Chatting with Walter recently via PM on the subject of suitable cameras for use in the later years of life, I happened to remark that I used to use a Toyo 810G "...here, there and everywhere." And I did. Walter also used 8x10, in all probability more frequently than I did. Now we both have trouble with 4x5 monorails in the field and are considering options for 4x5 folders.
When Ansel Adams was approaching 80 and someone asked him what camera he used, he replied, "The biggest one I can carry". Perhaps the words he may best be remembered by, since the generation of photographers he most influenced are probably approaching the reality of using LF in later years themselves and saying like me, "right on, Ansel".
The following photograph was done by me in 1987 and has a story to go with it...
The Three Sisters in Far East Gippsland is a spectacular outcrop of Devonian sandstone north of Cann River, where I was lucky enough to live for several years. I lugged the Toyo up from the car on the track below, through very steep scrub and eventually got to the place I wanted to be. No mean feat, since the camera itself and all its gear was contained in a box I'd made myself, and was supplemented by a heavy Manfrotto tripod. Looking back, I don't know how I did it. (But I was just shy of 44, and that may mean something.)
I set up the shot with lots of front rise, forward tilt, back tilt and camera tilted upwards. The 480 Apo-Ronar was at its maximum of image circle. Thought I was set to go when I realised I'd left the spot meter on the back seat of the car! Damn and double-damn! So I trekked back down for the meter and then back up to make the shot.
But I never liked the result, and this is the only print I have of it. The geometry is all wrong because I couldn't get enough rise with that lens. My only other lens was a 10" Commercial Ektar, which I don't think would have been suitable.
FP4 developed in ABC Pyro. 1 sec. exposure at f/32. Contact print on Gallery Gr.2 developed in Ansco 120 and toned with selenium 1+9 for 5 min.
Hope this raises a smile.