If you could keep only 2 of these 3 cameras, which would you keep and why (assuming you have no other cameras)? I'm just curious to hear people's reasons and I'm considering only format aesthetics for contact printing, not weight, cost, etc. I guess another way of asking this is which 2 formats complement each other best? I may need to make this decision in the near future. Thanks!
The formats are WP (6.5" X 8.5"), 5" X 12" and 7" X 11".
When I was 16 I thought my father the stupidest man in the world; when I reached 21, I was astounded by how much he had learned in just 5 years!
-appropriated from Mark Twain
Richard,
An interesting question.
Were it me, and ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, I would ditch the WP. Why? Because anything that would fit on WP would fit on the 7x11 (mark the GG for WP size if you must). To me that is an easy decision....
BUT, SINCE ALL THINGS AREN'T EQUAL.... I would also need to consider the availability of film. How easy is it to acquire or cut down each of the sizes? 11x14 could be cut down to 7x11, 8x10 can be cut down to WP, and I guess 11x14 could be cut down to 5x12. This analogy might lead to a different decision. I'm not sure I'd want both of my formats dependant on the availability of 11x14 film. I have to believe 8x10 film will be available long after 11x14 has disappeared. That means keep the WP!
I think I now understand your dilemna....
Yes, we have no banana's.
IF forced to solve this dilemma I would go stark raving mad. I always say the last camera standing would be the 7X11, but typically I only use it once a year or so.
I think you should have a 9X9 back and film holders built. 4 formats is a good square number.
Well, I've owned all three, and it was 5x12 that went.
But that was only because I strongly disliked the particular camera I had. As it happens, I've spent my darkroom time the last couple of weeks printing some 5x12 negatives I hadn't gotten around to back then. I kind of miss having the format.
IOW, glad to be of help.
Thanks Jim and Oren, thanks a lot...
OK so I should keep all 3 and take out (another) loan to cover the new financial crisis, right?
Unfortunately all 3 of mine are beautiful with no faults. Chamonix 7x11 and 5x12 and Ebony WP. Here's the 7x11 kit (the other 2 are similarly beautiful - now you see why this would be a difficlut choice had I not been convinced by Jim and Oren to take out a loan instead to cover my sons' University beer money
When I was 16 I thought my father the stupidest man in the world; when I reached 21, I was astounded by how much he had learned in just 5 years!
-appropriated from Mark Twain
Richard,
This additional information makes the decision MUCH, MUCH easier......
Keep the cameras and sell the kid!
LOL..hmmm...wonder how many cameras I could get for them?!?Originally Posted by John Bowen
When I was 16 I thought my father the stupidest man in the world; when I reached 21, I was astounded by how much he had learned in just 5 years!
-appropriated from Mark Twain
Sell the beer!
"Complement each other best" is difficult to say in the abstract. It depends what aspect you think needs complementing. If you were putting together a show, I think WP and 5x12 would mix better because they're closer in overall picture area. OTOH, 7x11 feels distinctly larger than the other two, so if you want to have something small for subjects that feel small and something large for subjects that feel large...
If I had to cut back, WP would be the last one standing.
Make your son earn his own beer money! That what they call responsible parenting.
Wow, that is a nice set of cameras!
I am glad that I don't have to make this choice.`
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