Really Big ULF Users; a few questions...

[Reinhold Schable]

Really Big ULF Users; a few questions...
You folks that drive honkin' big ULF's (16x20 & larger)...

Are you mostly fim shooters, or do you blend your own?
How important is a razor sharp image to you?
Or do you gravitate to a more mellow image quality?
Do you Chaps&Gals use these behemoths for portraits?, grand landscapes?,
high end advertising?, Gandolfi style art?...???
What focal lengths and apertures are you looking for?
Is a shutter mandatory?

Just curious.

Reinhold

www.Re-inventedPhotoEquip.com

[Andrew O'Neill]

I use a 14x17 which is pretty darn close to 16x20. Shooting xray film. I like sharp images but sometimes some out of focus areas are appropriate. Don't do portraits or advertising. Rarely do landscapes. I'm into architecture and historical things. Not sure what Gandolfi style art is. I use 4 lenses. 300 Nikkor, 355 G-Claron, 450 Nikkor, 600 Fujinon. All in shutters. I use whatever apeture will do the job. Lots of people shoot ULF without shutters.

[William Whitaker]

Are you mostly fim shooters, or do you blend your own?

You mean film vs. wet plate? Film here with an interest in paper negatives.
How important is a razor sharp image to you?

Not important.
Or do you gravitate to a more mellow image quality?

Mellow is not the word. I'm interested in mood as much as anything.
Do you Chaps&Gals use these behemoths for portraits?, grand landscapes?, high end advertising?, Gandolfi style art?...???

Not necessarily portraits or landscapes, but yes, portraits and landscapes. And more. I exclude nothing. If by Gandolfi-style art you mean Emil Schildt, yes, I would like to work in that direction. (If only!...)
What focal lengths and apertures are you looking for?

750mm would be nice. Something around ƒ/6? But faster would be nice, if practical.
Is a shutter mandatory?

No.