MOre defined level of interest in Slavich Plates - US

[k_jupiter]

I have corresponded with the company that imports Slavich Plates for Holography into the US. The owner has stated that they might be interested in piggy backing PFN-01T plates on their normal orders if there is sufficient interest in purchasing them. She wishes to know what sizes are of interest. For her to get a reasonable quote and figure out minimum orders she needs an idea of what sizes we want.

They will be pricey, no matter what size. These have to come from Russia.

My interest is in 9x12cm and 1/4 plate (3.25x4.25).

And yours?

tim in san jose (Disclaimer, I get nothing out of this except the opportunity to buy plates)

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I can shoot 4x5" and 5x7" plates, and would be interested in trying some, but can't imagine it becoming a regular habit.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Of what benefit would there be in shooting glass plates if your camera can also shoot cut-film? Of course I understand the curiosity factor, as well as the desire to use long-discontinued equipment that takes glass plates. Is this the main reason? Are there any "magical" qualities to a modern emulsion coated on glass, as opposed to a film base?

 

[Roger Hicks]

Of what benefit would there be in shooting glass plates if your camera can also shoot cut-film? Of course I understand the curiosity factor, as well as the desire to use long-discontinued equipment that takes glass plates. Is this the main reason? Are there any "magical" qualities to a modern emulsion coated on glass, as opposed to a film base?

MUCH, MUCH flatter sensitive material (no 'bellying') and better and more consistent location of the average plane of the sensitive material. With a correctly set ground glass you could see resolution in lp/mm double or better at f/11 and wider. The bigger the format, the greater the benefit.

 

[Ian Grant]

Tim the problem is film is far cheaper and its very easy to adapt a plate holder to take film. So I have plenty of 9x12 Foma film for my Rodenstock 9x12 camera, I haven't seen my other 9x12 camera yet an ORIONWERK with a Rodenstock Eurymar lens (its in the UK I'm in Asia Minor). Oh and they also take a 120 film back, I have two.

There are people who would like to use plates, but I think it will be difficult to find them.

I still have a box of plates, unused

The reality is I don't want to have to store plates, I can print them, I've printed hundreds if not thousands over the years, but if films available personally I feel that's a better option.

Ian

 

[Vaughn]

Advantages?

No film curl -- no sagging film in the holders or with negs in the enlarger. probably good flat even contact with contact printing.

There might be others.

I have some relatively modern 5x7 glass plate holders...might be fun to play with plates, but don't count me in on ordering any. $$

Vaughn

 

[Ian Grant]

Roger & Vaughn have you ever had a problem of film curl ?

I've only been using LF for a short time (since 1976) but I've never seen or experienced it .

Ian

 

[k_jupiter]

All,

Let me clarify. This is a plate camera forum. There have been threads where people have expressed an interest in trying, using, whatevering, Slavich Plates, the last we know of made in the world. Via the power of the internet, I contacted the people who import holographic plates and asked if they would be interested in piggy baking our orders with theirs. If there isn't enough interest, no sweat. I have hundreds of sheets of film myself in multilple formats, it's not life and death to me.

For all your other photo resources, if you wish, please post a message telling others what information I am trying to get. The email address they can write to express interest is... tres.four@gmail.com.

tim in san jose

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Film flatness is one of those things that doesn't seem to be a problem until you've found better film flatness, like moving from a Graflex rollfilm holder to a Linhof Super-Rollex, or from an open neg carrier to a glass neg carrier. Everything before was sharp, or so you thought, and then all of a sudden it's SHARP. I don't know if plates will give me that impression, and I certainly don't want to build a large collection of plates that I'll have to move every time we move house, but I am curious.

I also want to know just how heavy that 5x7" plate mag is for my Press Graflex with a dozen plates in it.

 

[Ian Grant]

To correct you Tim, this is the Plate camera section of the APUG forum.

Plate cameras take plates but 99.99% of users use film in their plate cameras. I'm not trying to stop your well meant offers of help but realistically demand will be very low. I believe that Ilford actually re-introduced plates but I think for specialist (scientific) purposes.

Ian

 

[rknewcomb]

I believe the posting was asking a question of who would be interested in helping to buy an order of plates, not looking to be convinced of the crazy nature of using plates.
So, to answere your question, I would also be interested in buying some plates, 20 or 30- 4x5 inch would be nice. Could buy more if need be.
thanks for asking!
Robert

 

[DBP]

I would love to try some 9x12 (cm) glass plates in my Voigtlander Avus. I think I would particularly enjoy trying it with an orthochromatic emulsion.

 

[Vaughn]

Roger & Vaughn have you ever had a problem of film curl ?

I've only been using LF for a short time (since 1976) but I've never seen or experienced it .

Ian

Lots and lots of problems -- especially in long exposures (one to 30+ minutes) with 8x10. I have lost quite a few potentially great images...evident in the sharp outer edge of the neg and "double exposed" centers. The problem is increased when pointing the camera down for a shot.

