[LargeFormat] Headline: Little Camera Guy Intimidated by New Toy

[Alan Davenport]

I'm a reasonable capable photographer (I think) with about 30 years of
experience in 35mm and medium format.  Recently, I made the decision
to take the LF leap.  I received the camera today, a Calumet 540 with
150mm Caltar-II N lens.  Now, it's been an awfully long time since I felt
intimidated by a camera, but I will confess to some trepidation at this=
 time.
Just looking at it and trying to mentally work through the process of taking
a photo, I'm seeing more ways to mess up than I imagined possible until
today.

I've got a half dozen holders (Riteway & Fidelity) and an unopened box
of slightly outdated Velvia (one of my 35mm standbys.)  Already got a
Bogen 3401 and a Luna Pro F with the 15=B0/7=B0 spot attachment, so I guess
I have the essentials.  I think. (hope)

I've been reading everything I can find, got AA's "The Camera" next to my
bed, got Vade Mecum installed on my Palm Pilot, still got to figure out how
to use that program.... I understand about bellows factors and filter=
 factors,
but never had to apply them when my camera was metering through all the
goodies and making most of those decisions.  I soon expect to be looking
for uses for trashed 4x5 film (punch holes in it, glue it to a stick, use as
a fly swatter?)

I'm guessing the place to begin is with as little complicating factors as
possible, i.e., no movements for at least the first shot or two...

What have I missed?