How camera choice drives your photography 

The tool and the task dictate to each other. A Japanese kugihiki saw can have a kerf under 1/100 of an inch, while a chainsaw will have a kerf of 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch, depending on the particular chain in use. You would not grab the Japanese saw to turn a pile of logs into a cabin. You would not grab a chainsaw to turn planed walnut stock into a jewelry box. And it goes round the other way too. If I am going to make a log cabin then: "Where's my chainsaw?". If I am going to make a walnut jewelry box then: "Where's my kugihiki saw?". The same sort of things are true for any tool set and project to complete, including photography. So the intention of the project filters the tools we choose and the tools filter the sorts of projects that can be completed. It takes a while to get to know and understand any collection of tools. It is always good to learn from a master, which keeps us from making costly mistakes.

You're far too critical of your own work!

Over the years I have shot in different formats. Surprisingly, the best prints are perhaps the 35mm ones. Large formats are so heavy that they affect the composition too much. It often happened that I was so tired that I made a mistake when composing.

Not only is large format time consuming and expensive, but you had to also make the video and edit it as well. Great dedication to your craft Steve.

Expensive hobby large format. Nice though

Beautiful shot of that revisited composition. Certainly money plays a big role in Large Format. I just started with large format so I stay with the "budget black and white films". But I hope also to shoot some 120mm color negative with the 6*9 Horseman filmback this fall. The biggest positive of large format is slowing down and that I like the most.

Steve, your complaint about the Bronica can be easily fixed: bring along an MF filmback with your favorite format. The Intrepid has a Graflox back that's a little shaky but works. Kill two birds. Beautiful shots -- I think you're right about Portra's color balance tradeoffs, although you can tweak saturation in post with Ektar to get a similar effect. Also two shots of 4x5 is still cheaper than a 35mm roll, so again, tradeoffs. Thanks for another thoughtful video. Oh ! and very cool lens indeed ! An e-bay purchase?

I do a recce trip with my digital camera to see how it would look like before I shoot with my 4x5. It turns out the 80mm on my GFX is about field of view as my 180mm on my Sinar.

£10 a sheet that's a lot of money I like use my zero image 4x5 pinhole camera i just use b&w film on it even that's getting on for £2 a sheet it's a lot of money to take to many photos like both your photos.

The first shot looks wonderful. How do you handle dust on 4x5 negatives?

Incidentally I also prefer the Portras to Ektar as I also preferred Astia/Sensia to Velvia and Provia for most subjects when they were still available. The slight gentleness to me is more realistic whereas Ektar/Velvia are/were blowing a very loud trumpet. We are no longer in competition for the most impressive contrast and saturation with film, digital is winning this contest. But the Portras to me have all the strong points of film and underline the virtues of the medium in a wonderful manner. For landscapes I prefer Portra 160 which works great even in 35 mm exposed at 80 ASA, fine grain, good but not excessive saturation no nasty colour-casts anywhere highlights or shaddows. With respect to the tree with the bright background at 6:30 it makes me happy we shared comparable thougths on the subject and my own approach to compositon doesn't seem to be too far off. And you obviously communicated this in a very good way as the problem became obvious within a few seconds. Well done!

Very serene, photographs. I am yet to give my home made 5X7 a blessing in those woods. Too much digital these days, I am afraid to say. Thank you, Steve.

Sanity in an insane world ...thanks Steve ... many thanks !

Very well said. Photography is about making compromise. A 4x5 gives you bigger negatives (higher image quality), and with various camera movements you have greater flexibility to adjust your perspective, someting you don't have (or have in in smaller degree) on smaller formats. The downside is even less frames and mobility, so ideally you have to plan your shots before. And sometimes loading those sheet films into holders can be a bit annoying. That's why I'm still happy with 6x6 or 6x7: smaller camera, more frame counts... and currently don't need those camera movements.

You're far too harsh in judging the 2nd image; yes, its not as strong as the 1st, but that one is just off the charts. At 2 seconds, was there no reciprocity? Old Dagors: you made an important point IMHO, sharpness is overrated as a criterion for a good image. its only one variable in a very complicated formula. Your Intrepid: have you lacquered the front and rear standards? It doesnt look like mine... Last but not least, some subtle video editing herein which really strengthens the final product. Kudos. Besides the learning factor, your videos aer always a joy to watch.

Hope I'm not too far off topic... Seeing all those glossy leaves, I immedately thought that a polarizer might have helped to enhace the colours even farther.

That film cost is exactly why I made 6x7 my main format, and I only do black&white, with the occasional 6x9. You seemed to have a filter on your 150mm lens, was that a skylight filter or some such? Always interesting to see you work through your compositions.

