The Slowness of Large Format

[@jaytayag810]

Great job with the shot, Tony! Slow is the (only) way to go!

[@tonysantophotography]

Thanks Jay! Slow and steady wins the race, right? 🤣

[@Ryan33G]

The Man, The Myth, The Legend is back!!!

[@tonysantophotography]

Thank for the kind words! 😃

[@c.augustin]

I found myself to be much more deliberate with composition when using my 4x5 camera. Being forced to slow down is only part of it, and I would like to be faster (sometimes being able just "jump on the scene", take a shot and retreat fast can be beneficial, if the right position is on or very near a road … ;-)). And I found that I *need* to be alone when shooting LF (as everybody else gets bored real quick).

[@tonysantophotography]

Those are very good points Christian. I appreciate you sharing with all of us. Cheers! 😎

[@chriscard6544]

I found my harmony with 1900's cameras/lenses, 5x7 inches and glass dry plates.

[@tonysantophotography]

That's so awesome Chris! Thanks for sharing with all of us. 😎

[@Pezinokrm]

Hi Tony I enjoy your channel a lot it nourish the film soul. I don’t shoot large format but bought Fujifilm 6x8 format which only have 9 frames. Therefore it certainly makes me consider a lot before pressing the shutter. I grew up shooting film before digital was invented. Although I have a few Leicas medium format digital and 35mm in film, digital but I get more involved with the Fujifilm camera. Every thing is planned out in advance to the point I have find other things to shoot to finish off the roll of film. Cheers! 🥃

[@tonysantophotography]

Thank you my friend! I appreciate the kind words and you sharing your film story with us! 😀

[@alanhuntley55]

Ah...the "joy" of LF! Even when you're methodical and going slow, you (I) can still make mistakes. I vividly remember making a few trips across a very cold brook with all my 8x10 gear to photograph a waterfall. The best place to stand, of course, was on the other side of the brook and on a very slippery rock slope. I got everything into place, composed and made the shot...or, so I thought. When I processed the film, it was blank! At that point, it occurred to me that I always listen for that subtle click of the shutter to tell me I've got my shot. Of course, I couldn't hear that over the roar of the waterfall so I never actually exposed my film! Lesson learned...

[@tonysantophotography]

Unfortunately, I've made that mistake as well! Thank you for sharing that insightful story with all of us. I appreciate your support! 😎

[@hoggif]

I've took an hour to setup my camera just to came to the conclusion that it's not worth wasting film. Those have been the photos I've learned a lot from. I get better photos when I'm slowed down and think more carefully. You can never snap enough of bad photos to make it count. I'll rather take 1 keeper than 100 average shots.

[@tonysantophotography]

It's relieving to hear that other LF shooters have similar experiences to mine! Thank you for taking the time to watch.😀

[@Ryan33G]

I love this video. Ridiculously Great Work!

[@tonysantophotography]

Thanks Ryan! I appreciate you watching. 😎

[@andyvan5692]

yes, Tony, know that feeling, have just started with LF, a sinar F2, with a cine bag to take it all in, yes, tripod, 65 and 90 lenses, and a vario 120 back (I decided to shoot 6x12 to test my camera, back, and lenses) these where shot on Kodak gold 200 and I did like you said, some vertical and horizontal; as the format offers a nice tall shot, with extra rise, and a great panoramic perspective, I chose my local botanic Gardens , as it has some big tall trees and some glass houses , nice and wide, to fill up a panoramic shot, like you, to fill up a wall with a scene, and to prove to the people at home, I CAN!!

[@tonysantophotography]

Love it Andy! That's awesome! I appreciate you taking the time watch and share. 😀

[@richardsimms251]

Nice video

[@tonysantophotography]

Thank you Richard! I appreciate your support. 😃

[@atapourhassan7442]

Hi Tony, I really enjoy your videos. Thanks for your return. I remember when I just started photography using my first medium format Lubitele camera. I wanted to take a long time to take a picture- like at night with exposure times of few minutes. So now I find that enjoyment by using my 8x10. Speaking of 8x10, I have a question for you. I have a 300mm copal 3 lens and lens board. The lens board is about 4 mm smaller than my Chamonix lens opening on the front standard. I do not want to go through changing the board. Is there any adaptor for this? I thought all boards with copal 3 are same size and will fit this camera. Any thoughts? Thanks again.

[@tonysantophotography]

I'm not aware of a lens board adapter that would accommodate your situation. Honestly, the best thing to do is swap out the lens board that will fit your camera properly. There are different sized lens boards so you'll want to pay close attention to that when you are shopping. The Copal size only refers to the opening for the lens not the dimensions of the board. Thanks for your support! Tony