I have seen the light.....and it is good

[Jim Rice]

Today i recieved my first lens for Margret (the magnesium C-1). Oh my sweet savior Jesus. Yes, I knew a 360 Caltar II-N (Sironar-N) was going to be big and sharp. Yes, I knew the 8x10" ground-glass image was going to be life changing. But I was woefully unprepared. I didn't mess my pants but that was mere luck on my part.

[Sheldon N]

Please don't say that. I really want to remain blissfully ignorant since I'm only shooting 4x5. :)

[Walter Calahan]

Shooting with 8x10 or larger is like look at the world through a window instead of a viewfinder.

4x5 is simply another small format. HA!

[Mark Stahlke]

Please don't say that. I really want to remain blissfully ignorant since I'm only shooting 4x5. :)

I thought that way too. Then I bought an 8x10 an I said "OH MY! Why did I wait so long?"

Cheers,
Mark

[Ron Marshall]

8x10 is a little too big. 5x7 is the "Goldilocks" format!

[Renee Galang]

This Sunday I will be going to Wilson's Promontory which is the southern most part of mainland Australia to try to use my 11x14 first time. I received my tmax400 from J and C today. I have been shooting 4x5 for the last six years and nothing else. Only had one camera. I can't wait until I see the light again through my only lens which is macro sironar 210. I can just imagine shooting 3:1 to 1:1 of new shoots from a burnt trunk of last years bush fire. It will something to behold am sure......

[Jim Rice]

Now an 11x14"......that's a REAL camera. And if if makes Sheldon feel any better, his lenscaps can still fit in his pockets.

[Sheldon N]

Now an 11x14"......that's a REAL camera. And if if makes Sheldon feel any better, his lenscaps can still fit in his pockets.

It does make me feel a little better. That may just be the selling point that drives me over the edge. :)

[Oren Grad]

I have just conducted a brief research project. Key finding: the lens caps from my 360 Caltar II-N fit in my pocket.

[Jim Rice]

You ain't right. Welcome to the club.

[Capocheny]

This Sunday I will be going to Wilson's Promontory which is the southern most part of mainland Australia to try to use my 11x14 first time. I received my tmax400 from J and C today. I have been shooting 4x5 for the last six years and nothing else. Only had one camera. I can't wait until I see the light again through my only lens which is macro sironar 210. I can just imagine shooting 3:1 to 1:1 of new shoots from a burnt trunk of last years bush fire. It will something to behold am sure......

Renee,

So... you're the guy who hired the last Sherpa!!!

And, I thought my 8x10 was large and heavy enough.

Cheers

[Jim Rice]

And Oren is even less right.

[Jim Rice]

And let's not even discuss the 105mm filter issue.

[Oren Grad]

Lens- and format-o-holics learn quickly that there are many advantages to leading a filter-free life.

[Oren Grad]

PS: the pocket used in the research project was a very ordinary one, too - the right-rear one on the ragged pair of LL Bean jeans that I'm wearing right now. Sheldon is doomed. ;)

[Renee Galang]

Capocheny,
Not yet with this camera but with my previous zone vi camera your definitely right on the target! You see I do a lot of expedition fieldwork in the jungle of central Panay island mountain ranges in the Philippines. April 2005 I discovered a new species of rafflesia (see www.rafflesialobata.org) 25 kms walk from the coastal town to deep in the jungle. I photograph this new species using my 4x5 April 2006 but I wasn't happy with it because the flower is over 20 cm in diametre so I really need a 8x10 at least. But my new 11x14 for sure will be enough so I have to go back in the jungle with a few porters to carry my gears.
I do this expedition all the time and very soon I will be organising a guided ecotourism package for tourists and even photographers (no matter what beasties of a camera you use).

[Brian Ellis]

I've owned three 8x10 cameras. Each time I assembled the sytems, loaded the back pack, and headed out I've said Oh my sweet savior Jesus, please let me recoup my costs when I sell this stuff now that I can actually feel how heavy the thing is.

[Sal Santamaura]

8x10 is a little too big. 5x7 is the "Goldilocks" format!Nope. 5x7 is still too small. Wholeplate (6 1/2 x 8 1/2) is "just right."

[erie patsellis]

And let's not even discuss the 105mm filter issue.

Am I in the minority that has gone the behind the lens gel route?

erie

[Ron Marshall]

Nope. 5x7 is still too small. Wholeplate (6 1/2 x 8 1/2) is "just right."

Archaic!

[Oren Grad]

Archaic!

Just right! :)

[Sal Santamaura]

Archaic!Now's the time to make it current again. Ilford will sell your choice of 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 films. Many are shooting them using older cameras. I and at least one other person are having new holders and cameras built. Join the wholeplate rebirth!

[Ron Marshall]

Now's the time to make it current again. Ilford will sell your choice of 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 films. Many are shooting them using older cameras. I and at least one other person are having new holders and cameras built. Join the wholeplate rebirth!

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5406/570/1600/ilford%20odd%20sizes.jpg

[John Kasaian]

Jim,

Ahhhh-8x10! Isn't it grand? I remember the first time I looked at a big ground glass---beautiful! I almost get vertigo with a 12x20---it gives me the feeling I might fall in!

[Oren Grad]

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5406/570/1600/ilford%20odd%20sizes.jpg

FYI, I've already used up most of the box on top, though I've got a bunch more stashed away. Haven't cracked open the one on the bottom yet, though that should happen shortly as I'm down to the last few sheets of my old stock of Photo Warehouse-cut 6.5x8.5 film.

Funky formats forever!

[Ralph Barker]

Jim - good to hear Margret now has an eye. I'm sure she'll express her gratitude in a pleasingly visual way. ;)

[Capocheny]

Capocheny,
Not yet with this camera but with my previous zone vi camera your definitely right on the target! You see I do a lot of expedition fieldwork in the jungle of central Panay island mountain ranges in the Philippines. April 2005 I discovered a new species of rafflesia (see www.rafflesialobata.org) 25 kms walk from the coastal town to deep in the jungle. I photograph this new species using my 4x5 April 2006 but I wasn't happy with it because the flower is over 20 cm in diametre so I really need a 8x10 at least. But my new 11x14 for sure will be enough so I have to go back in the jungle with a few porters to carry my gears.
I do this expedition all the time and very soon I will be organising a guided ecotourism package for tourists and even photographers (no matter what beasties of a camera you use).

Hi Renee,

Congratulations on the recent discovery... that's quite an accomplishment!

A short 25 km hike with an 11x14 and accompanying accessories... did you say mules? :)

Sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

Cheers

[Jim Rice]

It's amazing, John,
And, Ralph, she considers herself a camera now.

[Jim Rice]

which i cannot dispute her.

[Jim Rice]

After all, She's got a howitzer on her front standard......who am I to argue?