Digital BW, The Print

What are the implications for print size of using 35mm? Or rather, 
what's the best way to push the 35mm envelope on a budget limited to 
several thousand dollars rather than more than ten thousand dollars?

I'm an admirer of Bill Agee's work. And reading between the lines of 
the purchase information on his web site, I thought it seemed to 
nudge prospective customers toward 5x7 prints but also to give the 
impression that 10x15 prints are routinely practicable.

That's what I would have said if I were I better at composing so as 
to use more of the 35mm frame. As it is, I usually fall short - 
literally - of that. But supposing I get better at it, what are the 
other inputs for good-as-it-gets do-it-yourself 10x15 or 11x14 35mm 
prints?

Are they, for example, a feasible goal if you start with color film 
(which?) rather than BW? Should you spend a limited budget on better 
lenses instead of a better SLR? Or even get the best lenses? Always 
use a tripod? Get drum scans? A 7000 instead of a 1280? Etc., etc. 
That is, I'd appreciate any suggestions about 35mm strategies and 
tactics for someone who can't simply get the best of everything.

Not that Bill (or anyone else) has suggested that. I'm just trying to 
pick up on his comment about format being a function of temperament. 
And wondering how best to implement a disposition toward 35mm if 
you're not ready yet to use digital cameras instead of film. I 
realize the best answer to that might be: "Get ready." But even if it 
is, I'd still like to know how best to get what can be gotten out of 
the film(s) best suited to the work.

Thanks.

Sam McCandless                 samcc@...


>I must have missed the first message in this thread, but it seems to
>be a discussion about everyone's choice of format and why.  I think I
>will go "against the grain"...and vote for 35mm...or maybe I might
>better say "with the grain."    While I own high quality professional
>4x5 and 2 1/4 outfits which I occasionally use for professional work
>requiring detail or camera movements,  I must confess that I am a
>35mmm photographer in my soul.  I hate to use tripods and like the
>rapid visualization and discovery that only small format can give.
>Smaller is better for me.  I hate to lug around lots of equipment.
>Also, to my eyes,  the abstract quality of grain is a big plus.
>Infrared is a specialty of mine and it certainly doesn't look real in
>the sense that Tri-x does.
>
>In the future, I will most likely go all digital...as Photoshop is a
>big part of my routine now.  I have been a part-time college
>photography teacher for about 18 years, mostly black and white and
>for the last three have been only teaching  the Digital Imaging
>(Photoshop) class.  I will probably make the switch to all digital
>when the 35mm professional cameras have larger capture devices and a
>20mm lens takes a 20mm image and not a 28mm image.  Actually I like
>the idea of shooting everything in color and converting in Photoshop
>to get zthe effect I like.  This is similar to what a lot of people
>are doing with color negative film for black and white final prints.
>
>All formats are wonderful in the right hands.  I certainly admire
>other photographers work with large formats, but I can shoot a roll
>of 35 in the time most 4x5 people set up a camera for their first
>shot.  I like that variety and the process of discovery that comes
>with it.  It all simply boils down to a one's personality,
>temperament and individual aesthetic.
>
>Bill Agee
>--
>
>b i l l  a g e e  s t u d i o
>c a p i s t r a n o  b e a c h  c a l i f o r n i a
>
>billagee@...
>http://www.redsilver.com