Features of Large-Format Cameras (1)

By TAMADA ISAMU

What is a Large-Format Camera?

There is no clear-cut guideline for categorizing cameras as large, medium, or small. Camera categorization is based on the size of the film used. As the development of cameras and films advanced further, different categorizations have been used in the past. The current categorization is based on film size. Small-format cameras are those which use 35mm film, medium-format cameras use 120 or 220 roll film, and large-format cameras use 4x5-inch or larger sheet films. Sheet film for large-format cameras come in 4x5, 5x7, 8xlO and 11xl4inch sizes.

Large-Format Camera Features Large Image Size

The foremost feature of largeformat cameras is the large image size. Even the smallest large-format film size of 4x5 inches is over 13 times larger in area than 35mm film. A 35mm negative must be enlarged by over 50 times to produce an 8xlO-inch print. Whereas the 4x5inch negative needs to be enlarged by only 4 times. An 8xlO-inch negative need not be enlarged to make an 8xlO print. A contact print would suffice. Large-format photographs are so superior in sharpness, grain, richness in tone, etc., that they cannot begin to be compared with medium- and smaller-format photos. Whether it is published or enlarged into a large print, the large-format photo which contains much image information obviously results in a high-quality image. Each time a new type of film with finer grain, improved sharpness, and better color is marketed, I often hear people say that large-format cameras are no loger needed, that smallformat cameras are good enough. However, when the same type of film is available in the large format, the difference in imge quality will still be apparent. The image detail of large-format photos will only improve further.

Large Selection of Interchangeable Lenses

Unlike medium-and smaller-format cameras, Iarge-format cameras have no dedicated brand of lenses. The large-format camera lens is attached to the camera's dedicated lens board which is then mounted on the camera. This allows a large-format camera lens of any brand to be used. If a large-format camera requires a different-size lens board, an adapter can be used to accommodate the desired lens. Large-format cameras therefore have a high degree of lens interchangeability. A total of 156 Iarge-format camera lenses for 4x5 film is currently on the marekt: 26 Nikkor lenses, 25 Congo lenses, 25 Fujinon lenses, 3 Topcor lenses, 3 Wistar lenses, 15 Sinar lenses, 34 Rodenstock lenses, and 25 Schneider lenses. They come in a very wide range of focal lengths, from a ultra-wide 65mm (Nikkor f/4, Fujinon f/5.6, Sinar f/4.5, Rodenstock f/4.5, Schneider f/5.6) to supertelephoto 1200mm (ED-NikkorT f/18). Since ol- der lenses can also be used, there is a bewildering selection of interchangeable lenses. Having such a large lens selection is unthinkable for medium- and smaller-format cameras.

Single Shots

Most of today's SLR and compact cameras have auto film advance which allows continuous- mode picture taking. Film loading is also easy and the entire roll can be processd at the same time. In the case of a large-format camera, film loaded in a sheet film holder and photos are taken separately, one at a time. It is a single-shot camera. Since separate sheets of film are used, rapid, continuous picture taking is impossible. The film must also be processed as loose, separate sheets. In this regard, Iarge-format cameras are very inconvenient compared to midium-and smaller-format cameras which use roll film. However, this inconveni- ence gives us a major advantages over smaller-format cameras.

Single-Shot Advantage 1

With a large-format camera, we can easily change the type of film for the same shot. We can take the same picture with black and white, color negative, and color transparency film. This is a major advantage.

Single-Shot Advantage 2

One required condition for a great photograph is "optimum exposure for the desired expre- ssion." Since individual sheets of film can be processed separately, the processing conditi- ons (normal, push, or pull processing) can be varied for each film sheet. For example, if the same shot is taken with two or three sheets of narrow-Iatitude, color transparency film at normal exposure, one sheet can be processed normally as s test sheet. If the test sheet is too light (or too dark), the other sheets can be push processed (or pull processed) to obtain the desired result. Also, in black and white photography, the zone system can be used to produce a negative which effectively reproduces the subject's brightness range on photographic paper. Large- format cameras are best suited for zone system.

Single-Shot Advantage 3

The required number of illm sheets can be exposed and any number of them can be processed under the desired conditions.

Camera Movements

With ordinary cameras, the light psssing through the lens meets the center of the film image area perpendicularly. Camera movements allow the light axis to be shifted around the film image area and its angle to the film plane to be altered. This results in image effec- ts not obtainable by ordinary cameras. By setting part of the film plane closer to the lens and setting another part further away, the shape of the ubject can be altered. Also, when the subject is not parallel to the film plane, the camera can be adjusted to match the subject's plane and obtain a sharp image. Camera movements enhance the final image. Except those for special applications such as aerial photography, ali large-format cameras allow camera movements. Camera movements can give the following effects:

Effect 1

The image fieid can be shifted. By moving the lens or film up, down, left, or right, the light axis can beshifted along a parallel plane. These rise, fall, and shift camera movemen- ts move the image without changing the image's shape.

Effect 2

The subject's shape can be latered by ti[ting the film plane forward or back or by swinging it left or right. The subject's apparent perspective can thereby be emphasized or deemphasi- zed. Tilt and swing movements are used to adjust the perspective in landscape, architectural, and interior photos. They can also be used to correct the subject's horizontal and vertical lines in product advertising photos.

Efect 3

The depth of field can be adjusted by tilting or swinging the lens. This allows the angle of the depth-of-field plane, normally parallel to the film plane, to be slanted at various angles. These movements are very effective when sharp focus is desired over a certain area with a long focal length lens having a shallow depth of field. Depth of field can also be altered by tilting or swinging the film plane. However, doing so will also alter the image shape. Tilt and swing movements are indispensable in creating pan focus images of lzndscapes. They are also the most commonly used movements in most large-format photography. The above three effects are the basic ones, and they can be used in various combinations to achieve the desired effect.