Lack of affordable new cameras = death knell for film photography?

CMoore · Jun 16, 2020

Pioneer said:
I do use a changing bag and a Harrison changing tent. If I have an option I would rather do things in my bathroom that I can easily make dark enough as it has no windows.

The tent does give a bit more room to work with but it is still not ideal. But, if like me for quite awhile, you have no other option, it is far better than nothing.

If you do have to use a changing bag then I recommend searching out a cotton one instead of the more common vinyl types. The vinyl ones turn into almost instant saunas even in the dry desert where I live. I do have one of the vinyl Arista bags somewhere but it has been so long since I used it I have forgotten where it is.

But even then, if that was all I had that is what I would use. It is always easy to run things down when you have other options.

That has always been my biggest problem with "Bags" they make my hands so sweaty.
I understand some people like the bag because they do not like to lose their eyesight which is what happens when they load in a black room.
I guess it is easier for me to get it all lined up on the counter and then work in the dark, than it is to keep my "Vision" but then have to deal with the heat in a bag.
Different Strokes I Guess.

Donald Qualls · Jun 17, 2020

The other thing I dislike about a bag, aside from its humidity trapping, is that it collapses on the film, reel, and tank, so it's always getting in the way. Even without sweating in the bag (less of a problem if the ambient temp is low), this makes loading a reel in the bag more effort than doing it on a counter. Tents should be better in this regard, but I've never used one.

MattKing · Jun 17, 2020

Donald Qualls said:
The other thing I dislike about a bag, aside from its humidity trapping, is that it collapses on the film, reel, and tank, so it's always getting in the way. Even without sweating in the bag (less of a problem if the ambient temp is low), this makes loading a reel in the bag more effort than doing it on a counter. Tents should be better in this regard, but I've never used one.

Try using the bag with an appropriately sized, open ended frame or cardboard box in it.

eli griggs · Jun 17, 2020

I have and use both bag and tent, but only away from the darkroom, where I simply shut my eyes in the dark and can 'see' perfectly well in the dark.

The bag I keep in whatever bag, I am using, as additional padding between the camera/lenses and the bottom of the bag.

I have, long ago, used a bag to load tanks for developing, but I never liked the possibility of the material coming in contact with my film, so now it is there only in the case I might need it to open the back of a jammed camera.

The Calumet tent I have is a "Hotel" to borrow a phrase from camping tent users, which springs open and needs a floor, a car hood or, a table top, etc, to allow you to use it.
If you've no dark room to go into, this will serve very well for dry work, like loading bulk loaders, retreving and putting film into tanks, or loading/unloading sheetf holders, pinhole cameras, etc.

If you are going to buy a dark tank, buy a large one, check it for light leaks and lints, even if fresh from the maker and find a steady platform from which to use it.

Cotton gloves, either the cheap disposable ones or better yet, in my opinion, tuxedo gloves, work great at keeping hands off film, as well as sweat but if you are using a tent for prolonged periods, or are using the Tux gloves, which will need washing from time to time, get two or more pairs and switch as needed.

Do no powder your hands when using tents or bags, that's begging for trouble youd no need.

I hope this helps someone.

Be Safe, Be Well, and Godspeed to all

removed account4 · Jun 17, 2020

more cameras being made
there will never be a lack of cameras just a lack of people interested in using them...

Sirius Glass · Jun 17, 2020

This changing room does not collapse and I can use it to load 4"x5" film in Grafmatic 45s.

https://www.freestylephoto.biz/25001-Photoflex-Changing-Room

Donald Qualls · Jun 18, 2020

jnantz said:
there will never be a lack of cameras just a lack of people interested in using them...

Or a lack of people who are interested and can afford them. I was interested in large format in the early 1970s, it took me until the early oughties to actually find a Speed Graphic and Graphic View I could afford.

