Since this seems to have generated a little follow-up conversation, I'll respond. First, I have no experience with contact prints. I understand the theory, but I grew up with exposures. Not being a professional, or even a practicing, photographer myself, contact prints remain the great unknown to me, and my natural inclination for something so valuable to me is to stick with what I know to work. More importantly, and correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't it be true that the detail of the subject might just be more readily visible in a larger print, rather than a 4x5 or billfold size? I view this as creating a first-generation image that will be subject to subsequent reproduction, which will doubtless reduce both the size and quality, so why shouldn't I want to start with the best-available chance to get the best image I can? That's why I want an 8x10 to start.