Originally Posted by
Richard Rau
I shoot multiple formats and usually take them all when I go out for a couple of weeks at a time: 2 1/4, 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10. A photographer friend once asked me, "how do you know what format to choose for what subject?" Since I shoot mostly B&W landscapes, I thought that was a pretty darn good question and kind of left me stumped for a logical answer. I suppose 90% of the time I like to shoot 5x7. It's almost twice as large as 4x5, a wee bit less than half the size of 8x10, and anything blown up to 20x24 looks awesome. Plus it is about half the cost or more than 8x10 film. If there is a scene with a lot of weather, atmosphere, awesome light, something that is just screaming for a big neg, I'll grab the 8x10 ... if it just feels "right!" Those moments are very rare indeed for me. Yet, if things (the weather, clouds, and light) are happening really fast and I can't react fast enough, I'll grab the Hasse and get it on 2 1/4, rather than let something get away. Ansel's "Moon over Halfdome" was captured on 2 1/4 with a Hasse, and it's one of his most compelling images. For detail studies of rocks, trees and water, general landscape scenes, I suppose the larger you can shoot with, the less compromises you have with quality, no mater whether you just contact print, or make really big prints. It's a very subjective question, and for me, in those very rare instances, 8x10 is definitely worth it.
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