Have any of you downsized from 8x10 to 4x5? Why?

[Certain Exposures]

EDIT: This title and post should read "downsize" not "downgrade." I couldn't think of the appropriate word at the time.

I decided to make this a "sister" thread to this one. I'm curious if any of you "downgraded" from 8x10 to 4x5 for reasons beyond just health or fitness and why you did so.

I thought about it hard this weekend.

I decided I won't go from 4x5 to 8x10 despite the temptation because:

1) The price.
2) I often want to print a size larger or smaller than 8x10.
3) The subject matter I like the most usually requires some speed.
4) I've walked miles with my Crown Graphic in my backpack. I could still get a 4x5 with even more movements, less weight, and a smaller footprint.

Moderator's note: just saw this now, I've revised the thread title. -- Oren

[Michael R]

5) The vast majority of people will do better work with smaller formats

(not a popular opinion here but I stand by it)

[earlnash]

I've shot 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10. Much of what I love about large format is present in any size - the intentionality of it, the procedures and work flow, the patience of it, the relationship to the subject, the film, the darkroom or scanner/printer. Unless you're Alec Soth shooting 8x10 color for massive wall-sized prints at exhibitions, or you do work like Edward Burtynsky, or maybe you like contact printing...

I'd be interested to hear from others where they see the niche for 8x10.

www.michaelsobel.photo

[linhofbiker]

I started shooting 4x5 in 1973 and always had a 4x5 camera along with various 35mm and 120/220 and lately several digital including my iPhone 8.
Over the years, shooting 4x5, I tended towards wide angle.
Changed my Linhof 4x5 Kardan TL to a 4x10 with a Chinese back.
Now with the 4x10 and the Super Angulons in 121 and 165 I am all set for shooting wide stuff that interests me.
Still have 4x5 and 5x7 cameras and a bunch of lenses - may have to sell these to concentrate on the 4x10 (less distractions).
I always thought that you can never have too many cameras and lenses. I was wrong. At 78 I intend to practice the KISS principal more astutely.

[interneg]

5) The vast majority of people will do better work with smaller formats

(not a popular opinion here but I stand by it)

And they could do with jettisoning most of the lenses they have too...

A great deal of the better 8x10 work was/ is done with much more minimal setups than opinions on here seem to think people must have for 8x10

[dvanmet]

I had an 8x10 Tachihara with a 12" Goerz Gold Rim Dagor and a Zone VI tripod, and that was all I used for a number of years then it just got too bloody heavy so I sold it. Now, 8x10 is far too expensive for me in addition to the weight issues so I now own a Zone VI 4x5. I am still contact printing though as I enjoy pulling the viewer in to the printed image, forcing them to get closer. I must have a sadistic streak.

[Roberto Nania]

... I am still contact printing though as I enjoy pulling the viewer in to the printed image, forcing them to get closer. I must have a sadistic streak...

I like this

[BrianShaw]

5) The vast majority of people will do better work with smaller formats

(not a popular opinion here but I stand by it)

Amen!

(I really dislike these threads that use the terms “upgrade” or “downgrade” referring to different film formats. Silly. )

[Tin Can]

Very ocasionally I may send a file to a Pro Digi Printer

My biggest DIGI print is 3X4 FEET with a frame that makes it 4X5 FEET

Shot with an old NIKON P&S

Matte paper Pro mounted on some fancy board and no I will not submit it to any minaturation

Printed in USA, shipped flat

also useful as backdrop for portraits

The frame is perfectly flawed for this image

Bought the frame at GoodWill for $5

[Jody_S]

5) The vast majority of people will do better work with smaller formats

(not a popular opinion here but I stand by it)

The vast majority of us, myself included, probably make better images with digital now. If I just want a picture of something, I use my phone like a normal person.

For some reason, I find it hard to do impressionist soft focus landscapes on 4x5. So I still use 8x10, or I will this summer after a 2 year hiatus for health reasons.