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Large Format Photography on a Budget? In the beginning, this page was entitled, "Poor Man's Large Format Photography." Let's face it, you can't be broke and shoot large negatives, but you can get by without spending a fortune. My evolution from 4x5 to 8x10 and beyond has progressed quickly, and my need for more quality equipment has progressed as well. 8 x 10 shooting is still not a cheap hobby, but I've tried to minimize costs as much as possibl |
8x10: Seneca & Bender Kit(Click on small images to view larger ones.) My first 8 x 10 camera was, and still is, (UPDATE: Sold on eBay in 2007) an Improved Seneca View dating around 1906, with a Busch & Lomb 8 x 10 Planatograph convertible lens. Using the "Bug Burning" method (though no bugs were actually harmed), I calculated the focal length at around 12 inches. At right: Seneca Improved 8x10 as orignally purchased |
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| I bought this camera in 1998 complete with lens, an old 8 x10 Argus tripod, (which has since broken) two plate holders, six film holders, and a dark cloth, for $200 from the Camera Nazi's (nothing to do with political or social beliefs - these guys just loved German equipment) at a local Photo store that sold consignment equipment (Which unfortunately, closed their doors forever on March 30, 2002). This camera required a good cleaning as well as a polishing of the nickel parts - and the bellows . . . Ah yes, the bellows. When I stuck a light bulb into this thing, the pinholes twinkled like the stars on a clear summer night. I patched dozens of holes with black silicon caulk, and was keeping my fingers crossed |
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With new bellows and 4x4 lens adaptor board |
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I bought this camera in 1998 complete with lens, an old 8 x10 Argus tripod, (which has since broken) two plate holders, six film holders, and a dark cloth, for $200 from the Camera Nazi's (nothing to do with political or social beliefs - these guys just loved German equipment) at a local Photo store that sold consignment equipment (Which unfortunately, closed their doors forever on March 30, 2002). This camera required a good cleaning as well as a polishing of the nickel parts - and the bellows . . . Ah yes, the bellows. When I stuck a light bulb into this thing, the pinholes twinkled like the stars on a clear summer night. I patched dozens of holes with black silicon caulk, and was keeping my fingers crossed. In February of 2000, I received the perfect birthday gift, a new bellows (The 8x10 bellows that Bender Photographic sells for his kit fit the Seneca without any modification - I even used the old bellow's frames). In Aug 2002, I added a Packard Shutter to the 4x4 adaptor board. I prefer wide angle lenses and have a barrel mount 210mm Repromaster that covers the format adequately, and yields a suprisingly sharp image. I also built an adaptor to mount the Seneca onto my big wooden tripod (see More Equipment,). Early in 2003, I acquired a Wollensak 159mm 8x10 wide angle lens, and by moving the rear standard forward, I can easily focus the Seneca and not have the front focusing track show up in the negative. |
More Equipment,(Tripods, film, processing & more.)
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©2003 by W. Underwood
