Driven from LA.

[mike c]

Bring en shaky Jake,a 5x7 B&J just bought and my 4X5 speed graphic,looking forward to a good time photographing, discussing photography and meeting everbody out there.

Mike

 

[markbarendt]

Had not thought of naming mine.

 

[Don12x20]

Is Shakey Jake still Gray? Some of the B&J were refinished by stripping and tightening in the 1990's (there was a guy doing the work for hire). Turns out there is some beautiful wood hidden beneath the gray coat. Once stripped and refinished they turned into beautiful cameras. (Not that gray isn't beautiful).

Good to hear from both of you. It will be good time. Wonder if we will get a dusting of snow? Its already been snowing in Northern California mountains.

 

[mike c]

Ya,Jake is still gray and a little bit shaky still, but he'll be OK.

 

[jimgalli]

I've got 2 different 5X7 enlargers I'd love to send home with someone. Taking up space. Maybe I can tempt someone ! They're too big to ship.

 

[mike c]

I'll take alook Jim,maybe we can work something out.

Mike

 

[Curt]

I've got 2 different 5X7 enlargers I'd love to send home with someone. Taking up space. Maybe I can tempt someone ! They're too big to ship.

Hey Jim, I had that oh no whizz though my head after reading that! I fly by air and you have a nice enlarger... but I can't... I'm in a ffffff airplane.

Actually I have a nice Durst 138 5x7 enlarger sitting right out side of my darkroom. It has no head, ouch, it came that way, complete without a head, for $100.00 that what you get in my neck of the woods.

If I had the time and a big metal file I'd make that Beseler 45 a 5x7!

Looking for a head in the Northwest,
Curt

It's a nice offer Jim, I hope someone will treasure the gift.

 

[Don12x20]

The Ski Area near Las Vegas announced the earliest opening ever due to extreme cold temperatures and their ability to make snow. Great pictures on the web. May it will be quite cold...hope it does not snow

 

[markbarendt]

Jim

I might be interested in an enlarger, it could take up space at my place until I finish the darkroom.

 

[outwest]

You guys ought to take Jim up on his generous offer. But, be warned, it is a slippery slope! An 8x10 one will then start preying on your mind. I have an Omega E5 in the darkroom and, like Curt, a complete Durst 183 (5x7 on an 8x10 chassis) sitting outside waiting to be converted to 8x10 some day (things cost more over here though, it was $145.)

 

[Don12x20]

And once you've done some 8x10, you'll be looking at 11x14 or other ULF...

There's nothing like looking at the ground glass the size of a medium sized TV....;-)

 

[mike c]

I bought the 5x7 to make carbin prints and now you guys are telling me I am gonna end up toting a camera the size of a med size tv ,ooh man what have I got myself infor now!!!

Mike

 

[markbarendt]

I'm thinking the same thing Mike.

 

[jaimeb82]

How's the drive from LV to Tonopah? google says it is about 200 miles, but that's about it, are there chances to encounter snow or ice? Anyone familiar with the best rote to go up there? I rented the cheapest car I could find and now I am worried about weather conditions.

 

[markbarendt]

Jaime,

Last time I was up that way it was nice two lane highway, I worked at a few gold mines north of Tonopah in the winter. Spent a lot of time camping around Death Valley when I was a kid too.

It is a desert with very, very, very, limited precipitation, there are hills/mountains and significant elevation changes but it is nothing like the mountains in Colorado or Utah, no major passes on the short way and little worry about deep snow, especially in November.

Barring the storm of the century coming through, I think you will be fine.

 

[Don12x20]

I've driven this many times -- a nice drive in lowland valleys. You'll see a high mountain off to the west which is LV's ski resort.

If you haven't tried it, download Google Earth and follow the highway at a low elevation to see the terrain.

 

[jaimeb82]

Thanks Mark and Don, that makes me feel better. I was hoping to stop along the road and set up my camera to take pictures of the hills and mountains along the way. I can't wait for this adventure. I will try google earth also.
How many holders are you guys bringing? I have 18 so far, that is 36 pictures per day.

 

[markbarendt]

I'm at 11 or 12 plus a roll back.

 

[Curt]

I drove that way a few years ago and it was just fine. Holders, take the total number of holders you have and divide by half then add two, that's how many you will need. If the highway is hit by the storm of the century you can join me in my cheap rental car by the side of the road.

 

[jaimeb82]

If you see a guy with a cheap rental car and a tripod set up along the side of the road...It is me! I am up to 19 holders but some of then turned out kind of bad.

 

[Curt]

"If you see a guy with a cheap rental car and a tripod set up along the side of the road...It is me! I am up to 19 holders but some of then turned out kind of bad. "

How bad are they? Is the end tape off or loose or are they just older wooden ones that have worn out? Some things can be fixed and some cannot. If you are not sure bring them along for a consult on them, everyone will give advice about whether to fix or toss.

 

[jaimeb82]

the part that opens on both sides where the sheets comes in is loose, I put some tape around but I am not sure if light will go in. I am bringing all of them and tape. A guy here in NYC was selling them at $4, but they are old and dusty.

 

[Don12x20]

Get some bookbinding tape, or some gaffers tape - black. You can easily replace the tape. Avoid bumps, creases,...anything that would keep the holder from seating properly.

Are they plastic or wood? If wood, check to ensure not warped. Slight warping will prevent light tight seal when in the camera. A little stray light goes a long way in ruining an image.

Number your holders and notch the flaps with a notch code. That way you can track any (plastic or wood) that have problems. Discard those. Or if you don't wish to notch, then number the holders and keep detailed notes so you can figure out which ones might be giving problems (this does not work as well if you make more than 2 exposures of an image for any reason).

 

[mike c]

Don,where do you notch your film holders,I hate to create new light leaks in them. Ilike the idea of notching them, it works good for my Hassleb. mags.

Mike

 

[Jim Graves]

Here is a good example of how this is done. It is merely a knife or file created notch on the bottom flap of the film holder. Everybody has a different system of notches ... just so no two holders have the same notch. The notches show up on the margin of the negative.

Here's the link: Link