Sirius Glass said:
https://www.freestylephoto.biz/25001-Photoflex-Changing-Room

But it costs 4x as much as a regular changing bag -- and a beginner may not realize it's worth the extra.

grat · Jun 18, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
This changing room does not collapse and I can use it to load 4"x5" film in Grafmatic 45s.

https://www.freestylephoto.biz/25001-Photoflex-Changing-Room

I have one of those, but if I leave it folded up for any amount of time, it smells like a synthetic skunk was run over by a petrochemical tanker.

Pity, because otherwise, it's very usable (although the arm holes should be on the corners, rather than the sides-- if you're short, they're a bit of a reach). And while you can fully open a grafmatic inside, it's still a little tight-- requires careful organization ahead of time.

Sirius Glass · Jun 18, 2020

grat said:
I have one of those, but if I leave it folded up for any amount of time, it smells like a synthetic skunk was run over by a petrochemical tanker.

Pity, because otherwise, it's very usable (although the arm holes should be on the corners, rather than the sides-- if you're short, they're a bit of a reach). And while you can fully open a grafmatic inside, it's still a little tight-- requires careful organization ahead of time.

I always leave mine fully erect and have never had a problem with smells.

Deleted member 88956 · Jun 19, 2020

Helge said:
No, why waste time and energy on that shit‽ I just avoid watching him.
And when people like that are brought up, I try to explain my stance, and why to avoid them.

This exchange made me look at it. I have to say, as he says ... he is a hypocrite. While surely there is some info that might be useful, the video is 90% garbage time, so he is all about himself and little else. By that alone watching it full length would be a torture. To add insult, he pleads not to comment until and unless it is watched through and through, a definition of masochism to me.

138S · Jun 19, 2020

Witold said:
the video is 90% garbage time,

I opine the counter. In special the color section from min 22:00 is totally true IMO.

I'd also point that Fuji highlighted his work for good reasons, https://www.ishootfujifilm.com/spotlight/nick-carver

Now I would like to see some color managent examples from you to learn if you have a level to speak about color, Nick makes this:

Witold said:
... he is a hypocrite.
the video is 90% garbage
himself and little else.
a torture.
insult,
masochism to me.

Covid age stress ????

Auer · Jun 19, 2020

138S said:
I opine the counter. In special the color section from min 22:00 is totally true IMO.

I'd also point that Fuji highlighted his work for good reasons, https://www.ishootfujifilm.com/spotlight/nick-carver

Now I would like to see some color managent examples from you to learn if you have a level to speak about color, Nick makes this:

View attachment 248694

Covid age stress ????

Personally I find his colors in the Fuji images unrealistic and as appealing as Jesus and Elvis on velvet.

Other than that, he seems to know what he's talking about and certainly how to make a career out of it.

Kodachromeguy · Jun 19, 2020

Auer said:
Personally I find his colors in the Fuji images unrealistic and as appealing as Jesus and Elvis on velvet.

Other than that, he seems to know what he's talking about and certainly how to make a career out of it.

This painting or velvet is apalling! it is missing Mr. Trump. Then it will be perfect.

Deleted member 88956 · Jun 19, 2020

138S said:
I opine the counter. In special the color section from min 22:00 is totally true IMO.

I'd also point that Fuji highlighted his work for good reasons, https://www.ishootfujifilm.com/spotlight/nick-carver

Now I would like to see some color managent examples from you to learn if you have a level to speak about color, Nick makes this:

View attachment 248694

Covid age stress ????

I was only saying that listening to his constant rambling about himself is pure torture. He is not there to share.

138S · Jun 19, 2020

Auer said:
Personally I find his colors in the Fuji images unrealistic and as appealing as Jesus and Elvis on velvet.

Other than that, he seems to know what he's talking about and certainly how to make a career out of it.

Well, Velvia is also unrealistic, but I will never complain about the warming shift Velvia 50 provides in the yellow-orange band, specially if also cold colors are around for a counterpoint.

I'm never to judge what another makes with color, this is aesthetics, but no doubt Mr Carver knows what color management is.

Witold said:
I was only saying that listening to his constant rambling about himself is pure torture. He is not there to share.

Well, a blogger on photography has a difficult job, attracting internet traffic is not that easy.

Lack of affordable new cameras = death knell for film photography?

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