Hi 'outabounds',

First, a belated welcome to LF (both the forum and the format)! LF may not be 'magic', but it comes as close as it gets in the real world . There is absolutely nothing like a big negative. It's great to have another big camera in Oregon! I have a Century Whole Plate camera. It's the love of my (photo) life.

You mention dry plate. I'm going to push back against the opinion on that subject offered by my friend, Scott. Making your own dry plates is neither hard, nor expensive (compared to LF film photography, in general, and forget even comparing it to the insane expense of inkjet printers!) I'll be teaching dry plate photography at the Photographers' Formulary in Montana this coming June 12-17. I'd love to see you there. http://www.workshopsinmt.com/.

Denise Ross
On the Oregon Coast
www.thelightfarm.com and more specifically http://thelightfarm.com/Map/DryPlate/DryPlatePart1.htm