Is there still a PNW film camera community?

[dwross]

Hi All,

This is a jump-off from the last discussion thread about missing posts. Seems a good time to start fresh.

I would love to host a monthly Newport film camera get-together. Very informal, at least until there's interest in something more organized. I'd like the first Saturday of the month. If a couple of other people could host the 2nd, 3rd, and/or 4th Saturdays in their area, our film cameras would have options to come out and play. Say Seattle, Portland, and Southern Oregon or Northern California (??) Travel or stay closer to home, as circumstances allow, but most people could get in at least one film camera shoot a month. I'd love to see the old-timers help the young'uns learn film. I know I learned photography that way. But, mostly, I'm just thinking casual fun and a chance to be with other film folk.

I personally don't care what happens with film after it's exposed. I suspect there's a lot of scanning going on with the goal of inkjet final prints, or inkjet negatives for alternative processes. All that is great fun. But, in my opinion, walking around working with a film camera is a different experience from working with a digital camera. I'd like to see these meetups strictly film (except for digital record keeping -- can't beat digicams for that!) maybe with some portfolio sharing of all the great things we do with our film.

Denise
LF and 120 roll film
Newport, Oregon

 

[M Stat]

Gee Denise, it looks like its just you and me. Even our esteemed moderator has gone over to the dark digital side. Presently I am in the middle of a long plat/pallad printing jag and I'm loving every minute of it. However, it wouldn't take much for me to plan a trip to the coast soon, if only to visit the Newport aquarium again. Other than that we could meet in the Columbia Gorge to explore my neck-of-the-woods. As for "digital record keeping" my Leica M-4 beats any digicam.

 

[flash26c]

Sorry to break up your twosome, I'm still here and ready for field trips. Ron

 

[dwross]

Well, I think three excellent people are enough to declare us alive and kicking! I'll be at The Coffee House on the Bayfront at 8:30 am May 5. That's a Sunday so that the non-retired or people not lucky enough to work and live at the beach have Saturday to travel. In general, Sundays might be better get-together days than Saturdays. (??) Hope to see you guys!
d

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Still around. Ralph Javins is still around, but not posting much these days. Been too busy with other things, it seems.

-J

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, All of the USPNWRWOIaStbSoJ Group;

John Nikon F is correct in his observation about my Internet Forum Posting Activities in recent times. But, there are several other Internet fora where I am a moderator and/or owner, so I have been busy. Well, there was an unexpected "time off" the last couple of months of 2012, but I am still here.

Denise, the idea of additional meetings in Newport is enticing. With some additional work on some things here, I could then plan on a few more treks down the Oregon Coast. There were some other things that did require attention and resources over the last couple of years, but they seem to have settled down. That unexpected and unplanned rebuild of a Lycoming O-300B engine was a surprise.

Lots of other things happening also. The film formats have not changed; still 16mm to 4 by 5. There have been some additions to the camera equipment. John Nikon F has even participated in improving "The 1960s Nikon Project" by making available other equipment that is even more appropriate than what I already had in stock. The Minolta marque seems to be fairly stable now. And, like many others, yse, there are some now venerable (by modern DSLR standards) Canon EOS-20D digital cameras here that are still serving me well where more immediacy of an image, especially when it will be going over the Internet to its intended recipient. For almost all of the things that I have been doing digitally, the image file size the EOS-20D produces has proven to be adequate at the minimum. And there is now a Nikon CoolScan LS-9000ED film scanner to use, once I get it to talk correctly with one of the computers here.

For the 16mm cameras, a 100 foot roll of Tri-X will be purchased for reloading the cartridges to keep the old MInolta 16 II going for a few more years. And the 120 roll film cameras are seeing more use now. The ones that are probably feeling really neglected are the 4 by 5 cameras.

Still lots of things to be done. The Subaru is now up to 362,000 miles, and it is beginning to show its age. Still doing well for a 22 year old vehicle. Yes, I know that in some circles I am considered to be somewhat un-American, because I do not replace my car every three years at the most. There are a lot of things I do not replace simply because it (or they) have an accumulation of years. In fact, that is one of the very real reasons why I am still using film and the cameras it fits. If it is still doing the things that I asked it to do when I first purchased it, why should I replace it just because it is now a few years older? An accumulation of years does not automatically translate to "obsolete." If that were the case, I would have been replaced years ago.

There is an enjoyable feeling of satisfaction and familiarity in using a lot of this simpler older equipment. A piece of equipment that can be picked up and used intuitively does still have a place in our world. In contrast, I have radios now where you must have either the maker's Owner's Manual or a "cheat sheet" to provide the keyboard keystroke-by-keystroke sequence to get into the radio and down to the particular parameter you need to adjust. If you do not have the documentation, you are not going anywhere, while some of the radios I had to purchase because of the "Narrow Banding Movement" have only a volume control, a channel selector, and possibly a squelch control, and need an external computer with the "optional computer program and programming cable" to adjust them. And, if we really look at what we are actually doing with this equipment, are all of those extra "features" and "bells and whistles" really things that we need to have in there for what we are actually doing? My cameras are a great source of enjoyment and relaxation in comparison with a lot of the other "modern" equipment we have around us now.

