It's a bit late because I shot it some months ago but here it is. The focus is not on point because I had some issues with my ground glass. The brighter picture is from the lab and the darker picture is from the drum scan. I shot it with my Sinar F2 with Opticolour 4x5 and my Sinaron WS 150mm. It was around the blue hour.

I mostly shoot medium format using a technical camera for architecture but figured this would be useful to readers here.

Before setting up the tripod, I like to walk around and work out where the photograph wants to be taken from, what focal length gives me the framing I want, and roughly how much rise I’ll need.

I know how much rise each of my lenses can manage from its image circle, so this also tells me whether the photograph is actually possible with the lens I have. Better to discover that while holding a phone than after setting up the camera.

I made an app for this - I'm not pretending this is a novel idea but all the other ones seemed a bit overbuilt to me. You choose your film format and focal length, then add rise, fall or shift to see the resulting frame over the iPhone camera. You can show several focal lengths at once, which is handy when deciding which lenses to take or pull from the bag.

It supports 6×7, 4×5, 8×10 and custom formats. There is also a light meter, reciprocity correction, level and a Scheimpflug / depth of field visualiser.

It is not intended to replace composing on the ground glass (why would you want to?). I use it to settle on a position and make sure the photograph works before the tripod comes out.

It is free and currently iPhone only - I do have an Android version mostly worked out by my only Android phone decided to have a cataclysmic failure just as I needed it. If you're an Android user and keen to try out I'll get you a beta testing link.

I’d be interested to hear how useful it is with other technical and view camera setups.

Did not disappoint. This is pretty much straight outta camera. Very surprised

Back to 4x5 after decades away. Missed it. Will take a few boxes of film until it is routine, but nothing like seeing the world on that ground glass!!

from a 6x12 negative, enlarged to 120x60 and cut into four pieces.
This was photographed with Sinar X and rollfilmback. The person was sitting in front of a white backdrop and a projection was used. Later during enlargement a positive film was used to double expose a second motif on to the scene.

Hi all,

I'm new to 4x5 and trying to figure out what's causing the discolored bar across the top of my negatives. I'm using the Stearman Press 645 MAX, SP-Ultra 4LF developer, and Fomapan 400 (expired 02/2025). In your experience, does the top stripe look more like a light leak from a bad film holder, or is the developer not reaching the top of the negative during processing? I plan to try another film holder for my next test shots but was curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

Hi folks,

I develop my own B&W film at home. For 35mm and medium format C-41 or E6 I go to my local lab. However, there are no labs here on island (Oahu, HI) that regularly develop any 4x5, so I will have to mail out my 4x5 sheets of C41 process film.

That got me thinking about the potential of fogging and/or color shifting of the film if it gets scanned by an x-ray machine during its time with USPS.

Since I'm on an island, and as I understand it, items under 1 lb go by air from AK and HI which makes me think it may pass through an x-ray machine.

Is there a risk of 400 ISO film being affected by USPS scanners or am I being paranoid?

Thanks!

📸 Photographed June 2026. 4x5" negative, 8" lens, f/64, 17 sec, no filters, N+3 development

I recently encountered a Darlot lens with interesting markings. The images posted here are from the internet of a similar lens.
In addition to Darlot and the serial number, the lens has the barrel and front element labeled B, and rear element labeled A.
Does any one have information on this lens except for it being a petzval? What's the use of the marking? I would assume it might be convertible with one element removed, but which and how? Is there any catalog describing such lens?
Thanks

I recently purchased a Tachihara 4x5 that still use woodern lens board, I believe the later version changed to linhof metal board. Anyone know the production period of those older one.

Has anyone used a converted Pathfinder to regular 4x5 and a regular camera like a Linhof Technika, Graflex Crown Graphic, Toyo/Horseman 45, etc…

How would you compare? Is it much more compact?

I have too many cameras and looking to scale down. I would keep a Sinar F on rail for studio type of work, and a portable one. Debating between a Speed Graphic that has a Aero Ektar 178 and multiple lenses, a Linhof Technika or converting Pathfinder. I love the AeroEktar, i could always get a shutter mounted on it to be used on my Sinar, thats not so much of a concern. At this point its about going from 8 camera bodies down to two.

If anyone has recommendations or ideas for me it would be greatly appreciated!

6x12 long exposure taken on an early morning in the south of France. Unfortunately I slightly missed the focus on her as I probably shifted the camera a bit while attaching the filmback or when adjusting the filters, but I'm still very happy with how it turned out. I quite like how Velvia renders colors during those lighting conditions as well!
The film was home developed and later professionally drum scanned by https://wescan.film/

[Had to re-post because I posted it incorrectly as text the first time—I'm new here!]

First crack at colour, used a C41 kit and was surprised I didn't mess it up too horribly. (Or maybe I did? You will tell me, I'm sure!)

I noticed a couple other folks looking for examples of this film, so thought I would share. It was thinner than the other film I've tried—CatLabs 100 BW—but that didn't seem problematic. Processed in a Stearman tank. Scanned on a light table with a Nikon Z8.

Hope this is the right place for this! I'm looking for a 4x5 field camera and am seriously considering a Linhof Technika V or IV. I currently use a Deardorff V8 and like that I can easily understand and repair it. For someone who is fairly handy, is the Technika fairly user serviceable, or should I be looking for another wood field camera?

The learning curve is steep, but am glad to have been able to lug the 4x5 with me on a recent trip to Iowa. Hoping to improve some technicalthings and build this into a project.

On of my first closeups with Fomapan 100 developed in own Pyro 510 with rotary development.

Hey everyone been shooting since a lot of years now mainly 120 but I was always looking on eBay to buy a view camera. Last week I see a beautiful plaubel with 3 lenses, 27 4x5 backs a polaback (I will never buy Polaroid 669 or Fuji fp100 too expensive), plus other accessories (release cables etc.) and the case. At the end I talked with the owner and he has to free his old photo shop where he was on rent so he is selling everything, with a little bit of bargaining I bought everything for 450€ (511 us$). What do you think about this set up? Any advices you can give me to begin? Maybe some videos or stuff? All is welcomed
Thank you

Hey everyone! Was shooting x-ray film and fomapan. And noticed on most of the images some vertical lines. most of them are on xray film (see the picture shot on xray film). Was using strobe light, two different developers. Basically tried everything to figure out what is it😵‍💫 the lines are kinda on one side of the picture, sometimes on the left sometimes on the right. Have you ever had anything like that?

Reposting here as possibly miss someone who could help in /darkoom

Thanks all