Used Gear Starter Guide - Large Format Friday

Shooting a photographic format that dates back to the beginning of photography is a huge change of pace from the lifestyle many have become accustomed to in the 21st century. Most of the tools for this type of photography aren’t available new, and even the ones that are made brand new take more time than the buy now, get it now culture trains us for. That’s why today, I’m going to talk about the used equipment aspect of large format photography.
For some of us, used equipment is almost every part of our large format kit, sometimes including the film! And if you’re one of the many folks out there watching that are still assembling a large format kit or haven’t yet begun the process, this can be one of the most frustrating barriers to entry into LF. My goal is to help you navigate the used market using what I’ve learned over the years.
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Ethan Moses' Shutter Tester: • DIY Arduino Camera Shu...
Large Format Photography Forum: www.largeformatphotography.in...
Questions? Send me an email: [e-mail]
Content by Mat Marrash: www.matmarrash.com
#largeformat #filmphotography

[@MichaelLloyd]

100% agree with the LF Forum. Even though I've been on hiatus for a few years (I'm over that) I stayed connected to the forum

[@MatMarrash]

Definitely a good resource, but I tend to skip the discourse.

[@andyvan5692]

Mat, at 7:34 you glossed over a few points re lenses, lens CAPS and the cloth wrap, are very important to protect your lenses, when I got my 65 f5.6 Fujinon SWD the store staff was very persuasive and gave me a deal making demo of the new wraps (magnetic, sticks to itself, so the lens can't fall out!), filter thread size, and if a filter (uv, or ND) is included to save scratches, but also to determine size for future filter system requirements. one more thing, with the camera body section, FILM Size, as a 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" camera back, can ONLY take MF backs!, as the sheet film is no longer cut in that size!- or is a special order.

[@tomthacker4490]

I’m lucky that I live less than a mile from Midwest Photo. Thanks Mat for helping me buy the Sinar a few weeks ago.

[@MatMarrash]

That's dangerously close to a shop with so many toys! Thanks Tom!

[@jimwlouavl]

Very helpful tips. I suggest setting up some saved searches with online stores and auction sites. If you can, buy when a good deal comes up. That avoids paying extra when you’re in a rush.

[@MatMarrash]

I've got a love-hate relationship with saved searches and alerts. I love how well they work and hate what they do to my bank account!

[@norbertsteinkamp9380]

Hi Mat, this is all very useful information! It took me a while (luckily no mispurchase) to learn that Schneideritis isn’t limited to Schneider products. So, it might indeed be a good idea before paying a premium for a sought-for Apo-Sironar S, to ask a seller whether visible dots are actually dust specks or rather tiny white stains on the internal barrel coating. Also, I have learned to be skeptical when a lens ad asserts potential buyers that no impairment of a particular lens will reduce image quality whatsoever. Apart from the odd dust particle, light cleaning mark or external sign of use I’m asking myself whether, If that were the case, lenses couldn’t be made and sold as do-it-yourself kits for a fraction of the price, to be assembled in the consumer’s dusty den using superglue and a Leatherman tool 😉.

[@pedromeza2398]

Thank you for this very good detailed informative video. I like that you stated that looks are not as critical compared to function. The flash light test is the best part.

[@67jmadison]

Another great video, Mat! The advice at the very end - about journaling when you find a new piece of gear that you want - is some great advice. I wish I had been given it long ago!

[@MatMarrash]

It's advice I wish I could have given myself very early on in my photographic journey. Now it helps keep the G.A.S. in check when the urge strikes.

[@imuttoo]

Really enjoyed this Mat! A ton of practical guidance and advice.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Ian! If anything, I want this to be an archived source of information that someone new to the format can use to jump-start their journey.

[@wiktormarcinkowski9904]

I already wanted to comment that this is the first video of yours that I haven't learned a few things from(that's a good thing), but then you said the thing about patience...sounds like a good idea I must say

[@MatMarrash]

In the short term it stinks, but there are very few pieces of gear that I've actually ever needed "right now". Plus, if you think about how much film you could buy for the price of that gear, it really puts things into perspective!

[@andyvan5692]

great video Matt, a couple of other "maintenence issues", one is Fungas/scratches on/in a lens, also a shutter spring worn out, ie: 1second clockwork is a bit slow, or doesn't shut the blades, or also shutter/iris blades which stick (too much oil), also missing/loose light seals on lens or film back standard (time has weakened the glue).

[@gencofilmco]

Excellent. Most helpful. Thank you.

[@MatMarrash]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RalphWLundvall]

Always well presented.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Ralph!

