Hi from Ireland

[TommyW]

Hello all, looking at putting my foot into the world of LF photography. Primarily digital at this point, lots of film back in the Eighties but looking to deepen a few areas and excited by the possibilities that LF presents, so looking to return to a black and white darkroom.

Curious about 5x7 in the main, it's been my preferred ratio for a long time and I invariably crop to it, and researching what my initial purchases will need to cover.

[Greg]

In looking back on my photographic adventures in Ireland, 9 out of 10 of my final prints were sweeping panoramas.

[Tin Can]

Welcome, 5X7 is a good format!


Hello all, looking at putting my foot into the world of LF photography. Primarily digital at this point, lots of film back in the Eighties but looking to deepen a few areas and excited by the possibilities that LF presents, so looking to return to a black and white darkroom.

Curious about 5x7 in the main, it's been my preferred ratio for a long time and I invariably crop to it, and researching what my initial purchases will need to cover.

[Louis Pacilla]

Hello all, looking at putting my foot into the world of LF photography. Primarily digital at this point, lots of film back in the Eighties but looking to deepen a few areas and excited by the possibilities that LF presents, so looking to return to a black and white darkroom.

Curious about 5x7 in the main, it's been my preferred ratio for a long time and I invariably crop to it, and researching what my initial purchases will need to cover.

Welcome back to the club Tommy! Glad to have you here and look forward to your contributions.

As fare as 5x7 film goes (either color or B&W 5x7 film) it's not plentiful though not as few choices for B&W films and usually available for purchase in a few B&W emulsions. 5x7 color film or slide must now be bought when Keith Canham does a group purchase like once or twice a year.
You could get a 5x7 camera with both 5x7 & 4x5 reducing back so you can also shoot the less expensive much easier to buy 4x5 film, either B&W or color print/slide film.

[Peter De Smidt]

Welcome! 5x7 is a great format.

[TommyW]

Thanks guys. I've been looking at quite a few different options that seem to be available now, in terms of camera. @greg, yes, they are tempting... @louis I'll factor that reducing back into my calculations. It would be good to have that flexibility.

My interest and experience is primarily black and white, quite like the idea of getting back to developing and probably start by scanning and contact prints.

[TommyW]

Very nice...

[George E. Sheils]

Welcome Tommy, I live in Clare. I shoot mostly 6x6 Hasselblad, 5x4 pinhole (various cameras) and a 5x4 Walker XL. I print my own black & white scan to web. Great to hear another LF user from Ireland :)

[TommyW]

Hi George nice to meet.

[Arpeggio Verdelac]

Welcome Tommy!

Tom

[John Kasaian]

Welcome aboard!
With an optional back you can shoot 4x5, and with splitters two 7x2-1/2 or 5x3-1/2 on a single sheet, so there's a lot of flexibility. Also 5x7 is a nice size for contact printing.

[neil poulsen]

What kind of photography do you look forward to doing, whether color or black and white?

Do you want to enlarge, or scan on black and white? (Or contact print?)

[TommyW]

Hi Arpeggio, John and Neil...

I am a landscape photographer primarily, and black and white. I do some documentary projects which might mean a look at colour but I would imagine that I would be happy with one stock and one lens. Considering a 210 Fuji 5.6 to start with.

5x7 lends itself to traveling over the 10x8 and I prefer the aspect ratio and the jump is significant over the 4x5. I realise stock is more limited but still I think if Ilford stay in business I'll be as happy with them as I was back in the Eighties.

I'm keen to see the tonal qualities of film of course and the detail possible and will likely scan for digital output. I am looking forward to developing again at home, been a long time since I did. Definitely keen to explore contact prints.

[Tin Can]

Welcome Tommy!

[TommyW]

Hi Tin. Cheers.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Welcome from Canada!

[Andrew Plume]

Hi Tin. Cheers.

Welcome Tony, 'Tin' is actually Randy Moe but he changed his user name on here some time last year

good luck

Andrew

[TommyW]

Cheers Andrew and thanks for that. Hi Randy.