From small and medium to large; growing pains

ntenny · Jan 15, 2014

Alan Klein said:
I've only shot 35mm and MF. I switched my MF from a waist level viewfinder to the eye level because the waist level's reversed view kept confusing me. I'd aim one way and the cameras looked another way. Isn't LF where everything is upside down?

Fugetaboutit.

I actually think the double-reversal of LF is easier to adapt to for most people than the single-reversed image in a WLF. It has the correct handedness, in a sense; *everything* is backwards, not just one axis.

-NT

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 15, 2014

I really like Ted Forbes as a teacher. Take a look.

http://vimeo.com/18367753

pstake · Jan 15, 2014

Mainecoonmaniac said:
I really like Ted Forbes as a teacher. Take a look.

http://vimeo.com/18367753

Thank you. I will take a look at this when I'm at home this evening.

Maybe i'll take practice portrait of my own Maine Coon cat. Doubt if I can get him to sit still though. He's better suited for 35mm work.

pstake · Jan 15, 2014

Mainecoonmaniac said:
I really like Ted Forbes as a teacher. Take a look.

http://vimeo.com/18367753

Thanks for pointing me toward Ted's videos. I watched this one, which had mostly stuff I'm comfortable with but I'm going to look at his others. He has more than 100.

Second, do you use a daylight tank to develop?

I have an old bakelite one that will do up to six films in a quart of solution. I like it for its economy.

My first two batches of two films each, were evenly developed. I used an agitation method of gently tilting it to each side, two times each direction, each minute.

Is this the correct way to agitate?

The last time I developed, I just shook it and got very uneven development, more developed in the center of each negative than on the edges.

Lastly, this is Thomas. One of the few cats i've known who doesn't mind being on a leash.

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 16, 2014

Wow. Your kitty is amazing. Glad you like Ted Forbes. As for film processing, I started out with 4x5 trays and shuffled the stacks. I learned this technique in Ansel Adams book The Negative. It takes practice and I got scratches once in a a while. I also use a Yankee Agitank and they're ok. For 8x10, I use a tray and process a sheet at a time. I shoot Fuji 8x10 HRT X-ray film which I process under a safelight. I have a friend that has great success with a 4x5 Combi PlanT tank. http://www.freestylephoto.biz/459809-HP-Combi-Plan-T-4x5-Film-Developing-Tank-with-Lid

All daylight tanks require practice loading. Good luck with your LF journey! APUGers are the best.

Rafal Lukawiecki · Jan 16, 2014

I've been using HP CombiPlan T, too, for some 14 years. It does 6 sheets in 1 l of solution, daylight.

I get even development (checked with my densitometer), ease of use, and hardly ever at all a slipped sheet. My agitation is fairly robust, with 3 full inversions with a twist over a span of 5 seconds, every 30 seconds. I've published curves for my two recent film/dev combos on APUG.

k_jupiter · Jan 16, 2014

Jobo 2509 4x5 sheet film reels. I use Besseler Color tubes for my 5x7 (2 each) and 8x10 (1 each) developing. Use a roller unit for consistent processing on those. I use the Jobo like a regular film tank (timed inversion).

Smaller films are done in nylon screen tubes in a patterson series 4 tank.

Simplify your processing processes.

tim in san jose

Black Dog · Jan 16, 2014

That reminds me, I need to buy another Combi Tank.

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 16, 2014

Never tried this combo, but it's for a Paterson tank.

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/1164296-MOD54-4x5-Processing-Reel-Kit-with-Paterson-Tank

pstake · Jan 16, 2014

Mainecoonmaniac said:
Never tried this combo, but it's for a Paterson tank.

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/1164296-MOD54-4x5-Processing-Reel-Kit-with-Paterson-Tank

This was actually the first kit I looked at getting but results with it are as mixed as the combi/daylight tanks.

My first two batches of films really were nice and even.

I think I just need to perfect the rocking back and forth. At least as far as development goes.

This is the tank I use:

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 16, 2014

I like your tank. Never seen one before. Normally, the film hangers are used with open hard rubber tanks in the dark. Done that before and it's not fun. But your metal hangers are really easy to load. Glad you're getting good results. Be consistent.

DREW WILEY · Jan 16, 2014

I evolved like many others from 35mm to MF to 4x5 to 8x10. I just wish I knew about 8x10 when I was a teenager, and could have avoided all the intermediate steps. But I've kept my smaller equip and try to use it from time to time, because as grow old, I'll inevitably have to de-evolve the opposite direction, at least as far as backpacking is concerned. But the best way to learn is to simply put away your conventional camera
for awhile and practice all those swings and tilts until they are instinctive. After that, you'll wonder why cameras were ever made differently.
The world really does look better upside-down!

