5 camera with optics available, very optimistic. I really believed that my health would improve, but unfortunately. Smiling, haven't tried the equipment yet, but in my mind I have and when I see your video I think I can do everything in theory, but as we all know, there is a difference between theory and practice. But now I'm closer to the idea of selling what I have of the LF camera stuff, a Carbon Infinity camera that handles everything from 47mm to 600mm, swing and tilt all ways, a camera made for your dreams. Built to last a thousand years in carbon and titanium. What an unfair world, some people want to be able to afford to buy and use a 4x5 camera, for my part I want to use what I have, but unfortunately my health is only getting worse and the great equipment sits unused in the closet.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Really sorry to hear about your health. Is there another tool that you'd be able to use to still make some images?

[@protestagain]

@@KyleMcDougall There is no need to be sorry to hear my situation, there are always those who have it worse, perhaps those who cannot afford 4x5" equipment. LF is getting too big and cumbersome to use for me, same with Mamiya RZ, so have gone down to 6 MF and 7 and SLR, and m43 digital. Think when I get to sell my LF equipment that it finances GFX, so I'm not completely out of photography, but it's also the "dreams" and everything that really keeps me going. Runs really "slow" photography. Long planning for a photo, but that's what happens when you can hardly move with a wheelchair. It's no use crying and giving up, but see the positive in everything, and for me photography is the very light in everyday life. Create, and that is the positive, that digital rework fits my health situation like a glove. Your videos and some others also give me inspiration and the opportunity to see what the world could be like for me if my health were better. You live a little in dreams and visions. Perhaps not so easy to understand. I have way too much photography equipment lying around, and my siblings nag me why I don't get rid of it. Just collecting dust, but they think it's just junk, but that junk has gone up in value and gives better returns than the banks, that's my comfort in it all.

[@sethobates]

As always, class production and super interesting. If I had to pay to watch your stuff I would, no question. Will definitely try out 4X5 some day. Looks super fun.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I appreciate that, Seth!

[@gavinjenkins899]

I've made a setup where I shoot a wooden one of these handheld, lol. I made a wire rectangle calibrated to the side of the frame when a perpendicular wire is in a certain perspective, as a viewfinder, that fits in the cold shoe. And then a piece of cardstock has markings on it calibrated to my arm length and my eye separation, and I can rangefind by holding it out and winking back and forth and measuring the object I want's parallax, it's written out same as on the focusing rail. No need for ground glass! I've gotten view camera shots of puppies playing in a park before, etc., it's pretty fun. Also lots of taped on pieces of card with depth of field charts, reciprocity failure charts, etc. I buy 8x10 medical xray film, cut it into 4ths with a notched paper cutter in the dark (the sliding type of cutter is less dangerous), and you bleach off one side of the double emulsion after developing (stuck wet to some glass to protect the image). It's literally cheaper per shot than 35mm and is excellent quality, just more work.

[@largophoto]

Excellent ..well presented ...clear ...thank you

[@jamesbarnes3063]

Only thinff=g I would recommend is the an older lens o not have the preview button, either bulb or time should be used, thanks for the tips

[@cabbelos]

Great video, I wish this existed when I was contemplating my large format purchase. Two things I would add: If you don't use the camera often, it's a good idea to test your selected shutter speed before removing the darkslide. Longer times, especially 1 second some times sticks on older shutters, turning your 1 second into 2, 3, 4 or even just sticking permanently open until you move the speed selector to a faster speed. Also what I couldn't figure out from just these types of guides is how do you actually get your film to be developed if you don't do it yourself. I do b/w but not colour myself. I asked my local lab that does large format, and they take film either in the original film box or the film holder, but only one film per holder (not one per side). Ask your lab before taking them for development, they did not laugh at my question (at least to my face).

[@KyleMcDougall]

Good point about the shutter. And yeah, I usually send my film in an old 4x5 box, which they send back to me. But I feel like there is a opportunity waiting for someone to create some sort of reuseable exposed film holder.

