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Using a 4x5 reduction back on 8x10?

ComicDom1

Subscriber Member
Have any of you used a 4x5 reduction back on your 8x10? Are there any issues or problems to look out for when doing this?

Thanks,
Jason
 

Oren Grad

Active member
Two main issues, to my mind:

* For field use, the size and weight of an 8x10 are overkill if all you're going to bring home is small 4x5 negatives.

* With most 8x10's you'll be severely limited in the ability to use wide-angle focal lengths for 4x5 - you can't compress the bellows far enough.

If you haven't already visited there, you might want to check out the Large Format Photography Forum - there's plenty of discussion there about the sorts of questions you've been raising.

Home page with how-to articles and reviews:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

Discussion forum:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/
 

ComicDom1

Subscriber Member
Two main issues, to my mind:

* For field use, the size and weight of an 8x10 are overkill if all you're going to bring home is small 4x5 negatives.

* With most 8x10's you'll be severely limited in the ability to use wide-angle focal lengths for 4x5 - you can't compress the bellows far enough.

If you haven't already visited there, you might want to check out the Large Format Photography Forum - there's plenty of discussion there about the sorts of questions you've been raising.

Home page with how-to articles and reviews:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

Discussion forum:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/
I appreciate the links, I am already a member over there and I do visit the site frequently.

I do agree, I will be limited as to the wide angle lenses I will be able to use on 8 x 10. Its larger and heavier so the portability is limited using a monorail. If using a wooden 8 x 10 field camera then the weight issue will depend on how the camera is built, supported, and weight distributed.

Of course if I am working out of the car it does give me two camera's in one and then the monorail weight is not as big a factor.

A couple of other factors I am taking into consideration is having one camera that does both compared to maintaining and owning two separate ones. Of course there is a space and storage factor to consider as well. The ability to shoot both formats does allow some different perspective with out having to break down one camera and run back to the car and grab a different camera. These are just some things I am kicking back and forth right now.

I know I am going to keep my 4 x 5 Zone VI field camera. I really enjoy using it. If things continue to work out I will be keep the 8 x 10 Century but the camera in question now is my Cambo SC2 4 x 5. I came across an 8 x 10 legend which I know is heavier but it does come with a 4 x 5 reduction back so I thought it was worth thinking about and considering letting go of the Cambo SC 2.

Jason
 
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