View Camera Photography
20th September 2024 - 3rd October 2024
For context
View camera photography dates back to the mid-nineteenth century and is one of the oldest forms of photography. View cameras were still in mainstream use until the early twenty-first century, and they’ve seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years among enthusiasts. They remain in a class of their own for technical ability, quality, and charm. These cameras have very few moving parts, and many are fully customizable. They’re mechanical beasts that are endearing to use but will definitely punish the uninitiated. View cameras have a slow and contemplative process, which takes a while to master, but is it worth the time to learn? There are many formats and configurations to choose from, each with its own set of merits and disadvantages. These cameras have stood the test of time, the digital revolution, and continue to be produced to this day.
The Test Run
Having just purchased my view camera, I took it with me on my trip to Scotland as a test run, and these are the pictures that followed.
*Note: I did NOT take any notes on exposure, composition, movements, or metering settings on this test run, but these will be included in future collections and projects with the camera.
The photos were taken on a Toyo-Field 45CF with a Fujinon NW S 180mm f/5.6 and a myriad of film backs, film stocks, and accessories. All the negatives were developed at Jacks Lab in Bristol. Following that, the photos were then digitised using a mixture of DSLR scanning equipment and a Nikon D800 with a Nikon 60mm f2.8 AF Macro Lens. After this, the images were edited using Negitve Lab Pro and Lightroom Classic.
6x7 Roll one and two
Kodak Ektar 100
Photo Name: Glenapp Church
Photo Location: 55.02856° N, 5.01474° W
The 21st of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 120 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Front rise
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Loch Long Pier
Photo Location: 56.20596° N, 4.74535° W
The 23rd of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 120 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Unknown
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Inveraray Pier
Photo Location: 56.23201° N, 5.07355° W
The 23rd of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 120 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Unknown
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Glenmore House
Photo Location: 56.25662° N, 5.48080° W
The 23rd of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 120 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Unknown
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Invercaddle Bay
Photo Location: 56.74200° N, 5.20686° W
The 23rd of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 120 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Front tilt
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Mountains of Loch Lochy
Photo Location: 56.96108° N, 4.90291° W
The 24th of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 120 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Unknown
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Loch Ainort
Photo Location: 57.28134° N, 6.03799° W
The 24th of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 120 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Unknown
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: An t-Òb Castle
Photo Location: 57.33806° N, 5.64871° W
The 24th of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 120 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Front rise and tilt
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Isle of Oronsay
Photo Location: 57.33806° N, 5.64871° W
The 24th of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 120 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Front fall and tilt
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Eilean nan Gamhainn
Photo Location: 57.33801° N, 5.65095° W
The 24th of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 120 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Front fall and tilt
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Isle of Oronsay
Photo Location: 57.40685° N, 5.61043° W
The 25th of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 120 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Front fall and tilt
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Sheet one to six
4x5 Kodak Ektar 100
Photo Name: Glenapp Church Drive
Photo Location: 55.02856° N, 5.01474° W
The 21st of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 4x5 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Front rise
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: The End of Loch Long
Photo Location: 56.20596° N, 4.74535° W
The 23rd of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 4x5 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Unknown
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Loch Lochy and Surrounding Mountains
Photo Location: 56.96108° N, 4.90291° W
The 24th of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 4x5 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Unknown
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Loch Fyne
Photo Location: 56.23201° N, 5.07355° W
The 23rd of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 4x5 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Unknown
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Inchree Mountain
Photo Location: 56.74200° N, 5.20686° W
The 23rd of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 4x5 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Front rise, tilt and swing
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
Photo Name: Loch Coultrie
Photo Location: 57.44365° N, 5.58179° W
The 25th of September 2024
Technical Details;
Film stock: 4x5 Kodak Ektar 100
Movements: Front tilt
Metering: Unknown
Exposure settings: Unknown
My Reflection on the Project
This project went, on the whole, very well. There were some technical issues and mistakes along the way, as with most new systems. All the compositions turned out how I would have liked, metering was good throughout, and scanning went without a hitch. I showed good proficiency with the lens, shutter, bellows, movements, ground glass, and sheet film holders. I did have spacing issues with the 120 film back, which came from my lack of knowledge about the locking mechanism of the film advance. The other issue arose from light leaks from the used and untested Fidelity 4x5 sheet film holder, which I picked up cheaply from my local camera shop.
To rectify these issues, first, I studied the 120 film back’s advance mechanism and learned how it worked. Second, I ordered new Toyo sheet film holders from B&H in New York. This test puts me in good standing for my next collection." England's National Parks.”