Still in the crate, original package seal intact, virgin, never opened,
spotless, dry, odorless  - WWII Graflex K24 w/7" F2.5. Hah! Sigh, it would
have been cooler if it was a regular Graflex.
But it's pretty exciting nonetheless. Will open it later tonight.

I'm going to start in LF photography in the next few weeks and I'm
getting organized.
I don't like the idea of having to deal with changing bags and dust, so
I was thinking about using Readyload holders.

I'm putting together a used 4X5 view camera kit.
What are the main, different types of film backs for, say 4X5 cameras.
I have used Graflock backs, Deardorffs, and the type where two metal
strips are slipped parallel to the film holder & tighten into the

from a lf group:
http://elearning.winona.edu/staff_o/jjs/f
Kinda revives the old "all wide angle lenses have significant fall-off"
argument. Physical evidence prevails to the contrary - 'significant' being

Some guy is claiming that a 4000dpi 35mm with a dedicated film scanner
will beat a 1200dpi 4x5" scan with an Epson 4990.  I don't believe it.
Anybody tried this?

I'm going on a camping trip up to Baxter State Park in Maine this
weekend, and have a question about loading film.  I only own 7 film
holders, and I'm pretty sure that I'll want to take more than 14
exposures of fall foliage over the weekend.

4 x 5 camera.
Object in front of lens at about 1.43m, at lens level.  Lens: Schneider
150mm.
Beyond object is infinity.

I am playing with the idea of 8x10 equipment and would like some information
regarding lenses - particularly the /schneider 150 and 210mm SSXL. From my
limited research, performance of these lenses is phenomenal, as is the 210's
price. A grand for a center filter for chrissakes! ...

I and a fellow LF friend are taking a 10 day photo trip up Highway 395 in
California in early November and are looking for ideas for shooting
locations along the way.  We both live in southern California and have shot
along 395 before but would love to explore new territory.  ...

Does anyone  have experience using screw on filters on the REAR lens thread.
I am asking this because (yes, I'm a cheapskate) I would like to use some
smaller filters I own on lenses with headlight size objectives. I do know
enough to check that the filter cannot reach and damage ...

I love everything about my Ries sticks and double-tilt head. However,
there is one thing that gets me, especially as the weather gets cool. I
find that the knob on the head that tightens down the forward/backward
tilt needs to be pretty tight when you have a lot of camera bellows

I first posted this @ rec.photo.equipment.misc & got little response.
So I'm trying it here. If you know of a better group to post this,
please tell me & I'll be happy to post it there.
I have the opportunity to buy an analog Zone 6 Pentax spot meter for

I've found a Sinar norma 4x5", and I think that something is lacking on
it :
I've got the glass back, 3 double film-holders, but I don't know how to
fix or insert one of them on my norma. I succeded in removing the glass

  Just got my Wisner Traditional 11x14--very impressive monster in
size--looking forward to using it but my initial observations are as
follows:
It's NOT Deardorff quality but it is reasonably sturdy for an 11x14

I bought an old uncoated 180mm Voigtlander Heliar in Compound shutter
recently and have been happily restoring it to near full working order.
(Part of the shutter mechanism including the air piston were jammed and
have now been lovingly fixed.)