Are you obsessed with ULF?

Jim Fitzgerald · May 2, 2007

I found myself wondering the other day about 11x14! I am about a month from completion of my Walnut 8x20 with matching Walnut tripod. I am diamond polishing the ground glass frame and have to do the bellows and she will be done. This is my first attempt at building any camera and it is turning out better that I expected. Now that I can see the "light at the end of the tunnel" I'm considering building a 11x14! I am crazy, I know, but does this obsession just go on and on?

Terence · May 2, 2007

MikeK · May 2, 2007

I am afraid it does - I just acquired an 11x14 and now I find I am fantasizing over a 7x17 - good job my wife cannot read my mind - "slap" - oh good grief she can

Mike

Steve Sherman · May 2, 2007

the obsession is with making negatives, really big ULF negatives!

Vaughn · May 2, 2007

I'm a bit obsessed with the idea of ULF, but am lacking sufficient funds at the present times to make the obsession a reality of ULF.

Vaughn

Curt · May 3, 2007

Once you discover you have the talent to make cameras your already in trouble. From there building down doesn't seem to be the direction taken. Tonight I am working on a replacement bellows for a Seneca 8x10. I still have the materials for an 11x14 in the shop ready for me.

Jim Fitzgerald · May 3, 2007

Negatives!! Damn I have to find a place for them also! My one bedroom apartment is slowly becoming a photography museum! I imagine it is all worth it when you pull that first ULF neg out of the developer. Can't wait!

Jim

roteague · May 3, 2007

I'm not the least bit obsessed with something I can't even get film for.

ChrisC · May 3, 2007

After looking at negatives shot from my 4x5 I'm for sure in love with the idea of something alot larger. But having said that, I don't think I'd ever have the desire to go bigger than plain old LF 8x10. Of course, if I somehow managed to shoot an 11x14 in this country, which is pretty unlikely, I'd probably be hooked.

Ole · May 3, 2007

No.

I have a 12x16" camera, but so far 5x7", 18x24cm and 24x30cm suit me much better. Maybe now that I've got a 8x10" camera I can sell the big beast?

Roger Hicks · May 3, 2007

Ole said:
No.

I have a 12x16" camera, but so far 5x7", 18x24cm and 24x30cm suit me much better. Maybe now that I've got a 8x10" camera I can sell the big beast?

Dear Ole,

Same here. I've had 11x14 inch; I have 12x15 inch; but I prefer 5x7 inch/ 13x18cm and use 8x10 only for portraits.

Cheers,

R.

ReallyBigCameras · May 3, 2007

roteague said:
I'm not the least bit obsessed with something I can't even get film for.

Robert,

If you REALLY wanted it, you could get it. Kodak will cut any of their emulsions in any size you want - as long as you're willing to meet their $$$ minimum order requirements. Or, you can buy 9.5" rolls and cut your own to your desired length. Or, you could shoot it in 150 ft. rolls with a motor driven back, Dead Link Removed, for rapid bracketing of exposures in rapidly changing light.

Anything is possible, if yuo have enough money an REALLY want to do it.

Kerry

argus · May 3, 2007

Jim,

I had the same feeling when finishing my 7x17", it lasted for some months after that and is now levelled at an acceptable amount of interest.

I'm currently working on the restauration of a full plate camera... the spouse said it was OK after I put 4 days in putting up the fence around our garden last weekend

Looking forward to see your completed camera!

G

jimgalli · May 3, 2007

Naw. I've only got 9 ULF cameras. It's these darned giant antique lenses that are killing me.....

Michael Kadillak · May 3, 2007

Obsessed with ULF

kthalmann said:
Robert,

If you REALLY wanted it, you could get it. Kodak will cut any of their emulsions in any size you want - as long as you're willing to meet their $$$ minimum order requirements. Or, you can buy 9.5" rolls and cut your own to your desired length. Or, you could shoot it in 150 ft. rolls with a motor driven back, Dead Link Removed, for rapid bracketing of exposures in rapidly changing light.

Anything is possible, if you have enough money an REALLY want to do it.