I have also had negs move within the holders (tapping them gently before inserting the holders helps). This would also be reduced with glass plates, as their weight would tend to settle them to the bottom of the holder.

In the enlarger, I have had 4x5 negs "pop" on me during exposures (standard neg carriers with a condenser head -- due to heating up of the film. This is one of the reasons there are glass neg carriers (obviously not needed for glass plate negs).

Vaughn

 

[Dave Wooten]

What sizes are available?

Thanks

 

[Roger Hicks]

Lots and lots of problems -- especially in long exposures (one to 30+ minutes) with 8x10. I have lost quite a few potentially great images...evident in the sharp outer edge of the neg and "double exposed" centers. The problem is increased when pointing the camera down for a shot.

I have also had negs move within the holders (tapping them gently before inserting the holders helps). This would also be reduced with glass plates, as their weight would tend to settle them to the bottom of the holder.

In the enlarger, I have had 4x5 negs "pop" on me during exposures (standard neg carriers with a condenser head -- due to heating up of the film. This is one of the reasons there are glass neg carriers (obviously not needed for glass plate negs).

Vaughn

Yup.

But an answer to the OP:

Plates, yes, Slavich, no, unless their QC is an awful lot better than it used to be. As it might be: I don't know.

 

[k_jupiter]

Thank you Roger. Is there an issue with Slavich QC? Nobody wants to pay multiple dollars (and lots of them in larger sizes) for plates that will have pinholes, streaks or any other production issues. I suspect returning them to the factory will be problematic.

Sizes. I was given the impression, they will make them in sizes that are requested. Is there a minimum per size? I don't know.

A forum is a place where folks get together to discuss. This is a Forum within APUG, the Analog Photographers Users Group, a set of Fori (I made that up).

Y'all have time. The next reasonable order period will be mid December. They are sending in an order next week, but herding you cats around isn't going to be easy.

Ortho.... DBP. I'll send you links tomorrow. There may be stuff like that available now.

tim

 

[Vaughn]

I believe the posting was asking a question of who would be interested in helping to buy an order of plates, not looking to be convinced of the crazy nature of using plates...snipRobert

Robert, I think APUG is a great learning tool. This particular floi is also for those interested in glass plates, not just those who use them. I think Ian's question (and the answers) is pertinant for those who do wonder why one would use tricky breakable glass plates...and for deciding if they would like to try them...especially if they happen to have the equipment to do expose them.

I might buy up to 10 5x7's just for the experience of using them. I am looking forward to the links Tim will post.

Vaughn

 

[Ole]

The QC must have been good on the Slavich plates I've used so far.

This one was exposed with a Heliar 150mm f:4.5 on a Voigtländer Bergheil 9x12cm, developed for "3 1/2 Gymnopedies" in Pyrocat HC 1:1:100, and printed on POP:

 

[Sanjay Sen]

I would be interested in some 10x12 plates.

 

[Michael W]

I'd be interested in 6.5x9cm plates (that's 2.25x3.25 inches) for my Avus.

If they are not available I would be interested in 9x12cm plates.
I don't have a camera that shoots this size but I am looking for one.

 

[Ian Grant]

If they are not available I would be interested in 9x12cm plates.
I don't have a camera that shoots this size but I am looking for one.

Goldie, 9x12 Avus type cameras seem to be extremely common in Europe (plenty on ebay) and they were sold under a variety of names Zeiss, Rodenstock, Voightlander, Ermann, Goerz, Ensign, Glunz, Orionwerk, Suter, Nelson, Welta, Watson etc and even a French un-named model. Essentially all these cameras are very similar, built from common parts and the major significant difference is the quality of the shutter and lens. There was not one standard fitting for the 9x12 plate holders, so its a case of finding the right plate holders to fit the camera.

Typically good working Avus type 9x12's sell for around £15-£30 ($30-$60 US)

A particularly nice variation a(there was a url link here which no longer exists) was the subject of a thread recently.

Good luck finding a camera

Ian

 

[Roger Hicks]

Thank you Roger. Is there an issue with Slavich QC?

Dear Tim,

The small amount of Slavich stuff I've seen has been variable, but that was some years ago. They may well be better now. I'd only make a modest investment at first, but at the right price, yes, I might buy a dozen 13x18cm plates. It they were good, yes, I'd probably buy more.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Anton Lukoszevieze]

plates

Great idea Tim,
I would love to use some 1/4 plates (3.25x4.25) on my Graflex Series B. Count me in for a few dozen. I so wish that glass plates would make a comeback..........
A

 

[PHOTOTONE]

I asked the "why" of using plates, because I do have plate holders for some cameras and wondered the supposed "advantages". If there are compelling advantages, then I might consider being a part of this order.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Just an observation....If Slavich makes plates for Holography, wouldn't they have to have good quality control?