Enjoy;

Ralph
Latte Land, Washington

 

[dotyj]

You guys are a bit of a trek for me so I likely won't make any get togethers.

Still, looks like a diversified group.

Ralph, where do you get 100 foot rolls of 16mm film. I have a Minolta Mini-16 that I bought film for on eBay for the cartridges but would like to load my own. I guess loading cartridges requires cutting off a specified length and rolling it up in the cartridge and taping it shut. I have film bags so I'm okay doing that.

A Lycoming engine you say? What was it bolted to?

I live 22 miles north of Portland, OR so if anyone wants to meet in the area I can do that.

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, James;

Yes, it is a diversified group. One of the members, Dennis, has a 12 by 20 landscape camera. Yes, that is 12 inches by 20 inches. Just a few years back, in Newport, we calculated that, at that time, it was costing Dennis $25.00 just to load one of those sheets into the film holder for his camera.

And, at 22 miles, that would put you right at about Woodland.

The rebuilt engine is bolted back into a Cessna C-172.

The 100 foot long rolls of 16mm Tri-X are listed in the current B&H print catalog (my copy of which arrived yesterday) on page 172 down at the bottom, and it is $29.50. You can also look at
www.bandh.com/
Yes, that is a new URL for them.

Yes, a large changing bag, especially one with an internal frame for holding it up and creating a volume of space, is a reasonable way to pull off, cut the appropriate length of film (about 18 inches), and coil it up to go into the supply side of the cartridge, and the cap is taped onto the supply side top. The other end now outside of the supply side is taped onto the take-up side cylinder and its cap is taped onto its chamber. When everything is put back into their light tight containers, then everything can be pulled out of the changing bag.

Enjoy;

Ralph
Latte Land, Washington

 

[dotyj]

Hi Ralph:

Wow, I haven't been in a Cessna C-172 since I was twelve years old. My stepdad used to be a pilot.

We rented that plane from an outfit in San Diego, CA and were north near Miramar Naval Air station when we developed engine trouble and turned back. We almost made the runway before the engine quit, we cleared a fence and landed in the dirt/grass/gravel and what ever else it was just short of the pavement. We came down kind of hard but no real damage was done.

I'd been reading a lot about flying at the time and wasn't the least bit nervous. As for me I only fly Flightsim X with Saitek simulator equipment these days. I never wanted to spend the money to learn to fly.

I'm in fact in Woodland yes. I lived in Vancouver from 1990 until 2005. Now I'm so close to work that I don't drive unless I need to run errands during or after work. That's a bit wet and chilly in the winter months but completely and utterly awesome the rest of the year.

I guess I could splurge on yet another film changing bag. I was eyeballing the tent looking bags recently and thinking "I want this!".

The image format of my Minolta Mini 16 isn't the same as 110 pocket film so the negatives don't work well in my film and slide scanner, the 5MP camera style. I'm thinking I should get the 16mm film adapter for my Canon flatbed scanner but I was recently told that I could just scan the negative without the film holder. Might try that.

I bought two Minolta Mini 16 cameras, the first one jammed up pretty bad in use. I haven't tried the second one yet but it does appear to be in better condition than the first one. It's a cool little camera. The film I'm using now is ISO 800 color from a seller on eBay. I wasn't happy with my first results but I'm always willing to try again.

I see you're also live in Washington. Where abouts?

 

[IdahoPhotoist]

Garsh! I got all excited, I saw Newport, and was thinking Newport WA darn!
http://analogphotorefuge.weebly.com/

 

[M Stat]

Where is Newport, WA?

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning;

James, I am NE of Seattle, and not too far from John Nikon F, flatulent-1, and others. Yes, there are still guys using film up here.

And, Newport, Washington is right where US Highway 2 crosses the Washington-Idaho border just north of Spokane.

While I am also getting other things now, I am still working on acquiring cameras. One in progress today is a Pentax 110 cartridge camera. Then there was a moment of weakness just last week when I came home with four (4) 35mm cameras. I guess I can say that I spent my 4th of July fireworks money on cameras instead. I do know that some of the families on my block did spend more money for their fireworks last week than I spent for my cameras. And I probably need to get into the line for the Confessional Booth this coming Saturday morning.

