What about this format?

[mikeber]

While browsing Chamonix website, I noticed the WP model, specified as a whole plate, 6.5"x8.5" in size. I understand the historical context, but how are these cameras used today and by whom? Are there films available for it?

[Ron Marshall]

While browsing Chamonix website, I noticed the WP model, specified as a whole plate, 6.5"x8.5" in size. I understand the historical context, but how are these cameras used today and by whom? Are there films available for it?

Ilford does a yearly order for ULF film. Color must be cut down from 8x10.

If I started over I would shoot that format instead of 5x7.

See this thread:

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...t=plate+ilford

[wfwhitaker]

I think if you do a search, both here and on Google, you'll find a wealth of information.

[redrockcoulee]

TMax is also available in whole plate. Several of the other large format camera makers also make whole plate such as Ebony and I think Shen Hao.

[Roger Thoms]

I just got whole plate film from Fred at the View Camera Store, there may still be some available. It was Ilford HP5 BTW.

Roger

[mikeber]

Thanks for the info. My question was more about why would someone prefer this over the more popular 5x7 or 8x10 formats. Are that many using glass plates in their cameras? The fact that camera makers bother building models for this size indicates that there is a market for it.

[Frank Petronio]

It's bizarre, I agree. Crazy photographers.

[Petzval Paul]

It's my favorite format. I use a 100 year old Gundlach W/P "Wizard" and I doubt I will ever up to another format. I do shoot smaller sizes, half-plate and 1/4 pretty frequently, but none seem to measure up to the 1/1 size. Of course, I shoot wetplate only, if I were to have to purchase film, that would change things drastically.

[Bill_1856]

Mike, 5x7 is a too small (35 square inches) for making contact prints if they are to be displayed on a wall, and 8x10 equipment is large and heavy and a PITA to carry. Full plate (6.5x8.5 = 55 square inches) is an excellent compromise with manageable equipment size (not really much larger than 5x7) and yet large enough contact prints to be able to stand back and vsualize fully. Also, many people prefer the nearly square format compared to the overly wide 5x7, especially with shot vertically for portraits.
Also, there's probably a certain amount of snob appeal is shooting such an unusual, but once highly populat, size, with the rather esoteric name of "Full Plate."

[aduncanson]

The aspect ratio of whole plate negatives is a good compromise as they can be cropped to either square or to a wide, 8x20, panorama and lose less than 15% of their image diagonal in either case.