4x10 questions

[Nick_3536]

Is there any pre cut 4x10 being sold right now?

It seems the Shen Hao 4x10 back uses Canham type holders. I get the impression these have become more or less standard. Is that right?

I also get the impression people are using longer lenses with 4x10. Or at least not super wide.

Thanks

[Uusilehto]

Why not use half-a-darkslide in a 8x10" holder to cut allow for two 4x10" exposures on a single sheet?
Of course, with this method, there's the issue of running out of movements.

[Louie Powell]

B&S lists Bergger BFP200 on their site.

Kerry Thallmann did an article on this in View Camera a couple of years ago. My recollection is that the choice is between the Wisner (old x-ray) and Canham formats. Most camera makers except Wisner use the Canham format. The new Fotoman holders from China are Canham format, while the custom builders (AWB and S&S) may be able to do either.

[Nick_3536]

Why not use half-a-darkslide in a 8x10" holder to cut allow for two 4x10" exposures on a single sheet?
Of course, with this method, there's the issue of running out of movements.

Using the half dark slide saves buying 4x10 holders but that's the only real gain. 8x10 holders are bigger. I don't have that many 8x10 holders either :( The Shen 4x10 back isn't much more money then buying a new 8x10 holder.

I guess the pain will be carrying the 4x10 back in addition to the 8x10.

[Nick_3536]

B&S lists Bergger BFP200 on their site.



With Forte going away does Berger still produce film?

[Scott Squires]

I have both the Canham 8x10 wood and the Canham 4x10 wood. I have the 4x10 back for the 8x10 and it makes for a very nice setup and you can shoot horizontal and vertical 4x10 easily. The biggest problem is the size of the 8x10 camera. It requires that I carry an extra Gnass lens bag and film holder bag. No real big deal but on longer hikes it is a lot to carry.

The Canham 4x10 camera is much smaller and lighter and I can carry everything including 4 lenses and 3 holders in my backpack. I only have to carry my tripod over my shoulder. Also in the future I want to get the 4x5 back setup to change the 4x10 to 4x5 if I want to.

As far as film, I have been buying 4x10 Bergger 200 at B&H. When I use Velvia and I just cut 8x10 film. It is easy to do!

You can read my thoughts so far on 4x10 on my Website:

http://www.scottsquires.com/Large%20Format%20cameras.htm

Scott

[Nick_3536]

Scott those images look great. Almost makes me want to look for a colour 8x10 enlarger:D

[Brian Vuillemenot]

Nick,

Berger 200 is the only emulsion currently available in 4X10. Of course, it's not hard to cut 8X10 film in half in the dark, it just takes a bit of practice and getting used to. If you're used to sending 4X5 and/or 8X10 film out for E-6 processing (like I was), it can be hard to find a lab that will process 4X10, and you may end up paying as much for processing a 4X10 sheet as an 8X10- another advantage of using the half darkslide method. Of course, this doesn't apply if you process your own film. I've shot 4X10 both the half darkslide way and with a dedicated 4X10 camera, and while both has it's pros and cons, neither one is clearly better in all situations (for me). It depends on what I'm shooting, how far I need to hike, what types of images I'm looking to make, etc. One additional advantage to using the half darkslide method is that I can shoot 3 formats simultaneously- 8X10, 4X10, and 4X5 (with a reducing back).

Most of the currently available 4X10 cameras (Canham, Shen-Hao, Fotoman) use the Canham-style holders. Wisner 4X10s use a different size holder, but it's realtively easy to convert them to take the Canham-style holders (and Keith Canham will do this for you for a reasonable fee).

As far as lenses for 4X10, I prefer longer lenses, but I also have that preference in other formats. My favorite lens for 4X10 is the 450 mm Fujinon C. I use a 300 quite a bit as well, and the widest I usually go is a 210. Several times I've tried my 110 SS XL, but found it a bit too wide, and I also don't have a center filter. With the right subject, it could have spectacular results, though, so I haven't given up on it all together for 4X10. Best of luck with your exploration of this great format!

[vinny]

The split dark slide thing works but a splitter board that fits inside the 8x10 back is better. Here are my reasons:
1. You don't need to draw a line across your ground glass for composition purposes.
2. The board blocks out the portion of the ground glass you aren't using and that     means less distractions.
3. The board can stay in the camera so you'll know which portion of the last sheet you shot.
4. If you pull a holder from the camera with a 1/2 darkslide in it, the film is toast. I know no one here has done it right?
5. The 1/2 darkslide is another piece of equipment that needs to bee kept pretty clean.
that's it
correct me if i'm wrong
vinny

[John Kasaian]

Most Deardorffs and Anscos will accomodate sliders

[Nick_3536]

Thanks everybody. I like the idea of the 4x10 reducing back. It's not a perfect choice but it's a reasonable compromise for me.

[russyoung]

I own two 4x10 cameras:
1. Canham 5x7 with a 4x10 back
2. Alt-View by Patrick Alt

The Alt-view is the ultimately beautiful and light 4x10. Two lenses are perfect for it- the Nikkor M 300 and the Computar 210, which are also small and light and easily cover the format with the knowledge that I cannot run out of coverage given the amount of movement inherent to the camera design. It will focus a very short lens- although I'm not into that sort of perspective.

The Canham of course has the additional flexibility of being multi-format AND of focusing a Nikkor 450.

If I hike, the choice is easily the Alt-View. On a car trip, especially a protracted one, I generally take the Canham.

Hope this helps your decision process. Happy shooting.

Russ

[Nick_3536]

Assuming the Shen Hao factory and I can agree on everything:) I'm looking at the 8x10. Adding the 4x10 back isn't that much more. To be honest the 8x10 plus the 4x10 back and the 5x7 back would all together weigh less then my current 8x10.

The ALT sounds really light. How light is it?

[russyoung]

Nick-

The electronic scales give it as 4.95 pounds without a lens board... its also very fast on setup, critical here due to fast moving clouds.

Russ

[Nick_3536]

That's lighter then many 4x5s.

[vinny]

Fotoimpex has pre-cut 4x10 adox 100 in stock. It's not on their website.
http://www.fotomancamera.com/news.asp#587

vinny