Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #45: "The 4x5 Show!"

by Kevin Lane

The Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast reached a milestone this week with show #45, and to celebrate, we are celebrating all things large format with a special "deep dive" show called "The 4x5 Show." In this two-hour show, Wayne and I go step by step through the process of starting a journey into large format photography. We cover camera types and the advantages/disadvantages associated with each, necessary accessories, lenses, film, techniques, developing, and printing. Along the way, we answer some great questions submitted to us by our faithful listeners. It's all about learning - which is what we like to do best here at UJC!

I've been using a Crown Graphic press camera as my gateway into 4x5 photography 

The shutter and aperture controls are on the lens, as well as the cocking lever,
a preview lever (which opens the shutter so that you can compose your
shot by looking at the ground glass on the rear of the camera), and cable release
socket. You must remember to close the shutter and stop down to your desired
f stop before you insert the film holder and remove the dark slide.

Necessary accessories:  a sturdy tripod, an exposure meter (preferably a
spot meter), a cable release, and a loupe for accurately focusing on the
ground glass.

A dark cloth is needed to compose your image on the ground glass. I'm 
using a nylon rain jacket that has a hood. The hood fit onto the Crown
Graphic perfectly.

You'll need film, of course. Wayne's favorite film is Ilford FP4 Plus (ISO 125).
I've been using Shanghai GP3 (ISO 100).

We covered way too much information in the show itself to repeat here in these show notes, but you will see some useful links below. It's not a complete resource list by any means, but these links have helped me in my journey into large format photography, which I began recently. Of course, the real expert here is Wayne, who has been shooting large format cameras and film for over forty years. If you have any questions that weren't answered in the show, you can email them to us at unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com. The same goes for any comments, tips, and stories you may have. We'd love to hear from you!

I want to demonstrate one thing we talked about in the show, and that is how load film holders. The first thing you need to know is that it has to be done in total darkness. If you don't have a darkroom, then you will need a changing bag. It's important to get this right, obviously (as I have found out the hard way), and it's something that can (and should) be practiced. 

To help keep dust out, keep the film holders in ziplock backs whenever they are
not being used. I like to use Post-It notes to identify which shots are in which
holders and to make notes regarding exposure that will impact they way I
develop the sheets.

This sheet of 4x5 film has a notch code. hen that notch code is on the upper right corner, the emulsion
is facing you. Use gloves when handling fresh film.

Pull out the dark slide and fold back the flap on the other end of the holder, and slide the sheet underneath
the rails on both sides. If the notch code is on the upper right side, the emulsion side of the film will 
be facing the correct way.

Fold the flap down and push the dark slide all the way in, silver side out.

Insert the loaded film holder into the spring back.

Make sure it goes all the way in, and you will hear a click. Remove the dark slide when you are
ready to press the shutter button. After you have made anexposure on this sheet, reinsert the dark slide black side out.

Most large format cameras come with a standard back called a Graflok back. This back will accept non-standard film holders like the Grafmatic six-sheet holder and the various roll film backs.

This Graflok six-sheet film holder makes it possible to shoot six sheets without having to change
holders. Great for handheld press photography!

The Graflox six-sheet holder The six septum each hold one sheet, and a spring system inside the holder
moves an exposed sheet to the read so that an unexposed sheet is ready to shoot. 

A Graflok back also accepts roll film holders like this Horseman 6x12. With this, you can shoot 120
roll film in your 4x5 camera and get frames that are 6x12cm. Horseman also made holders for shooting
6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, and 6x9.

Like other large format film backs, the dark slide must be removed then exposing the film.

Large Format Photography Links

Mat Marrash's YouTube channel has been immensely helpful to me, and I cannot recomment it enough:  https://www.youtube.com/c/MatMarrash/featured

Just about every aspect of large format photography has been covered and discussed at the Large Format Photography Forum. https://www.largeformatphotography.info

Ilford seems to be the film manufacterer most dedicated to large format photography, and you can explore their LF film offerings as well as chemistry and paper supplies here:  https://www.ilfordphoto.com

The Film Photography Store also is a great resource for film and darkroom supplies:  https://filmphotographystore.com

Although you have to dig around some to find it, B&H sells large format film from a variety of makers such as Kodak, Ilford, and Foma. https://www.bhphotovideo.com

The Shanghai GP3 4x5 film that I have been using is available from Amazon Prime here:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FKJC4VG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1