Re: [APML] Large Format Question

[Philip Perkins <philip@astrocruise.com>]

Brian,

>What are the benefits 0f a 4x5 versus a 35mm camera?

The biggest advantage of all must be the large negative size which covers a 
very wide field and (when scanned at appropriate resolution) it offers the 
possibility of very large prints indeed!

There would be some obvious challenges to large format as well.  I have 
never tried large format but they would seem to be..
- limited film availability for large format
- need for special type of scope + field flattener to cover the huge 
field!  i.e. don't assume that any scope will cover a 4x5 field with 
perfectly formed stars / no vignetting! <g>  (the AP series 4" focuser + FF 
would be an obvious solution)
- need for specialized vacuum back to keep the film flat!
- need for specialized hypering and developing equipment (I'm not aware 
that regular medium format tanks can handle large format)
- need a scanner that can handle large format.  I have an SS45 Ultra that 
will handle 4x5 at 2,500 dpi but not all medium format scanners will also 
handle large format!

Large format is certainly seductive, and as it happens I already have the 
most expensive pieces of the required equipment, i.e. the scope and the 
scanner.  I'm lacking the vacuum back and the hypering and developing tanks.

--Philip


Philip Perkins - philip@astrocruise.com
Wiltshire UK & Luberon France
Astrocruise - http://www.astrocruise.com


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