just got one myself, one tip, always open the aperture all the way, to focus, only stop down prior to shooting!, and for flare and glare, use a bellows lens hood, or clamp on type, or use a polarising filter!, and to brighten the ground glass yes use a fresnel, but also get a "focus hood" like linhof's have, a fold out leather shade, or use a focus cloth ("leather jacket") this takes the glare off the ground-glass. Go SLOW, so you see any mistakes before they ruin a film, aka open shutter, movements not locked down, or rear swing, etc. that isn't wanted; also PRACTICE in a "drill" fashion, like military drills, don't load real film until the process becomes second nature, so any mistakes are on Flashed film, so you don't waste good stock, also if you like use fuji instax wide instant film in a lomograflok back, this allows you to see what is in frame, any light issues, so you can learn to 'see' a potential problem and can deal with it before it gets to the film, aka choosing 100 asa for bright days so glare on this film isn't as much of a problem, just expose for shorter times.
Great tips! And I 2nd all of em. :) Except maybe using insta-film, I've never done that. I'll have to look into that, could be helpful in some cases. I've used my LF quite a bit more since this video, and love the process of it. I'm somewhat comfortable with basics now, and starting to explore all the movements. In my case a new ground glass made all the difference, I bought a hand-made one from a guy in France on eBay. Like night and day. Then again, I think my original ground glass was as old as my camera. And Szabad only produced cameras between 1945-1962, so it's quite old now.
Great video. I too have just purchased a LF camera. I have not yet been out to shoot with it, and am a bit apprehensive about the whole thing. I figure I just have to do it. I look forward to following along with your journey.
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. There's a high probability that the Szabad will be a returning feature of my channel. It sure is an adventure with LF. As always it's best to just learn by doing. I for sure screwed up more than one frame already, but that's fine. LF is such a more involved process that I really enjoy, thus far.
Hi nice video I have just got into large format photography myself and I think it makes you a more considered photographer due to the slowness of the process. I have a fresnel screen and it does add some brightness to the image when you view it on the ground glass.
Thank you for the kind word and input! I'm probably going to look into a Fresnel screen down the line. But for now I'll think I have to shoot a bit more with the camera. Total different experience, even compared to MF film photography.
"That Bearded Guy" isn't particularly distinctive for large format photographers. You'd be amazed at how many large format photographers have beards. 🤣 Of the guys, anyway. I don't know of any women LF photographers who have beards.
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Your Szabad looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing 🙂
It sure is a beautiful camera, there's something special about these old wooden cameras.
Thanks for watching :)
just got one myself, one tip, always open the aperture all the way, to focus, only stop down prior to shooting!, and for flare and glare, use a bellows lens hood, or clamp on type, or use a polarising filter!, and to brighten the ground glass yes use a fresnel, but also get a "focus hood" like linhof's have, a fold out leather shade, or use a focus cloth ("leather jacket") this takes the glare off the ground-glass. Go SLOW, so you see any mistakes before they ruin a film, aka open shutter, movements not locked down, or rear swing, etc. that isn't wanted; also PRACTICE in a "drill" fashion, like military drills, don't load real film until the process becomes second nature, so any mistakes are on Flashed film, so you don't waste good stock, also if you like use fuji instax wide instant film in a lomograflok back, this allows you to see what is in frame, any light issues, so you can learn to 'see' a potential problem and can deal with it before it gets to the film, aka choosing 100 asa for bright days so glare on this film isn't as much of a problem, just expose for shorter times.
Great tips! And I 2nd all of em. :)
Except maybe using insta-film, I've never done that. I'll have to look into that, could be helpful in some cases.
I've used my LF quite a bit more since this video, and love the process of it. I'm somewhat comfortable with basics now, and starting to explore all the movements.
In my case a new ground glass made all the difference, I bought a hand-made one from a guy in France on eBay. Like night and day. Then again, I think my original ground glass was as old as my camera. And Szabad only produced cameras between 1945-1962, so it's quite old now.
Great video. I too have just purchased a LF camera. I have not yet been out to shoot with it, and am a bit apprehensive about the whole thing. I figure I just have to do it. I look forward to following along with your journey.
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
There's a high probability that the Szabad will be a returning feature of my channel.
It sure is an adventure with LF. As always it's best to just learn by doing. I for sure screwed up more than one frame already, but that's fine. LF is such a more involved process that I really enjoy, thus far.
Hi nice video I have just got into large format photography myself and I think it makes you a more considered photographer due to the slowness of the process. I have a fresnel screen and it does add some brightness to the image when you view it on the ground glass.
Thank you for the kind word and input! I'm probably going to look into a Fresnel screen down the line. But for now I'll think I have to shoot a bit more with the camera. Total different experience, even compared to MF film photography.
"That Bearded Guy" isn't particularly distinctive for large format photographers. You'd be amazed at how many large format photographers have beards. 🤣 Of the guys, anyway. I don't know of any women LF photographers who have beards.
Ha ha. That's probably very true. I suppose I'm turning into a living stereotype.