8x10 With 5x7 Back - Any Disadvantages?

[seadrive]

Hi guys and gals,

I use only 5x7 right now, but I may be able to pick up an 8x10 with a 5x7 back at a good price. Since I only make contact prints anyway, I may at some time pick up an 8x10 back, and give 8x10 a try.

Other than the additional weight and bulk, are there any disadvantages to using a camera with a reducing back? Wouldn't everything else be the same?

TIA!

Steve

 

[jonw]

Based on my experiences, albeit limited, my V8 w/ a 4x5 and 5x7 reducing backs work wonderful....the exception you noted is the increase in hauling mass. For the hikes...I have a 4x5 tachihara which is a dream...I did have a 5x7 expansion back for it, but found its angle of view was somewhat limiting for close ups and I just did not use it enough and have since sold it. Hopefully to a home which uses it more than I did.
Jon

 

[Roger Hicks]

Hi guys and gals,

I use only 5x7 right now, but I may be able to pick up an 8x10 with a 5x7 back at a good price. Since I only make contact prints anyway, I may at some time pick up an 8x10 back, and give 8x10 a try.

Other than the additional weight and bulk, are there any disadvantages to using a camera with a reducing back? Wouldn't everything else be the same?

TIA!

Steve

Dear Steve,

Possibly, bellows compression limiting the use of extreme wide-angles such as 110/5.6 Super-Symmar XL. Otherwise, no probs.

Cheers,

R.

 

[JG Motamedi]

I own a 5x7 Canham and a 8x10 Deardorff; Since getting a 5x7 reducing back for the Deardorff I haven't used the Canham. Now I am not a hiker (at least not with my LF cameras), so the extra size and weight of the Deardorff are irrelevant. Rather, the Deardorff provides me with longer bellows and larger lensboards. Theoretically, the larger bellows of the Deardorff also reduces flare, although I have yet to see any evidence of this.

 

[Nick Zentena]

Check how wide the 8x10 goes. If the widest lens you want to use is okay then it's not an issue.

 

[seadrive]

Thanks, guys!

 

[StreetShooter]

I don't really see a downside other than the weight of the camera... you'll certainly be able to use much longer lenses on the camera. For example, if you have the Dorff 8x10 and a Dorff 4x5 and you want to use a long, long lens on 4x5... you'll be able to do that with the 8x10 because of the longer bellows available, whereas it may be a challenge on the 4x5.

And, as JG suggested... less flare!

Cheers

 

[MenacingTourist]

I recently picked up an 8x10 with 5x7 and 4x5 backs. I've shot all three formats and really like using only one camera. I love having one sized lens board that is big enough to hold all my lenses and now I can try them out on 4x5 polaroid film.

Like everyone else, my other cameras have been collecting dust.

Alan.

 

[ewmoore]

Using a larger camera with a reducing back will generally result in reduced bellows flair.