Do you have a dream camera that you don't own?

[Donald Qualls]

I don't have an enlarger capable of supporting 4x5 and I don't think I currently have the room for one either.

Intrepid has both an enlarger kit for their 4x5 camera (a lightweight monorail, potentially a candidate for my own needs) and a dedicated 4x5 enlarger. Both use compact LED light sources with tunable color for contrast control, and are very small as these things go. You can't avoid the 16x20 baseboard if you want to print that large, but if you're willing to live with, say, 12x15 as a maximum print, you can fit that enlarger into a fairly small space.

I currently have two Omega D series enlargers I'm in process of combining into one with interchangeable color and condenser heads, so my enlarger needs are covered.

 

[eli griggs]

I've been thinking about a 4x5 camera too. But I don't have an enlarger capable of supporting 4x5 and I don't think I currently have the room for one either. Maybe someday.

A good reason for getting a Speed Graphic or other 5"x7", which produces contact prints large enough to frame attractively, the same thing larger sized cameras will do for you.

I like my beater 4"x5" pre-Aniversary, but I have the luck to have 5"x7' backs enough, for my pinhole, to make it go with paper negatives and a single rubber Kodak tank.

I would want some 5"x7" hangers and eventually more H.R. Kodak tanks or S.S. units, but for now, I could do with what I have to hand plus a simple 5"x7" press lens.

 

[Dali]

"Do you have a dream camera that you don't own?"

No but I have plenty of dream pictures I missed.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Speed Graphic or other 5"x7", which produces contact prints large enough to frame attractively,

Even 4x5 prints are plenty good for hand held viewing. One of my favorite prints, ever, was a portrait of my grandmother at 99 years of age, shot with an Ideal plate camera on 9x12 cm film, developed immediately (changing bag and Diafine, because I was at the end of my first day of moving from Seattle to North Carolina), and printed the same day on tea toned cyanotype. Plenty big enough for a desk frame, and 4x5 fits the common desk frames better than 9x12.

 

[eli griggs]

Even 4x5 prints are plenty good for hand held viewing. One of my favorite prints, ever, was a portrait of my grandmother at 99 years of age, shot with an Ideal plate camera on 9x12 cm film, developed immediately (changing bag and Diafine, because I was at the end of my first day of moving from Seattle to North Carolina), and printed the same day on tea toned cyanotype. Plenty big enough for a desk frame, and 4x5 fits the common desk frames better than 9x12.

That's all true, but 5"x7", IME, has been touted as a superior print size that is readily sellable, over the 4"x5" or smaller.

Personally, some of my personally favorite photographs are old contact prints of smaller medium format negatives, SX-70, Polaroid 100 series, 4"x5" Polaroid prints and Type 55 prints.

 

[Chan Tran]

Back when I had my color darkroom with the Beseler CB-7 and dichroic head and the price of Vericolor III 4x5 was $1 a sheet I really wanted a Linhof Technikardan 4x5 but I couldn't afford it. Now I think I can afford the Linhof but I have no more darkroom and 4x5 portra 160 is $6.50 a sheet. I can't afford to use it.

 

[Disconnekt]

A Fuji GSW690III

 

[Mike Lopez]

I've been thinking about a 4x5 camera too. But I don't have an enlarger capable of supporting 4x5 and I don't think I currently have the room for one either. Maybe someday.

When properly done, a 4x5 contact print is glorious to behold. I wouldn't let the lack of an enlarger dissuade you from a 4x5...you might even find that you prefer contacts! I do.

 

[JerseyDoug]

I would like a Kodak No. 2 folding camera with a light tight bellows and a viewfinder mirror that isn't tarnished. I have tried patching the light leaks in my mother's camera but new ones keep appearing.

 

[MFstooges]

A Fuji GSW690III

And why you don't own it?

 

[Disconnekt]

And why you don't own it?

The ones Ive seen for sale are for around 1k (dont got that kind of money), plus if its got issues thats more money for a cla for it.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I have tried patching the light leaks in my mother's camera but new ones keep appearing.

