Large Format Photography | 5x7 Rittreck Camera

[@BenHorne]

That sure looks like really solid and well-designed camera. The 5x7 format sure seems like the sweet spot in terms of negative sizes versus the size of the equipment. I do wish more color film was available in that format. The house sure made for a great subject. I like how a lot of emphasis is placed on the window up top that's open, and it's fascinating how nature is reclaiming the house with all the plant growth. Photos like this tell such a good story because at one point, this house was loved by a family and perhaps there were kids running around and playing in the yard. Now it sits there, abandoned and reclaimed by nature. Excellent work as always Craig.

[@CraigSheaks]

The Rittreck is extremely solid and well designed. 5x7 is a good format (neg and equipment size). Hopefully with the Intrepid 5x7 camera now being offered there will be more film sales and companies will eventually offer more options in the format (fingers crossed). Regarding the house, when I drove by it I could barely see it from the road with all of the over growth. I did a walk around and actually went inside the house as well. There really wasn’t any good compositions inside and the resulting composition I made outside the house was the best I found. I was immediately drawn to the open window and the tree branch that was pointing at it. I was hoping the subtle psychological factor of what a “home” represents versus what it has become would be communicated through the photograph. I rarely use HP5, but usually have a sheet or two in my bag in case I come across a high contrast scene. Thanks for watching!

[@richardstollar4291]

The lack of film stock for 5x7 is a problem and will keep me at 4x5 for the foreseeable future. 8x10 on the other hand is rather easier to find but boy is it expensive :(

[@rienkvenema462]

@@richardstollar4291 You can actually order film in the US at facebook.com/keith.canham.12 He collects orders from all over the world I live in the Netherlands and have already 2 batches 50 sheets of Portra 400. Sometimes there is Ektar 100. Next to that you would have Ilford (B/W) and next to that you could use Direct print techniques. And next to that you probably can add a 4x5 back to the camera. I think 5x7 has a lot of benefits before going to the 8x10 or more dimension.

[@KandiKlover]

@@CraigSheaks Lucky you didn't get killed by an insane squatter going inside like that.

[@ChristopherMay]

Nice to see you back, Craig. Congrats on the new camera. Rittrecks are gorgeous pieces of industrial design and 5x7 is a format that has called me more than once for its more rectangular aspect ratio. Hope to see more videos with this outfit!

[@martin-f5482]

Hi Craig, Happy to see you coming back on YT, awesome video and what a perfect image!

[@cloudsilver1]

This is really nice! Loved the walkthrough of the whole setup.

[@BillMcCarroll]

Great to see you back Craig. Looked like a hot day and image came out terrific.

[@CraigSheaks]

It was really humid! Glad you liked the image. I didn’t have high hopes for it, but am happy with how it turned out.

[@olavdalmijn5972]

Nice to see you again. Great picture.

[@renepirolt]

Good to see you back, Craig. I've always enjoyed your LF videos. Keep up the great work.

[@chriswraythefineprint8238]

Nice to see you back again. I disappeared for a while as well, but I came back, using my name this time, used to be Cedar Mesa Photography. I love nice strong metal cameras, and that 5x7 just oozes strength! Chris

[@gabrysgabriukas]

Thanks Craig, I just discovered Rittreck view cameras and I think I am going to buy one.

[@mannolitto2196]

Awesome video, so glad you are back!

[@followthe-Light]

WoW that came out wonderful. Thanks for the video.

[@gillesgrethenphotography]

Nice to see you back in the field with a beautiful image

[@MrDebone75]

Glad to see you back at making videos. Nice shot. I bought a Rittrek about a year or so ago. Great camera. I just have 4x5 back. I have another camera for 5x7. You have only the second video I've seen of someone using that camera. Keep up the good work. I think I'll take mine out this weekend and give it some love

[@pedromeza2398]

Thank you for truly good instructions with lots of good information and a beautiful picture in the end.

