Bigger is NOT better.

Each film format has it's advantages and limitations. Film format choice strongly depends on the intended goals of any print.

~What are your print goals?~

IMO and experience, 8x10 and larger is best when contact printed. Once you're at 8x10 sheet film there are serious limitations on choice of optics, overall size and mass of all hardware involved and more. Add film cost and all post camera related to 8x10 makes it a rather serious commitment.

Step down one sheet film size to 5x7 or 4x5, the difficulties completely change in every way. Choice of optics for 5x7 is extremely wide and easily available, enlarger reasonable for a home dark room, makes very reasonable contact prints with camera and all related being slightly more physically than 4x5.

That said, 4x5 is the better choice to begin with. Once up the view camera and sheet film learning curve with 4x5, the transition to a larger film format size is easier in many ways.

It is very possible to upgrade the current enlarger in your darkroom to a 5x7 floor standing enlarger (Durst 138 or De Vere 507) allowing prints to be made from film size up to 5x7 & 13x18cm with not much more darkroom real estate demands. Both Durst or De Vere enlargers are extremely good at projecting-enlarging smaller film formats to 35mm or smaller with the proper add-ons. Doing the same with a 8x10 enlarger is going to be an "interesting" experience and expense.

Essentially, skip looking at film format size alone and consider all involved with making the finished print. Larger film alone will NOT produce a better print.



Bernice