What Format

One thing I really love about photography is all the different formats you can use! Not only that but all the different cameras as well. I have always believed as I've mentioned before that I could still take a fantastic image on a fun snap (disposable camera). Or a childs toy camera! (A one that really works though) I would love to have the time to do something with many different cameras. From fun snap to 10x8 and from film to digital! Pinhole camera's, you name it! I have used 35mm, 645, 6x7, but never 10x8. I love doing work with 6x7 as there are only 10 frames to use on a film. Yes with digital you can just shoot a load of shots and hope for the best, but where is the skill in that? There is a cost involved with film and more so with larger formats and I think this is the greatest problem with digital. Each frame costs you nothing, so the shot can become less precious than if you know you have to make it count. This is what appeals to me about 10x8! Just slowing things down and taking some thought. Dont get me wrong, I have to work fast and capture those moments before they are gone forever but in my personal work, whats the rush? You only have 1 sheet of film and one photo with large format! If its wrong its wasted film and of course money. I have the utmost respect for photographers that shoot on 10x8. My friend Marcus Doyle (pictured above) uses nothing but 10X8 and the quality of his images are outstanding. I myself would never use 10x8 for everything, but I would love to do a project using that format. Unfortunately I think the camera and lenses cost a fortune and I can't really rationalise the purchase for just one or two projects. I would love to do a series of portraits using this format as I know it is difficult to do. Maybe the next time Mr Doyle is visiting he will let me know what the cost involved would be and give me a go with his beast of a camera! Otherwise I will build one out of cardboard!
Actually Mr Doyle if your reading this how much would it be for a 10x8 camera and lense good enough to do some nice portraits? Vintage is fine! Any other tips you vould give would be great!