Is There ANY Reason To NOT Buy a 5x7 Today... COLOR NEGS Only?

[AugenStudios]

I posted a poll here to special order 5x7 color negative film - please vote:
https://www.massdrop.com/vote/5x7-color-negative-film
Thanks

 

[georgeqiao]

Thanks Augenstudios for opening the votes. I voted for all three. I prefer Portra than Ektar, but anything available is great.

Back to topic: I recently purchased a Chamonix 5x7 Horizontal Only camera which is my first view camera. The reason to choose 5x7 is multiply:
1. Large film size means more resolution and more subtle tonality.
2. I like the elongated format compared to the squarish 4x5. And for urban landscape or streets, I think 5x7 is more aesthetically appealing to me.
3. with a rotatable 4x5 back, I can still shoot 4x5, both horizontal and vertical. And the 5x7 Cham is only 4 pounds, even lighter than many 4x5s. It is larger, more beautiful, and more stable in my opinion.
4. It can accommodate a 6x17 back, so it is good for panorama use.
5. the larger ground glass makes it easier to see and to compose.

Overall I think 5x7 gives me more usable choices.


George

 

[DREW WILEY]

5x7 color film has always been a pain in the butt to get. If someone is determined, they can simply cut their own from 8x10; but now even that is only being periodically cut. Lucky I've got a freezer. I've always loved the proportions of 5x7, but my bigger concern is not the film per se. Nobody in this area has 5x7 holders for the dip n' dunk machines. But everyone still in the game has 4x5 and 8x10 C-41 and E-6 capacity.
But chrome film in sheets in nearing extinction anyway. Ektar and Portra whatever are very different films. And you'd really need both to satisfy
anything resembling a full spectrum of applications. But in certain ways, these are the best color neg films ever made.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Keith Canham is still working on a custom order of Ektar 100 in 5x7. He actually regularly organizes custom orders of ULF film from Kodak in various sizes, including the exotic ones like 12x20 and 14x17. So it can be had, just not at the drop of a hat. You just need to plan (and budget) ahead so you can place an order for multiple boxes and then stash it. I bought two boxes of Portra 160 in 5x7 the last time B&H had it in stock. I would have bought more were it not $300+ a box (50 sheets). And now that I've tried C-41 at home (caveat: I have a Jobo, which makes life sooooo much easier), I'm not worried about having a lab locally to process it - C-41 at home, once you have temperature control worked out, is a piece of cake. If you don't have a Jobo, you can build a tempering box out of a large plastic tub, an aquarium heater, and an aquarium circulating pump. Keeping C-41 chems within 1 degree of accuracy is then pretty easy.

 

[MattKing]

I just noticed all the hubbub because of my initial post (apparently not moderated into oblivion?). FTR, I am not rabid anything, including analog, except perhaps common sense. It is very telling that I cannot post a direct opinion without such criticism. There is no point in me posting anything either as subjective or objective observation that doesn't go along with the crowd any longer. Very, very telling, and shameful that I cannot have my own take on the limited information given in the OP. I wasn't even aware of the seeds of discord being sown, 2 years hence. I really thought O&F was seeking all views, and mine was as valuable as others. Believe me, O&F, I feel the very same as you about ever posting here again, if for different reasons. You people need to get out more.

You just responded to a 2.5 year old post.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I wish I could delete that post, ROL. I have somewhat diminished mental capacity and I was drinking at the time. Bad mix... very very bad mix.

 

[ROL]

You just responded to a 2.5 year old post.

…and yet, so timely. Even more criticism! You won't have to worry about it anymore.

 

[MattKing]

I wish I could delete that post, ROL. I have somewhat diminished mental capacity and I was drinking at the time. Bad mix... very very bad mix.

Contact the moderators and ask. The worst they can say is "no".

Just click the "Report Post" link at the bottom left of the offending post.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I should have done that long ago, Matt, but it might be a bit of a hassle for the moderators to read through and clean up several posts. Hey, it lets folks know what I mindless boob I can be anyway. I am who I am... might as well see me in my full buttnaked ugliness.