But...I like food...
4x5 is interesting enough while I'm learning. I love the camera. It has just the kind of rugged outside, beautiful mechanically loveliness that I have to have in my cameras. I took a quick photo of my daughter and I'm going to develop it soon...just wish I could print it after drying. Paper will be coming next week sometime.
4x5 is convenient and is probably not much more difficult than 35 mm or MF. The cameras are often as light as a heavy automated 35 mm camera. The film can be developed in a daylight tank (I highly recommend the HP Combi tank). A 4x5 capable enlarger can be had for a song and does not occupy much more space than a MF enlarger. One thing to note with larger formats is not just the size weight and bulk of the camera but also the size and weight of the holders, the cost of the film and with more oddball sizes (like my 7x17) with the intermittent availability of film and the need to plan ahead film purchases and to then stockpile several hundred dollars worth of film. I have had the 7x17 for close to 2 years and have shot about 20 sheets but have yet to develop any of the film despite purchasing the BTZS 7x17 tubes. The thought of spending a few hours on my knees rolling the BTZS tubes in the bottom of my bathtub just does not seem very appealing. At one point I had made the conscious decision to use 5x7 as my primary format, and while I have a 5x7 capable enlarger, I just find it easier to do 4x5 since I prefer developing in a daylight tank over tray development.
I may shoot larger formats more if I was doing contact prints with alternative processes but since I enlarge and silver print and almost never print bigger than 11x14 the larger negative does not contribute much. In addition to my 4x5, I have 5x7, 4x10, 8x10 and 7x17 mostly as a manifestation of severe terminal GAS, but it will be my 4x5 camera that I take with me to Colorado for the Foto3 (sorry the Foto1/View Camera) conference. I really should set up a better darkroom in my basement which would allow me to use my bigger toys more conveniently, but I have been saying that for 3-4 years and have yet to do anything about it.
I am not discouraging anyone from going larger but my advice is to to stick to the 4x5 for now until you have mastered it and have gone beyond the initial love affair with a new toy. Then you can think about anything else. I would also try to handle or lug around a friend's larger camera preferably for a few days before going any bigger. Just some food for thought. Of course, I never followed my own advice regarding any of this.:rolleyes:
Sorry for rambling. I guess some of this is subconsciously directed at myself.
Thanks.
Sincerely,
Hany.
Nah, I don't believe that for a moment. Wait a minute, I didn't know that you had a 7x17!! You are keeping secrets from us. 