[@Normanskie]

Manchester UK, purchased a MPP Micro-Press 5x4 large format advertised on an auction sight, which in all fairness stated that the bellows might need changing, huh, had more holes than Swiss cheese and that was excluding the patches, well replaced the bellow that added to the overall purchase price considerably, unlikely to recoup the price but have a slightly tatty looking MPP camera but in perfect working condition, so that all that really matters but would have like a better looking one for the price it cost. The problem is despite Britain be a leading inventor of photography it is not as popular in the UK as it is in America so equipment is rare and more pricey.

[@Brackcycle]

Hi Mat, it's almost like you did this one for me! Thanks for taking the time. I ordered laser parts for my arduino to make the shutter tester yesterday! I appreciate all of your suggestions, and really like the journaling idea to calm the urges. I'm going to go shoot a couple of sheets today! Enjoy your long weekend, be safe!

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Peter! I know there are lots of folks out there that have questions, and this channel is here to help. Keeping track of the urge to buy is good way to keep spending in check. A new column I added to the spreadsheet is "Boxes of Film"; what the price of that new piece of gear costs in terms of 8x10 sheets of film.

[@B3D5X]

Aluminum foil tape works well to fix cracked darkslides. It’s the only tape light tight and thin enough to be applied to both sides and still fit through the top light trap.

[@MatMarrash]

Ooooh, that's a great tip! I've got some of that lying around, may have to give it a go! Fortunately, I bought a bunch of spare darkslides years ago, but now might have even more with a quick tape-up.

[@guillermoperezsantos]

At last someone in YT who knows his trade, thanks man ;)

[@MatMarrash]

Wow, thanks Guillermo!

[@guillermoperezsantos]

@@MatMarrash Noo, thank you. there is a lot of noise around YT videos, and some photo chanels are not made by real pros, IMHO there a are a lot of advance camera users and few photographers

[@guillermoperezsantos]

@@MatMarrash PS And too many "Pee-Wee Herman" influence in most of those young youtubers hehehehe :P

[@davidlyon1383]

Mat, just catching up on back log of LF videos. Thanks for all you do. Just got my Chroma, upgrading from a Crown, and a 1900 5x7. Working on leaning through movements. BTW, love the hair.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks David and have fun with the new Chroma camera!

[@alejandrarosales7836]

Now that you mentioned your hair... I think your hair needs its own channel!😁 in all seriousness though great video as always, I learn something every time

[@MatMarrash]

Haha thanks! The real question, could this channel survive me getting a haircut?!

[@giuliabianchi1978]

Thank you so much ! Your videos are so useful! What about this Little LED light you are using?

[@MatMarrash]

It's a little Aputure MC LED, which now comes in a handy RGB version.

[@ericflynn4524]

It’s about a three hour trip to the nearest brick and mortar camera shop, but I think it’s about time to make that drive again! KEH is also pretty close, which is nice to be able to pick up your orders the same day, but I wish they listed more details about item condition/or made it possible to check items in person.

[@MatMarrash]

Hey Eric, three hours is definitely a trip that take a good chunk of a whole day, but if it's a shop that specializes in film and large format, I'd say go for it! KEH tends to put some good work into their descriptions on certain online auction listings, but agree on listings for their own site.

[@terrywbreedlove]

Think about a Darkroom Saturday :)

[@iNerdier]

I ended up only getting into 5x4 because I bought lenses with sticky shutters and serviced them all myself. When I bought my camera it was cheap because the guy couldn't work out how it opened!

[@MatMarrash]

Nice! Giving the seller an opportunity to "sell you" on the camera is to your benefit. You either learn more/something new about the camera, or you get a great deal.

[@michaelharmon7162]

I recently bought a lens from Japan and the lens was great shape but the shutter was in need of cleaning and adjusting. The seller refunded part of the cost.

[@MatMarrash]

While unfortunate that it needed service, that's a fair offer from the seller. Hopefully it covered the costs of CLA.

[@axoneditchelsea]

Matt! Thank you so much for you podcast and these videos here on you KZbin page. Having watched a of this time of video on KZbin, I can honestly say yours are really the best. I shot large format in college and over the past couple of years I have rediscovered my love of it. I have had great results in buying gear off of eBay, especially from Japanese deals. I do have one question. I am having difficulty finding lens caps. It seems that often, the lens I was initially buying was missing a cap, especially for the rear element. I have since learned to ask before I buy. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks again for everything you are doing! - John

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks for the question John! Many LF lenses come with mixed or no lens caps, and it's up to the photographer to decide which type of caps to purchase. I have a few lenses with caps that fit the inside filter threads, but many LF lenses came with push-on type lens caps. The biggest supplier I know of that has push-on caps available new would be Kaiser: kaiserfotous.com/products/lens-camera-accessories/slip-on-lens-caps.html

[@axoneditchelsea]

@@MatMarrash Thank you so much, Matt!! You rock!

