If you buy a camera and a lens used and later decide to sell you should get most of your money back if you bought at a fair price. This goes for 4x5 or 8x10.
If you want to shoot 8x10 you can pick up a battleship grey wooden Burke and James camera pretty cheap like a few hundred dollars. A 300mm f/5.6 lens in shutter can be had for about $300.00. Film holders in usable shape will run you $60.00 or more a piece for the later plastic versions. Wooden ones can be found cheaper. You can find a wooden Berlebach or metal Majestic tripod for less than $200 that will support an 8x10 camera.
What is going to get you is film costs. B&W isn't bad but color is expensive. You are going to burn through some film learning the process.
I shoot 8x10 b&w and 4x5 color. I own a 4x5 reducing back for my 8x10 camera.
If you really want to shoot 8x10 and can afford it then go for it. If you are unsure then start with 4x5.
Bookmarks