Choose your 4x5 camera features carefully. Part 1.

When deciding what 4x5 camera to get, there are a number of feature considerations to keep in mind. While a view camera is typically a very simple tool without a lot of bells and whistles there are always small differences from brand to brand and model to model that can make one camera a better choice over another based on your intended use. The best, most expensive camera you can get hold of may not suit you nearly as well as the bargain model if it doesn't allow you to do what you need with it.

Things to consider:

- How much and what kind of movements do I need in a 4x5 view camera?
This should be one of the first things you consider as it may determine what type of camera you are looking for. (ie. monorail or field) Monorail cameras normally provide the most movements and a good range of each while many types of flat bed 4x5s, such as older press cameras, have very few or none. Field cameras are usually in the middle but some of the higher end brands like Ebony are just as rich in movements as a good monorail camera. If you're main goal is to shoot landscapes then an average field camera will probably do fine as you'll usually only need enough movement gain a little extra depth of field. If, however, you intend to be shooting in the studio or doing architectural shots, look into a good movement rich monorail, such as a Horseman.

-Will you be shooting mainly wide angle, tele-photo, macro...?
This question is certainly on worth considering since getting the wrong camera for these situations can be a real headache and expenisve or impossible to solve. Any 4x5 camera should work fine with lenses in the "normal" range (for 4x5 this runs from about 135mm to 210mm) and a little on either side of that. But once you get too wide or long some cameras start running into problems.

If you're wanting to use long focal length lenses or do close up or macro photography then you're going to need a lot of bellows extension. This is something that many compact flat bed cameras just can't provide. Some models of field camera do offer exceptional bed extension but for the most part a monorail is a better choice since if need be a longer rail can usually be purchased to remedy the problem.

Conversely, if you're making wide angle photos there are a different set of issues to be aware of. You will want to look for a camera with a small minimum extension, in other words one that will allow you to get the lens as close to the film plane as possible. You also want to be able to accomplish this while still having enough pliability in the unexpanded bellows to use the cameras movements. Often this will require a set of wide angle or bag bellows. Another thing to consider is the potential for the front end of the camera to be visible in the photo due to the lens being so far back while focusing for a wide angel shot. Again, most of these issues are best solved by a monorail camera. However, some of the nicer field cameras should not be ruled out if you have the money for them.

These are a couple of things to think about when getting a 4x5 view camera, but there are certainly others. I'll post a continuing list in a few days.