APUG Grampians adventure!

[Nige]

Nige, I would be very interested to see representative pics of Mutawintji National Park. It is said to have blood-red rocks at sunrise / sunset? Quite apart from its epic, remote isolation. Rain is a risk in the outback but few people who venture out there appear well prepared for "unexpected" delays like rain holding them in the one place.

Probably best looking at Google images! However I've uploaded some (all digi and not taken during the golden hours) here

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Thanks for that Nige.
This one has the most potential in my eyes:

http://s299.photobucket.com/user/HG...ark/DSC_5726_zpse025bc36.jpg.html?sort=3&o=12

But they are all a good overview of the landscape; I just did not expect a fairly lush green ecosystem there, much less running water! The trees looks like Ghost Gums and even a snowgum appears to be growing there (or is that a mix-up from somewhere else??). Most interesting indeed.

 

[Nige]

The running water was probably an anonomly... we had to stay at least 1 extra night than intended as they closed the road to traffic! All pics were from same spot so your identification of the gum species would be better than mine... they're all gum trees to me!

 

[Dr Croubie]

So I finally processed 2 of the 8x10 FP4+ sheets last night.
It was kind of hard trying to figure out a time, given that there's no real data for hand-rolling a jobo drum with a CL81, I could have picked anything from 6 to 11 minutes so I stabbed at 8 mins 21C, Xtol 1+1.
Not that the shutter or my timings were accurate when I took it either.
But with all of those variables, it came out pretty damned good.



Good thing I don't have an 8x10 enlarger (yet) and can't wet-scan this big either, because at 2400dpi you can see the motion-blur from the tripod wobbling, but at contact-print size it won't look too shabby.


I also did my first RPX25s from the M645AF, Rodinal 1+50 11 mins at 20C (although it was closer to 21C). Came out rather dense and very contrasty, the kind of negs that look great but are an absolute bitch to scan.
So I might have to just print them properly.



Nothing special about this, just one of the first I've scanned, from Mt William on Sat morning looking east over Pomonal.
The scanner can't get the detail in the trees and the clouds at once, but with some split-grade dodge+burn this should make a nice print (and a great one to actually teach me how to split-grade dodge+burn).

 

[Molli]

Very, VERY nice work there, Dr. Croubie!
You'll be pleased to know I'm looking at your photos on a screen smaller than my hand and I can't detect even the slightest tripod wobble or motion blur. They both look incredibly sharp and detailed to me.

Thanks for putting these online - I'm getting a better idea of what I missed (although I'm glad I stayed home and made my own vanilla slices )

 

[Oxleyroad]

Here, here. I'm in agreement with Molli.

I've only processed my reversals of colour and B&W. Just got to process the neg film in colour and B&W. This will happen this week.

As for scanning and presenting pictures here, well that is a chore I'm keen on avoid for as long as possible.

 

[Molli]

I'm now looking at those on a larger screen... Rather breathtaking, all in all.

On a slight tangent, and without wanting to derail this thread, Andy, you're processing your own C41, yes? It's something I look in to every six to twelve months yet still haven't done yet. I just recently looked at Vanbar's chemical prices and I'm wondering if there are better options. Ditto for other bulk chemicals. I'm going through rather a lot lately and think I might do better to just mix my own. Actually, I'd just like to stock up for the next couple of years (presumably that will be cheaper than buying a car!)

Back to Dr. Croubie's photos, did I remember to mention the word "breathtaking"?

 

[Dr Croubie]

Thanks for all the love guys. At fullscreen on my 27" monitor (print size about 13x16") it's just starting to look a little 'unsharp', at 50% on 2400dpi it's really bad (but then, I'm not ever going to print it 8x10m). It's that damned Betax shutter missing a spring, the only speeds that work are B, T, and 1/50. I think this was one that I double-tapped 1/50s to get 1/25s, there are two distinct exposures up close. At least it's a press shutter, but as you all saw that tripod wasn't up to the task (next time I'll have my new Abeo).
Still, perfectly good for a contact (meanwhile, I've just realised it's flipped left-right, based on how the other negs went into the scanner).

Did the other two sheets last night, of the Chimneypots. The wide one looks OK, but the close one is rather unsharp just on the neg, not sure if it's the tripod again, focussing error at 28", or just plain 100 year-old-lens-ain't-so-sharp. At least I've got the whole lot in 4x5 and 645 too...


As for C41, I tried a powder-pack of Unicolour (2-bath) from B+H last time I got a bunch of stuff, wasn't too impressed with the results (I do E6 Tetenal in my Jobo just fine so I'm disinclined to blame the process). I've got a pack of Tetenal E6 and Digibase C41 coming from macodirect.de sometime soon, with a few other chems and some RPX25 and IR400 4x5s, €201 worth was just under 10kg so only €59 shipping (above 10kg it was something like €90 shipping so I took some film out). If you buy a decent amount in bulk it's probably cheaper than Vanbar, plus from what I've read the Digibase C41 is a lot better than the Tetenal. Once it arrives I'll do all my Ektar and RVP from the Grampians.

