contact printing--ahh, the tonalities are so smooth arent they? You know, I spent half of my life in a darkroom so I don't miss it that much (did a lot of 35 and 2 1/4 processing for other photogs, plus a lot of printing of grin and grab press type stuff that I and others did) but I do miss the craft side of it, and contact printing was always a pleasure. I thought of getting a 5x7 or 8x10 at one point just for that, but never did.

also, the deliberate approach of large format was unique (now, even more so)

btw, I am not familiar with the terms "half plate" nor "Wetplate" (are you from the UK?) I've been in photography since the mid 80s and we dont use those terms here. (edit--I am then assuming you are putting on by hand an emulsion onto a glass plate, in that old tradition?--thats the only "wet" thing I am familiar with)