10 x 8 format users?

[Tony Lovell]

I'd be interested to hear from any regular users of 10x8 in the field. I currently use a Wista, but have a Sinar Norma for subjects close to the car! I spent a week on Skye in early December; problems I encountered were trying to cover the camera on the tripod during rain and using a traditional dark cloth in the wind. I’ve just ordered a tube style cloth from the View Camera Store in the states to give that a try.

Apple tells me Paul O. and Chong may be users?

[PAUL O]

Hi Tony. I USED to own a 10x8 Deardorff but found that it didn't suit my way of photographing - it was too heavy
The camera itself wasn't the problem but everything else that goes with using a larger format - film holders and lenses all weigh much more than I was happy to carry. 10x8 is fine for roadside shots but as soon as you decide to leave the car the problems started for me - not enough hands/shoulders to carry everything!

I'm pretty sure Quentin Bargate is still using a 10x8 Tachihara - he was using it at the Somerset meeting.

With regards to darkcloths the BlackJacket may have suited you - plenty big enoughfor 10x8 and waterproof too!

[Ole Tjugen]

8x10" is one of the few sizes I don't use, but I hope to change that when i finally get around to assembling my 8x10" Gandolfi Traditional. It was bought in parts, wood bits only...

I do however use 18x24cm, in an old German plate camera. And 24x30cm in another.

Backpack with lenses, holders, film and tripod, camera in one hand. I don't use a special dark cloth with these, just pull my jacket over my head!

But yes, they do rather tend to be used close to the car.

[IanG]

Hi Tony

I own two 10"x8" cameras both Agfa Ansco's, plus an assortment of 5 or 6 5x4's. I don't use the 10x8's as much as I'd like but that was partly down to my work last year leaving little spare time, and a very heavy digital photography & video workflow, which tied me down as I ad to train assistance fdor the stills.

Hopefully one of the 10x8's will be joining me in the Aegean (Greece/Turkey) in the spring.

Ian

[Tony Lovell]

My 10 x 8 BTZS focus cloth arrived from The View Camera store yesterday. It looks to be just the job, the opening at the camera end fits with elastic around the camera body and the other end is closed off with a Velcro strip on the bottom edge to put your head and arms in to hold the loupe. The cloth will fold over the camera and allow dark slides to be inserted without removal. It looks to be just what I was looking for but use in the field will tell!

[Quentin]

I still use 10x8. I use just one lens, a Schneider Symmar-S 240mm F5.6. I have no intention of getting any other lenses - keeping it simple seems to work well.

I find the Tachihara quite light enough to backpack modest distances.

If a Spring meet is arranged I'd hope to be there with the 8x10.

Quentin

[buze]

Quentin, is E6 film still available in 8x10 ? What about processing in this country ? I don't really /plan/ do to a lot of E6 anyway but well now and then a tranny that size could be entertaining on the lightbox

[Joanna Carter]

Pro2Col in Manchester do 8x10 processing for B&W, C41 and E6. They do an excellent, reliable, by-mail service. Robert White do 8x10 Provia, Pro160S, FP5 and HP5 film.

[jollyroger]

Metro Imaging in Clerkenwell are able to process E6 10x8 cost about £6 a shot I think. Process Supplies in Mount Pleasant stock a range of 10x8 film Iford and Kodak don't about Fuji. Both have web sites.

[Quentin]

Quentin, is E6 film still available in 8x10 ? What about processing in this country ? I don't really /plan/ do to a lot of E6 anyway but well now and then a tranny that size could be entertaining on the lightbox

I get my 8x10 film from the The Pro Centre, 5-6 Mallow Street, London EC1Y 8RS and my film developed (in just 1.5 hours) at Metro Imaging in Clerkenwell. An alternative to Metro is Primary in Shoreditch, but I prefer metro as they are seriously fast and very good. The Pro centre usualy has plenty of 8x10 Provia, which I use, in stock.

Quentin

[Leon West]

Hi there,
I have two Deardorff 10x8's, I use a Schneider Symmar S 240mm also. I get all my film from www.silverprint.com as they seem to be the cheapest and fastest around. I always carry my camera, lens, darkcloth and film holders in a Lowepro Super Trekker (I think it's called - it's their biggest rucksack available). I find the backpack with it's rigid back and waist support allows me to travel a good few miles on foot. I use a studio Manfrotto also. Until I get old or wreck my body, I can forsee me using this kit / combination for quite some time.

Leon.

[buze]

I've been using a Tachihara 8x10 for a few months now. I use Fomapan 200 mostly. I tried ERA 100 but it's next to useless given that it curls. In any case, Famapan 200 gives me the results I want for contact printing.

Carrying 8x10 can be a problem, especialy if you try to carry the 4x5 kit as well, and the DSLR.. Just did a few miles loaded like that saturday I can still feel the shoulder aching

Otherwise, 8x10 is a blast! My main lens is a Sinaron 300mm f5.6. Heavy large beast, but it appears to be top-notch. I also have a Symmar-S with the same caracteristics, but it's even bigger, and has some optical issues (separation) that seems pretty typical of Schneider, from were I stand :/ For "wide" I have a Dagor 163mm f6.8, that covers 8x10 at f22. Thats very wide, but I haven't tried it "seriously" past the test shots.

[Leon West]

Actually, that stockist is www.silverprint.co.uk not .com.

[Tony Lovell]

I usually make Robert White my first port of call when buying film but regularly find they don’t have it in stock and I buy form Silverprint…colour (Fuji print film) & B&W (HP5+ & FP4)…but both provide and excellent service. I develop my own B&W in deep tanks (having problems with streaking at the moment) or trays (better but much slower) I’ve recently had 10x8 C41 developed at Multiprint or One Vision Imaging in Coventry, but recently I’ve been talking to Metro about doing my 10x8 & 7x5 C41 work as Multiprint have closed their Peterborough office.

Tony

[Leon West]

Hi Tony,
I find Michael Dyer Associates in Covent Garden to be the best for both processing and printing. They are used by many fine artists as well as large format enthusiasts. A quick Google search will bring them up. Their service to me (through the post) has been second to none. Bah to streaking, unless it's at Wimbledon!!

Leon