Hi, I'm returning to LF after having tried 4x5 a couple of decades ago as a student and in the process of putting together my first 8x10 kit. I have a borrowed Calumet C400 and have been re-familiarizing myself with LF using that but then recently got to briefly try a couple of 8x10's, was smitten, and wanted to make the jump to 8x10 (hopefully not too impulsively!). I'm located in the Massachusetts suburbs not far from Boston/Cambridge. In fact, the university where I work has an 8x10 enlarger available for use, which is an added incentive.
I managed to pick up a lightly used Cambo 810N monorail for not too much $$$ through keh and a cheap 4x5 back from ebay, also managed to borrow 4 8x10 film holders from a colleague. Still in need of a lens, tripod, various odds-and-ends. Bulky, but less weight than the Cambo SCX or Legend geared 8x10's. Biggest drawback is no extension rails so that I could more easily use a shorter rail for transport. Yes, I'd eventually like a more easily transportable form-factor, I don't intend to hike with the camera so I think I'll manage for now.
Subject matter-wise, I'm particularly interested in portraiture (environmental portraits to waist-up), but also urban cityscapes, landscape, still-life, etc. My interests are fairly broad but I also have a few potential projects in mind. Even though I'd like to keep things as simple as possible, it seems essential to know more about lighting and have begun following some of the discussions about lighting options for 8x10 portraiture with great interest.
Planning to try some x-ray film to keep the costs down. I have some film hangers on the way and also on the look-out for developing tanks.
I've already learned quite a lot from the forum, I also feel fortunate to have a couple of local mentors whom I can turn to for some advice. I look forward to learning a lot more.
Carl
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