 Equipment
Details
For his commercial work, Stephen employs a
digital workflow based on the Nikon camera
system. However, for his personal work he
uses a large format (LF) camera system, based
around the Ebony RW45 camera. (All the work featured on this website was produced using LF equipment.)
In the headlong rush to ever more
sophisticated cameras and digital imaging, it
may seem strange that anyone would choose to
use a camera system that has changed little
in a 100 years or more. The fact is that
large format (LF) cameras provide a degree of
quality, versatility, control and engagement
not offered in any other camera
system.
An obvious advantage with LF cameras is the
size of the negative they produce. The
amount of detail captured on the large
negative is incredible, but, more
importantly, the extra film area allows for a
superb tonal quality that cannot be
reproduced in smaller formats, where the
tones tend to get compressed. LF has the
space for the tones to 'breath'.
The ability to move the rear standard (which
carries the film) and the front standard
(which carries the lens) independently of
each other allows a degree of control over
aspects of the image which fixed body cameras
cannot provide. These movements allow
control of elements such as perspective,
plane of focus, and the shape of objects
within the frame, at the picture taking
stage. Along with the traditional 5x4 format
film, other formats can be used, including
6x12 and 6x17. This versatility gives the
photographer the opportunity to use a format
best suited to their vision.
The large viewing screen and the intimate
interior of the dark-cloth allow an
engagement with the image which I have yet to
experience with any other format. Once under
the cloth, any distractions are minimised,
and the large 5x4 image projected on the
glass screen, with its superb detail and
depth, simply draws you in. There's nothing
else but you and your composition.
In addition, the upside-down, laterally
reversed image allows you to better see the
underlying structure of the
composition. Because most of the normal
visual references are removed, the brain is
less able to 'see' a picture, and more able
to perceive the highlights, shadows, tones,
shapes, lines and textures which form the
framework of the image.
Using an LF camera requires a different
approach to your photography, both physically
and mentally. Many are put off by what they
see as slow and laborious procedures, but to
get the best from the system demands a
meticulous and disciplined approach. With a
LF camera you don't take photographs, you
make photographs.
My current LF outfit comprises the following;
- Ebony RW45 camera body
- 75mm F5.6 Nikon lens
- 90mm F6.8 Rodenstock lens
- 120mm F5.6 Schneider lens
- 150mm F5.6 Schneider lens
- 240mm F9 Fuji lens
If you would like to know more about large
format photography, the best place to start
is at the Large Format Photography Home
Page. There's a link to the Ebony
cameras website on our links page.
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