[@erikepskamp1991]

Another great video, super helpful thanks Mat. My question is about tripods. I have a BJ Orbit 4x5 and am looking for a recommendation for a tripod to take on location. Will used suffice? What should I be looking for that offers substantial support?

[@MatMarrash]

Hey Erik, when selecting some tripod legs, take the heaviest combination of your camera and lens combo, and double that total weight. As long as the tripod legs and head you're getting will support that weight, you should be golden. I've only ever purchased one (out of several) brand new. Tripods are built to last a long time and I have no problem with used, you'll save a lot of money looking there first.

[@erikepskamp1991]

@@MatMarrash Thank you!

[@tangyorange6509]

Would you be able to do a video on replacing parts? I need new bellows but I’m not sure which one will fit my Omega View.

[@williamorford6966]

TangyOrange if your in the UK try Custom Bellows. I expect they will also ship abroad. Send the measurements to them and I’m sure they will be able to help you.

[@MatMarrash]

Good suggestion! I may need to find a busted camera to film, but like the idea.

[@MatMarrash]

Custom Bellows UK is one of the best out there! My 8x10 in the video is using one of theirs!

[@jiml989]

Assuming one or two shutter speeds are off on a lens, how do you adjust them? If I had to send the lens off for the adjustment, what might that cost?

[@iNerdier]

I will preface this with, I am not an expert. I have however serviced about half a dozen large format shutters at this point so I'm also not a total amateur. With every lens I've disassembled it has been old lubricants that are the problem, grease hardens and either becomes viscous or even entirely solid. One removes the grease, cleans, re-lubricates and then generally speaking the timings should be as accurate as they ever were (often, not that accurate!). It's not for the faint of heart and recording the process is very much recommended. I would also suggest doing research on the tools you need, bad tools will do more damage than almost anything else.

[@williamorford6966]

I spent many years servicing Large Format equipment so taking them apart is second nature. As iNerdier said record taking the shutters apart and place them in a logical order on your work bench. I know some people squirt lighter fluid into shutters which to a fashion works but it does not clean them properly. I don’t know where you are but if you want the shutter serviced by a technician them I’m sure there are some still doing it. Anyway if the shutter is really cheap give it a go and look on KZbin. You’ll be surprised what info is available. Perhaps I should star a channel😀

[@iNerdier]

William Orford I would watch. There is a real lack of well explained technical information out there.

[@MatMarrash]

I'd say do it! I've tackled some shutters myself with mixed results. Would like to see more servicing tips.

[@MatMarrash]

Hey Jim, I don't recommend diving into lens repair if you're not the patient type. There's quite a few moving parts and you need to carefully record your steps and have a gentle hand when removing retaining rings and set screws. Like William Orford has mentioned, a true CLA cleans off the old build-up, re-lubricates the parts, then re-assembles the lens to working order. CLA costs fluctuate based on location and shutter type, but around $100 - $200 USD is a good ballpark figure.

[@Normanskie]

I give up trying to register, tried about SIX times and now, The administrator has banned your email address. You will need to change your email address in order to continue. If you think this is done in error, please click here to contact the administrator.

[@ramachandranraja7342]

Nice sir price how much sir available place

[@MatMarrash]

I noticed this is you second comment like this. Please check out eBay completed listings, FB Marketplace Large Format groups, and the large format forum: www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/

[@toulcaz31]

Large Format Photography Forum is a hit and miss. It has discouraged many new LF photographers with the patronizing attitude of some older members and their not very transparent moderation (I had no issue myself but observed some weird ones). FB Groups seem the way to go now. For good deals, I would have said nothing beat local, provided you are in a good LF location. My main issue with buying LF has been the poor packing practices.

[@MatMarrash]

I too haven't run into anything negative in my years on the forum, but have witnessed most of the weirdness in the image sharing and off-topic forums. From what I've seen on FB groups I'm hesitant to agree since there appears to be a higher rip-off rate in the larger film-based groups. LF specific groups have been great on FB.

[@toulcaz31]

Mat Marrash in the end that’s why your channel, Todd Korol and Nico Llasera channels are so important as they address the new shooters in a much more approachable way. Hope you guys stay motivated! 🙂

[@markfohl2167]

And by the way, it's called GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Something I definitely suffer from!

[@MatMarrash]

The GAS is real!

[@gemista]

I severely cringed when I saw that open Ilford film. Nobody is ever going to buy it now, hehe.

[@MatMarrash]

I couldn't believe there were still auction listings like that one. So much cringe!

[@franciscovarela7127]

Good tips on buying used gear...except for the hair.

[@MatMarrash]

I've got bad news for you, it's a package deal on this channel!