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Official. I'm in love with 8x10

Posted: 16 Jun 2013, 23:20
by Alastair Moore
I'm not sure I can go back to my previous sweetheart (4x5). I finally got out with my new Tachihara, which I brought along for a friend's engagement party at McKell Park in Double Bay. To say the camera caused a stir is not doing it justice. It was quite the centre of attention. I took 4 film holders loaded with TMax 400 and captured 4 images. I developed them earlier this afternoon and I think it's fair to say they're the best negatives I've ever developed. I'll scan them and post them up this week.

I'm beginning to think the workflow with 8x10 is easier (for me, at least) than 4x5 because of restrictions it enforces. Because of the size I've found I'm restricted, in a good way, to how I work with this format - I have to load the film holders in a dark room rather than fumbling around with my change bag. I have no other option but to develop the negatives with trays. I'm also limited to the number of film holders I can take on an outing and I only have a single lens that I can use with the camera (unless my 210mm Caltar does in fact have enough coverage - I suspect it won't after all). I feel like I'm going back even further to basics.

And when I was shooting with the camera, as it's such a huge area to compose with and I'm going to be contact printing, what I see is exactly what I get. It was simple. I can only begin to imagine how the ULF guys experience composing an image. Developing the negatives was a pleasure. I developed two sheets at a time in slightly larger than 8x10 trays and found agitating and shuffling through those two sheets so easy compared with 4x5. I don't think I've been this excited and fired up about photography in a while (and I'm generally very excited about photography).

Anyway, I'll finish now but really excited and inspired at the moment. I think the camera will be coming to work with me tomorrow for some lunchtime shooting.

Re: Official. I'm in love with 8x10

Posted: 17 Jun 2013, 00:16
by Andrew Nichols
Good stuff and welcome to the 108 window

108 is also a sacred number
Used in all meditation beads etc I think even rosary but not sure.

Not that it's relevant, I just like the fact.

Re: Official. I'm in love with 8x10

Posted: 17 Jun 2013, 09:00
by Lachlan717
It's not too late to order some 11x14" in Ilford's 2013 ULF run.

You know that you want to...

Re: Official. I'm in love with 8x10

Posted: 17 Jun 2013, 09:04
by Andrew Nichols
50" wet plate?

Re: Official. I'm in love with 8x10

Posted: 17 Jun 2013, 09:50
by Alastair Moore
Lachlan717 wrote:It's not too late to order some 11x14" in Ilford's 2013 ULF run.

You know that you want to...


11x14? Not big enough! 20x24 and perhaps we'll be talking! No.. can't buy any more camera gear. Must resist.. 8x10 is big enough! Isn't it...?

Re: Official. I'm in love with 8x10

Posted: 17 Jun 2013, 10:44
by Walter Glover
8x10 is where it lives for me Alastair. You can still take in the entire composition under a horse blanket with your arms still reaching controls.

In time you will encounter some of the limitations such as depth of field and shutter speed with a bellows the size of a spinnaker.

It is a lovely thing, and as you may recall I considered venturing there once again and flogged off the kit. Saddest part was that 36mm lens I had.

I abhor tray processing and would need to be able to use a Jobo and Expert drums again to be happy.

Have you checked your negs yet for density build up at the edges with the tray processing.

Re: Official. I'm in love with 8x10

Posted: 17 Jun 2013, 11:13
by Lachlan717
Alastair Moore wrote: 8x10 is big enough! Isn't it...?


If you have to ask the question, then you know the answer…

Just don't look at any of Clyde Butcher's 12x20" landscapes and you might be okay.

Re: Official. I'm in love with 8x10

Posted: 17 Jun 2013, 21:16
by thoughtfactory
I find that I also go back to basics with 8x1o: load the film holders in a dark room, one lens, a few film holders, right conditions, limited post processing in Lightroom or Silver Efex Pro. There is lots of scoping before the shoot for me.

Re: Official. I'm in love with 8x10

Posted: 17 Jun 2013, 21:20
by Walter Glover
Strand, Evans and Weston got it right in the simplicity stakes in my book.

Keep it simple and honest. THAT is what 8x10 is all about to me. Truth and the perfect description of the lens.

Re: Official. I'm in love with 8x10

Posted: 20 Jun 2013, 13:02
by Photomark
I would love to go to 8x 10

I have always wanted to shoot with a 20 x 24 VLF :)

Almost bought an 8x 10 enlarger a few years ago but it would not fit any where in my house or garage.

I have a Rodenstock 300mm Rodogon G lens that I think covers 8x10 , not to sure as I have never used it