Alright, let’s yak about this 8×10 camera film, you know, the big stuff. It ain’t like them little roll films you young’uns use. This here is the real deal, the kind they used back in the day, the kind that takes pictures big enough to see from across the room. I tell ya, it ain’t cheap neither. This 8×10 sheet film has never been a budget sheet film format, not by a long shot. You gotta be serious about your pictures if you’re gonna mess with this stuff.
Now, I hear some folks talkin’ about cuttin’ down the 8×10 film to fit other cameras, like them 4×10 ones. Makes you wonder, Would it really be more economical to get a dedicated 4×10 camera and cut down 8×10 film? Seems like a whole lotta fuss to me. And then you’re stuck with that skinny picture, you know? Are you really sure you want to limit yourself to that format? Personally, I’d want the flexibility. Why not just stick with the 8×10 and get the whole picture, the whole darn thing? That’s what I say. More bang for your buck, even if it costs a bit more upfront.
- You can get black and white film, like that Tmax stuff.
- Or you can get color film, the kind they call transparencies, like Provia. The camera is used for 8×10 black and white (Tmax), transparencies (Provia). That’s what the fella at the camera store told me. Said it makes real pretty pictures. I guess they do, if you know what you’re doin’.
Now, they say these 8×10 films, they got a whole lotta detail. Our final analysis had the 8�10 film coming in at about 300-600 megapixels. More than them digital cameras, I reckon. That’s what they mean by “large format”, see? “Large format” refers to any film (and camera) type in which a single frame is 4�5 inches or larger. Other common sizes include 5�7, 8�10, and 11×14. Anything bigger than your hand, pretty much. And it ain’t on no roll, like I said. It comes in single sheets, This film is not on a roll, but rather it is in individual sheets (which is why it is also referred to as sheet film) that are loaded into film holders. You gotta load ‘em up yourself, in these little holders, in the dark, mind you. Can’t let no light in, or you’ll ruin the whole dang thing.
Focusing this thing, well, that’s a whole other story. It ain’t like them automatic cameras, where you just point and shoot. You gotta fiddle with it, get it just right. Focus on the closest point (highest above plane of focus), which you want to make sharp. In the rock/mountain example previously used. The fella at the store, he tried to explain it to me, somethin’ about planes and sharpness. Sounded like a whole lotta hogwash to me, but I guess it matters if you want them pictures clear. You gotta decide what you want sharp and what you don’t, see? Like if you’re takin’ a picture of a mountain, you gotta focus on them rocks in front, or the whole thing will look blurry.
Anyways, this 8×10 film, it’s for folks who want the best, who want the biggest, who ain’t afraid to spend a little extra. It ain’t for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. But if you got the patience, and the money, and the know-how, you can get some pictures that’ll knock your socks off. Pictures so real, so detailed, you feel like you can step right into ‘em. That’s what this 8×10 film is all about, takin’ pictures that last, pictures that matter, pictures that tell a story.
So, if you’re thinkin’ about gettin’ into this 8×10 business, be prepared. It’s a whole different world than them little cameras. But it’s a world worth exploring, if you ask me. Just remember, it ain’t cheap, it ain’t easy, but it sure is somethin’ special.
Tags: [8×10 film, large format photography, sheet film, film photography, Tmax, Provia, camera focus, megapixels, black and white film, transparency film]
