For the past 15 years I have worked with an old Ansco 5x7 field camera. The camera was rugged, easy to set up, and built like a brick. It has served me very well however I have been wanting to work with the 4x10 format for several years now. Recently I acquired a beautiful new 8x10 K.B. Canham wood and metal camera.

The decision to purchase a full 8x10 camera rather than the 4x10 camera that K.B. Canham also offers was two fold - I wanted to be able to work both horizontally and vertically without having to perform gymnastics with the tripod, and secondly I still wanted to be able to quickly and easily switch to 5x7 as the situation dictated. With the 4x10 camera, to convert to 5x7 you need to change bellows and the rear standard, while this works fine for many people, I find it an inconvenience when I'm out in the field with less than ideal weather conditions and quickly changing light.