I've just picked up a Zone VI 4x5 camera, which I found advertised on one of the Facebook photography groups. The price was right, and I thought it was finally time to take the leap into large-format photography.
I've dabbled with 4x5 before, having borrowed a Linhof 4x5 and, of course, having my own Travelwide camera. But this is the first time I've actually owned a full 4x5 camera system.
The kit came with quite a few extras, including two Rodenstock Sironar-N lenses, a 180mm and a 210mm, both f/5.6. There was also a Wista loupe, several wooden lens boards, a bag for five film holders, a dark cloth for viewing the ground glass, and what looks like a cover or shade for the rear of the camera.
As if that wasn't enough, it also came with a 100-sheet box of expired Ilford HP5 Plus 400 from 2019, along with a rather enormous Think Tank camera bag to carry everything around in.
So, all in all, a pretty good starting point for getting into large format properly.
Now I just need to sit down and read the instructions before I start using it. This is something I should probably do more often, rather than my usual approach of jumping straight in, making a few mistakes and then having to go back and read the instructions anyway!
Hopefully, there'll be some 4x5 photographs to share before too long.
