Cheapest/easiest way into 8x10?

[welly]

Hi chaps,

While I'm still trying to nail 4x5, I'm considering dipping my toe into 8x10 at some point in the near-ish future. I have my Sinar F2 which I'm very happy with. I would certainly consider getting additional standards/bellows etc. to turn this into an 8x10 if that's the easiest way otherwise I assume a whole new camera would be the alternative. As regards to lenses, I have 90, 150 and 210mm lenses (sinaron and the 150 is a nikon). I'm guessing the image circle on these lenses wouldn't be big enough for 8x10 and so a new lens would be required too?

Thanks,

Welly

[welly]

Try the old Calumet Green Monster, the 8x10 bulletproof camera that is inexpensive on the used market. A 300 f/9 Nikkor M lens will do you well. Two to six holders should fill out the kit nicely. You already have a dark cloth though a bigger one could be in order. You can make them easily. A solid tripod is a must so if yours isn't big enough plan for that addition.

In the darkroom, brush development, one sheet at a time in the dark and you can get by with smooth bottom 8x10 trays and scratched film will be almost non-existant. Clothes pins to hang the film to dry, a contact printing frame and you are in business.

I say the big Calumet camera because they work well, are inexpensive and many of them on the used market. Not as precise as your Sinar gear but it will do the job well.

Thanks for the suggestions there, I'll certainly have a look out for that camera. I'm not that precise with my Sinar either so I'm sure it'll do the job nicely I develop my B+W 4x5 sheets in a Paterson Orbital which works with 8x10 too so would be set up fine for developing.

So, a Calumet, a lens and a few film holders. I can do that. I tripod is quite substantial so I'm good for that. Onto the ebay I go!

Cheers!

[Gem Singer]

Hi Welly,

Keep your eyes peeled for a Sinar 8x10 conversion kit for your F2.

They sometimes show up on eBay.

Pick up a Nikkor f9 300M, and you have a very versatile kit.

The 300M is also a great long lens for 4x5 and a nice companion for your 150 Nikkor.

[Bob McCarthy]

If your looking for a 8x10 changing kit, I have one in excellent shape. You'll need to get a rear 8x10 F standard. Stephanie, here on the site had one that looked very nice, he was asking $200.

I can let you have the kit for what I have in it. $500.

bob

[welly]

Hi Welly,

Keep your eyes peeled for a Sinar 8x10 conversion kit for your F2.

They sometimes show up on eBay.

Pick up a Nikkor f8 300M, and you have a very versatile kit.

The 300M is also a great long lens for 4x5 and a nice companion for your 150 Nikkor.

I'll certainly look out for one of those lenses. The conversion kit was the route I thought I would probably be going down but thought I'd see what other options are. No luck at the moment on ebay for conversion kits but I'll keep my peepers open.

[welly]

If your looking for a 8x10 changing kit, I have one in excellent shape. You'll need to get a rear 8x10 F standard. Stephanie, here on the site had one that looked very nice, he was asking $200.

I can let you have the kit for what I have in it. $500.

bob

Will drop you a private message!

[Walter Calahan]

Get an 8x10 pinhole camera.

http://www.pinholecamera.com/prices.html

[welly]

Get an 8x10 pinhole camera.

http://www.pinholecamera.com/prices.html

Actually, that's not a bad idea. Would get me handling and developing 8x10 film, I could start getting some 8x10 film holders and in the mean time could start building up what I need for 8x10 on my sinar (or get onto saving up for a 8x10 field camera). Food for thought and only $200!

[Kirk Fry]

If you have to buy a M 300mm Nikkor, you should also consider a 12 or 14 in Commercial Ektar in good condition for less money. Agfa-Ansco 8X10's are pretty good starter cameras too for not a lot of loot. Majestic Tripods have a reputation of being very solid and come up cheap frequently (Mine is a niffty light weight 19 lb). KFry

[jp]

I've spent so far of my 8x10 gear:
$350 really nice B&J 8x10 field camera
$195 scheider 300/5.6 symmar s lens with perfect shutter (it's fault is a dent on the filter threads)
$100 film holders
$0 homemade lensboard out of scrap birch plywood.
$40 65.1mm holesaw bit at home depot.

Just read that in 1939, Eliot Porter spend $400 on a 8x10 camera and lens. Many of us can do that for pretty close to that today if we're not real fussy or don't mind fixing bellows, having lenses in need of CLA, etc...