[@BoomsRiddico4868]

Having assisted for Fashion photographers in NY in the late 90's I always wanted a 54 of my own. I used Sinar cameras a lot but I always wanted a Linhof Field Camera. You can't beat 54 positive film! Velvia or Kodak EPR

[@paulatterby7507]

Excellent video for anyone starting large format. I would like to add that the fastest cameras to set up are the non folders such as Ebony, Walker titan or Shen Hao tfc series, I have owned all previously. The clamshell type like the Horseman, Linhof Technika and Toyo, whilst being very strong are not really suitable to wide angle use, even a 90mm on a recessed board can be fiddly. For my own use, landscapes, I find the Ebony beautiful to use, whilst the Walker is more suited to our English weather as it doesnt contract and expand as the wooden cameras do. My other point would be, as an experienced user, that the Blackjacket dark cloth is unbeatable for outdoor use. If youve ever tried to view the screen and adjust the standards in windy weather!!

[@KyleMcDougall]

I'll have to check out the black jacket. Had way too many experiences in the wind fighting the dark cloth. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@Bertzcommodities]

I’ve been hesitant to shoot 4x5 until I tested out my graflex 4x5 so I just recently shot some 120 in it with a film back and hopefully everything turns out good 🙏🏼 It’ll give me more confidence as well as your videos , thanks Kyle !!

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome. Get out and shoot some sheet film through that!

[@john3Lee]

An excellent run through of recommended work flow - thanks

[@burneshollyman2621]

Wow, what a great video! You put a lot of time and effort into this and it is deeply appreciated. As a noob getting back into 4 x 5 (after getting frustrated with it 15 years ago), this gave me great inspiration for how to handle things. Again, thanks for creating this - it is invaluable and you demystify the whole process. I love the idea of a changing tent. The bag drove me crazy last time. I saw another video you did in the hills with stone ruins and was amazed by that landscape but have no clue where it is...looks like UK. Anyway, I am a proud new subscriber to your channel.

[@george_edward_]

been dying to try large format for a few years now... can't wait to make a video on it

[@chriscorey5164]

Thanks for this. It feels very intimidating so this helps!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tedphillips2951]

Really good video. I keep working with 4x5 & it does take effort. I'm not where I want to be but you just have to keep shooting. Looking forward to the next video on movements.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Confidence and technique comes quick the more you shoot.

[@joseelement7695]

0:43 Some strong Steve Zissou vibes here, man. Not a bad thing.

[@joseelement7695]

Also, and if I may be so bold, I would strongly suggest labeling EACH side of your film holders and a notebook for note-taking. That way you will know which film holder has that light leak because you cheaped out and bought some janky items from that online store we all spend so much time looking at gear on.

[@sklba632]

Something I did that might be helpful to others, was to use fishing string to attach my cables and loupe to my camera.

[@liveinaweorg]

Love my LF work. I'm shooting my MPP MkVII with 4x5 film and plates at the moment. I also have a 5x7 camera from the turn of the 20th century, that one is a bit more challenging. LF is so much fun and you presented it in a great way. Kyle. Love the shot too. I put painters tape on my film holders and then write on the tape in the field recording the various settings I have used for the shot. I then transfer that information into my #littlevintagephotography workbook. I also use the white/black technique for knowing when a shot has been taken.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks! And yeah, I've started to label my holders with thin gaff tape-just with the film that is loaded. Nice way to avoid having to go in the dark bag.

[@lucacagnolati5530]

Great video! Thank you so much Looking at the camera seems also very well suitable for medium format too with added possibility of big movements Thanks

[@ubeeh]

Having seen how inexpensive 4x5 cameras have become, I have started playing around with the thought of getting an Intrepid or Stenopeika (or something like a Horseman or Linhof Technika. The one thing that holds me back is actually not the process or the costs associated with developing the film. It is about scanning the actual negatives at the end (same is actually true for something 6x12 or even 6x17 negatives). Maybe you do a follow-up and take us through your process of getting the 4x5 film developed (I assume you do it yourself) and then through the scanning process?