Denise, one of those "other things" mentioned may turn out to be a venerable motor home that right now is being repaired by an RV specialist. No, it has not actually been purchased, and it may turn out to be a little more involved than anticipated noting the trials of getting all of the things prepared to make possible the sale from the estate of a friend who died really unexpectedly. It may be that I will be able to stay wherever I can park it in the Newport area.

Enjoy;

Ralph
Latte Land, Washington

 

[LinDorM3]

Denise, I would like to play, too. Seems most photo folks here in Florence use digital.

LinDorM3

 

[M Stat]

"Is there still a PNW film camera community?" Judging by the fact the question was posed over half a year ago, with only twelve (now thirteen) responses, the short answer seems to be NO.

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, M Stat;

That assessment may not be valid, and it does not reflect the many meetings at camera shops, coffee shops, and other places where I have seen and talked with other PNWRW0IATSTBSOJ members. Not everything happens here on this particular APUG Forum. And, not everything is reported on this particular APUG Forum. There are other places right here on APUG where reports of contacts, new equipment, photographic expeditions, and other activities have taken place.

Then there is also the point that many of the people in the group come here because it is one place where the digital imaging movement is not the main subject for discussion. However, it is something that does involve a computer, yes, and that can be a sore point for some people. Even I have pointed out that to share right here on APUG any of the photographs we have taken, we must convert our traditional photograph from either a print or a negative, into a digital file format that can be sent over the Internet. A curious anomaly or contradiction, yes. Some people do not really like using computers. They prefer at least a telephone call or, better yet, an actual face-to-face meeting and conversation.

And your acknowledged point that at least 13 people have taken the time to write a response to the title of this subject thread is not unreasonable. There are probably many others who just do not feel sufficiently motivated to write something about it.

Enjoy;

Ralph
Latte Land, Washington

 

[BradleyK]

Greetings from Burnaby, on the other side of the border. A new member here. Nothing profound to add except that once the rainy season has concluded (say, the end of April), I would definitely be up for a road trip, especially if it allows me to indulge in two of my primary interests: landscape/nature (along the Washington coast) and street shooting (Seattle!). I will be connecting up with John L and Ralph J in April for the camera swap (as always, hunting for a few obscure Nikon odds and ends...).

 

[saragrace]

Count one more in the pack -- I'm an infrequent student at PCNW (when my work and teaching schedule allows) and a film convert.

When I was looking to upgrade from my digital point and shoot a photographer friend suggested a Lumix GH2 -- I think it was his sneaky way of getting me into photography school, since I found it wholly disappointing when shooting in automatic modes. After a couple of years of disappointment with that camera, another shutterbug friend mentioned the Holga lens adapters for micro 4/3 and despite not knowing what a Holga was, I ordered the lens adapter and threw in a camera (why not?) and shot seven rolls of mostly underexposed (and occasionally overexposed) film around the time my sister's twins were born. Sent it off to a random lab, not knowing any better and this came back and I was instantly a film convert.

Now I shoot mostly film (35mm on Canon AE-1s and 120 on a Yashica Mat EM and my Holga), and a little bit of digital. Now that I actually know (a little bit of) how to shoot manual, I enjoy my Lumix with an FD lens adapter and my FD lenses -- I haven't used my "modern" lenses in months and I like it that way. I prefer to avoid the computer in my off-hours since my day job is computer-required, but my photo workflow is hybrid -- I develop & scan B&W at home; I print at the PCNW darkroom; and I send my color out for processing / scanning / printing (currently using Dead Link Removed).

I'm one of those shy-in-person types, but I am enjoying meeting and learning from other photogs, so I'll keep an eye out for meetup opportunities in and around the pacific northwest. Nice to have a place to continue my learning since my ability to do classes is few and far between given my schedule. I'm @saralingafelter on instagram, if anyone would like to connect over there, too.

Chat soon...

-Sara

 

[MSchuler]

Welcome, Sara. Definitely feel free to attend the Seattle Film Photographer's Meetup when you get a chance (we have a small group of people getting together next week to look at prints and chat about photography).

 

[Idaho_Photoist]

