Kodak Chemistry disruption

[takilmaboxer]

I am not sure how having a whole closet of folders is an antidote to our computer saturated existence.

It is not the possession of the folders, but rather the psychological frame of reference of using them, that is an antidote. It requires exercising a different set of skills than using any computer. The world looks different especially since it's not on a screen.
And the cameras become like family members...I know all their lens quirks and how slow the shutters are...which takes good portraits and which takes good landscapes. If all I wanted to do was record a scene my Iphone does fine. Except...I'm looking at a screen.

 

[removed account4]

It is not the possession of the folders, but rather the psychological frame of reference of using them, that is an antidote. It requires exercising a different set of skills than using any computer. The world looks different especially since it's not on a screen.
And the cameras become like family members...I know all their lens quirks and how slow the shutters are...which takes good portraits and which takes good landscapes. If all I wanted to do was record a scene my Iphone does fine. Except...I'm looking at a screen.

interesting analogy but what if you have a dSlr or iPhone and don't look at the screen ? I don't. Its like when people tell me they do large format work because it "slows them down". .. I've been doing LF work for 30+ years and it doesn't slow me down, if it did I wouldn't use a LF camera. LOL. .
I guess what matters is it flicks your bic ..

at least your family in the closet doesn't talk back
you know, like William Lee's typewriter
if that happens, you might have to seek professional help

 

[pentaxuser]

It is sort of like saying having a closet full of rotary phones is an anecdote to our cellphone saturated existence. The anecdote to our cellphone saturated existence is to moderate your use your cellphone.

I'd love an Elliot Ness phone as my landline phone despite it being dangerous. Dangerous? Yes in the sense that by the maximum of the tenth occasion I picked it up and answered with the opening of the Nelson Riddle theme and the words " Ness here, is that you Nitti? " the wife would murder me.

On the other hand it might stop the calls that my computer has a virus or the taxman whose on the line is about to fine me for a mistake in my returns.

pentaxuser

 

[takilmaboxer]

I'll make one more try to explain why chemical disruptions matter.
Using a modern computer means being inside, under artificial light, staring at a two dimensional screen, engaging the part of the brain that related to computers; linear thinking especially. Nowadays we spend many hours doing this; it gets really old.
Going outside with a modern electronic device to shoot pictures only partially resolves the problem; you are still thinking in terms of menus, prepackaged exposure software, even auto focus. I have been at music shows where everyone is wasting their time fiddling with menus rather than catching magic moments.
With an old folder, I set the focus and exposure manually, and look around. The breeze passes by, clouds move, my mind wanders, maybe a picture happens. I develop the film and have many options to vary the film's response. I print it in a darkroom using analog techniques. No preset software determined limitations, not much linear thinking (screw the Zone System!).
If the chemicals or materials disappear, no more old school photography. It would be back to the electronic devices and the neurotic modern world. It would not be a radical statement to say that computers have changed how humans relate to the world. Old folders, like hiking boots, fishing poles, and astronomical telescopes, offer a chance to step away from that psychology and re-engage the world on its own terms.
As far as family talking back, I'm married. Capiche?

 

[removed account4]

I'll make one more try to explain why chemical disruptions matter.
Using a modern computer means being inside, under artificial light, staring at a two dimensional screen, engaging the part of the brain that related to computers; linear thinking especially. Nowadays we spend many hours doing this; it gets really old.
Going outside with a modern electronic device to shoot pictures only partially resolves the problem; you are still thinking in terms of menus, prepackaged exposure software, even auto focus. I have been at music shows where everyone is wasting their time fiddling with menus rather than catching magic moments.
With an old folder, I set the focus and exposure manually, and look around. The breeze passes by, clouds move, my mind wanders, maybe a picture happens. I develop the film and have many options to vary the film's response. I print it in a darkroom using analog techniques. No preset software determined limitations, not much linear thinking (screw the Zone System!).
If the chemicals or materials disappear, no more old school photography. It would be back to the electronic devices and the neurotic modern world. It would not be a radical statement to say that computers have changed how humans relate to the world. Old folders, like hiking boots, fishing poles, and astronomical telescopes, offer a chance to step away from that psychology and re-engage the world on its own terms.
As far as family talking back, I'm married. Capiche?

I guess I gets it, but not really .. oh well. maybe I don't use photography like you use photography I guess. ... ?

