Going back to film

RooX · « **on:** 30 Sep 2007, 03:50 pm »

Well, it has been decided.

Im going to go back to film. Partially for the perceived quality, mostly for the enjoyment

Ordered a Chamonix 4x5 field camera, and am actively searching down a F5 for day to day

Of course have thousands in nikon lens for the f5, but will have to purchase a couple of 4x5 lens. thinking a 90/150/210 combo. and of course i'll have to rebuild a darkroom! (looking forward to that!)

Shooting mostly in B/W lately, so darkroom should be pretty basic. hopefully i still remember how.

I'll keep the digi cameras around (unless someone wants one of my d200's really badly) As im sure i'll still get use out of them.

I think my skills and quality have gone down since going full digital, i chimp lots, i worry less about composing, white balance, exposure. Making me lazy. not to mention, i work in front of a computer 9 hours a day, nothing worse than spending 4 hour nights in front of one doing PS/LR work

so thats it, wish me luck. I know a few of you still think this way. Lets hear from you, and if anyone has any good leads on darkroom stuff as well as LF gear let me know!

nathanm · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 08:22 pm »

Wow, that is a beauty! Never heard of that brand. It looks very sturdy and heavy. Is that the focus knob in the center rear? Interesting.

RooX · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 08:41 pm »

its actually surprisingly light. just 3lbs. Very sturdy/solid ive been told. All the black bits are carbon fiber. The rails are all anodized aluminum, even the GG protector is carbon!

I have my choice of American walnut or Canadian maple (as pictured) I haven't decided yet, which I'll choose.

Right now I'm on a waiting list to get it, i have been told to expect it just before Christmas

heres a couple more pics of it.

PS. All photos are from a thread on http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/
an excellent resource for sure i find!

dB Cooper · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Oct 2007, 12:26 am »

I used to shoot 4x5 B&W too, developing my film in PMK Pyro and printing with cold light. This gave me tonal subtlety that is impossible to obtain with digital. Sorry, 256 discrete tones (which is what you get from 8-bit monochrome) can't do it. If someone wants to tell me I'm wrong, go look at some original Edward Weston or Ansel Adams prints first.

I agree that film keeps you honest by forcing you to be more discerning. A 4GB memory card just lets you go haywire shooting 1000 shots and hoping one will be a winner. Someone said years and years ago "Cameras keep getting better and better but pictures stay about the same." Even in the digital/Photoshop age, that still holds true.

Thanks for the pics. Glad to see someone is still developing large format cameras. Looks like an interesting blend of old and new concepts and materials. What's something like that go for these days?

Darkroom shouldn't be such a big issue because for everyone getting into wet-process photography these days, there are 20 people getting out.

A buyers market if there ever was one.

RooX · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Oct 2007, 03:25 am »

as far as i can tell the 4x5 is chamonix's loss leader. Its 700 bucks, their other stuff (they are mainly an ULF maker) is exponentially more expensive...

i have been looking around locally and it seems that darkroom stuff is really cheap now, good for me, sad for a dying industry i guess.

RooX · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Oct 2007, 03:36 pm »

allright.. my first LF bits and bobs are ordered.

got a 210mm rodenstock sironar-N coming to me
as well, 10 film holders and a darkcloth.

nathanm · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Sep 2010, 10:53 pm »

Okay, it's been almost three years now RooX. Do we get to see some pictures?

SET Man · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 04:08 am »

Hey!

Hmmm... maybe he got lost on the way back to film or something

I missed this post and don't remember seeing it.

Anyway, talking about film. I still like film, B&W to be exact. Right now I have my oldie but goodie Minolta SRT 101 loaded up with a roll of Kentmere 400 (I think this is made by Ilford) ready for a day out when I have time. And few rolls of Tri-x, Efke 50 and 100 ISO 120 rolls for my Rolliecord and other vintage medium cams I have.

I still have all my darkroom stuff but I haven't done any B&W printing since late 2005 I think. I am now seriously thinking about dusting it off and do some printing again. It will be tough doing it in small NYC apartment.

Currently I'm doing hybrid B&W. I use my DSLR to convert the film in to digital file, use Photoshop ask darkroom and send it to the lab if I need print. But I recently bought a flatbed scanner HP G4050 but I can't seem to get the result I want. Still figure it out.

So, I haven't left film entirely. But of course for work it is pretty much all digital these days.