[@c.augustin]

I second having a follow-up on scanning from Kyle! My own experience is this: Camera scanning is a viable option. I use an Olympus m43 camera with pixel-shift high-res mode with the quite affordable Olympus 30 mm F3.5 macro. I have a Pen F (bought it new for digital photography), but a used E-M5 Mk II would do (has 50 MP high-res, Mk III has 80 MP like the Pen F); any other digital camera with at least 40 MP will do (Sony A7R, which should be also quite affordable used by now). What I found the most important piece is a very evenly lit light source - every change in brightness over the negative will be a huge problem afterwards, especially with color negative (this was my biggest problem until recently, very tedious to correct). I've got a tip from the founder of Valoi: The Raleno PLV-S192 LED video light (has a flat back and the controls sideways). Avoid the Kaiser (or similar) light tables, they are not suitable for 4x5 or 8x10 (fine up to 6x9 if the film holder has an extra diffusor).

[@SteffenMiethke]

When doing a LF course in college we had Epson flatbed scanners. I was very disappointed with the results for my 645. But for large format - just wow. With 4x5 you get easily more than 100MP and can see every last detail. (We did have the more expensive 750/850 ones) but im sure a Epson V550 or V600 would be fine!

[@c.augustin]

@@SteffenMiethke You need the expensive ones, as the cheaper ones don't have the large light source (only a small strip). Yes, an Epson flatbed is a very good option for 4x5 - but if you already have a suitable digital camera, it is the cheaper and more flexible option that works well with smaller formats (and it takes less room when not in use).

[@SteffenMiethke]

​@@c.augustinoh right. The cheaper ones only have the strip! But yes, Camera works as well👍🏻

[@c.augustin]

@@SteffenMiethke Well, until I've got the tip with the Raleno light (works well and is affordable) I though about buying the current Epson LF-capable model (it seems that they stripped down their model line), because I was fed up with the results I've got. But with the Raleno light the camera scanning works very well. And there's one aspect I did not mention: Speed. Even with pixel-shift high-res mode on my Pen F, it is a matter of only a few seconds per negative (this is one major reason why I was so reluctant to switch to a flatbed scanner).

[@c.augustin]

Interesting. Most LF photographers use light side visible when having a film loaded. My guess is that this gray or white stripe was originally meant for notes *after* taking the shot, but I never found a reference to the practice in "the olden days". I also it the "usual" way with light side visible for unexposed film (easier to spot ;-)).

[@gertbehrmann4877]

Thanks for a great video. But I think for all of those who like the idea of a large negative, but also think that large format photography is too slow and too static, it should be mentioned that there are also large format SLR cameras. Those can be used handheld, I know, as this is what I do. There are also sheet film magazines that hold six, ten, or twelve negatives. All in all such cameras can be used as any other, smaller format SLR camera. They are a bit bigger and heavier though.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yep, good point. That's a world I don't know too much about, as I've never shot with one.

[@Hydermehdi]

Hello Kyle, thanks for such an informative video. Seriously considering getting in 4x5 photography.

[@_stefkas_]

Excellent summary, I'm preparing for that leap right now. Love it how you recommend the dark cloth ("essential") and just not use it in the next scene... 😊. Just kidding you.

[@mahmoudshoots]

Great video again!! Very informative and very helpful 👏🏼❤

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers!

[@Seth_S-G]

Great video! While I don't currently at the moment have plans to buy a 4x5 camera, I do definitely want to rent one sometime (which I can do for around $70/day) and give it a try.

[@samatkinsphotography]

This is incredibly timely. I’ve just purchased a 4x5 field camera and tentatively shot two images with it so far (one on positive paper and one negative). A thrilling process. I did have pink blotches on my negative film though so I’m guessing I didn’t fix it properly or wash it for long enough? Thank you for spending time doing this video for us virgin 4x5 shooters.

[@chriscard6544]

you can always fix again after, if you havent fixed correctly.

[@samatkinsphotography]

@@chriscard6544 I’ll give that a try - thank you 😊

[@chriscard6544]

@@samatkinsphotography after your time of fixing (let's say 4 minutes), just have a look at your negative, if it's still milky, add 1 or 2 minutes. You can reuse fixer many times, but when you have to fix longer, that's its end of life

[@samatkinsphotography]

@@chriscard6544 Brill. I’m going to do that now. Thank you for your insight.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad this helped!

[@cnicolo]

Beautiful video. Thank you for sharing it.

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome. Cheers.

[@christeospir5208]

Thanks, Kyle, very helpful.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers!

