Having had my photography slowed down by CV-19 as many of us have I decided to have look at a project I’ve fancied experimenting with for some time. I have always admired the old 5×4 film cameras and there ability to give you so much control over the creative process of photography.
To be able to take control over what is in focus and what is out focus on different focal planes that DSLR or mirrorless cameras with standard lenses don’t, lets you add to your creativity.
The old lenses these camera use just seem to have something about them that modern lenses lack. They are both beautiful sharp but also soft in the way they handle light. They are very simple in comparison to the technical elements and build of today’s glass.
The project I had in mind to go along with using a 5×4 camera was to produce a series of large-format portraits to hopefully become an exhibition at some point in the future. I want these to be very specific in the way they look and with a very specific focus on the eyes of my subjects.
I started my research on various different versions of large format cameras and this turned into a minefield as there are so many different versions and makers. The more I read the more confused it became. Monorail cameras, field cameras, this make that make, a whole different array of lens lengths that didn’t make any sense to a current full-frame camera sensor user.
I eventually worked out what it was I needed for a camera and what would a nice portrait lens length and I decided that as I was planning to base my images in the studio that a monorail 5×4 camera was the camera I would start looking for.
I also had another issue I wanted to address in the fact I wasn’t too bothered about shooting film with the camera but more to adapt it to be digital. I saw during my research so many photographers shooting a sheet of film and then scanning the negative to give them a digital file. While I totally understand that shooting film is both frustrating and rewarding and a real draw for some people, I have done this many years ago when I first took to photography and I didn’t want the added expense of this process only to end up with a digital file. I fancied more the fact I wanted to merge the old tradition camera with modern digital technology.
So how do you do this and how easy is it. Well, let me tell you it’s not quite as simple as it might appear as it presents all sorts of issues on assorts of levels. From mounting a DSLR to the back of a 5×4 to the actual taking of the image. Saying that though the process has not only been a challenge but also greatly rewarding and a real journey for my own photography skills.
Having made my choices for what I wanted it was time to go shopping and the usual internet sites got hit with searches. I got lucky and ended up buying a Cambo 5×4 Monorail camera and this came with a 210mm f5.6 lens and when it arrived was in great condition and in fact was like new. It’s surprising what you can pick up without having to spend a lot of money. I also ordered some parts from the USA to allow me to mount my Sony to the back of it and then it was down to the studio for the fun to start and that is a whole story in itself and will be my next blog.