For the last 30+ years my photography gear list consisted primarily of a 4×5 view camera and one 210mm lens. My most recent view camera was an Arca-Swiss F Field Clasic with Micro-Orbix. Many of the images in my galleries were composed with this camera using various lenses. The most knowledgeable person for Arca-Swiss in the United States is Rod Klukas, formerly of Photomart in Phoenix and now the US representative. For additional Arca-Swiss resources see Tom Westbrook , and Precision Camera Works .
My photography gear now consists of a Canon EOS 5D MKII system. While this gear does not provide the same image size as the Arca-Swiss, the Canon DSLR offers many advantages. Foremost is the very quick turn-around from image creation to processed image. With the Arca-Swiss and shooting with Velvia film, I would wait a minimum of one to two weeks for my processed images to return. Then of course I needed to decide if I would pay for a high quality drum scan or a lower quality flat-bed scan on my Epson V750. Now I just import into my raw processor of choice, Lightroom, and then finish the image in Photoshop CS5.
A second advantage of working with my new gear is the ability to use the Live View function. I use a Hoodman Loupe which essentially functions in the same way of using a loupe to view the ground glass of a 4×5 view camera. I use the Canon Live View zoom feature to enlarge the image up to ten times. This slower pace is similar to working with a 4×5 view camera. A third advantage is simplification in determining proper exposure via observing the image histogram.
My current list of photography gear is:
The first image was taken by my good friend Ron when I was doing an assignment to photograph a mutual friend’s rustic cabin in rural Washington state. The camera is of course the Arca-Swiss I owned at the time. As you readily see in the image I also owned a nice head of hair. This image was taken just after major surgery to remove a metastatic lung tumor. A few months later my hair was gone from the MVAC chemotherapy I received. The second image with the new Canon gear nicely shows my hair loss. My cancer journey may be a topic I’ll talk about down the road. Time will tell!
Aloha Phil & Penny,
Just surfing the web this evening. Wasn’t aware Phil had surgery? Larry is still healing from major shoulder surgery and his surgeon now thinks he has a pinched nerve as Larry does not have any feeling in 2 fingers. He is anxious to go back to work. He finished updating the kitchen. Fishes a lot. And watches TV. Beautiful photos! Call Larry anytime. I am sure he would love to hear from family. Take Care!
Monica and Larry,
Thanks for your comment. Actually, I haven’t had any cancer related surgery since 2009 but I have experienced quite a lot of Chemo. I just finished up 15 months worth in February of this year. On the mend now and out photographing as much as I can. I had a good talk with Larry a couple of days ago.
Both of you take care also!
Happy birthday Philip. Easy to remember your birthday since we both were born of the 24th of the month, me in February and you in May. Say Hi! to Penny and of course hello to Monica and brother Larry.