Curt said:
Doesn't look like there is much interest in 7x5 does it?
Not much - I've just given up 35mm and medium format for a 7x5 Gandolfi Variant!
I'd hate to start an argument but I reckon that it is starting to get difficult to argue in favour of 35mm when digital cameras as good as the D200 are available. I've even heard (from the blue-sky department of a well known film manufacturer) that in the near future, most snapshots will be captured by combining several adjacent frames from video cameras. Combining image data from adjacent frames lets you increase the image resolution, whilst video gives you the chance to pick the perfect frame. I'm not sure that I agree with this but, hey!
I think that when most non-professionals (enthusiasts, artists, etc) leaving the smaller formats compare 5x4, 7x5 and 10x8, they see 5x4 as being easy to get into (with all the support and kit for pros) and they see 10x8 as being great for contacts, but maybe just a bit too big (I was shocked by the size of 10x8 Deardorff, coming from 35mm).
7x5 sits perfectly in the middle once you have realised that you can take advantage of the 5x4 world for colour (with a reducing back) but you still get the opportunity to make fairly big contacts in B&W.
Having said all that I hope I don't find that I've made a big mistake and should have bought a banquet camera instead!
Cheers,
Paul.