[@michaelsherck5099]

Good to see you again, Craig. My first large format camera was an old Ansco 5x7 and I've had a thing for that aspect ratio ever since. :)

[@oldfilmguy9413]

Very nice photography, good to see a 5x7 in action! Looking forward to more large format videos from you! Cheers!

[@billhackley3540]

glad your back.

[@tplyons5459]

I love my 5x7 Intrepid! Cheaper to use, easier to find lenses etc

[@EricBryan]

Nice camera and great composition!

[@toulcaz31]

Good to see that Rittreck in action

[@toddkorolphoto]

Really nice final image!

[@RichardHiston]

You're back! Kept wondering where you'd got to? Don't leave it so long next time!!

[@CraigSheaks]

Yeah it’s been too long. Life gets in the way. Hopefully I can post some videos with a bit more regularity.

[@tplyons5459]

Since the first time I viewed this I added a 5x7 ORBIT camera for indoors and my Intrepid will be my out door hiking rig. Just a note 180mm on 5x7 is equal to 37mm on a 35mm camera and the 150 is 31mm. My favorite 5x7 lens is the 121mm Rodenstock

[@greggschwabauer6241]

Just subscribed to the channel. Was very glad to see a Rittreck Field in the wild. What is your experience using wider angle lenses on this camera? I’m thinking of restoring one to use for both 4x5 and 5x7 and if I translate my favorite focal length Up from 35mm, I end up with 105mm and 135mm (ish) respectively. Thanks for the content!

[@eliverto]

I am curious as well, couldn't find anything about using wide angle on this model, I'm interested to get one with the 4x5 back

[@arnolfini1434]

5x7 lovely size, used to use a Linhof Kardan B.

[@rickciaburri2598]

I don't see photographers making the distinction between ISO ratings and Exposure indexes, for example, ISO 400 film rated by the user at EI 200. I see this often. Good demonstration of the Rittreck camera.

[@davidbaures1256]

Glad to see a new video and really enjoy your work. 5 x 7 is a very nice format to use and maybe my favorite with full plate being next. Keep the videos coming. Just an idea, but do you have access to any old farms/barns near you? You could make it look great on 5 x 7!

[@184186]

Craig, thanks for the video. Do you ever post the actual shots somewhere so we can see the results if the shot is satisfactory to you? Thanks!

[@CraigSheaks]

The photo is at the very end of the video. It appears after I walk past the tree at the very end of the video.

[@184186]

@@CraigSheaks thanks Craig... maybe my attention wandered? LoL BTW; I really like the look of that 5x7 Rittreck. I've got a B&J 5x7 and it's a beast

[@WayOffTheTrail]

Very nice! I don't see many photographers using 5x7. I can see how 4x5 is much more convenient than 8x10, but why not just go all the way up to 8x10? Just wondering! I have used an old Calumet 4x5, so anything larger than that is awesome, I'm sure!

[@CraigSheaks]

I also regularly use 8”x10”.

[@WayOffTheTrail]

@@CraigSheaks I did not know that! I'll be looking back. :)

[@ShaneB666]

5x7 is also a very different format from the 4:3 ratio of 4x5/8x10

[@WayOffTheTrail]

@@ShaneB666 I should have known that. LOL I've made a lot of 5x7 prints from 35mm film. Nice aspect ratio!

[@Disco_Shrew]

Hi Craig, if you scan your negatives, how do you scan 5x7 ones since there are not really any negative holders out there? Thanks.

[@Foxglove963]

The on-off rubbing of the lens with your T-shirt will have an abrasive effect, first on the lens coating which will be rubbed off, degrading and rendering your lens useless for color pics. Seriously, you should have lens cleaning fluid with you, a soft lens cloth and a blowing brush. Find some advice on HOW to properly clean your lens.

[@DavidHosten]

Ritt-reck or Rit-trek ..

[@adamkencki]

jesus christ do you have to turn a camera video into a movie? Why do we need to see you arriving in your suzuki? Cut two minutes from the beginning then upload it to youtube