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Thread: Why 8x10 instead of 4x5?

  1. #11
    Stephen Willard's Avatar
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    Jun 2002
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    Re: Why 8x10 instead of 4x5?

    I looked into making such a move a number of years ago. My motivation was for greater clarity of image. I ended up shooting 4x10 and 5x7 as a result from that investigation. Consider this:

    For 8x10

    1. Image quality is much better for 8x10.
    2. Equipment is a lot more expensive than 4x5 with bigger everything in the field as well as in the darkroom.
    3. Supplies are a lot more expensive for operating a 8x10 camera.
    4. 8x10 is not very portable because it is bigger and heavier
    5. DOF with the bigger lenses needed for 8x10 was more restrictive.
    6. Film can sag in the middle of the holders resulting in uneven focusing.


    For 5x7

    1. The improved clarity between 5x7 and 8x10 is not significant. The improved clarity between 4x5 and 5x7 is significant and very notable.
    2. Cost of equipment was much less. All ten of my 4x5 lenses worked with my 5x7 camera except my 75mm lens.
    3. Cost of supplies are much less for 5x7 than 8x10. I cut my own 5x7 film from 8x10 film and get two sheets from a single sheet of 8x10 film.
    4. There is not a lot of 5x7 film available on the market. Most likely you will have to cut your own film.
    5. My 5x7 camera is very portable. My 5x7 camera weighs less than my 4x5 camera and is smaller than than an 8x10 camera.
    6. I love the aspect ratio of 5x7. 4x5 and 8x10 are more boxy in shape while 5x7 is more elongated like 35mm. 5x7 is a better fit for doing landscape photography.
    7. I do have a 4x5 reducing back, and I still shoot 4x5 when doing macro photography, need more lens coverage, or need more telephoto range with my bigger lenses.

    Currently, I have two separate camera bodies, 5x7 and 4x10, I port into the back country of Colorado with two llamas. This allows me to shoot 4x5, 5x7, and 4x10 which gives me the flexibility of fitting the format to the composition rather then compromising the composition to fit the format. I am investigating switching to a single 8x10 camera body with 4x5, 4x10, and 5x7 reducing backs. Ebony offers such a configuration. I believe that this approach will be lighter and require less space than carrying two camera bodies. This will also allow me to use 8x10 on occasions where the composition and lighting is extraordinary.

    Hope this helps.

  2. #12

    Join Date
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    Re: Why 8x10 instead of 4x5?

    I've switched from 4x5 to 8x10 and back three times. The nice thing is composing on the big ground glass and making 8x10 contact prints. The bad thing is the weight.
    Brian Ellis
    Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you do criticize them you'll be
    a mile away and you'll have their shoes.

  3. #13

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    Re: Why 8x10 instead of 4x5?

    For me its the size of the ground glass---it is a lot more enjoyable to use and I find 8x10 contact prints more interesting to make. 5x7 I see as a compromise---a good comprimise (I like the format) but 8x10 is, for me, more enjoyable to work in.
    "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White

  4. #14

    Re: Why 8x10 instead of 4x5?

    I started using 8x10 because I thought that 8x10 contact prints would be a good output medium. I was sort of right--I like the contact prints, but the prints are too small.

    As soon as I can afford an 11x14, I'll be out of 8x10.

  5. #15

    Join Date
    Nov 2004
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    Orange, CA
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    973

    Re: Why 8x10 instead of 4x5?

    After shooting 4x5 exclusively for three years, I found I wasn't happy with the image quality, so I bought an 8x10 system. It's always a bit of a love/hate relationship -- the 8x10 gear is heavy, bulky and inconvenient compared to my 4x5 system with Quickloads/Readyloads -- but for situations where it is feasible 8x10 is frequently the only system where I am truly happy with the results. I still shoot 4x5 in cases where 8x10 won't work.

    I seriously considered 5x7, but since I have a variety of picture frames around the house through which I rotate a variety of prints, I wanted to stay with a single aspect ratio. 4x5, 8x10, my older 6x7 system, and most likely a future digital capture system all (more or less) share the same aspect ratio, allowing me to use my existing frames and matts. 5x7 would have been an oddball, and I don't frame 35mm-based prints larger than 8x12" due to image quality concerns.

    For more info, take a look at these threads:

    http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=23008
    http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=21057
    http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=18218
    http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=17521

  6. #16

    Join Date
    Nov 2005
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    Scottsdale, Arizona
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    Re: Why 8x10 instead of 4x5?

    Size of ground glass and silver contact printing...I think is the big advantage of 8 x 10 for me. I agree with the loss of detail on an 8x10 pt/pd. vs. 4x5 digital scan neg in the fibre of the paper - that makes it a toss up....for pt/pd printing.

    If you scan and print digitally? Well, I think it's only the vision with the ground glass....for the most part...

    I use 8 x 10 a lot more than 4 x 5.....fwiw for B&W.

    For color, 4 x 5 is the way to go imo.

  7. #17
    Is that a Hassleblad? Brian Vuillemenot's Avatar
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    Re: Why 8x10 instead of 4x5?

    I felt the need to "keep up with the Joneses"- all my photo buddies were switching from 4X5 to 8X10, so I needed to as well. In addition, the 8X10 is even more of a chick magnet than the 4X5.
    Brian Vuillemenot

  8. #18

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    Re: Why 8x10 instead of 4x5?

    If you want to do alternative printing techniques, you usually need a negative that can be contact printed. 8x10 is the minimim size that works well for most exhibition prints. 8x10 prints look good.

    Also, 8x10 looks different from 4x5. Creamier, smoother, and of course the longer lenses give a different depth-of-field.

    Even scanning, an 8x10 negative scanned looks creamier than a 4x5 negative scanned.

    I have all options from 11x14 to 35mm. I have never felt the need to eliminate any format. They all have their purposes and reasons for use.

  9. #19

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    Re: Why 8x10 instead of 4x5?

    Finally I'm in the majority!
    Pretty much the same reasons Gene mentions.

    Alan.

  10. #20

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    New Jersey
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    Re: Why 8x10 instead of 4x5?

    Went from my speed graphic to the 8x10 when I started printing in Pt/Pd back in 1990. After a couple of years the 8x10 print began to look small, so I tried 8x20 and 11x14. Didn't really like working with the 11x14 outdoors, but have stayed with the 8x20 and 8x10 ever since. I stopped printing in Pt/Pd a while back but still contact print both formats. I still shoot with the 4x5 using a reducing back on the 8x10 and also with the speed graphic. Depends on where and what I'm shooting.
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