Poll: Would you buy dry-plates?

Regular Rod · Jul 15, 2014

holmburgers said:
Thanks again Densie That's reassuring.

RR, stay tuned, whole-plate will definitely be in the line-up. I'd like to say that this project will get some real momentum by 2015.

If you are doing a Kickstarter let us know. I will certainly be a backer if you do

RR

mooseontheloose · Jul 15, 2014

holmburgers: I voted in this early on (as a "maybe") but the largest format I shoot is 4x5. However, I thought I'd mention that I'd be really interested in this if I could buy custom-made plates, although that's probably beyond the scope of what you are looking at right now. Making my own plates (wet or dry) would be a difficult, if not impossible, proposition for me in Japan, so I'm definitely interested in what you produce. I'm looking forward to seeing what the next year or two brings!

Ken Nadvornick · Jul 15, 2014

At this moment 51/69 = 73.9% of poll respondents state a preference to open their wallets for at least a trial purchase, if not more. Due to the nature of these polls it's not clear in what meaningful ways that result might be extrapolated across larger populations. But still, three out of four ain't bad.

By removing the requirement that the end user perform the emulsion mixing and hand-coating themselves, perhaps there might be a small glass plate market out there? With the continuing availability of high-quality commercial b&w film seemingly assured into the moderately foreseeable future, I think the reason DIY plates haven't taken off is pretty obvious. Take film away and there would likely be a minor stampede.

But remove the time-consuming fabrication component of using glass plates, and I think maybe there might be a chance?

So, is it OK if we occasionally pester you for an update as the months go by?

Ken

DannL. · Jul 15, 2014

I'm sure glad somebody is pursuing this. I was wondering when something would come along to drive up the value of my gear.

Simon Howers · Jul 17, 2014

Kickstarter?

DannL. said:
I'm sure glad somebody is pursuing this. I was wondering when something would come along to drive up the value of my gear.

Well I've got a whole plate camera and plate holders in WP and 5x4.
When does the kickstarter project start? I'll certainly contribute.

Simon

Ken Nadvornick · Jul 17, 2014

Now at 57/75 = 76.0% willing to use or try them.

It's gone up...

Ken

holmburgers · Aug 5, 2014

Hey y'all,

I'm excited to hear some encouraging comments here. I've basically been thinking about this project for the last 1.5 years now (though the notion has been there longer), and I'm slowly but surely getting to the point where I will indeed make a go of it. Part of me probably needs to just take the plunge, but I also want to do my best to ensure success before doing it.

My business model essentially looks like this... the founding of a "Dry-Plate Works", committed to producing gelatin-emulsion dry-plates in the most popular sizes as "stock", with the ability to produce any size upon custom order. The production & sale of dry-plates will then serve to finance continued research & development into emulsion making & other areas of chemical photography. A nicely appointed blog, an appealing brand identity and perhaps even elements of "community outreach" are all in my idealized vision of this venture. All of this in the name of promoting chemical photography, providing materials in a dwindling market and having a platform to get people invigorated about pre-digital photography. If I can make a little bit of money in the process, woohoo!

So at the moment I can only say, stay tuned...

bdial · Aug 5, 2014

Does sound like an interesting and cool project.

But didn't some other guy in Rochester do this a little over a hundred years ago?

(Of course he did pretty well for himself, there are worse footsteps to follow, perhaps).

Axle · Aug 5, 2014

Oh I'd give a box of them in 4x5 if they were available, always up to try something new in the Photographic world.

Keenevision · Aug 5, 2014

Yes! 6x4.5, 6.5x9, 9x12, or 4x5 or 2.25x3.25!

Keenevision · Aug 5, 2014

Definitely let me know about any Kickstarter plans!!

Regular Rod · Aug 6, 2014

Any news on progress for us yet?

RR

holmburgers · Aug 6, 2014

Hey all,

I just posted this thread... (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

It has occurred to me that I need to bolster my knowledge of plate formats. Any help would be much appreciated!

dwross · Aug 6, 2014

Chris,

If I might offer a suggestion? Go to ebay and search 'glass negatives'. There are always a gazillion for sale in all sizes. Most often for a song if the image isn't significant. The plates themselves are far more informative than a table of sizes (although those are useful also.) Thickness of glass comes into play as well as height and width. The smaller formats were often quite thin glass, which can be expensive today. You would need to clearly advertise the thickness as well as the dimensions of your plates for those customers who have vintage holders.

You could also start a collection of holders. Those aren't as easy to come by and are generally more expensive, but the prices come down for holders in tough shape. Those would work fine for your needs.

Enthusiastic best wishes,
d

PKM-25 · Aug 6, 2014

pgomena said:
Definitely no. I have no desire to use dry or wet plates. I just want to make a good picture, and I don't need any more rabbit holes to run down. Film is a proven technology manufactured to highest tolerances and quality levels, and it's still affordable. I think that's a great place to start if I'm making a picture. Color-blind or orthochromatic emulsions don't fit into anything I do or want to do.

A big plus one, I already see *far* too many super boring LF photos so why add to the complexity of the process if the complexity of the composition is no where in sight?

I'll stick to film, it suits my working style and vision better...

Regular Rod · Aug 6, 2014

PKM-25 said:
A big plus one, I already see *far* too many super boring LF photos so why add to the complexity of the process if the complexity of the composition is no where in sight?

I'll stick to film, it suits my working style and vision better...

There is no added complexity at all. The negatives are processed in the same way. The availability of dry plates would make a lot of plate holders useful once again. That would certainly please me...

LF = no more and no less a proportional population of super boring photographs than any other format.

RR

Regular Rod · Oct 25, 2014

Regular Rod said:
Any news on progress for us yet?

RR

BUMP???

RR

holmburgers · Oct 25, 2014

A few comments on "progress"...

For the first time in over a year, I'll have access to a darkroom again soon; I'm getting involved with Rochester's Community Darkroom and trading volunteer hours for darkroom time. Wahoo!

In preparation, I'm currently acquiring the necessary kit for emulsion making, coating, testing & small-scale production. This includes chemistry, labware, various apparatus and raw materials like glass, matboard, wood; you name it.

Once good emulsion starts flowing I'll be putting plates in the hands of a select group of beta testers in order to hone the fully fleshed out product. When the time is right, I'll be campaigning hard for a bit of money to get something more substantial started.

No telling exactly how long all this will take, but it's in motion!

More to come; thanks for asking Rod

Regular Rod · Oct 26, 2014

Great stuff! If you can cut some whole plate size you have a beta volunteer right here in the UK...

RR

k_jupiter · Oct 28, 2014

Nope. Tried to get interest several years ago. Nobody bit.

Now just concentrate on 8x10 and image making. No more weird stuff for me.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

tim in san jose

analoguey · Oct 28, 2014

I think, for everything, timing is important - and timing can kill many a good product. One or two 'popular' guys endorsing it will change things.

Sent from Tap-a-talk

Poll: Would you buy dry-plates?

Would you buy dry-plates?

Yes, definitely.

No, probably not.

Maybe, I'd definitely try a box.

Regular Rod

mooseontheloose

Ken Nadvornick

DannL.

Simon Howers

Ken Nadvornick

holmburgers

bdial

Axle

Keenevision

Keenevision

Regular Rod

holmburgers

dwross

PKM-25

Regular Rod

Regular Rod

holmburgers

Regular Rod

k_jupiter

analoguey

Poll: Would you buy dry-plates?

Would you buy dry-plates?

Yes, definitely.

No, probably not.

Maybe, I'd definitely try a box.

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