Let’s Talk About…My 4x5 View Camera
I really pondered the thought of purchasing a large format camera, as it’s referred to, It’s a love/hate relation of film photography…I do and I don’t love the process. Like anyone else, I want instant results as I got spoiled when shooting digital the past 20+ years.
Back many years ago while working for a large manufacturer in S.E. Wisconsin, I have the small opportunity to work with the in house photographer shooting products, and that included working with a view camera. So I wasn’t’ foreign to them, I did have some knowledge in their functionality.
But, being back into film again starting in 2022 I kind of wanted to shoot with the 4x5 again. I really don’t have the space to set up a small darkroom in my small 625sq ft. apartment. I mean, I can in my bathroom if I really wanted to. I do, however, load my black and white film onto reels in there and just process everything in my tiny kitchen.
I watched countless YouTube views of photographers with their large format cameras, and I”m like…”Man, I really don’t know if I should or not.”
Then…I spotted this old Graflex view camera for cheap on eBay and it came with a lot of stuff. So I purchased it. It was old…made between 1949 and 1967, don’t know the exact date.
But then…came along a newer camera, more goodies, large case, etc. It’s the one I REALLY wanted. That is the Toyo Omega 45c. It’s a monorail style and generally made for studio work, but you can used it in the field (outside of the studio) to photograph landscapes and architecture. It weighs about 7-8 pounds, not too huge. The ideal camera for lugging around is a fold-able “field camera'“, but those are more expensive. Maybe some day, I don’t know at this time.
There’s really nothing to these camera and they are pretty easy to understand, so it makes them pretty cheap. The 45c was only $279, including lens and all I need to get this up and running (not including shipping and tax). I have since purchased another lens for it and will purchase one more in the near future. Yes, it’s a pain in the ass to set up and break down. It allows you to slow down and think about what you are doing. Especially withe the cost of film these days, you really can’t afford to F%&* it up.
With the high cost of color film (10 sheets of practically any Kodak color film is about $65), I’ll stick to the less expensive black and white film for now. Once I get more comfortable with this camera, I may purchase a box of color film.
Happy Shooting!!
Toyo Omega 45c 4x5 View Camera
My, actually 2nd, large format camera.