4x5 vs 8x10 DOF for street photography

[aluncrockford]

I suggest a quick look at Stephen Shore, Joel Sternfeld, Joel Meyerowitz and Alec Soth to get an idea about the sort of street photography work that can be achieved with a 10/8 camera and whilst your at it check out dusseldorf school of photography and the exibition new topographics.
On the point of sharpness one of the most famous American photographs ever taken is soft, and it matters not a jot.

ttp://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/fsa/item/fsa1998021539/PP/

 

[JamesMorris]

With LF, you can easily push HP5 or other 400 ISO films without the typical 35mm shooter's concern for grain. I've yet to notice any at all shooting a crown graphic at 800, simply developed in D76 1+1.

You'll need 125/s at least to stop people motion in the street. With a 135mm press lens (or similar), you'll get reasonable DoF, and these older designs often shoot sharply at wider apertures. A press camera with a working rangefinder will help if you want to go hand-held (I use the wire frame and the RF).

Consider also using a flash like a Metz CL4.

I've been doing some handheld 4x5 like this for about a year and am about to start using a very lightweight tripod for LF street work, fwiw.