Official. I'm in love with 8x10

User avatar
Alastair Moore
Site Admin
Posts: 668
Joined: 26 Jul 2012, 09:29
Location: Darwin, Australia
Contact:

Official. I'm in love with 8x10

Postby Alastair Moore » 16 Jun 2013, 23:20

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.

Andrew Nichols
Posts: 181
Joined: 11 Dec 2012, 17:19

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

Postby Andrew Nichols » 17 Jun 2013, 00:16

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.

Lachlan717
Posts: 505
Joined: 03 Aug 2012, 16:49

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

Postby Lachlan717 » 17 Jun 2013, 09:00

It's not too late to order some 11x14" in Ilford's 2013 ULF run.

You know that you want to...

Andrew Nichols
Posts: 181
Joined: 11 Dec 2012, 17:19

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

Postby Andrew Nichols » 17 Jun 2013, 09:04

50" wet plate?

User avatar
Alastair Moore
Site Admin
Posts: 668
Joined: 26 Jul 2012, 09:29
Location: Darwin, Australia
Contact:

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

Postby Alastair Moore » 17 Jun 2013, 09:50

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...?

Walter Glover
Posts: 1270
Joined: 31 Jul 2012, 22:31
Location: Leichhardt, NSW

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

Postby Walter Glover » 17 Jun 2013, 10:44

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.
Walter Glover

"We see things not as they are. We see them as we are."
Emanuel Kant

Lachlan717
Posts: 505
Joined: 03 Aug 2012, 16:49

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

Postby Lachlan717 » 17 Jun 2013, 11:13

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.

User avatar
thoughtfactory
Posts: 47
Joined: 12 May 2013, 18:07
Location: Encounter Bay, Victor Harbor, South Australia
Contact:

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

Postby thoughtfactory » 17 Jun 2013, 21:16

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.
Last edited by thoughtfactory on 17 Jun 2013, 21:28, edited 1 time in total.

Walter Glover
Posts: 1270
Joined: 31 Jul 2012, 22:31
Location: Leichhardt, NSW

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

Postby Walter Glover » 17 Jun 2013, 21:20

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.
Walter Glover

"We see things not as they are. We see them as we are."
Emanuel Kant

Photomark
Posts: 38
Joined: 16 Jun 2013, 17:43
Location: Central Coast NSW

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

Postby Photomark » 20 Jun 2013, 13:02

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


Return to “Community Chat”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 23 guests

cron