Help! Please break my assumptions about choosing 4×5 camera!

DREW WILEY said:

But I also have a little Ebony 4x5 folder which is getting more and more desirable as I continue to age well into my 70's.

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Is the minimum extension on the Ebony SV45 models really 85mm? Say it ain't so, Joe. Say it ain't so!

the SV isn't the best for wide angle lenses, the SW is much better.
Ebony literature says:
85-445mm (55/590mm with tilts/rise)
(35-47mm lenses with recessed boards)

I have the "universal" bellows on my Ebony SV45, half bag/half pleated. It works quite well. But the problem with the single extension bed is that if you rack it too far back for wide angle usage, there is relatively little gear engagement with the track, so rear stability is highly compromised. How I cure that is with a little plastic door hinge shim (wedge-shaped), temporarily pressed in from behind. I find this necessary for lenses 120mm or less. But anything as short as an 80 would probably need a recessed lensboard as well.

The other direction, the SV45 can handle regular (non-tele)
lenses up to 360 mm just fine, provided front and rear base tilts are used as well as full the focal track to achieve maximum bellows extension. The cited 500 mm plus focal lengths would require a tele.

Craig said:

The resolution may be fine, but the tonality is different from a larger negative which is enlarged less than a smaller negative. In blind tests, I found people always preferred a print made from the larger negative.

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"Blind tests" of a visual work?

...I know what you mean, but...

I started with a Calumet monorail, but it was such a hassle (for me) to transport, set up, take down, etc that I quickly switched to press/field cameras. I primarily use a Linhoff Technica IV and would recommend it and its younger brother unless you need something wider than 90mm (Linhoff Super-Angulons are not super rare). It has more movements than I have ever needed, the rangefinder focus with the normal lens is spot-on (I have other lenses but only that cam).

I also use a Busch Pressman, which is slightly lighter but I only have one lens for it (it takes an even rarer lens board), and a Speed Graphic that uses the same lensboard as my enlarger, so I can use any lens I want.

To simulate the intentional work flow, how about MF on a tripod, with a shutter release cable, and make yourself use it slowly?