Preparations Are a Must Before Using View Camera

I like to think of myself as being at one with nature--up at the magic hours before dawn with a tripod under my arm and camera in my backpack, setting out to shoot dramatic Ansel Adams-type photos.

My problem is that I think I need a new and different camera for each new foray.

Planning a recent outing, for example, I decided I needed a certain camera that I had had my eyes on: a handmade 4-by-5-inch field camera made out of Honduras mahogany by Zone VI in Vermont.

Even if I used the camera only once, I told myself, it would look great in my den, set off on a wooden tripod--a fine piece of furniture and conversation piece.

But while examining it and other necessary equipment, the camera-store salesman ruined my plans with cool logic. He suggested that I rent everything I needed. It would only cost $30 for a weekend, instead of $2,000.

I hesitated, but wound up heading out the door with a complete outfit--a camera, a 150-millimeter lens, 10 film holders, a cable release, Polaroid back and a black focusing cloth.

The only cost I didn’t figure on was film--about $123, which included 10 sheets of Fuji transparency, 25 sheets of Kodak black-and-white Tri-X, 20 sheets of color Polaroid and 20 sheets of black-and-white Polaroids.

The color Polaroid film hurt the most ($2.75 a shot), but it’s invaluable in the long run because a test Polaroid lets you check your focus, exposure, composition and determine the straightness of your horizon.

The next part of the project was to load the film holders. If you have a darkroom, it’s easy, but it’s more likely you have to find a location in your house that’s light-tight. One place can be a hall closet, which usually isn’t near any light sources.

Still, you may find yourself sitting on the floor of the closet, trying to load your film. It’s a good idea to stuff towels along the crack in the door to keep light out. The procedure should take you about 10 minutes.

A little research is also in order. A good book to look at is “Using the View Camera,” which should give you a good refresher course on this type of camera operation.

On my recent trip, I chose Huntington Central Park. It’s not exactly Yosemite, but it’s a perfect place to test your technique. There are trees in the foreground and a lake in the background.

You can’t be in a hurry when using a view camera. Each shot is carefully composed using one sheet of film at a time. Every squeeze of the trigger has to count. There is no automatic focus, pop-up flash or motor drive, and best of all there is no more grain.

After shooting 35 millimeter for 20 years, using the view camera wasn’t easy. It takes time to get used to having to deal with swings and tilts.

Certainly, you can expect good photographs, but you don’t become Ansel Adams in one try. Best of all, though, there is a feeling of accomplishment when you hold a 4-by-5-inch test Polaroid in your hand or view the processed film.

There are a few other things to take into consideration. One of the best is to leave the kids at home, keeping the distractions down to a minimum. You should also practice with the camera at home before taking it to your shooting location. And most of all, take your time as you set up and then compose your image.

The Photography Column, which appears Saturdays in Orange County Life, is intended to help the serious amateur and weekend photographer. Questions and ideas are encouraged. Write to: Robert Lachman, Photography Department, The Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626.