 

[Molli]

...

As for C41, I tried a powder-pack of Unicolour (2-bath) from B+H last time I got a bunch of stuff, wasn't too impressed with the results (I do E6 Tetenal in my Jobo just fine so I'm disinclined to blame the process). I've got a pack of Tetenal E6 and Digibase C41 coming from macodirect.de sometime soon, with a few other chems and some RPX25 and IR400 4x5s, €201 worth was just under 10kg so only €59 shipping (above 10kg it was something like €90 shipping so I took some film out). If you buy a decent amount in bulk it's probably cheaper than Vanbar, plus from what I've read the Digibase C41 is a lot better than the Tetenal. Once it arrives I'll do all my Ektar and RVP from the Grampians.

Thank you for the information. I'll take another look at Maco Direct and work on making a decision.

As to the sharpness or lack thereof in your photos, I for one will not be zooming in 100% on a 2400dpi scan on a twenty seven inch monitor any time soon. So, no need to tell anyone what you believe to be "wrong" about it - pixel peeping isn't much of a pastime around these parts.

Thanks again for pointing me towards Maco Direct. I'd forgotten about them for a moment.

 

[Oxleyroad]

Ok my c41 done, just the B&W neg to process now.

 

[Molli]

Ok my c41 done, just the B&W neg to process now.

...because who needs sleep anyway?

 

[OldBikerPete]

...<snip>...

As for C41, I tried a powder-pack of Unicolour (2-bath) from B+H last time I got a bunch of stuff, wasn't too impressed with the results (I do E6 Tetenal in my Jobo just fine so I'm disinclined to blame the process).

...<snip>...

In a two-bath C41 process, the main problem is likely to be the Blix. PhotoEngineer says that trying to combine bleach and fix results in less than optimum performance. If you think the shots are worth it, they just may be improved by running them through a C41 bleach then a C41 fixer for the standard times and temperature. I can't say from my own experience as I've never tried a blix.

Peter.

 

[Colin D]

Looks like I missed a good excursion to one place I have never been and seems to have plenty of photographic appeal. I've been close but never to those spots. Some very nice pictures look to have been made. Anyway I hope I can make the next turnout.

Colin

 

[LJH]

Speaking of the next one...

Any thoughts?

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

What's a "Grampian"?

 

[LJH]

It's a subsidiary of Google. Check out their link there.

 

[Dr Croubie]

Hmmm, coincidence?
I was just (finally) scanning my colour shots that I took there. Did the RPX25 a while ago, only doing the 4x5 Velvia and Ektar yesterday. Still got the 645 after that (and still also haven't fixed the mamiya that I dropped either).

Here's "that tree" in Velvia:

not sure why, but I have two identical shots of this (at 180 or 270mm, plus one wider 90mm, and one wider again in 65mm with my hand in the shot).

This is the view from Mt William at stupid O'clock in the morning.

Ektar, probably 90mm.

I zoomed in on it after I scanned it, and I reckon there's a better shot in there, rather than the wide one.

This is one crop, I might go in even further again.

Man, I love 4x5", so much area to crop down.
It's strange, I've always been a 'wide' shooter, I've spent hours on fleabay looking for wider lenses for all my systems, and bag bellows and recessed lensboards (I've even got an 8-16mm on my blasphemous camera, now that's wide).
But looking at this shot, I might try some tele landscapes next time....

 

[munz6869]

Aah yes, ideas for another trip...

We've done Grampians, Noojee, Kilcunda, Williamstown, Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Various members have done the Otways, and the Large Format group are doing Phillip Island in March.

So, where else can we go?

Marc!

 

[Dr Croubie]

Well, we could always do your idea of going to this.
I'd totally be up for that, it's like 15 minutes on the tram from my house.

I've always wanted to go up the river with my 617, get some cliche shots like this.

Except that now I'm a poor struggling student and probably can't even afford petrol anywhere...

 

[Oxleyroad]

Michigan anyone?

 

[Mick Fagan]

Well, we could always do your idea of going to this.
I'd totally be up for that, it's like 15 minutes on the tram from my house.

Oooh, thanks for that, I might pop into Adelaide to see that instead of passing around Adelaide I may pass through.

By the way, your picture of, "that tree" surrounded by rapeseed, looks the ducks guts.

Mick.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Michigan anyone?

How much spare floor space have you got?

Mick.

 

[Oxleyroad]

Floor space right now is a whole basement in short term home. I'll be nice and cosy down there as the furnace will keep you company.

 

[Pinsplitter]

As it was

I am a new member poking around and saw this thread.
The Royal Mail Hotel gets a few mentions, its on the right of this pic (1960's sometime i think),
that's my mum's old Vanguard motor vehicle and my Dad's general store on the left.
At least Mt. Abrupt has hardly changed.

 

[wombat2go]

Pinsplitter, That is not a Vanguard, I think it is a '38 Buick Sedan.
Vanguards were fairly popular in the '50s in Victoria.
I came from Manangatang to the north of there and our first family car was a similar, '37 Pontiac, and now I live in "Buick City".