Are you obsessed with ULF?

Jim Fitzgerald · May 11, 2007

Sandy, that is a great idea! Only one problem. I live by the beach in Ventura which is a good thing but I get seasick! So I decided I will get a Porsche Twin Turbo instead!! At least I can get to my favorite sunrise/sunset locations quickly!!! Who needs to go off road with these beasts anyway!

Jim

Ole · May 11, 2007

The sailing is a good idea, but I'm afraid it doesn't work.

I have a sailboat already...

ReallyBigCameras · May 11, 2007

David A. Goldfarb said:
Geeze, Kerry. What ever happened to "Thalmann, Zen master of the ultralight backpacking kit"?

He's still in there somewhere screaming to get out. The nice thing about my dalliance into the world of ULF is that now ANY 4x5 seems like an ultralight (how's that for the rationalization of an addict?).

Kerry

argus · May 11, 2007

I do it only because I'm lazy.

People who shoot 4x5 or smaller (can you imagine THAT!) have to focus 2 times: first at exposure and secondly at enlarging.
We only have to do it once

G

SAShruby · May 11, 2007

Obsesion is good, deep pockets are neccessary...with every dimension you're doubling the price... Trust me I know it I have 8x20 too. LOL

Curt · May 11, 2007

Jim, I did the bed/bath room darkroom back in my college days; when we got a house a couple of decades ago I started to eye the bathroom up as a darkroom and my wife stepped in and said, "how about the garage", end of story. I built an addition over the newly removeled garage and put the darkroom up there. My son is off to dorm life this comming fall. I feel the pressure of the void of what college money he will need already. We saved, a little, but it is never enough. I need to take my gear, get a hackeysackoline vehicle and go back to nature for the next year.

After my tour, isn't that a joke...tour, in Vietnam I was going to really see America when I got back, never did, married and off to college then work and well... life. When does life really start?

The only way around deep pockets is to get rid of the pants.

Jim Fitzgerald · May 12, 2007

Curt, well how shall I say this?? I think the wife will get the house and probably everything else I have when the time comes. I may have to donate/sell my equipment to my friends so I have no assets left if you know what I mean. Some how I keep it all together. My most valued acomplishment will be being able to say I helped put my three son's through college. My photography is just a bonus!! It keeps me sane. Or is it insane! Either one works. So the bathroom will have to do for now. Oh, I can't do 20x24, the trays won't fit in the tub!! All the best.

Jim

Curt · May 12, 2007

When I see the darkroom that Edward Weston had I sometimes think I could do with a lot less. Over controlling everything becomes an obsession greater than going Ultra Large Format. When the enlarging equipment with the timers, lenses, film holders and special light sources, easels and extras are taken out of the process it becomes clear that there is a direct approach to photography. In the beginning I was held back for a couple of years until I figured out that my enlarging lens was cheap. What a waste of time. If I had started with contact printing it would have been so much easier and more enjoyable. Enlarging is definitely the hard road, and now that I have gone down that road I think it is time to take another direction for a while.
Thinking out loud,
Curt

Mike A · May 12, 2007

I agree with argus here, I use ULF for the simplicity and quality I can obtain from contact printing.

argus said:
I do it only because I'm lazy.

People who shoot 4x5 or smaller (can you imagine THAT!) have to focus 2 times: first at exposure and secondly at enlarging.
We only have to do it once

G

Richard T Ritter · May 13, 2007

The best way to go is have a 20 x 24 camera with a 12 x 20 back and an 8 x 20 back. Im currently building a 20 x 24 as a custom job with a 12 x 20 back with 48 inches of bellows. It was such a good idea I started a 14 x 17 with a 7 x 17 back for myself.

It makes a lot of cents to take one camera with second back out into the field. The second back and holders take up far less space. This at times could be the difference between taking the camera or leaving it behind when going out into the field with other photographers.

Richard
www.lg4mat.net

Alex Hawley · May 15, 2007

sanking said:
BTW, if the issue preventing you form fully exploring the ULF option is concern from the partner, spouse or significant other about expense I have a wonderful remedy. Just take up sailing.

Well guys, count me as the newest ULF obsessed maniac. My most beautiful and gracious wife just gave me her blessings and a 7x17 Korona, with S&S holders, is on its way. Didn't have to use the sailboat trick either (thank God). But I knew from the first day in the Flint Hills that 8x10 just wasn't adequate there. And then Sandy goes and posts his home-brew 20x24 the same day we close the deal on the 7x17. I did mention to the wife that their was a 20x24 available for near the same price; but somehow knew better than to suggest ----:rolleyes:

Jim Fitzgerald · May 15, 2007

Alex, congrats on picking up Matts 7x17 at a great price! Yes I did look at Sandy's post on the 20x24. I only have room for 16x20 trays in my bath tub at my apartment! I need a two bedroom!! Someone is going to get a great deal! I need to finish my 8x20 before I move to anything bigger.Welcome to the ULF obsession. I hope to be complete and "official" soon.

