Yeah, I’ve been holding out on you guys. I got a new camera, hinted at in one of my recent vlogs: a Horseman 45FA large format (4×5″) field camera. It is a great little camera, and I demonstrate it a bit here.
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How many film holders does this need?
nice camera, myself got a graflex crown.
But a tip is,… make a so-called checklist for the beginning when you start shooting (sounds littlest dumb but it can work)
Also for developing, try to find a socalled combiplan tank, or els if you don't mind developing the dark, go for "hangers" Kodak type.
But nice channel, keep it up!
SUCH A NICE CAMERA!! WOW! Thanks for sharing!
I am on the same path but I started a little earlier. Like you I enjoy learning all the new things that apply only to large format photography.
Beautiful camera!
A black T-shirt ? So it is no ladies camera ? Please, buy a black cloth at the market.
If it is not lightproof; stitch two together.
A good book on View Cameras is for sale In the U.S.A.
Get three more tanks for processing..
Buy something that looks like Tupperware containers.
Make a lightproof wooden box with a lid.
Put the the stopbath-container, the fixing-contaiher and the container with water in.
That safes you money
Use Rodinal developer. A Soup for All Seasons. The best there is.
Any optic, without a shutter can be used, stop down as small as possible.
Put a heavy ND filter to make te exp time longer.
Or expose on printing paper, and develop in the darkroom.
Copy the negative paper on new printing paper or scan.
So simple.
Good luck
thanks for the video! I recently bought a 45FA here in Asia, too. Do you have any idea what year they are from, or have they been continuously manufactured?
Thank you.
The back extension also allows the use of very short focal lengths from 75mm and shorter. Vertical shift is limited to just a few millimetres, because the lens stays inside the body, so one can drop the bed all the way down and out of view, but it works. (On my Technikas at least) Many of the design features of the Horseman are a direct copy of the Linhof Technika,
I find myself using roll-film holders a lot now, up to 6×12 for landscape, and 6×7 for architecture shots. The 4×5 camera movements are so liberating. Enjoy!
Horseman used to have a film plane metering system but I haven't seen it on the market for at least 25-30 years. It looked like a great device to use, but I think HORSEMAN made a mistake there by not continuing the meter. Thanks
After all its THE HORSEMAN!!!!..:0) High End Photographers Love
Hi Mike,
could you tell if the removeable back/ground glass can be rotated to shoot portrait orientation or if they want you to rotate the whole body on it's side and use the secondary tripod mount?
nice video, I was also ' intimidated' a bit at first, though if you are worried about the film side, just get a polaroid holder and use instant film (just like on your hassy)- saves the worry about film & movements; all you worry about is movements!!, and the instant film will soon show you your way, plus it's a bit smaller than 4×5 [~ 6*9 cm I think ] so if there is a problem with vinyetting (sorry about the spelling) a good safety margin is attained once you switch back to 4*5 .
HI Mike I am looking into this also so i am faced with many options , i wondered why you went for Horseman , thanks
Mike, that's a great camera! I had a chance to test one out. Enjoy it!
T-shirt is much better for 4×5! Very nice camera!
Is the lensboard size the same as sinar lensboard? I have a sinar P2 and thinking of getting this for outdoor shoots.Can you attach a back for rollfilm?
thanks Mike, really like to watch your video's – pls more of that Horseman large format curious to see the whole process. Don't worry we help you 😉 Greetz from the Netherlands! Ciao – Jan
Hi Mike I thought you was interested when i mention it to you, i have the mod 54 just pop 4 sheets on to start with, my first shots was in low light and I was a little bit disappointed with the results.
Nice pick up Mike. Though I love my Speed Graphic, new stuff as got to be so much nicer (plus back movements!! Wow!)! You might keep an eye on this project if you ever want to develop your own film (bonus, they are from Colorado!):
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1653453089/sp-445-compact-4×5-film-processing-system
The kickstarter is over, but they intend to sell directly sometime.
Anyway, have fun!
What's a camera like that go for? Lens is a separate purchase?
I just bought my first large format camera last week! Also a horseman 45FA!