I recently published a video on my YouTube channel as a general guide to what gear one might need to get started with large-format photography. However, not everything survives the final cuts, and sometimes, you just plain old forget to mention things. Therefore, I wish to clarify and add some things I didn’t mention in the video. Some were pointed out in the comments, and some I want to add myself.
The video itself can be found here:
https://youtu.be/7PfdFhTL9R0?si=03lCV8d1vBYZWj4U
Accessories not mentioned
Loupe
I forgot to mention a loupe, which is handy when trying to obtainin critical focus. I use one myself, but I also mostly manage to focus fine without one (I mostly shoot landscapes).
Tape ruler
A tape ruler is used to measure the below extension. I don’t use this, but it can come in handy if you do macro or close-ups. The light reaching the film will differ depending on how long the below extension is, and it can be as much as 1-3 stops. But if you primarily shoot around infinity, you should be okay.
Lens manufacturers
I mentioned four main manufacturers. In reality, there are tones of them out there. But the four mentioned are very common and fairly affordable. So my recommendation stands, but by all means, buy something else if you want to. I myself have a thing for Zeiss lenses.
Lens board hole sizes
In the video, I mention that the hole is measured in Copal sizes. This is only partially true. Copal is actually a lens manufacturer. It happens to be one of the most common manufacturers out there. Copal also shares the same sizes as Compur (another common shutter manufacturer), even though Compur adds two extra hole sizes. Therefore, it’s very common to hear Copal sizes.
The important thing is to ensure the lens board’s hole matches your shutter.
A handy chart of lensboard hole sizes can be found here: https://www.largeformatphotography.info/lensboard_hole_sizes.html
Film & development
I must admit I never used the chemicals mentioned in the video. I bought it, but I haven’t gotten around to using it. I instead mainly use Rodinal for developing my film, for fixer I use Fomapan Rapid Fixer, and as a stop bath, I use plain old tap water.
Paper is never mentioned, and I use Fomapan RC paper as my main paper.
Paper chemicals can differ from film chemicals. Sometimes, you can use the same, but not always. I use chemicals from Ilford in my darkroom, but I will probably switch over to something else once I finish the bottles.