[Largeformat] Re: Weight of Deardorff, etc.

[Lee Carmichael <click@flash.net>]

From: Lee Carmichael <click@flash.net>


Elliot:
	My opinion is that one should not need to go to the 11x14 size with the
current "smaller" films.  The modern films from 4x5 to 5x7 to 8x10 are IMO
capable of very fine prints 16x20 and larger.  I just have no experience at
the really big size prints.
	 Everything cost more and is heavier with each step you make toward 11x14.
 Film is a commodity that I believe will be harder to find and the choices
will be more limited than they are now in the future.  Especially in the
really big sizes.  I suspect that special order is the only way to get
11x14 film now.  I get fairly excercized over the limited choices I have
with 8x10 and 5x7 now.  Imagine what I would be like trying to find film
for an 11x14 camera.  8-).  
	A friend of mine here in Texas has a 12x20 banquet camera.  Samy's in LA
is the only place I have ever seen film of the size in a store or a
catalog.  Samy's runs a special some that is if you buy 3 boxes the 4th one
is free but it still costs about $400.00 for the Special.  That is out of
my budget.  
	As to the movements, if you are gonna spend that kinda money, you might as
well have all the options.  I use rise in the lensboard the most.  But I
don't do a lot of landscapes anymore.  I consentrate mostly on my "cowboy
project" and "interiors of older buildings in the state.  
	Stability of the camera is an important issue.  Wiggle the camera while
the shutter is open and unless that is what you are shooting for the image
is ruined.  Once I was in a train station that is here in Ft. Worth, I made
an exposure that was somewhere like f:64 @8 minutes.  After I processed the
negs I discovered little extra lines in part of the negative.  The only
thing I could attribute it too was that the building is next to the freeway
and the ground was shaking the building.  I went back and make another
exposure at F:16 @ about 15 seconds and it was ok.  Stability is important.

you said and I copied and pasted:
>Suppose, as is the case with virtually everything we do and experience, 
>life is a series of "tradeoffs"!


That is very true.  Keep us informed of you pursuits.
Lee





At 01:02 PM 1/1/99 -0400, you wrote:
>From: "Elliot M. Puritz, MD" <drpuritz@li.net>
>
>Hi Lee:  Thanks for the response.  Yes, the tripod does add considerabe 
>weight to an already hefty package.  Looking forward to Ken's response.  
>
>Another point to consider is if the stability of the camera is a major
issue.   
>Suspect that at some times it is based upon one of our previous member's 
>comments about the B and J...but, again, are all the movements needed?  Of 
>course, I know that that one time you have them it is great, but for 
>everyday landscape work?
>
>I don't know yet, Lee, about alternative methods/processes.  Have 
>absolutely no experience in such endeavors.  One of the things that appealed 
>to me about larger format is the ability to make contact prints, and bypass 
>the enlarger "stage" with the expense and image degradation possible.  Of 
>course, I know it could be argued that the ability to get creative with 
>printing is one aspect of large format photography that our colleagues 
>enjoy.
>
>Suppose, as is the case with virtually everything we do and experience, 
>life is a series of "tradeoffs"!
>
>Elliot

>
As usual,
Lee Carmichael

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