I prefer35mm at my age and physical ability to get around as you age you have to change your life and the tools that you use.

Spot on, as usual.

I liked the second shot as well! If you are ever going to release a book, i def. would buy it!

Hi Steve beautiful first shot, I must tell you itis strange to see that lens on someone else's camera regards Kevin

Of course, your images prove that the metering is spot on for the film and dev. But I was wondering abt the last shot. You said ""2s-f32". It's a long time ago that I used 4x5. But when I walk around with MF or 35 format, I always use ASA 100 and 1/125 as my reference and estimate the f-stop (before actually taking a metering). In the case of that scene, I'd say I am in the f2 ballpark -- translated: 1/2s - f32 @400. So are you pulling the film by 2 stops or so? (Or am I simply misled by the appearance of light in the video?)

A fill in flash might do the job

I would agree with the camera dictates the way I shoot Steve. My weapon of choice is the 5x4 normally. However, we're on a wander in Scotland at the moment. The savage weather is making photography very difficult and dictating choice. The sturdier 6x9 is the stalwart of the trip so far. The texture on the trunk of the Sweet chestnut @ 5:43 would make a wonderful subject for a Lith Print. Cheers Diz

Very pleasent pictures...really love the colours and rendering. And the forrest is just magnificent.

I have liked 4x5, but 5x7 was my favorite format as it felt more "natural" for me. Recently gave up film, but The slower, considered thinking required has transferred over to my digital. Thanks for sharing your thoughts

Thank you as always for your great videos. I have shot many formats over the years, when shooting film, 4x5 is a large system and can sometimes bog down creativity due to its size, not only that, color film costs are expensive, and I rarely even shoot 4x5 in color. Here in the states, 7.00 a sheet for 4x5 color film can be yikes! I find my color film work is now being done in 6x6 or 6x7, the good old Bronica or Mamiya RB67, both which provide superb results. I do shoot black and white 35mm, but think that there is not enough advantage to shooting color 35mm, for that I use digital full frame. Everyone has their style and whatever tools to use for the job.

Super happy to see you out with your 4x5 (5x4) again. I love mine but don't take it out enough!

Nice! I sometimes throw an old dark slide that I have cut in half in my bag when I go out. That gives me the option of shooting a 4x10 pano if the scene dictates it. Portra 400 and Fuji 400H were always my two favourite colour negative films. Thanks for the videos Steve.

Hello and thank you. I had to stop practicing photography for a while. Now I can come back to it and I know nothing better than your videos for inspiration. The 4x5 format is all I need. A kind of meditation for me! THANKS . 🙏🤝

No joke, Steve. Beautiful composition and colours from the Portra. My take from this - it is more important to know what not to shoot . The second shot works for me. Much like an old painting. Think the old 1939 lens works wonders. Now, you've set me on the mood for some shooting. Thanks

So relatable. Different formats can be a huge influence on the final product, for better or worse. The last bit really hit home for me. It may not be the scene dictating that variation in result, but my own personal mood or feeling.

In addition to the size of the camera slowing you down and demanding intentionality, I suppose there is also something to be said about the cost also contributing to being very deliberate. But I suppose that is rather glib of me to say that considering I'm not the one shelling out the 10 ponds/sheet. Still, it was nice to see you using the Intrepid.

I agree completely - format/size certainly makes a difference to how and what I shoot. Also the number of frames on a roll has an influence. I've recently taken to rolling only about 18/20 shots from my bulk 35mm HP5+. Makes me take more care with each shot. All the best Steve.

The laser pen to assist focussing, inspired! Great video Steve.

I try to apply the 'is it worth taking the shot' to all my film photography: 35mm/6x6/4x5/5x7. Digital? I just take the shot and generally confirm what I already know. How are you finding the Intrepid, Steve? (it is the Intrepid , right?)

Two shots for the day with 4x5? Sounds familiar. I started to avoid doing color shots on 4x5 due to the forbidding high price tags it comes with. And yeah, a large format camera completely changes the way I do photography!

The first shot is brilliant. 4x5 is by far my favorite format to shoot. Unfortunately I shoot less of it these days due to cost.... But I've greatly enjoyed it over the past few years, and your videos played a big role in getting me into it.

Thanks for the 4x5 work today, keeps me

Nice to see the 4x5 back in action

Sadly your video or the actual images are NOT sharp. Not on TV satellite or my laptop! I applaud using LF, but for me, the image more important, than the almost impossible routine, to make a print! If you were ordered to use 5x4, I might understand! Each sheet more than a single roll of 120! 12 shots,35mm is 36 shots! Digital almost free!