For those who shoot 8x10

[c6h6o3]

I make 4x5 and 8x10 contact prints. I'm going to get a 5x7 back for my bigger camera. Wonderful size for contact printing.

 

[juan]

I make 8x10 contact prints.

Another thing to consider is that more types of film are avaliable for 8x10 than 5x7. Of course 8x10 can be cut down if you are handy.

If weight is a consideration, look into modifying a baby stroller made for jogging - the ones with the three large wheels. There are threads on the topic here on APUG. I modified one and use it to push around about 80-lbs of equipment. Recently made an 8-mile hike through the Florida swamp in the summer heat. I could never have done it without the stroller.
juan

 

[luvmydogs]

Juan,

I have to say that the baby jogger idea sounds quite ingenious! BUT...we just spent over $800 on a top of the line baby jogger so we can lug around...yup, you guessed it, our baby, so I don't think I'd be able to convert that jogger into a camera equipment carrier any time soon!!

 

[Ian Grant]

No

In switching to 10"x8" thats all I inteneded to do, I rarely print much larger from 5"x4" negatives.

However the first glimpse of my first 10x8 neg screamed enlarge, so months later with a 10"x8" enlarger all I can say is it really is worth it.

Uan

Do you guys mostly do contact prints only?

 

[John Kasaian]

IMHO, Go for an 8x10---you sound like you'll get there eventually so you might as well start off with one! ;-)

 

[luvmydogs]

Thanks so much guys!

I have pretty much decided to go with the 8x10. Will post to update!

 

[dphphoto]

Hi: does anyone feel in the least bit funny about contaction on enlarging paper? (I see that df cardwell does this; by the way, love the Red Wings logo.) I used Azo back in the day, before Kodak changed it. I'm now getting excellent results on Adox, from JandC Photography, which gives a scale close to the old Azo. I just don't have time and money for pl/pd; I can barely afford 8X10 film. Besides, I prefer the look of silver paper anyway. Dean

 

[John Kasaian]

dphphoto,

Feel funny? You mean like being exposed to too much Rodinal funny?;-)
What matters is if you're satisfied with your print---whether a paper is marketed as enlarging paper or contact paper isn't really an issue for me(though I am very sorry to see AZO go!) FWIW, I'm going to experiment with FOMA 111 and Kentmere the next paper buying go-round. Will I feel funny? Hmmm.....that depends on the ventilation I guess.

 

[dphphoto]

Hi John: I guess by funny I mean I feel maybe just a little bit guilty because I'm not using a "real" contact process. Of course the image counts above all other factors, and as I mentioned I'm really happy with Adox.
I'm using Kentmere Fineprint VC glossy for enlarging 4X5 negs; great stuff. And I've heard some rumors about somebody somewhere making a new Azo like silver chloride paper. Maybe they'll even make it double weight.
Rodinal? I've always used HC110. Dean

 

[Scott-Tx]

i recently overcame the rational side of my brain and made the jump to 8x10. i decided against an 8x10 camera w/4x5 reducing back becuse i'm reasonably certain that the majority of the time i'll still be shooting 4x5. i did not want to carry around an 8x10 camera 100% of the time to use on 5% of my shots. it's true that with an 8x10 camera you get more bellows, but my 4x5 arca swiss f-line now can shoot from 60mm - 600mm with the same bellows, so that bacame a non-issue. what made more sense than the 8x10 w/ 4x5 reducing back route was to buy an arca and the 8x10 format conversion. this way i can still shoot both formats with the same camera, but the camera is only as big as the format i'm choosing to work with.

good luck!
scott

 

[PULLATAB]

I use a salzman enlarger I picked up for scrap, It will go to 11x14. but use it for 8x10 and smaller. use a 300 5.6 rodagon enlarger lens on it that I traded for. If you can be patient, a machine someone wants to get rid of will come up for sale, You can use a 355 g-claron or 360 apo ronar for both camera lens and enlarger lens to save $$$, an apo-graphigon lens by rodenstock is also a good choice. A 16x20 enlargement is stunning as you only have a 2x enlargement factor. The real problem is trying to find the grain to focus with! I love contact prints as well, but there are times I want to crop and with a larger neg, there is plenty of extra enlargement factor built in.