Time to break the drought...

[Donald Qualls]

Interesting. From what I understand the Mamiya 6x8 back is only supposed to give that format in the vertical position.

Based on the actual exposed image area in the scans, horizontal I got about 9063x7000 => 5:4 which matches the 56x70 nominal 6x7 frame. Nowhere close to 6x7.5 that I've seen claimed. Most likely my ProS body is just about old enough not to have the 6x8 baffles, or maybe my revolving back adapter isn't the right one. I could see more mask area on the negative (a little light scatter), but there was no image in it.

Mind you, this was done with the 50 mm lens, which is said to not cover the 6x8 frame. Depending exactly how the retrofocal optics work (50 mm focal length on a 112 mm flange distance), a 65 might get "under" the baffles better and expose a wider negative (which should also be true with other lenses; I'll probably try a roll in the 23 back with my 90 mm for comparison, or at least mount the 23 shell and look for lens access from the frame corners).

 

[Donald Qualls]

Three more rolls last night, plus mixed 5 L of EcoPro (= generic Xtol) developer/replenisher on Sunday..

I'd loaded one roll each of Verichrome Pan (came in the RH10 back on my Century Graphic when I got it), .EDU Ultra 100, and Catlabs X Film 320 (exposed at EI 125), because I'd somehow gotten it in my mind that they'd be close enough to the same time not to matter -- and then when I looked up the times again, I realized they weren't that close.

I wound up developing them in D-23r for 15:00 (temp corrected to 20:30) but agitating only every third minute to avoid excessive contrast, and all three rolls of negatives look okay (the VP has some age fog -- discontinued almost thirty years ago, after all), but I'll know more about how well this worked after I get some scanning done...

 

[mshchem]

I have a roll of Ektachrome in my camera, supposed to be in the upper 70's today. I'm trying to break the Ektachrome drought, been a couple years. No excuses today.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Got the VP scanned last night; it doesn't look great (I fogged the first couple frames opening the film back before I knew it was loaded, then shot the rest on nothing in particular with no expectations). It's dull and dusty.

The Catlabs X Film 320, on the other hand, looks really good. I shot this roll at EI 125 (I'll probably go up to 200 on the next one, which is "box speed" for the Aviphot 200 they're repackaging), developed 15:00 with agitation every 3rd minute in replenished D-23, which seems just about right.

RB67, 90 mm f/3.9 Sekor C, Catlabs X-film 320 (EI 125), D-23r 15:00/3 min agitation. Negative scan.

 

[relistan]

The Catlabs X Film 320, on the other hand, looks really good. I shot this roll at EI 125 (I'll probably go up to 200 on the next one, which is "box speed" for the Aviphot 200 they're repackaging), developed 15:00 with agitation every 3rd minute in replenished D-23, which seems just about right.

View attachment 335639

Longs good! I would say you have it about right. Box speed on Aviphot 200 is for aerial use, and on the ground it’s more like 100-125. Given the nice results I personally would not change how you’re exposing it.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I would say you have it about right. Box speed on Aviphot 200 is for aerial use, and on the ground it’s more like 100-125.

You might be right. Probably are. I clearly need to do something about light seals in my film backs, though -- I thought I had the Mamiya ones covered with electrical tape on the hinge, but I'm not sure which back this was (RB67 Pro or Graflex RH10?) and they both need some seal work. Anyone know if @Mamiya_Repair does light seals? I've got some material, but I'll probably never get around to it...

But this was from the roll of Ultra 100 in that tank...

Pancake, 11 weeks old. RB67, Sekor C 90/3.9, .EDU Ultra 100, D-23r 15:00/3 min agitation cycle.

 

[Xylo]

Pancake, 11 weeks old. RB67, Sekor C 90/3.9, .EDU Ultra 100, D-23r 15:00/3 min agitation cycle.

I thought agitation cycle was a term reserved for zoomies in his case
Looks ready to give plenty of kisses.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Anyone know if @Mamiya_Repair does light seals?

Well, I got an email reply from Mamiya Repair -- no, he doesn't do light seals other than as part of a general CLA/repair, and he doesn't work on anything but Mamiya. Guess I need to carve out some time each weekend for a while to get my film backs sealed up.

Looks ready to give plenty of kisses.

Pancake is a special dog -- his mom stepped on his head when he was about 24 hours old; we thought we'd lose him, but the steroids it took to control swelling and inflammation messed with the growth in his hip joints and he's not only a little brain damaged but doesn't walk or jump very well. He's very sweet, though, and tries his best to please his humans.

 

[Xylo]

he's not only a little brain damaged but doesn't walk or jump very well

But still adorable in every way

 

[MTGseattle]

Donald, I saw your other thread from last year regarding a potential 4x5 addition to your gear. How did that shake out?

 

[Donald Qualls]

Well, let's see -- I have a Graphic View II that I haven't had out to try yet (bulky to carry far from the car, though I did get a backpack that I think will fit it), a LomoGraflok that necessitated putting a Graflok conversion on my Anniversary Speed Graphic, a total of four 4x5 Grafmatics (two with working counter wheels, one of those with a broken loop on the dark slide, so next time they're empty, I need to swap that with the dark slide from one that doesn't have a counter wheel). Not to mention two 2x3 Grafmatics that fit my Century or RB67 and just got another RH10 that needs a little TLC (crunchy ratchet keeps the lever from self-returning).

I've had the Speed Graphic for more than fifteen years, and got a Graphic View (first gen) about four years ago, after using it a couple times I decided I needed the centered movements and the Graflok back is a nice upgrade, too.