4x5 anyone?

Does anyone here use an old school 4x5 for large format printing? Is there a big advantage to using a backlight scanner instead of just a film scanner? I want to start making REALLY large prints and feel like this is the only way to go...

Any info you have on 4x5's would be great. I would also consider using an 8x10 but think it might be overkill...

The BIG factor is weight, since I do shoots in abandoned buildings I need to be ready to RUN and FAST so a big clunker isn't going to cut it.

No point in scanning 4x5 if you can simply print directly with an optical printer!

If you have to scan it, a good drum scanner.

if you have to do it fast, theres no point to 4x5. it takes time to set up and shoot correctly, and a lot of moving around.

I use one, but not just for print work.

How big are you talking about printing?

According to this article, 8x10 might not be overkill if you need better resolution than a digital SLR:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/​shootout.shtml

It seems that dust is common in film scans. Do sprays such as PerfectDuster cause any damage to the film? Anybody know?

I'm looking to print at least 4' x 3'

I'm not too concerned about the set-up I think with enough drills I could get that down. Right now I can set up a shot, focus, set shutter and aperture for a shot in almost darkness faster than you might think just from enough practice. I'm down to put in the work....

so 8x10 eh....

You can always get an 8x10 camera and use a reducer back to 4x5. I'm considering doing this; I recently built a 4x5 camera for daguerreotyping and tintyping, but may buy a cambo 8x10 for larger plates (I think these run ~$600-700US on ebay) and use my 4x5 camera for more field work.

my only concern is that I haven't found a lot of 8x10 cameras that will fold up. Anyone have suggestions on brand/models for a 4x5 or 8x10?

Been looking at this one myself. Toyo 45CF field camera

Atomic79 wrote in post #2138286
Been looking at this one myself. Toyo 45CF field camera

I think I'm in love! That thing looks amazing!

There's no need for an 8*10 anymore IMO

The 4*5 should be more than enough. If you wanna run... then get a field camera like the above toyo. You won't get to play with cool tilt/shift lenses though. You can also pick up an old graphlex for 100 bucks or so. They're pretty tough.

You know that without a sturdy tripod you won't be able to get the sharpness out of the thing, right?

yep, also how dim are the things? Is a cloth really going to be necessary?

as much as I love that Toyo until I sell a few prints I'm not gunna have the money for it... I do like those cheap graflex cameras though. Maybe I can find a WWII model....

A cloth is necessary generally for 4x5 work. There are a number of methods that can be used, with increasing investment costs...

Maxwell focusing screens (much brighter), costs a few hundred. Avaiilable for field cameras.
Binocular focusing viewer, (self contained so you focus, no hood), costs multiple hundreds. probably not available for field cameras.

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #2138369
There's no need for an 8*10 anymore IMO

The 4*5 should be more than enough. If you wanna run... then get a field camera like the above toyo. You won't get to play with cool tilt/shift lenses though. You can also pick up an old graphlex for 100 bucks or so. They're pretty tough.

You know that without a sturdy tripod you won't be able to get the sharpness out of the thing, right?

8x10 transparencies are really incredible to look at in person. And if you're into contact printing, 8x10 rocks. They're not dead yet.