Slaying the deamons of format choice

[Brian C. Miller]

OK, so back to the basic problem.

You have an 8x10 with an 8x20 back, right? Could you buy, or have made, an 11x14 back for it?

You have an 11x14 camera. I know there are 8x10 reducing backs. How about an 8x20 back for it?

[Bruce E. Rathbun]

Brian,
Not really a problem. After the past few days and all of the advice on this post the problem has been solved. Yes the 8x20 is fitted with an 8x20 back. While I can easily remove the 8x20 and slide the 8x10 on I prefer to use the 11x14. There is no real way to fit an 11x14 back on the 8x20. So I will continue on and use both the 8x20 and the 11x14. If I need to cart the 11x14 I use a Roleeze cart that will cary both the 11x14 and the 8x20.

[Oren Grad]

Bruce - Which specific model cart do you use?

[Bruce E. Rathbun]

Oren,
I use the SPORS CADDY R21-SPC. During my last trip out West I stopped in Bryce Canyon. The weather was great yet there was still about three feet of snow to hike in. Out came the Roleeze for a nasty butt kicking 1/2 mile up hill hike in the snow. Wihout the cart there is no way I would have taken any camera up there as the conditions were too slipery for a backpack. The Roleeze has been the difference between a shot or going home minus one.

-Bruce

[Oren Grad]

Bruce - Thanks... My 7x17 and 11x14 kits are more than I can backpack, so it's helpful to hear about different options that might enable me to work beyond a few steps' radius from the car. I did pick up a little folding utility cart, but it doesn't have those fat wheels, and I don't think it's going to be very robust for longer distances outdoors.

[John Kasaian]

IMHO---Use what you have, and use it to the best of your ability. Lusting after yet another format (or lens) is like lusting after your nieghbor's wife---no matter how attractive the package, any improvement over what you've already got at home is a crap shoot at best and the only sure thing is that it will cost you---a lot.