Allegedly, Isaac wrote: > When people ask why I like to shoot with large format cameras, I usually > tell them that I'm lazy... I have, from the very first, found that it is > MUCH easier to get beautiful prints from large format negs. I have to work > like hell and jump through all sorts of hoops to get stuff I really like in > 35mm. 35mm is great for snapshots and small prints, but almost all of my > "serious" shooting is of static things. This is why I'm looking forward to a > nice digital camera, for me it will easily replace 35mm for snapshots...
I'm glad you said this. I've been saying the same thing for years, more or less. What I've said is that, with 35mm, you gain lots of flexibility, adaptability, portability, and convenience in the field, when shooting, and trade it against difficulty in the darkroom; and with 4x5, printing in the darkroom is fun, easy, and very satisfying, but you trade that for lack of flexibility and portability and convenience in the field. Personally, that's always been one of the things I like about 35mm. Those damn little negatives fight you, and you really have to work to get great prints out of them. I like that about them. This is because I'm better in the darkroom that I am as a shooter. >I don't know if I could ever give up single > sheet development... For me that is the biggest advantage of LF over medium > format, the actual image quality probably isn't that much different, but it > is easier to print from a neg that has been optimally developed. I'm also > amazed at the current value of LF gear. We just sold a Linhof Color Kardan > with a Fuji 240mm lens for $800! Talk about bang for the buck! There are > much cheaper cameras out there, now might be the best time ever for trying > LF! Yeah, large format is MUCH cheaper than medium format and it's even giving 35mm a run for its money these days. The only way it's more expensive is when you take the enlarger you need into account. --Mike - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
