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Photographing with Large-Format Film Cameras

Used by artists, such as Ansel Adams, to capture his stunning black-and-white landscape photographs, large-format cameras have been around for a long time. The 4x5 imaging format was convenient for press photography as it enabled direct contact printing on the printing plate and it remained a well-used format for photography well into the 1940s and '50s. But with the advent of digital photography, interchangeable lenses, and compact 35mm cameras, the larger format is less practical, despite its unique advantages.

What Is Large-Format Film?

A large-format is any imaging format that's 4x5 inches or larger and offers a higher resolution at the same pixel pitch. When you consider that a 4x5-inch film has 15x the area of a 35mm frame, it also has 15x the total resolution.

  • While 4x5 inches was the standard of large-format film from the 1930s to 1950s, you can also find less common 5x7 and 8x10-inch field cameras.
  • Above 8x10-inch, the camera is often referred to as "ultra large," and these are most commonly horizontal cameras designed to make large negatives for contact printing on press-printing plates.
  • In addition to regular large format cameras, you can also find instant cameras that use a larger imaging format than medium format instant cameras.

What Are the Advantages of Large-Format Cameras?

Compared to the rapid point-and-shoot of digital lenses and cameras, using a 4x5 camera is a more contemplative process. It takes time to set up the camera, focus, meter, and expose the image correctly, which you may enjoy for the creative challenge it offers.

  • The larger imaging format allows for bigger enlargements without losing significant detail. Keep in mind that the advancements in digital camera and lens technology have significantly improved image resolutions using digital sensors when compared to vintage 35mm field cameras.
  • While 35mm and digital cameras rely on small apertures to obtain good depth of field, 4x5 and larger imaging formats allow you to shift the plane of focus to achieve greater depth of field.
  • With only a limited number of exposures on each film, you need to be selective with the images you choose to capture, resulting in a slower and more thoughtful process.

What Should You Look for When Buying 4x5 Cameras?

One of the most important considerations when looking at larger format cameras may be their weight, particularly if you are walking long distances to capture photographs.

  • Wooden field cameras are a good option when you want to keep your photographic kit as light as possible, with Tachihara manufacturing a number of different wooden models.
  • Always check that the film imaging format you are considering is still readily available.

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