Why 5x7?

Mike,
There are old Elwoods lurking out there for very little money or even free if you'll it away. I have an 8x10 which can easily be masked down to any lesser size format. I've also seen 5x7 on occassion. Kind of bare bones compared to a Durst, but still quite usable.

Originally Posted by esearing
drawbacks:
No current desktop scanners support 5x7 negatives

Microtek ScanMaster i900. Scans up to 8x10 transparancy and retails for around $600. And to think I bought a 5900 less than 2 years ago...

Bought a "5X7" Burke and James last month on feebay to rob the lens. It had a coated very late 159 Wolly which I've now added to the burgeoning family. Anyways when I got it, I took it and half a dozen 5X7 loads out to play with it a bit. Damn I had a hard time trying to get those 5X7 film holders into that 4X5 back. So I complained to the seller that the "5X7" I'd bought came up more than a little short. He promptly returned that it was a lucky break for me as 4X5's are worth a lot more $. Had to give him credit for an interesting excuse.

BTW, I have a dandy old 5X7 Elwood someone can have fairly cheaply if they want to drive to Tonopah Nevada to pick it up. I might haul it as far as Reno. $125 bucks.

I originally got my 5x7 for contact printing the size and shape are near perfect for me. Also if you check the cost of film,lenses and other necessay accessories you'll see the cost curves takes a non-linear leap in the upward direction once you go beyond 5x7 i.e. a box of film for 5x7 runs about $28 the same for 8x10 is more than double. Also for enlarging I have an acient B&J enalrger and can enlarge the negs that won't work as contacts. And if you have the bucks you can get the nifty TOHO 5x7 monorail that was intended for backpacking(under 5lbs) with full monorail movements. This is the camera I am saving my sheckels for at which time I'll dump all my 4x5 stuff(except lenses as the all work for 5x7)including enlarger.