Encouragement needed?

k_jupiter · Jan 17, 2009

Until you shoot a second box of film...

You use the first box of film. Unexposed film stays in the packet, exposed film fits behind it in the same box.

You don't throw LF film boxes out. Ever. They come in handy for storing your undeveloped film, plus exposures, minus exposures, and finally, negatives until you find a storage system you like for negatives.

Now for questions on how to develop your film. We know how this works. *L*

timin san jose

ragc · Jan 17, 2009

Congrats! Now you have the bug... you will buy other lenses in spite of the advice to practice well with the one before doing so! I prefer wide angle lenses myself: a 90mm Super Angulon is what I recommend as a wide. The 135mm Nikkor W you mentioned earlier is one of my all-time favorite lenses. I made my own darkcloth (actually the Wife did it). You need a loupe (magnifier) for focusing - unless you have really sharp eyes, I don't. You need to read up on bellows factor for your exposures, plus film reciprocity. You also should familiarize yourself with film loading procedures and know the black and white sides of the filmholder slide mean unexposed and exposed. Are you developing/printing your own? If so, tray development is fine, but JOBO or Unicolor tank development frees you from wasting time and from scratches, and is so much easier! You will have other questions: get a good book like Simmon's The View Camera. It covers camera movements pretty well, among other things. Oh, yes: you already found out, but the cable release you already have is fine.

Enjoy! This cannot be cured, ever!

srmcnamara · Jan 17, 2009

How very clever to use the same box! I'm not sure I would have never though about that!

Anyways, I got out to use it today. I think I might have forgotten the bellows effect, but we'll see; this one was just practice. incredibly cold and I figured out how to tilt the front to adjust the plane of focus.

Next question is definitely processing. I think the JOBO at school is only available for students who have taken the large format class which I have, of course, been unable to register for. But that's a problem I'll have to deal with the professors about.

Thanks to everyone for their patience and help, I think I can take it from here. you might have a new member amongst you.

archphoto · Jan 17, 2009

Good luck, good shooting and welcome to the familiy !!!
Q's later on: ask, ask, OK

Peter

ragc · Jan 18, 2009

You can find Unicolor stuff prettyy easily and cheaply on the auction site. In my opinion, the paper processing Unicolor tubes (with ribs inside) do as good a job as a JOBO, and the rotating motor is excellent. Remember to load the sheets with emulsion to the center (not to the outside) of the tube. All you need then is a changing bag and chemistry to do your B&W negs. I use 12 fl. oz. of chemicals to ensure coverage.

goldenimage · Jan 19, 2009

yes it is a big focal plane shutter, lol. and it slams too the one i have is pretty accurate too

srmcnamara · Jan 25, 2009

just a quick update, developed the negs finally. I used trays, 4 at a time. seems to have gone well we'll see when we print them, now won't we, eh?

fschifano · Jan 26, 2009

srmcnamara said:
thanks for that info. Can anyone tell me about a Graflex Graphic View? there's one in my area but the auction ends in an hour and a half. It looks very heavy.

I have a Graphic View II. It's not terribly different from the Graphic View. The differences are outlined here: http://graflex.org/articles/graphic-view/index.html. I like mine, even if it is a bit heavy. It's not the type of thing you'd want to drag around the mountains or anywhere there is rough ground. I get mine around in it's case strapped down to a two wheeled cart, 'cause it's too heavy to carry around unless you happen to be Charles Atlas. I'm no mountain climber, so it doesn't matter to me. I prefer the urban landscape over the natural, and that means paved roads and concrete sidewalks - a perfectly suitable environment for the cart. If you decide to get one, make sure it comes with the tripod adapter. Without it, you won't be able to mount it to a tripod.

vet173 · Jan 27, 2009

Martin Aislabie said:
Missing a Dark Cloth and a Cable Release

A 210 lens for a 5x4 is a little longer than standard - is that what you want?

Martin

If you are going to have only one lens this IS the most versatile. Now do yourself a big favor and NOT buy another lens for 2 years. Will you miss some shots? To be sure. The ability to "look and see", to find a way to make it work, will pay off for decades to come.

srmcnamara · Jan 27, 2009

vet173 said:
If you are going to have only one lens this IS the most versatile. Now do yourself a big favor and NOT buy another lens for 2 years. Will you miss some shots? To be sure. The ability to "look and see", to find a way to make it work, will pay off for decades to come.

Yeah, I'm in no rush to buy anything else. I showed the camera to my professor today; he said I should probably have gotten a 90 for my landscape stuff which I probably agree with, but I'm not going to have any problems using the 210. the longer lens is better for small streams and stuff anyways which is what I've been doing lately.

Anyways, I've noticed that the 4x5 negs are quite the dust magnets, eh? The two prints I made are pretty darn nice though, can't wait to go larger.

Zathras · Jan 27, 2009

EASmithV said:
5x4? What is that?

He's right though. I don't see why you need a lens that long. I use a 152mm Ektar, and I have plenty of room swing.

So how do you like yer 152mm Ektar? I've been thinking of getting one and I was wondering what their owners thought of them.

Mike

vet173 · Jan 31, 2009

srmcnamara said:
Anyways, I've noticed that the 4x5 negs are quite the dust magnets, eh? The two prints I made are pretty darn nice though, can't wait to go larger.

Turn off the fan. Moves out wet air and brings in dry dust. Take a look at what you are wearing. That comfy flannel shirt, you know, the one with all the cat hair on it, may not be the best choice.
The 90 will shine in tight spots, but the details on the horizon will get too small too fast for grand landscapes. It is my least used of my wide's for landscape on 4x5. You did get the correct lens for YOU.

Encouragement needed?

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