Greetings from Pasadena

[cfclark]

After posting a few times, mainly in the Medium Format forum, I've decided it's time I should introduce myself. Like at least a few of you, I'm sure, I cut my teeth on analog photography as a high-school yearbook staffer, before high-school yearbooks went digital. A few pals and I were blessed with an art/photography teacher who let us build and use a darkroom with more or less free rein, and a generous budget for Tri-X. I had a secondhand Pentax K1000 and then a secondhand Olympus OM-1n, and spent much of my high school career shooting, developing, and enlarging, and having a blast at it.

After I started college, I drifted away from serious photography, although I kept the OM-1. There was never time, money, space, or motivation to set up or borrow a darkroom, and eventually I wound up with a digital point-and-shoot camera and then a DSLR. My film cameras gathered dust.

Then, a few months ago, I started feeling the itch to get back into film. (I also turned 40. Might not be a coincidence.) I started kicking around the idea of going with medium-format this time, since I was now in a better position to afford more serious equipment and I had always wanted to "move up". My wife, having heard me talk about this, gifted me with a Pentax 6X7 for Christmas. So here I am, relearning all my old skills and finding sources to feed my interest again (I am very fortunate to have relocated to LA and to have Freestyle (for one) as a local resource).

 

[Chazzy]

Welcome to APUG. There are lots of medium format users here, so you'll fit right in.

 

[mike c]

cfclark,I also use med format,and large.This is a great place to discuss photography and post your efforts.There are a number of members and suscribers local here in L.A..If you feel like going out and photographing let me know.
Mike

 

[2F/2F]

Nice gift. Welcome. I am five miles from you, so stay in touch. I can recommend some great teachers and classes for you if you feel so inclined.

 

[fotch]

Hello and welcome to APUG. You wife is very thoughtful and your very lucky.

 

[cfclark]

cfclark,I also use med format,and large.This is a great place to discuss photography and post your efforts.There are a number of members and suscribers local here in L.A..If you feel like going out and photographing let me know.
Mike

One of my first outings with the 6X7 this winter (before rain washed away the highway) was to the Station fire burn area--a lot of stark images to be found up there. I hope to get up there again when the road opens up again. (So if anyone wants to put together another outing, I'm interested.)

 

[cfclark]

Nice gift. Welcome. I am five miles from you, so stay in touch. I can recommend some great teachers and classes for you if you feel so inclined.

I could really use a basic darkroom skills class, just to relearn everything that came so naturally 20+ years ago. At this point I'm dropping my film off at Freestyle for processing; I know I just need to invest some time and effort (and a little $) in getting back to doing my own and I'll be much happier.

 

[cfclark]

Hello and welcome to APUG. You wife is very thoughtful and your very lucky.

She's good at encouraging my creative impulses. I think she's also thinking this is cheaper than a sports car when it comes to mid-life crisis intervention.

 

[jettortiz]

FYI, I'm near Hollywood and print large format pretty much for myself and a few fellow artists. If you are interested in visiting let me know.
(I shoot film also but print my large pieces with an HP) Regards, Gil

 

[mike c]

cfclark,Check out Per Volquartz web site,he could help you out with printing,and he's close to you.You could also PM him.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Hello and welcome to APUG. You are among friends here.

Jeff

 

[papagene]

Welcome to APUG from western Massachusetts.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Well, welcome to APUG. Hope to hear more from you.

 

[athanasius80]

Welcome from Huntington Beach. Hit me up if you ever feel like photographing downtown LA!

 

[benjiboy]

She's good at encouraging my creative impulses. I think she's also thinking this is cheaper than a sports car when it comes to mid-life crisis intervention.

Welcome from England, when I reached forty my wife told me to find myself a mistress, because it would be cheaper than my photography

 

[cfclark]

Welcome from England, when I reached forty my wife told me to find myself a mistress, because it would be cheaper than my photography

I did tell her, "of course, you realize this represents a great opportunity to spend more money."


Thanks for the warm welcomes--one of the best things about getting back into photography is being around photographers.

 

[AnalogueRobbie]

Hi cfclark, hope you're having fun with this monster.
I got a pentax 6x7 a few years, not a present though, lucky you, they're superb. I got mine in a shop sale inc the 75mm for £295, pretty cheap. You can get some great lenses too, and if you're careful a few bargains. Because there's little prospect of a digital back the prices have stayed low in comparison to some makes.
When I was as post grad college I used 5x4 for a few studio things and the techy guys said don't bother - the 6x7 is so much easier / cheaper to process (and bracket) and if not needing lens movement as good for the size prints I required. Now - before all the 5x4 community pounce on me, you have to put it into context; I'm talking student equipment, I was poor and if you are printing up to about 16 x 12 you actually will not see a 'massive' difference if you use slow film and a good stand. I like the 6x7 for hand held too, street work and although huge it's nice to use like this. I'm still after a goodish 55mm or 45mm, and a wooden grip, which does command good money on eBay.
Film is the problem now, finding it that is, and not big choice here in the UK, not like the good ol' days. How is that in Pasadena? I've run out of Scala and can't get it process now anyway, but loved the results. Want to have a go with Rollei Retro 80s, anyone used this and what chems did it work well with? Rodinal?? Also see a thing called Rollei Pan 25 which looks interesting to me, must dust off the tripod for that in the weather we get! Are you going to use it for colour or B/W, what subjects?
Robbie

 

[AnalogueRobbie]

Found this hand held pic taken in sunny London, taken with the mighty 6x7. Used Agfa Scala 200, not much shake, nice depth of tone compared to 35mm or digital. Have fun.
R

 

[Mats_A]

Welcome from Finland.
Your story is remarkably same as mine. Apart from not working as an editor and not getting a 6x7 as birthday present. And I had a Ricoh and a Nikon. And I live in Finland and you in sunny California. Come to think of it, your story is nothing like mine, but welcome anyway.

r

Mats

 

[cfclark]

Film is the problem now, finding it that is, and not big choice here in the UK, not like the good ol' days. How is that in Pasadena? I've run out of Scala and can't get it process now anyway, but loved the results. Want to have a go with Rollei Retro 80s, anyone used this and what chems did it work well with? Rodinal?? Also see a thing called Rollei Pan 25 which looks interesting to me, must dust off the tripod for that in the weather we get! Are you going to use it for colour or B/W, what subjects?
Robbie

Film is actually not a problem for me at the moment, as Freestyle is on my way home from work. My main issue is deciding what to use and keeping myself from stocking the fridge/freezer with more than I will use in a reasonable time. I'm mostly sticking to B/W right now--my most common (but least cooperative) subjects right now seem to be my dogs. Now that it's getting warmer and I have more time, though, my hope is to go roaming around California and explore the landscape--this is a photogenic place.