Types of Large Format Cameras

Toyo Field 45AX Pro Field Camera

The Toyo Field 45AX Pro Field Camera is a type of large format camera that very closely resembles the Toyo-View 45A II 4x5 Field Camera, which is an older model. Field Cameras use bellows instead of using a wooden box. Bellows resemble an accordion in the way that they fold back into themselves. The bellows reduce the bulk of the cameras and make it easier to take the cameras outside of the studio. The Toyo Field 45AX camera is equipped with a standard, reversible 4x5 Graflok back, which was enhanced from the older model to economize on weight and cost. The entire weight of the 45AX is less than 6 lbs., which makes it portable and light weight but rugged because of the metal construction of the body of the camera. Another benefit for using the 45AX is image control. The front part of the camera raises, swings, tilts, and shifts while the back tilts and swings as well. These controls allow for correction of distortion, adjustments of depth of field, and use selective focus to manipulate an image.

Santa Barbara Baltic Birch 4x5 Pinhole Camera

The Santa Barbara Baltic Birch 4x5 Pinhole Camera is another type of large format camera that is basically a light-proof box constructed of different woods. A Pinhole Camera is just as it sounds, a tiny hole about 1/64” or smaller drilled in the front panel. The shutter is small metal plate the swings up and down to begin and end the exposure. It also has a focal length equivalent of 75mm, which is a wide-angle lens format.

Linhof 4x5 Master Technika

The Linhof 4x5 Master Technika is another type of large format camera that is a wide angle specialist with a metal construction and a built-in wide angle focusing track and an enormous bellows range with a revolving graflok back suitable for 4x5” film. The advantages to using the Linhof is it’s good for landscape photography and it has a high image quality. The disadvantages are it’s heavier than most field cameras, there are a lot of accessories, a tripod is necessary, and the reloading process takes a long time and needs a bulky carry-on.

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