[@Daniel.Walker]

Very ready to book a course on using a 4x5 field camera!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Something I've been planning to offer in the future.

[@michaelricco81]

Hey Kyle, I met you a few years ago at Land & See. This video was extremely helpful. I just bought the Intrepid 4x5 in February. I took it out into the field last weekend for the first time. I shot 8 frames, developed them at home and was pleased with 5 of the 8. I loved the process and the camera. Did I see you using an Intrepid in the video?

[@KyleMcDougall]

Hey Michael, how are you? And yes, I owned an Intrepid years ago. It was my first 4x5. Glad you're enjoying it!

[@silekiernanphotography]

Thanks Kyle! Really nice presentation. After you've exposed the first sheet, and put the slide back in with the black side out, you then need to start over and flip the holder over in order to expose sheet #2...right?

[@KyleMcDougall]

You got it. 2 sheets per holder.

[@IntrepidCameraCo]

Really useful and informative video!

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙏

[@rgrbrn]

Everything in your hands seems so small! From contax to 4x5! Great contents by the way!

[@revaaron]

UGH! stop trying to get me to get into 4x5!!!!!

[@ubeeh]

I hear you!

[@Xin200O]

do it, purchase an intrepid. Buy the film. Shoot slide. Get exquisite results.

[@frithjofschlesinger9880]

Verry relatable. I just started medium format, but the other things are so interesting too

[@KyleMcDougall]

Haha, no pressure. But you should do it...

[@ADHDIYuk]

Same here. I really want to try this but don't have enough time to shoot the formats I use already.

[@stevinoname]

This was awesome

[@mathieucladidier2882]

Thank you very much!

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome. Cheers.

[@raffypasalo]

Thank you for this. Just recently delved on medium format but I always wonder about LF. nearly jumped on LF before going to medium format but I have 0 knowledge of it, but will do so in near future and this video helped me getting more familiar to LF. is it necessary to use a spotmeter or you can use the lightmeter app on your phone for checking the exposure?

[@KyleMcDougall]

You'd be surprised how quickly you will become confident with it. As for metering, I'm not a huge fan of the phone meters, as I like to have the accuracy of a handheld spot meter. But I do know a lot of people use them.

[@nathandault860]

I recently sold my sinar monorail but maybe someday I’ll have to get myself a field camera 😮

[@willmccleland2383]

Been waiting to get into this format for a while but don’t know what camera to chose I want something within the 300-500 mark but not something I will want to replace a few years down the line

[@KyleMcDougall]

For that price, I'd personally try to find a deal on a used Wista or Toyo. You might get lucky and score one for around the 500 range.

[@petersackett9058]

Apologies, Kyle, but I've had a hell of a time getting a loupe in Australia. Which do you recommend? I didn't see it above. Thank you.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I have the Peak Lupe 5x. It's cheap and has done a decent job.

[@robinglass1953]

Hey Kyle, great video! How do you scan your 4x5 negatives ?

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you. GFX setup with the Pentax 120 Macro

[@robinglass1953]

thanks kyle! i have the same set up but my copy stand isn't high enough! around how high do you have to get to photograph the whole negative? @@KyleMcDougall

[@jonatascd_]

4x5 is in my future for sure, but now I do not see it in my workflow today.

[@KyleMcDougall]

It's definitely something that isn't suited to every project/type of work, but if it fits, it's a great way to make images.

[@GirdHerd]

Another excellent video, Kyle. Just a general question - when shooting B&W film, do you expose for the shadows with a spot meter or expose for 18% gray using an averaging meter? I seem to get better results exposing for the shadows with a spot meter.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Really depends on the scene. I'd say I mostly use a spot meter, but for portrait stuff, I'll use the incident and expose as it tells me, metering near the face. For landscape work, I'm often always spot metering-either shadows, or something middle grey in the scene.

[@xagikneex]

I have a 150mm super topcor. I mounted it on my 4x5 but I’m unsure if it covers the full frame. What lenses did horseman make that won’t cover 4x5

[@KyleMcDougall]

They made a number of lenses for their VH-R camera, which is 6x9. If you google the specific lenses you should find coverage info.

[@pietrobrunetti3071]

What happens after? I have to give the entire film holder to a lab or there is a way to take out the film sheet?

