11x14" vs. 7x17"

[cuypers1807]

It really depends on your subject matter. 11x14 would be more useful for a variety of subjects not being stuck in a landscape format. The film is more readily available and cheaper. I love my Chamonix 11x14. I mostly shoot portraits but I recently got a half frame dark slide to shoot 5x14 panos and love the almost 1:3 format.

[Michael Roberts]

For a direct comparison, why not 11x14 vs 8x20? 154 vs 160 square inches?

If you just want a 40% ratio option, you can always shoot two 4x10s on a single sheet of 8x10 using a 4x10 splitter.

https://www.largeformatphotography.i...=1#post1520725

[Vaughn]

It really depends on your subject matter. 11x14 would be more useful for a variety of subjects not being stuck in a landscape format. The film is more readily available and cheaper. I love my Chamonix 11x14. I mostly shoot portraits but I recently got a half frame dark slide to shoot 5x14 panos and love the almost 1:3 format.

I just measured the image area of one of my 'half-frame' 11x14s...close enough to 5" x 13.5".

I find it best to compose the image on the upper half of the GG of my Chamonix 11x14 (using Fidelity holders), as the half-frame darkslide seats flat that way. I have had it slip when composed on the bottom half and ended up with one crooked edge on the neg.

[unityofsaints]

11X14 film is easier to buy and cheaper

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...3122%3A11x14in

X-Ray 11X14 film fits more holders than 7X17

For someone based in the U.S. that's true but if importing the film (like me), can be cheaper, e.g. there is ADOX CHS at 6.50 euro per sheet.

Not necessarily true. Without having the exact number handy, I'd guess that my 7x17 Korona is substantially lighter than any 11x14 I'm aware of. Regardless, if that's a major consideration you really have to compare the particular models you're considering, not assume that as a generalization. Also check the film holder weights.

Yes it was a gross generalisation but the point I was trying to make was that if weight is important, one can get a camera in the 5.5 - 6 KG range in either format.

No difference in complexity of developing the film.

20th Century Camera makes reels for 2 sheets per drum for 11x14 and if tray processing, smaller tray sizes can be used. With 7x17 you are limited to print drums, which puts it into the same "complexity category" in my mind as all formats bigger than that up to 20x24.

For a direct comparison, why not 11x14 vs 8x20? 154 vs 160 square inches?

8x20 is heavier, harder to develop and needs lenses with much bigger coverage. For example I have an 8x10 kit already and some of those lenses will cover 11x14 / 7x17 while stopped down but there's no hope of that being the case with 8x20.

[Oren Grad]

Yes it was a gross generalisation but the point I was trying to make was that if weight is important, one can get a camera in the 5.5 - 6 KG range in either format.

FWIW, the catalog spec for the 7x17 Korona is 10 lb / ~4.5 kg. Up to you whether that's enough of a difference to matter for your purposes.

[Tin Can]

I have drums, but only use trays for 7X17 and 11X14

Not quite there for 14x17, I better hurry this winter

[cuypers1807]

I just measured the image area of one of my 'half-frame' 11x14s...close enough to 5" x 13.5".

I find it best to compose the image on the upper half of the GG of my Chamonix 11x14 (using Fidelity holders), as the half-frame darkslide seats flat that way. I have had it slip when composed on the bottom half and ended up with one crooked edge on the neg.

Vaughn, I haven't had a problem with the HF darkslide slipping when using Chamonix holders. I don't think they recommend their use for other holders.

[Vaughn]

I have had it happen with 4x10, also. Not often, and not when I double check the how well the modified darkslide is seated before exposure. I have to expose on the upper or lower, so now just go with the upper unless I need to be exact on border placement on the upper portion of the image.

I made my own HF darkslide for my 11x14 Fidelity holders (metal). It definitely will not fit in SS holders.

[unityofsaints]

Well, I took the plunge on a Canham 7x17. I'm not looking forward to completely changing my development and contact printing process but hopefully it will be worth it. The slightly lower weight and it fitting inside my existing backpack ended up being big factors.

[Tin Can]

Very good!