4x5 or 8x10

[marcs]

Assuming top quality lenses are used, at print sizes of 40x50 inches, does 8x10 always win?  Why or why not?

[aaron]

Assuming top quality lenses are used, at print sizes of 40x50 inches, does 8x10 always win?  Why or why not?

Yes. Because its 8x10 with top quality lenses.

[KevinA]

Assuming top quality lenses are used, at print sizes of 40x50 inches, does 8x10 always win?  Why or why not?

All things being equal 10x8 or bigger will win, unless of course conditions are such you don't have a tripod that can keep it still because you were saving on weight and stuff like that or your final output device has to be a compromise because of film size or cost.

Kevin.

[bronek kozka]

I'd probably agree, but then so many people I know are shooting 8 x 10 and using 400(iso) film... for me it is not so much the quality (when) shooting 8 x 10 but the "head space" it puts you in. Personally I'm convinced I would see any difference from shooting my H3D 39 and 8 x 10 (for the type of shoots I do)...the H3D is pretty amazing, I still get a buzz every time I open a file and zoom in on small details in my story. I'm still keen to keep going with  8 x 10 but for  a different kind of shot.

Regards

Bronek

[marcs]

bronek, impressive portfolio.  

what kind of shots do you prefer for 8x10 applications?

thx

I'd probably agree, but then so many people I know are shooting 8 x 10 and using 400(iso) film... for me it is not so much the quality (when) shooting 8 x 10 but the "head space" it puts you in. Personally I'm convinced I would see any difference from shooting my H3D 39 and 8 x 10 (for the type of shoots I do)...the H3D is pretty amazing, I still get a buzz every time I open a file and zoom in on small details in my story. I'm still keen to keep going with  8 x 10 but for  a different kind of shot.

Regards

Bronek

[marcs]

My problem in a different way: My images are printed large as digital c-prints (40x50inch+) and i'm curious which media and method (drum scanning 4x5 or 8x10 OR stitched mf digital, etc) produces the highest quality, richest, creamiest digital file (this is what i send to my printer after PS mods).

Any thoughts or real world examples?

[Murray Fredericks]

which media and method (drum scanning 4x5 or 8x10 OR stitched mf digital, etc) produces the highest quality, richest, creamiest digital file (this is what i send to my printer after PS mods).

Yes yes and yes

From here I think you need to test

[Murray Fredericks]

Deleted

[neil snape]

Well I am one photog that loved the image density on the 8x10 film both B&W neg and Fuji Velvia, but in all honesty a correctly scanned 4X5 will produce as good results or better as the 8x10 has more film to keep flat, and uses lenses with their coverage near to the limits. So the visual appearance on a 8x10 has a magic, a depth of field with a nice fall off but technically a scan on a great drum will have better sharpness and character for LF printing.
IF the question was about contact printing negs though the 8X10 wins by far.