Alan Gales · Jan 16, 2014

DREW WILEY said:
I evolved like many others from 35mm to MF to 4x5 to 8x10. I just wish I knew about 8x10 when I was a teenager, and could have avoided all the intermediate steps.

You and me both!

Sirius Glass · Jan 16, 2014

LF allows one to mess up in many more ways than the smaller formats because LF cameras do not have the interlocks to prevent one from making basic mistakes. Additionally LF offers a higher cost of film per photograph to help insure that each mistake comes with pain so that the user is encouraged to learn faster.

Regular Rod · Jan 17, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
LF allows one to mess up in many more ways than the smaller formats because LF cameras do not have the interlocks to prevent one from making basic mistakes. Additionally LF offers a higher cost of film per photograph to help insure that each mistake comes with pain so that the user is encouraged to learn faster.

Many a true word is spake in jest!

RR

DREW WILEY · Jan 17, 2014

Sirius - I'm talented enough to mess up something with any camera! The view camera just makes the process of doing so more fun, and at
least gives a legitimate-sounding excuse. My wife asked me to take her picture out on the pier the other day with her
little pocket digi, which I bought her when she had her point n' shoot purse film camera stolen by TSA (and wanted another like it - but they
are apparently no more) - I couldn't figure out the thing at all. Where does the darkcloth attach anyway?

Alan Gales · Jan 17, 2014

Drew, Everyone in the family knows that I am an amateur photographer. They are always handing me their little digital cameras and asking me to take photos with them included. They are always surprised when I fumble with their little digital cameras. Those cameras are all different!

I just tell them that I'm a film photographer.

markbarendt · Jan 17, 2014

DREW WILEY said:
Sirius - I'm talented enough to mess up something with any camera!

Me too!

pstake · Feb 4, 2014

so for anyone who stumbles on this post in the future:

4x5 has shown me all the slop in my process, from framing to processing to drying and storage.

I am now pre-soaking all my negatives and stand dev'ing in FX-2 or Rodinal.

35mm and 120 are very forgiving by comparison.

I think I just printed my first keeper. Will post when it dries enough to scan.

markbarendt · Feb 4, 2014

Black Dog · Feb 5, 2014

Go large or go home

pstake said:
so for anyone who stumbles on this post in the future:

4x5 has shown me all the slop in my process, from framing to processing to drying and storage.

I am now pre-soaking all my negatives and stand dev'ing in FX-2 or Rodinal.

35mm and 120 are very forgiving by comparison.

I think I just printed my first keeper. Will post when it dries enough to scan.

That's been my experience too....but you soon get into it with practice kemosabe

pstake · Feb 5, 2014

Joshua Tree Nat'l Park

Just a quick print of what I think is my first "successful 4x5 negative"

I have a few more from this batch that are successful but I haven't printed them yet.

HP5+ / TFX-2 stand / Y-G filter / expired Brovira G-5 8x10 paper

Regular Rod · Feb 5, 2014

Are you being careful when handling the film? There are some quite serious scratches on the right hand top quarter and what could be a rub mark on the left in the sky area. The dust is not a big problem. The black dust is from particles on the film when you made the exposure so maybe the dark slide and the interior of the camera need a clean. The white dust is from dust on the developed negative when you were making the print or scanning. An anti-static brush can be a help as can a careful blast from a compressed gas duster.

How are you developing the film?

RR

Mainecoonmaniac · Feb 5, 2014

Good job!

pstake said:
Joshua Tree Nat'l Park

View attachment 81544

Just a quick print of what I think is my first "successful 4x5 negative"

I have a few more from this batch that are successful but I haven't printed them yet.

HP5+ / TFX-2 stand / Y-G filter / expired Brovira G-5 8x10 paper

I've had scratches on my film when I first got started. Probably from loading or processing the film. As for loading film, I use a paint brush to clean my film holders. I'm too cheap to buy those compressed gas dusters. But an Igloo ice chest to store your film holders. I have a couple of those lunch box sized ones. I get them from the thrift store from about $5 each. Keep the inside of your cooler clean and your film holders will be clean too.

Keep up the good work!

bob01721 · Feb 6, 2014

pstake said:
Joshua Tree Nat'l Park

Beautiful shot!

Plus, it brings back a lot of memories of when I lived out that way.

From small and medium to large; growing pains

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