I wasn't talking about your family-family, you said the folding cameras in your closet were family .. LOL
I guess you didn't get my Burroughs Naked lunch reference . im glad I didn't say anything about Mr Bates

Have a nice day !
John

 

[faberryman]

I'll make one more try to explain why chemical disruptions matter. Using a modern computer means being inside, under artificial light, staring at a two dimensional screen, engaging the part of the brain that related to computers; linear thinking especially. Nowadays we spend many hours doing this; it gets really old.

You may have to use computers at work, but you can certainly moderate your use of computers outside of work. Different people have different thresholds at which different activities get really old. I'd focus on achieving to right balance for myself, and let others decide what is best for them.

Going outside with a modern electronic device to shoot pictures only partially resolves the problem; you are still thinking in terms of menus, prepackaged exposure software, even auto focus.

It is entirely up to you what you think about when you take your modern electronic device outside to shoot pictures. Blaming your modern electronic device for what you are thinking about when you take it outside to shoot pictures isn't really all that helpful, and sounds a lot like an abdication of personal responsibility for your thoughts and actions.

I have been at music shows where everyone is wasting their time fiddling with menus rather than catching magic moments.

I am not a big fan of fiddling with cameras. Of course, sometimes you have to fiddle with your camera to catch those magic moments. Your comment begs the question why you were focused on everyone wasting their time fiddling with menus at a music show instead of on your own photographs or the music. You probably missed a few magic moments yourself. Which is the greater sin: fiddling with your menus or noticing others fiddling with their menus?

With an old folder, I set the focus and exposure manually, and look around. The breeze passes by, clouds move, my mind wanders, maybe a picture happens. I develop the film and have many options to vary the film's response. I print it in a darkroom using analog techniques. No preset software determined limitations, not much linear thinking (screw the Zone System!).

I do all that stuff without an old folder, except for screwing the Zone System. I find thinking about the Zone System helpful when determining exposure. If you like doing all that stuff, including screwing the Zone System, with an old folder, by all means do it with an old folder.

If the chemicals or materials disappear, no more old school photography.

I don't think that is going to happen anytime soon, so I do not worry about it. There is no better antidote to anxiety and obsession than not worrying about stuff.

It would be back to the electronic devices and the neurotic modern world.

The world is not neurotic. Some people in the world are neurotic. Professional help is available for them. And you might want to ask yourself whether any of the concerns you expressed in your post are themselves indicative of a nuerosis.

It would not be a radical statement to say that computers have changed how humans relate to the world.

I agree that that is not a radical statement.

Old folders, like hiking boots, fishing poles, and astronomical telescopes, offer a chance to step away from that psychology and re-engage the world on its own terms.

You don't need old folders, hiking boots, fishing poles, and astronomical telescopes to alter your "psychology". And about the only way to engage the world on its own terms is stranded naked on a deserted island.

As far as family talking back, I'm married. Capiche?

I have no idea what you think I should "capiche" by you sharing your marital status.

 

[fdonadio]

I am not sure how having a whole closet of folders is an antidote to our computer saturated existence.

Some of us really go out and take pictures. Some of these then come home and develop the films. And some even make prints of the negatives!

 

[fdonadio]

But sometimes it's nice to be inspired by like minded folks, and it gives me confidence to have resources.

Exactly. There are very nice things that one can get through the use of computers and smartphones. Those are some of them.

But if you ask me if I want to use a digital camera and Adobe Lightroom for my photography, I say: no, thanks.

 

[sillo]

Anybody have experience with Champion C-41 chemistry? I've seen it mentioned in a few places, but info is pretty scarce.

 

[MattKing]

Well...
They were doing a lot of the manufacturing for Eastman Kodak of the Kodak branded chemistry prior to the Eastman Kodak bankruptcy. They ended up being one of the largest unpaid creditors.

 

[foc]

Anybody have experience with Champion C-41 chemistry? I've seen it mentioned in a few places, but info is pretty scarce.

.

I never used their C41 but I did use Champion RA4 FRC cartridges for Frontier minilab and they never caused a problem and were less expensive than the Fuji one.
Here is a Champion Vs Fuji Hunt chart, hope it helps.

http://www.championphotochemistry.com/_uploads/files/022709164303_CP-CR-cross reference-20071(1).pdf