Kerry

I completely agree with Kerry in the sense that it is easier to admit defeat and blame any number of companies for the condition than it is to solve the problem. Fundamental human nature. But at the end of the day the future of ULF is the collective responsibility of the participants. In this regard I am one of the hopelessly addicted that is willing to step up and allocate some of my time to insure that we have B&W sheet film for these cameras for years to come. I am working jointly with J&C toward the goal of stocking TMY in ULF sizes shortly that would eliminate pre-orders and make this emulsion available to many more photographers that prefer to pay as they go.

Long live B&W in ULF formats!

Hugo Zhang · May 3, 2007

Jim,

11x14 is not much bigger than 8x10. Why don't you build yourself a 14x17 and be done with ULF camera building and we go out burning some big negatives?

Jim Fitzgerald · May 3, 2007

Hugo Zhang said:
Jim,

11x14 is not much bigger than 8x10. Why don't you build yourself a 14x17 and be done with ULF camera building and we go out burning some big negatives?

Hugo, now there is a great idea! Bigger is better!

Jim

roteague · May 3, 2007

Michael Kadillak said:
I completely agree with Kerry in the sense that it is easier to admit defeat and blame any number of companies for the condition than it is to solve the problem.

I'm not blaming anyone. I'm just stating my opinion.

roteague · May 3, 2007

kthalmann said:
Robert,

If you REALLY wanted it, you could get it. Kodak will cut any of their emulsions in any size you want - as long as you're willing to meet their $$$ minimum order requirements. Or, you can buy 9.5" rolls and cut your own to your desired length. Or, you could shoot it in 150 ft. rolls with a motor driven back, Dead Link Removed, for rapid bracketing of exposures in rapidly changing light.

I only shoot Fuji Velvia.

ReallyBigCameras · May 3, 2007

roteague said:
I only shoot Fuji Velvia.

Fuji used to make Velvia in 11x14. If someone were to throw enough money their way, they'd probably be willing to do it again.

Kerry

Rick Olson · May 3, 2007

Michael,

I am ready to participate again in the TMY film purchase! Last year, it was 5 x 7 for me. This year, it will be 7 x 17. See a trend??

Thanks,
Rick

Michael Kadillak said:
I completely agree with Kerry in the sense that it is easier to admit defeat and blame any number of companies for the condition than it is to solve the problem. Fundamental human nature. But at the end of the day the future of ULF is the collective responsibility of the participants. In this regard I am one of the hopelessly addicted that is willing to step up and allocate some of my time to insure that we have B&W sheet film for these cameras for years to come. I am working jointly with J&C toward the goal of stocking TMY in ULF sizes shortly that would eliminate pre-orders and make this emulsion available to many more photographers that prefer to pay as they go.

Long live B&W in ULF formats!

Scott Peters · May 3, 2007

Absoutely. Especially when you see the 'no' grain, sharp, tonality to die for contact print....plus you are ready to alt process too!

I also find it easier to 'paint' with a larger ground glass.

Scott Peters · May 3, 2007

Michael, awesome news! Keep us posted!

Rob Skeoch · May 3, 2007

I think LF is contagious like crack, but more expensive.

Once I started shooting 8x10 (I know it's a pocket camera to you ULF guys) I wanted to get a 7x17. When I bought my 8x10 enlarger it solved it for me... I'm happy now, just want to shoot and print more.
-Rob

Allen Friday · May 3, 2007

Let's see:

11x14, check.
7x17, check.
12x20, check.
16x20, check.
20x24,check.
8x20,....8x20..not yet.
14x17, nope.
So, on balance, I am not adicted. I have with stood temptaton twice.

Are you obsessed with ULF?

Jim Fitzgerald

Terence

MikeK

Steve Sherman

Vaughn

Curt

Jim Fitzgerald

roteague

ChrisC

Ole

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Roger Hicks

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argus

jimgalli

Michael Kadillak

Hugo Zhang

Jim Fitzgerald

roteague

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Rick Olson

Scott Peters

Scott Peters

Rob Skeoch

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Allen Friday

Are you obsessed with ULF?

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