[@KyleMcDougall]

You have to go back into the dark bag, remove the film, and put it in an empty box. Then you send that to the lab.

[@normtesch1126]

just starting 4x5...what i normally do for landscape are actual 2 or more photo kinda panos....can i achieve that with front tilt??

[@rolle820]

Do you scan 4x5 with your camera scanning setup? Been curious about LF but my scanning setup is a bit limited and I couldn't possibly get the most out of a large format neg. I just hate the idea of stitching and don't really want to buy an expensive flatbed scanner only for this purpose...

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yep. I use the GFX, and will shoot one shot for most purposes, which still leaves me with a 8000+px wide image, and great detail.

[@gavinjenkins899]

I just photograph it with a full frame DSLR on an inverted tripod. Easiest backlight is a commercially made light tablet thing. I've also used two panes of glass with a softbox about 2 feet below (which makes it so out of focus compared to a macro lens that it is perfectly even light, basically). It might or might not technically have the same detail resolution as full frame, but it doesn't really matter practically. You're not going to make a print the size of your wall that people view from 6 inches away.

[@RealCelticGamer]

4x5 can actually be cheaper than 35mm because you're using less film. A roll of Tri-X is approx £20. Sheet film works out at approx £5/sheet.

[@lc_videophoto2454]

Hi, I would like to buy my first analog medium format and I'm undecided whether to get a Yashica Mat 124 G or the Mamiya 645. Can I ask you which one would you recommend? Thank you

[@anndro]

Hey i wanna ask, how do you use that camera if you want to shoot in portrait orientation? Is it possible?

[@KyleMcDougall]

You take off the back and reattach in portrait orientation.

[@jamesmacnamara8174]

So is 4x5 film different to 35mm film? How do you load it without exposing it?

[@gavinjenkins899]

It's about 10x larger surface area, 1/4 the size roughly of a piece of computer paper. You take it out of its box and load it into the cartridges in pitch blackness in a bag or darkroom, by feel.

[@robertwelsh7103]

Excellent articulation . Feel your passion lad.

[@markusklein6309]

Excellent video but … What you have demonstrated and explained is valid, of course, and can be replicated easily. It is just a matter of buying gear. Handling a large format camera is much easier than handling a modern digital camera. The problems start when you have exposed the film! Who develops your 4x5 sheet film, especially color, and sends you prints?

[@KyleMcDougall]

I develop my B&W, and am now sending my colour out. No printing for me, just scanning, which I do myself.

[@chriscard6544]

which lens focal for close portraits in 4x5 ?

[@elmegade3]

Try to pick up a 210mm (it's equivalent to 53mm in 35mm land) anything longer than that tends to be difficult with bellows draw (how far the bellows needs to extend in order to achieve focus).

[@chriscard6544]

@@elmegade3 thank you so much

[@dflf]

Nothing to say about tripods?

[@KyleMcDougall]

You definitely need one. 😉 But yeah, that's another video in itself, and unfortunately I only have experience with a couple that I've used over the years.

[@gavinjenkins899]

You just use a normal tripod, they sell these with the standard 1/4" 20 screw lug

[@_o__o_]

i am too poor for film

[@jdouguspsa]

trying to bankrupt me. im getting married next year brother have mercy

[@johnkaplun9619]

I like tape because I get a shelf full my music and I have 9-5 staring at a screen so it's nice to... not do that as a hobby.

[@MezeiEugen]

Nope, you dont look trough the ground glass.

[@runzizhu3099]

I have experienced dozens of sheets ruined with slides and not knowing where exactly wrong as they are the most difficult parts to diagonous. Better to buy new slides!

[@petrub27]

i would feel totally embarrassed to shoot this type of camera. not my cup of tea

[@CalumetVideo]

I have actually had odd looks from people when I was out using large format, I mostly use it indoors. However, I have started using a Mamiya RB67 for outdoor photography. I sold my Mamiya TLR’s for the same reason, they draw awkward looks.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Honestly, it's a great conversation starter.

[@motorvelo]

The information you give about the use of large format film, dark slides etc shows how sketchy you knowledge really is. Don’t give advice until you really know what you doing.