5x7 Printing Options (Contact Print? Scan and electronically print?)

[Drew Wiley]

Lot's of Kenna's images, which are so appealing on small scale, would be disappointing significantly enlarged due to featureless areas. I could say the same about Wynn Bullock or Edward Weston. It's not a criticism but just an observation that contact printing is a different ballgame than enlarging, with somewhat different rules. I personally find digital prints quite disappointing to look at by comparison.

[mike rosenlof]

Another fan of 5x7 contact prints here. I contact prints onto 8x10 paper and mask with rubylith to get large white borders. It presents nicely.

I scan 5x7 with an Epson 1680 that I bought as new old stock a couple of years ago. I use the scans mostly as proofs, and they're fine for thar. I don' have the ability to print 5x7 bigger than 5x7, and I'm fine with that.

[morecfm]

Thanks for all of the replies and opinions on options and pros/cons. I do have an Epson 4990 that I got preowned for 4x5 work so the scanning was always an option should I decide to further invest in 5x7. I think I'll hold onto the camera for a while, as I have minimal cost in it, and get a few holders and film later. Perhaps try to shoot a few exposures on paper? Meanwhile I need to sharpen up my skills on 4x5. Now if an 8x10 fell in front of me...