oh so new it hurts...help 10x8 madness

[newboybobby]

Evening all..

I'm a snapper by trade up north in sunny scotland and am now diving in to large format for the first time...previously a 35mm/120mm boy.

I'm looking for some expert advice on what, when, where and how.....maybe why?

Bascially I want to shoot a portraits project on 8x10 or 10x8? (which is it?)....B/W...basic old school....outdoors...insitu portraits...i think..

I need a hardy 10x8 plate camera that is easy to use in the field and will with stand some serious use and abuse....outside...in rail, hail, snow, sea spray etc etc.
I also need a standard portrait lens for 10x8 to go with it....is that 300mm or 210mm....?

I've no idea really...of brand, style, make , model etc etc....as i said I'm so new it hurts. I've been all over t'internet to find a wealth of conflicting advice...so far i've worked out that i think i need a 10x8 field camera...with either of above lenses..and some plates..or dark slides sorry...oh and a big tripod....some 10x8 film...some nuns nickers....a big wallet....strong shoulders....er....help

So answers on a post card please...

Thanks very much for all or any help!

Best wishes

Rob

[Bob McCarthy]

Outside, rain, hail, saltspray???

Nothing metal I would think,

then it should be wood, = cheap, either new from orient or old from USA/EU.

I would say deardorff, but they atre becoming dear and using one that way may be near criminal.

360 is a great portrait lens for 8x10.

bob

[Vick Vickery]

Welcome to group therepy, Rob. Its 8x10 where I live, 10x8 where you are...never have been able to understand how y'all got that twisted around backwards! :)

300mm is considered "normal" for an 8x10...er, 10x8...so a lens a little longer should be great for portraits, though I've noticed that portrait photographers don't seem to go as long a lens, relatively speaking, in the larger formats as they do in the smaller formats. For example, many use a 100mm lens for portraits in 35mm, twice normal, while few use a 600mm in 8x10, most using a 350mm to 400mm instead, or even the normal 300mm many times. For some reason (those smarter than me can explain this) the better "modeling" perspective from the longer lenses that seems to be needed in smaller formats isn't critical in the big formats.

[Bruce Barlow]

Go with a 355, and rethink how much "negative space" you can live with. If it's more, then you get more depth of field with any lens.

Richard Ritter's wood/aircraft aluminum/carbon fiber 10x8 would survive your climate. New, and more expensive, but you're worth it.

[sully75]

Just to throw it out there, have you considered a 5x7? It's halfway between an 8x10 and a 4x5, works pretty amazingly well as a portrait camera and is much cheaper. Just a thought...

[aduncanson]

If you really mean all of that adverse weather then:

http://www.walkercameras.com/XL_8x10.html

and perhaps a top hat lens board, (or talk to Mr. Walker about making a longer version.)

And speaking of being separated by a common language. I never understand why Brits call film holders "dark slides" or "double dark slides".

Welcome & good luck - Alan