Jim

Mike A · May 18, 2007

Uh, besides the yearly big group purchases, where's everyone gonna buy film at since the J&C closing?

scootermm · May 18, 2007

Freestylephoto
In fact, I just ordered two boxes of 12x20 Efke PL100 and it was shipped this morning.
kudos to freestyle for actually having it in stock.

sanking · May 18, 2007

Just a couple of comments. Although I sold my home-brew 20X24, as some noted and commented on, I have not lost the obsession. In fact, RR is currently making a custom 20X24 for me, with backs for 20X24 and 12X20 and I hope to take delivery of it sometimes this summer. Richard's estimates on weight and cost for this camera have been encouraging, and although I don't know all the details as yet I am confident that everything can be worked out. I am really excited about the prospect of being able to easily make vertical 12X20 shots on this camera, and may eventually have holders made for a really exotic panoramic format, say 10X24. Just think what I could do with that format scanning three or four 10X24" negatives made with the multi-coated 550 Schneider Dagor and stitching those fellows together for printing. I suspect that might blow the hair off the balls of every other digital stitching project we have seen.

Oh, sorry to mention the "d" word!!

Que disfruten de larga vida y prosperen los verdaderos obsesionados en este mundo!

Sandy

scootermm · May 18, 2007

that even gets me excited Sandy.

Jim Fitzgerald · May 19, 2007

Sandy, A whole different level!!! Can't wait to see it!!

Jim

Mike A · May 19, 2007

scootermm said:
Freestylephoto
In fact, I just ordered two boxes of 12x20 Efke PL100 and it was shipped this morning.
kudos to freestyle for actually having it in stock.

Thanks, I've orderd from them before. When they list the material your in need of in stock it's usualy ready to ship.

Petzi · May 19, 2007

Jim Fitzgerald said:
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?

I think the truth is that obsession is a prerequisite for ULF photography.

Alex Hawley · May 19, 2007

Petzi said:
I think the truth is that obsession is a prerequisite for ULF photography.

I think you're 100% correct on that one Petzi.

Petzi · May 19, 2007

I'm still considering whether that applies to LF photography in general. I mean, who would want to set up an LF camera in the landscape, when the same camera is too inconvenient for studio photographers?

sanking · May 19, 2007

Petzi said:
I'm still considering whether that applies to LF photography in general. I mean, who would want to set up an LF camera in the landscape, when the same camera is too inconvenient for studio photographers?

I am not sure what you mean by inconvenient. Some LF cameras are very inconvenient to use anywhere, either in the studio or in the field. Others set up in the field as fast as small and medium format cameras. I find it about as convenient to set up my 5X7 Nagaoka and Canham as to set up a Pentax 67. Either way I am going to use a tripod whenever feasible. Maybe it takes a couple of minutes more to set up the view cameras, but that does not seem much of a price to pay.

Sandy King

Alex Hawley · May 19, 2007

Petzi said:
I'm still considering whether that applies to LF photography in general. I mean, who would want to set up an LF camera in the landscape, when the same camera is too inconvenient for studio photographers?

Inconvenience can be very subjective and depends on many things. One in particular is how the camera is being used. If rapid shooting is needed, then of course a view camera is inconvenient.

Sure it takes a while to get set up in the field, and it also takes some time to knock things down when finished in one location. I use that time to get acquainted with the location. I may move the camera several times before I make a shot. I may make a shot and then something slightly different and shoot again. Bottom line is, none of all the above bothers me in any way.

Petzi · May 19, 2007

sanking said:
I am not sure what you mean by inconvenient. Some LF cameras are very inconvenient to use anywhere, either in the studio or in the field. Others set up in the field as fast as small and medium format cameras. I find it about as convenient to set up my 5X7 Nagaoka and Canham as to set up a Pentax 67.

Why don't you just take the picture with the camera in your cell phone?

Petzi · May 19, 2007

Alex Hawley said:
Inconvenience can be very subjective and depends on many things. One in particular is how the camera is being used. If rapid shooting is needed, then of course a view camera is inconvenient.

My main concern (based on past experience) is, that I might get "in the zone". It happens from time to time, especially when I travel abroad. That does not mean that I shoot rapidly, but I would take picture after picture until my film holders are used up. OK, I have that Harrison tent, but...

Once I shot 40 rolls of 220 film in 2 1/2 days. OK, some of my negs are big (panoramic), but there was a lot of 6x7 also...

Are you obsessed with ULF?

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