It's all my uncle's fault.
He is a really good photographer and we share the enthusiasm. He helped shape my interest in photography (so much so that I ended up shooting in b&w for quite a while in my teenage years).
Well, he's done it again. I just had delivered a Crown Graphic Special large format camera. Large format cameras typically use either a 4x5 or an 8x10 negative. So 20 square inches of negative in my case, as opposed to the 1.5 square inches of a 35mm negative.
Big, big, difference. Literally. It's amazing when you think that a 16"x20" print is only a 4x enlargement. Basically, one cannot see any grain with that low a level of enlargement.
Most landscape, architectural and commercial photographers (ads) use these sort of cameras. They are not, however, restricted to the rich and famous.
Mine cost about $350 and while it is yet another product of the Mechanical Age (vintage 1959) it is in very decent shape and will take pictures largely indistinguishable from the best available today.
These cameras are very cool and allow "movements". The front and rear standards (the lens is mounted on the front standard, and the rear holds the film) are capable of moving independently. So the front standard can rise and fall and tilt fore and aft. The higher end cameras (not mine) pivot about a bottom mounted rail.
This allows one to both extend the depth of field to cover near and far objects and to correct straight lines in the photo so that buildings look better.
In any event, it's a well-thought-out design, relatively compact and fairly light (3-5lbs) for its capabilities. It's even possible to shoot it handheld, as it is capable of 1/500th speeds. Many of the press cameras of the 30-60s were Crown Graphics of one vintage or another.
Tomorrow is my first try at actually using the camera. More to come.
Posted by artandscience at July 19, 2005 06:23 AMHi, I've just purchased a Crown Graphic Special also- it's on it's way. I usually use wooden fields but I think the Graphic would be ideal for urban street scenes, etc.
How are you doing with your Graphic? I was hoping to follow your progress. Any photos to share?