Where can I get a 4x5 format film camera and is there a Digital version of this as well?

Question

I am asking because I am getting pretty serious about photography and I know that Film is going out but I want to know where I can find a nice 4x5 format camera that will shoot color and B&W film, if I can even get color film still for this format, and is there a digital form of a 4x5 format camera? I am planning two series for the spring and am hoping to have them by then. Also where can I buy the film online for a good price, besides ebay?

Thanks art man. I know I was searching for 4x5 and they are spendy, however I want to go pro and I know that I want to try the 4x5 format. My teacher is going to do an independent study with me next quarter and I am planning two series. I know that film beats digital. It is going to get harder to find film though, it is here where I live. The one shop that sold a lot of film is closing due to lack of business because of the digital world. Anyways I have never done color developing but I want to learn, I know it is all dark no light whatsoever except for th paper part, and it is harder but I still want to try. Anyways if anyone else wants to answer please do.

Answer 1

The best place to get a large format camera whether it is 4x5 or 8x10 is keh.com or camerawest.com. My personal suggestion is keh.com for their excellent service and great prices. Regarding the film you shouldn't have any problems purchasing it at any well stocked professional photography shop, and because of the 4x5's view cameras unique features and capabilities film will be available for a very long time. However, to answer your question indeed there are digital backs for 4x5 cameras but they are currently out of the price range for average consumers some ranging in price from around $10,000- $30,000+. Of course these digital backs offer far greater performance than your ordinary digital slr in terms of color and megapixels (usually around the 16-22 megapixel range) but thats a drop in the bucket considering that the megapixel equivalent of fuji velvia 64 slide film is around 600 megapixels http://www.clarkvision.com/imagedetail/film.vs.digital.1.html. This essentially equates to being able to make mural size prints with equisite detail and color replication. If you want to go digital with your 4x5 you will find that a flatbed Epson 4990 scanner does a pretty darn good job for its price. On occasion I create large format digital prints from my 4x5's and I have to say the prints are exquisite ( I primarily use fuji velvia as my choice when it comes to color and yes I actually use an Epson scanner and not a dedicated film scanner although I would really like one but the one I want is out of my budget)
Regarding what types of 4x5 cameras to consider. In terms of popularity, price, and robustness Toyo is a good workhorse. I have used both their rail and field cameras and I love them. THat said if you are willing to spend a bit more, try Sinar, they are sort of the BMW of 4x5's, very well built, nice features, and on the used market, relatively cheap. Lastly if you do prefer field cameras over rail cameras(field cameras are more portable but with less movements)I would suggest Linhof, but the price is out of the range of most students, so I would personally suggest you stick with a toyo or sinar. Of course there are lots of other brands but the problem is that parts may be harder to find for them. Anyhow I hope this helps.

Answer 2

First, film is not going to disappear (at least not from the professional market) the same was said about Black & White film.

The 4x5 is a large format, it doesn't use film, it uses film sheets, and you can get the camera and film sheets from B&H and other big camera equipment suppliers. There are two stiles: field camera (like the name implies this cam be taken outside the studio) price from $800 $8,000 us dollars for a new one; view cameras (mostly for the studio, they are big and bulky, but are more flexible is you want to correct perspective), price from $650 to $16,000 us dollars (most of them start at $1,000 but some tow "Toyo-view" models go for about $600). Make sure to know if the lens is included or sold separately. No digital camera for this format (it would betoo expensive too), but there some 20 megapixels cameras that do fine for large prints.

This place sells the film sheets, color and black & white, price go from $13 to $94 us dollar, boxes of 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 200 sheets.

Now the trick is WHERE to develop the film sheets. Few labs can do 4x5; For Black & White you can do it yourself, but color is a hell of a job and easier to spoil the film, plus is more toxic than B & W. Printing; you can do B & W, but color again is living hell, plus B&W sells better.

You will also need a 4x5 enlarger and an enlarger lens fro this format.

You can also think about Medium format as a starter, they are less expensive, the 120 and 220 films are easier to get, and develop, color films can be developed at most professional photo labs. And there some digital medium format cameras.

Digital or Film? Well for ART go for films, for wedding and publishing go for digital. Still no digital can beat the quality of film, for one simple reason; Each frame of film can register much more visual information than a digital one. That's a fact.

Answer 3

here's a link to them on ebay