All Choosing your kit
Working out what to buy before you spend anything — comparing formats, choosing a lens, and what large format actually costs to get into.
The Large Format Lens Explorer
Second-hand large format lenses come described in numbers that mean very little until you can see them. This tool turns those numbers into visuals.
Buying A Lens For Your 8x10 Camera
Choosing a first 8x10 lens: the focal lengths worth having, why image circle matters more at this size, and what to check when buying secondhand.
Exploring Large Format Photography: A Comparison of 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 Cameras
4x5, 5x7 or 8x10? A practical comparison of negative size, cost, weight and film availability, to help you pick the format you'll actually carry.
Buying A Lens For Your 4x5 Camera
You can't put any lens on a large format camera. This guide covers focal length, image circle and Copal shutter sizes — and where to find good glass at sensible money.