Take care,
Buddy

Delta Wave · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 04:13 am »

I never left film. I have a DSLR but I bought that mainly for shooting local bands and actor head-shots for cheap processing and quick turn-around. My fav of all of my cameras is a pristine vintage Minolta Hi-Matic 9... It's my "always carry" camera. Building a large format from scratch (sans lens) is on my list of projects.

nathanm · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Sep 2010, 01:37 am »

I really wish I hadn't bought an enlarger. That was a big, heavy mistake. Whoops. Although I had to laugh, I saw on eBay a dude selling a similar one to mine and asking $900 for it. Who is he kidding? You can't GIVE those things away. Hmmm. Good luck to him at any rate.

How do you like the Rolleicord, SET Man? I had somewhat of an itch to get myself a medium format camera. I have an upcoming family portrait session for some people who bought one of my prints and I am a little worried about the slowness of the 4x5 in that situation, especially with kids. I'd like to get something handholdable, so I thought either a Crown Graphic\Speed Graphic or a Rolleiflex. Do the Rollei cameras have light meters on them or is it all manual?

The best part of film is the smell. I like sitting in front of my computer and bringing up the scanner software while the odor of fixer is still on my fingers. I'm not 100% sold on the tones I get from Diafine, but it sure is forgiving, I haven't had any dud negs yet.

Speedskater · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Sep 2010, 12:07 pm »

When we got into our car Saturday afternoon, the NPR (National Public Radio) audience show was talking about Kodachrome being discontinued next year.

thunderbrick · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Sep 2010, 12:19 pm »

Quote from: nathanm on 12 Sep 2010, 01:37 am

I really wish I hadn't bought an enlarger. That was a big, heavy mistake. Whoops. Although I had to laugh, I saw on eBay a dude selling a similar one to mine and asking $900 for it. Who is he kidding? You can't GIVE those things away. Hmmm. Good luck to him at any rate.

How do you like the Rolleicord, SET Man? I had somewhat of an itch to get myself a medium format camera. I have an upcoming family portrait session for some people who bought one of my prints and I am a little worried about the slowness of the 4x5 in that situation, especially with kids. I'd like to get something handholdable, so I thought either a Crown Graphic\Speed Graphic or a Rolleiflex. Do the Rollei cameras have light meters on them or is it all manual?

The best part of film is the smell. I like sitting in front of my computer and bringing up the scanner software while the odor of fixer is still on my fingers. I'm not 100% sold on the tones I get from Diafine, but it sure is forgiving, I haven't had any dud negs yet.

Hell, I am seeing Hasselblads going for half of what they did just a few years ago. Sometimes as little as $500 for lens, body, back. I have a big Hassy system that I can't get much for, but I plan to put most of it up for sale in a few months.

By the way, do any AC members in the NYC area have a Beseler or Omega 4x5 enlarger (with lenses) they could sell cheap? I have a friend in Brooklyn who is looking for one, and like most of us, he's on a shoestring. I have one available, but shipping would be a huge PITA.

Thanks for considering this.

'brick

Delta Wave · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Sep 2010, 12:33 pm »

Quote from: thunderbrick on 12 Sep 2010, 12:19 pm

Hell, I am seeing Hasselblads going for half of what they did just a few years ago. Sometimes as little as $500 for lens, body, back. I have a big Hassy system that I can't get much for, but I plan to put most of it up for sale in a few months.

By the way, do any AC members in the NYC area have a Beseler or Omega 4x5 enlarger (with lenses) they could sell cheap? I have a friend in Brooklyn who is looking for one, and like most of us, he's on a shoestring. I have one available, but shipping would be a huge PITA.

Thanks for considering this.

'brick

I'm in the same boat, only with a huge Mamiya 645 kit, it was worth thousands a few years ago...

SET Man · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 02:45 am »

Quote from: Delta Wave on 11 Sep 2010, 04:13 am

I never left film. I have a DSLR but I bought that mainly for shooting local bands and actor head-shots for cheap processing and quick turn-around. My fav of all of my cameras is a pristine vintage Minolta Hi-Matic 9... It's my "always carry" camera. Building a large format from scratch (sans lens) is on my list of projects.

Hey!

I like the Minolta Hi-Matic 9. Sadly I bought one but the shutter stick. I think it is a common issue for this 40+ years old camera. I think it will cost me too much to get it fix so I never got it fix up.

Would love to have a mint working one someday. Meanwhile the SRT-101 will do for a day out.

Take care,
Buddy

SET Man · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 03:24 am »

Quote from: nathanm on 12 Sep 2010, 01:37 am

I really wish I hadn't bought an enlarger. That was a big, heavy mistake. Whoops. Although I had to laugh, I saw on eBay a dude selling a similar one to mine and asking $900 for it. Who is he kidding? You can't GIVE those things away. Hmmm. Good luck to him at any rate.

