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Welcome to theprimary internet resource for large format photography!

This non-commercial community of large format photographersincludes a repository of primers, how-to articles, anduser's reviews of equipment, with most the activity taking place in theForum.

Founded in 1995 by QT Luong, written by many contributors.   UpdatedApril 2015·Site timeline.

How to get started in large format photography

• A closer look at alarge format photograph: for some inspiration. 10/1999
• Why large format ? Pros and cons of LF photography, some references. 4/2001 (rev)
• From MF to LF How large is the step fromMF toLF? 4/2015
• What equipment do I need ? A discussion ofall the gear you need to get started. 1/1999 (rev)
• Introduction to large formatlenses: basics, operation, lens types and manufacturers,selection. 03/2007 (rev)
• The 5x7 format in practice 11/2005
• How to operate the camera ? Adetailed step-by-step guide. 6/2000
• What are the common mistakes, and how toavoid them? It is easy to ruin a picture. Lessons learned the hardway.

Opinion

• Confessions of a recoveringmagic bullet chaser 12/2003

Technical topics

Pre-exposure

• Film loading
• How to manage film (on a long trip)5/2001
• Dust and spotting
• Diagnosing and fixing light leaks

Taking the picture

• Introduction to Depth of Field (PDF) andDepth of Field in Depth (PDF) (comments ) 2/2006
• How to focus the view camera 7/2000
• How to select the f-stop: for maximum sharpness againstdefocus and diffraction3/2001 (rev)
• bellows extension exposurecompensation 6/1998 (rev)
• view camera stability

Traditional processing and printing

• B&W darkroom for large formatphotography: a primer. Covers basics about processing and printingand gives additional references 6/1999
• Developing 4X5 Sheet Film, anAlternative Method 3/2003
• E6 sheet film processing on abudget with the Agitank
• 4x5 Unicolor Drum Development 3/2002 (includes considerations on film washing and comments) 10/2004 (rev)
• A few ideas on using Kodak T-Max FilmsSuccessfully.John Sexton's 1987 DT article. 7/2000
• The Stoeckler Two-bath Film Developer9/2000
• James Phillips F-stop printing table (PDF) 8/2003
• Ralph Lambrecht's F-stop printing table (PDF) 12/2003
• Unsharp Masking 9/2003
• Toning, and permanence of silver gelatin prints 6/2005
• The VIDEC system: Precise Control for Superior Black and White Photography (PDF ebook) Andrew C. Eads' alternative to the Zone System 1/2013

Digital

• Generating classic glassnegative look when scanning 4x5 3/2003
• A collaborative scanner comparison 4/2005
• Overview of color digital printing 7/2005
• Scanning Black and White negative film with the Microtek Artixscan 1800F 1/2006

Misc

• Sun/Moon Calculator (description) 1/2015 (rev)
• Making a DOF calculator for your camera 6/2000(rev)
• Building and using a Zone Dial (PDF) 12/2003
• Slider for visualizing where tones should be placed 9/2004
• Links to photographic tools: programs, spreadsheets, calculators, tables, 2/2000 (rev)
• Spreadsheets to help thefocussing process 3/2003 (rev)
• Exposure Metering and Zonesystem calibration (PDF) 8/2003
• Restoring a 8x10 Burke andJames 3/2001
• A home made 11x14 hand-heldcamera (and remarks on the 8x10 Hobo) 12/2001
• Reflexions on cameraconstruction 10/2002
• Guillotine Shutters: Construction andSpeeds: simple DYI shutter for barrel lenses 11/2010
• How to make a custom darkroom sink out of PVC
• How to make a wonderful loupe 1/2003
• Wet mounting prints 5/2003
• Odds and ends. 4/2000 (rev)
• Workshops
• Books: for instruction andinspiration 2/2013 (rev)

Travels

• Long distance traveling with the LFcamera 2/2001
• A week in the Southwest and FourCorners 2/2001
• Photographing in US NationalParks and other federal public lands 4/2001
• A Backpacking trip into the Arrigetch Peaks, Gates of the ArticNational Park 7/2001
• Still Photography and Permits on USand California Public Land 9/2016 (rev)

Equipment reviews

Cameras

• Camera reviews
• A 2x3 round-up: a discussion of the 2x3 format and an extensive survey of 2x3cameras. 9/2001
• A 4x5 round-up: an extensive survey of 4x5 cameras for the field. 03/2001 (rev)
• A 5x7 round-up: an extensivesurvey of 5x7cameras for the field. 7/2000 (rev)
• Cheap view cameras 08/2005
• Comparisons 1/2001 (rev)
• Using a monorail in the field. 9/1999
• 4x10 and holders 07/2004
• 8x10
• 11x14

Lenses

• Comparison charts 1/2002
• Generalities, classic vs modernlenses 5/1999 (rev)
• Specific lenses: wide and normal for 4x5 5/1999 (rev)
• Specific lenses : long for 4x5 5/1999 (rev)
• More thoughts on selecting a longlens for 4x5
• A selection of modern lenses for 4x5 field work
• A survey of modern lenses for 5x7
• More on specific classiclenses 5/1999 (rev)
• Docter optik, Carl Zeiss Jena/Jenoptik, Meopta, and Russian LF lenses 7/2002 (rev)
• Wisner Convertible plasmat set10/97
• Soft-focus lenses and technique 11/2003
• Macro lenses, equipment, and technique 1/2004
• Portrait lenses 4/2012

Accessories

• Shutters: history and use 11/2006
• More on shutters: general info, packardshutters, copals, compurs, protors. 7/2001 (rev)
• Lensboard hole sizes 10/2003
• Sheet Film holders: classical doubleholders, grafmatics, quickloads, readyloads. 7/2004 (rev)
• Shen Hao 6x17 roll-film back 2/2005
• Shen Hao SH612 Multi-format roll-film back 1/2006
• Enhanced focussing screens: Beattie,fresnels... are they really useful ? 7/1998 (rev)
• Filters: center, polarizers,rectangular systems. 9/2000
• The Zone VI regular tripod:Is it the best damm tripod in the world ?
• Surveyor Tripod Conversion: cheap and indestructable 09/2009
• Tripod heads: Pan-Tilt heads,Ball-heads, QR systems. 10/2004 (rev)
• Backpack survey: carry all thisgear for those "unphotogenic" opportunities. 5/1999 (rev)
• Black Jacket focussing cloth7/2005

Community

• Large Format Photography Forum : most active part of this site
• Photographers directory Hand-maintained by Tom Westbrook
• LF Groups and clubs directory Hand-maintained by ShermanDunnam
• Links to LF photographers not currently updated
• Commercial LF resources 7/2001

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