WOW! I got all excited when I saw NEWPORT till I saw it was OREgone, I was thinking Washington, I am up in the mountains of north Ideeho, and read down looking for someone live in our neck of the woods. I remember as a boy being in a photoclub in Baker Oregon, I had my first darkroom in Junior High, and have been a photographer for about 50 years. We volunteered at the county fair for about 6 years or so taking in the photos from the community for their photo show, probably the most popular exhibit there, at first we saw a few darkroom prints but then none.
If you will allow me to set up on this here soap box I have a few things to say, thank you!
I am the son of a Brooks trained photographer, and also trained by then world lecturer Don Blair. I have photographed around a quarter million people mostly children. My father drilled in to me composition, lighting, posture, posing, and a respect for the customer. But since then I have seen the profession degrade in so many ways. At first I saw it with people who at some junior college taking photo classes from instructors who for what ever reason failed to succeed in the private sector, who then took their failure habits with them to the class room and rubber stamped more like them who went and produced photos that defied all the rules of proper composition. Then the change in society standards seemed to breakdown and images of people passed from a posture of decency to bazzaro. And finally the Digital, and yes I have a couple, great for posting photos on the net, but! The digital took away the value of the image. Recently I was photographing a volley ball tournament, and being trained to make every shot count was clicking them oft trying to anticipate the move to be in time with the action, and was informed you gotta hold the button down to shoot action. Well yes, maybe, and I have some good shots (no). What has developed is the hold the hammer down blaze away and find a shot that is ok, and we can always photoshop it later. What kind of industry have we become? OK I will step down now, you can put away your tomatoes and rotten eggs
The analog photographer are needed to set the example, after all 50, 100 year we will be the only ones who can offer the archives of photo history a record of our time, digital files will be lost, our out dated, or buried in the heap of forgotten file numbers.
I wished there were some active filmies here to get together, or that we could get a international photo day like Scott Kelby's international Photo Walk.

 

[mopar_guy]

This group has been inactive for a long time. Robert Brummitt is the person who is supposed to be maintaining this group, but his APUG account has been inactive for almost 2 1/2 years. In my opinion, most of what is dragging the photo world down is the lack of interaction between real people.

Too often we sit at a computer and leave a short message that a few others read. There is a lack of face to face contact that leaves us isolated from one another.

Dave

 

[M Stat]

I like to check in on this site occasionally just to see if anyone is still out there or interested. Yes, our good friend Robert Brummitt has gone over to the dark side, but hey, he seems to be enjoying his digital doings. There are still a few of us who use film. I guess old habits are hard to break.

 

[dwross]

Unfortunately, right before he took off, Robert wiped the group's history and started sounding negative about film and film camera get-togethers. It really sucked the enthusiasm off our group, but I think forums had probably seen their heyday anyway.

I agree with mopar guy. Less virtual. More real! I'm going to the NW alt process symposium in Astoria next weekend. Hope to see some APUG'ers!
d

 

[MSchuler]

I'll make another shameful pitch for personal interaction in Seattle: the Seattle Film Photographers Meetup group has been meeting almost every Saturday morning for around nine months (typically four to six attendees of our twenty-two active members) and we have been holding a few evening events also. Everyone is invited to join us (http://www.meetup.com/Seattle-Film-Photographers/) but be warned that we do occasionally talk about digital.

That said, the majority of people who show interest in the group never make it to a meeting or post anything on our discussion board, so my take is that most people really don't want face-to-face interaction.

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, all of the USPNWRWOIaStbSoJ Group;

First the social part: Sara, welcome to the Group. Yes, there are still some film photographers in the Pacific NorthWest. And I have also tried to join in the Seattle Film Users Meetup, but I have not been all that successful at accomplishing that. Perhaps I was there on the wrong day of the week or something like that. Although I think there was one time when I had the camera out on the table where the waitress said the group usually sat, and there were some people who came in the little French restaurant who might have been photographers, but they did not have any cameras displayed, and they did not say anything to me. Maybe next time.

Dave, nice to hear from you. Yes, you are right. Thank you for your thoughts on the subject. And also for something about your history. Yes, I too have noticed the tendency to put a digital camera in Burst mode and just fill up a multi-Gigabyte memory card. Oddly enough, I have been saying for quite a while that having been trained with and used film I thought was an advantage, because it did make you at least a little more contemplative and deliberate in your photographic techniques. And, yes, like you, I also appreciate having a digital camera which does not have any noticeable "shutter lag" and I can "time" my shots for the peak of the action. I guess that would not be necessary in Burst mode. The only time that I have used Burst mode was when something was happening over a brief time period, such as a sunset "green flash" (yes, I did get it over a multiple frame sequence). Learning that the "snap-shot" mode of photography seems to be the new way of taking photographs is a little depressing. I guess I really am just old fashioned.

Anyway, it is also nice to be back on APUG. There have been more computer problems in recent times, and one method to cure them seems to be to just buy a new computer with one of the more recent operating systems, although I also had hope that MicroSoft really meant it when they said that they were going to stop "supporting" Windoze-XP, and that was demonstrated to be not true. Many of my computer problems seem to have been associated with an "update" from MicroSoft, or at least the problem showed up just after the "update."

Perhaps it really is time to set up one of the old computers as a Linux box and see if I can run a Windoze partition on it that will enable the machine to continue to work with the programs that require Windoze, but the I/O and other things would be handled under Linux. We will see.

Enjoy;

Ralph
Latte Land, Washington

 

[M Stat]

If there is anybody still out there in APUG land NW, Happy New Year!