How do you like the Rolleicord, SET Man? I had somewhat of an itch to get myself a medium format camera. I have an upcoming family portrait session for some people who bought one of my prints and I am a little worried about the slowness of the 4x5 in that situation, especially with kids. I'd like to get something handholdable, so I thought either a Crown Graphic\Speed Graphic or a Rolleiflex. Do the Rollei cameras have light meters on them or is it all manual?

The best part of film is the smell. I like sitting in front of my computer and bringing up the scanner software while the odor of fixer is still on my fingers. I'm not 100% sold on the tones I get from Diafine, but it sure is forgiving, I haven't had any dud negs yet.

Hey!

Nathan, I have Rolleicord III I think it was made in the early 1950's I would say around 1952 for this one. And it is actually better than I expected when it come to the picture quality. Mine comes with Schneider 75mm f3.5 Xener coated taking lens. The pictures I get from it is very good but it is still can be a bit soft especially at the edges wide open. It is pretty sharp stop down a bit. But the neg from the more expensive Rolleiflex with Zeiss Planar that one the photographer I know look better.

There are many models of Rolleicord. Earlier one come with non-coated lens. If you like soft classic look than go for the earlier model with non-coated lens. And to make thing complicated some come with Schneider and some with Zeiss. From what I know to identify coated lens is for Schnieder lens look for red triangle and for Zeiss look for a red T. From what I know non of Rolleicord come light meter. Only some model of Rolleiflex come with light meter but those meter are fragile and after many years I don't think they are reliable and costly to get it fix I believe. So, it is better to use handheld meter anyway. So, I think it is better to just get one without the meter.

Of course if you want sharper picture than you would want to get the Rollieflex the one with Zeiss f2.8 Plannar T* But for me my Rolleicord III is just fine. It is not expensive (I got it for a very good price in working condition but got it cleaned up anyway and ironically it cost me more to get it clean up than I paid for it

) , simple, small enough to stick it in my backpack and not to mention it is quite a head turner when I take it out for a walk.

Take care,
Buddy

SET Man · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 03:36 am »

Quote from: thunderbrick on 12 Sep 2010, 12:19 pm

Hell, I am seeing Hasselblads going for half of what they did just a few years ago. Sometimes as little as $500 for lens, body, back. I have a big Hassy system that I can't get much for, but I plan to put most of it up for sale in a few months.

By the way, do any AC members in the NYC area have a Beseler or Omega 4x5 enlarger (with lenses) they could sell cheap? I have a friend in Brooklyn who is looking for one, and like most of us, he's on a shoestring. I have one available, but shipping would be a huge PITA.

Thanks for considering this.

'brick

Hey!

I'm in NYC and have Beseler MX45II 4x5 enlarger that I haven't use since late 2005 but I ain't selling it!

Well, at least not yet. Still planning to use it again.

But good to know that there are still people looking for this beast

Take care,
Buddy

TONEPUB · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 05:18 am »

Wow, I can't even imagine shooting film again. I shot 15 bands in the last week and shot about 2000 exposures, switching from ISO 400 to 3200 in different lighting conditions. That would have been about 50 rolls of film, processing, scans, dust spotting, ugh. I'd be dead before I got it done!

nathanm · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 05:31 pm »

Thanks for the info, Buddy!

Dang, 2000 shots is a big job to manage no matter what the medium. Even with the batcherific glories of Lightroom\Aperture that's still quite a project! How many shots did you narrow it down to?

SET Man · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 10:14 pm »

Quote from: nathanm on 14 Sep 2010, 05:31 pm

Thanks for the info, Buddy!
...

Hey!

Nathan, no problem

I'm actually feel good that I have someone to talk about B&W film and darkroom with

BTW... wanna play with my Rolleicord for a week or two?

I could send it out flat rated Priority Mail box to you. And ship it back when you are done, I know you will take good care of it. The shutter and the rest of the camera was overhauled couple of years ago and but I haven't use it much since.

Let me know if you are interested.

Take care,
Buddy

TONEPUB · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Sep 2010, 11:42 pm »

Quote from: nathanm on 14 Sep 2010, 05:31 pm

Thanks for the info, Buddy!

Dang, 2000 shots is a big job to manage no matter what the medium. Even with the batcherific glories of Lightroom\Aperture that's still quite a project! How many shots did you narrow it down to?

There will probably be about 25-30 shots in the next issue on the ATP festival...

Initial edit narrowed 2000 shots down to about 300 and then it's off to the art director!