A friend gave me her brother's old view camera, but I don't know how to use it. He had used it almost daily until passed away 2 years ago. There's no paperwork with it, and I haven't been able to find a brand name on it. With it are a couple of boxes of 4x5 Ilford film. I love taking photos with my Minolta (film), but I'm fascinated with the view camera. Can someone out there please tell me how to use it or where I can find instructions? THANK YOU!!
2006-06-16 21:49:42 · 6 answers · asked by PhotoRookie 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
Yes, Kaci, this camera does have the 4 x 5 negative holders and Ilford film. I'm just not sure exactly the right way to put the negative holders in, and even though I've taken a photography class, it wasn't hands-on, so I need to go through my books again and learn f-stops, aperature, etc. hands on to better understand how to use this camera. It's very old - estimated by the original owner's sister to have been made in the 30's or 40's. Looks it too. But her brother took beautiful pics with it.
Thank you for everyone's advice. I will definitely be getting "The Camera" by Ansel Adams to help me.
2006-06-18 10:14:48 · update #1
Read "The Camera" by Ansel Adams.
The other two books in the series "The Negative" and "The Print" are also great.
2006-06-16 21:53:08 · answer #1 · answered by Hillbillies are... 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
did your camera come with negative holders for the 4x5 ilford film?
Are you sure the size is right with that camera? If so you are lucky and I am so jealous of you!!!! You have a large format camera. calumetphoto.com is a great place to get supplies! I have never used minolta film, but I have used ilford for several years. It's a little more expensive and the quality is great.
Go to your local Camera Store and ask if anyone has any knowledge of the camera. If that doesn't work go to a College with a photo instructor and they'll be able to help you.
-Have FUN!!!!! and Good Luck!!!
-I wish I could remember how exactly those negatives are placed in the negative carriers! You just gotta remember which way the notch goes. And I can't remember. Also the carriers will need to be cleaned so there isn't dust in them. An air compressor would work great!
2006-06-17 14:32:00 · answer #2 · answered by Kaci 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm thinking that you have what is called a view finder camera. the difference between that and a SLR camera is, in a SLR the light goes into the lens , hits a mirror that is in front of the film and bounces the image into the view finder. when you push the shutter, the mirror flips out of the way so the light from the lens hits the film. a view finder camera the light that enters the lens goes straight to the film when the shutter is pushed. the light that goes into the view finder goes straight into your eye. basic operation of the view finder camera is almost the same as the SLR, f stop, aperature and the like. view finder cameras are all manual while most SLRs have full auto features
2006-06-16 22:08:58 · answer #3 · answered by oldguy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I want your camera, you have a camera that will take photos, Art photo's, 4x5=big Ansel Adams "type" photos- what a great gift! Go to e-bay and buy a book on the llford 4x5.
2006-06-29 05:06:29 · answer #4 · answered by Juvenile 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Large format camera is the easiest to work with, it is a marvelous tool to photograph any thing. you can take photos that no other camera can take, not even the new Digital ones, it doesnot matter how many MP they have.
I do teach that to many of the new photographers that need to understand the vanishing point.
If you can afford a digital back to it, the better, then you will have the old and the new technology together.
Do not confuse a Digital back with a digital camera.
2006-06-18 11:58:53 · answer #5 · answered by bigonegrande 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like oldguy's got it goin on.
I'm with the first poster. Get a book. Adams' "The Camera" is a great start. View cameras are a lot of fun.
2006-06-16 22:39:56 · answer #6 · answered by martin b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