Bellows replacement is a thing. Not sure what you can do with the bright finder mirror(s), though.

 

[choiliefan]

I'd like to try a Bronica RF645 but the used prices have been steadily climbing.
Worry about the electronics and parts availability kept me from buying one when they were around $1200 for a complete kit.

 

[Businessfotos]

I inherited 2 Plaubel Makina 67 a while back and sold them unshot cause I thought I´d never go back to analogue. That was like 15 years ago. What a mistake. Now I want a Plaubel. I have fun shooting my Fuji GS645 which is similar though smaller but yeah, the Makina is my dream camera …

 

[btaylor]

I long dreamt of owning a Minox, an amazing piece of engineering. But I know I would never use it! Film availability, grain, dealing with tiny negs in the darkroom, etc. keep me from it. A friend of mine has one to admire, but I know he will never use it.

 

[Kino]

- Old camera (well most film cameras except one are old)
- Why you like it?
- Why you don't own it?

No, I can honestly say, I don't need/want another camera.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Better to ask:

- Why do you dislike it?
- So why do you own it?

 

[Photomultiplier]

Hasselblad 203FE and 350mm Tele-Superachromat

 

[loccdor]

I've resisted owning any very expensive cameras or lenses, even after being impressed with them. There's a limit to the amount of monetary value I'm comfortable carrying with on my person while traveling, regarding theft, water, drops/collisions, confiscations by security officers, etc. I don't carry more than I'm willing to lose and replace.

Most expensive lens I use was $500, and only because it far exceeded anything else in that price range. My most expensive film camera was around $300.

If I had to carry a kit that cost many thousands, it would make me think twice about where I took it.

 

[MFstooges]

I've resisted owning any very expensive cameras or lenses, even after being impressed with them. There's a limit to the amount of monetary value I'm comfortable carrying with on my person while traveling, regarding theft, water, drops/collisions, confiscations by security officers, etc. I don't carry more than I'm willing to lose and replace.

Most expensive lens I use was $500, and only because it far exceeded anything else in that price range. My most expensive film camera was around $300.

If I had to carry a kit that cost many thousands, it would make me think twice about where I took it.

That's one of the reasons to have a dream camera and not owning it.

 

[DF]

A Minolta CLE - and all three (3) Rokkor lenses that go with it. 'Never have had a rangefinder myself.
If you in fact are among the lucky few who do, you're the only one on the block with one - nobody has these.
Besides, Ken Rockwell admits they beat Leica M's, as well as Zeis's.
"All I want for Christmas is...."

 

[MFstooges]

A Minolta CLE - and all three (3) Rokkor lenses that go with it. 'Never have had a rangefinder myself.
If you in fact are among the lucky few who do, you're the only one on the block with one - nobody has these.
Besides, Ken Rockwell admits they beat Leica M's, as well as Zeis's.
"All I want for Christmas is...."

Oh no....I see all the bullets coming...

 

[JensH]

Hi,

yes, a 13x18cm (5x7") would be a dream.

To make contact prints from film or self coated glas plates on Lupex paper...
No enlarging, no scanning.

What camera? It should be a folding one, but not as heavy as a Linhof Technika.
Vintage, even antique.

So something an Ica Ideal 385 with Double-Protar VIIa 6.3/20.5cm lens would be fine.
If possible a wide angle Protar V 1:18/14cm (or a WA Dagor...?) and a 9 or 12 cm Mikrotar for macro or closer.

Best
Jens

 

[Paul Manuell]

Pentax 67II

Because I'm exclusively a film photographer, predominantly medium format (Pentax 645NII) and 67 is the ultimate medium format size, combined with the fact the 67II is basically the same layout/operation as a 35mm SLR so would be very familiar and easy to use

Price

 

[Olimolly]

Hello to every one here.

My dreamed camera, the holly graal would be the Fuji X-Pan. I am still waiting to see our roads crossing.