I forgot to introduce myself

[Adamphotoman]

Hey folks,
I am not new to LF or the group but I am new to introductions...
I worked in a University as a Photographer in an Engineering College since 1976, then my own LF business processing images from 1980 to the present; so I have processed my share of fiber...shot my share of sheet film...

Now I am exclusively LF Digital with a Betterlight Scan Back...

Working with a Pano Scanning camera that I put together using bits and pieces...
Here is an image of the camera that I put together...2 lb 10oz with the lens (excluding the pano-adapter) 1st image

And another tele pan lens. a Nikkor 600mm

And a pan taken with the G 4X5 using a fast medium format lens.

Back to the drawing board
Grant

[SW Rick]

Welcome, Grant! Always good to have company on board.

Quite a setup you've put together, and enjoyed the image- look forward to seeing more of them.

Rick

[Jim collum]

hey,
I'm another Betterlight user (Ebony 4x5, Pano adapter.. mostly been shooting real old glass as of late)

I'm in Santa Cruz.. so if you're ever in this area, would be fun shooting

jim

[Adamphotoman]

Jim,
I was in San Carlos for the Betterlight conference a month ago.
We will see if there is another next year.

[Vick Vickery]

Interesting camera, that! :) Welcome to group therapy!

[BrianShaw]

Welcome Grant!

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to Large Format Photography Forum.

Steve

[Adamphotoman]

So Jim,
What is all the interest in real old glass? I have pretty much stopped shooting film. My many processors and enlargers are all in storage. So how is the old glass on a betterlight?

[Jim Galli]

Welcome. Hope the 'betterlight's' get in my price comfort zone some day :D Mr. Collum has me convinced.

[msk2193]

Grant,

You convinced me I need to dust off the BetterLight and begin playing with it on a weekly basis. I think in the past two years I have shot 6 images with it!

Trouble is down here in Texas when there is no wind it is about 117 degrees!

[Adamphotoman]

Michael,
Going to the Betterlight conference was truly a great inspiration, for me. When Peter Grote takes 2 months to go up to the Himalayas with an Arca Swiss and Apo Sironar lenses (including the longest of them) to photograph mountains with the Betterlight then non of us has a good enough excuse not to go. Check out the conference bits and tips.

http://www.betterlight.com/events_owners11.html

Dark Noise will become problematic with high temperatures. I painted a spare can [-the enclosure around the Betterlight insert-] a light tan colour. It helps both with being a lot grippier and it does not absorb as much heat from the sun. Ask Michael Collette what the maximum operating temp is before you damage your gear.

My problem is the exact opposite. Drizzle and fog like, overcast conditions and lots of wind. That is why I have migrated to the pano adapter and faster medium format lenses which do give me an edge...

[msk2193]

Adam,

The conference has always been scheduled on dates that I have had other obligations. I wish they scheduled a year out so I can pencil it in!

[Jim collum]

adam,

The Betterlight is ideal for old lenses.. most of which come without shutters. It allows an instant preview of the effect , and can be modified on the spot (sort of like a very expensive Polaroid). I bought mine in 2001, and geared up with the sharpest lenses I could find. As of late, the sharpness has taken a back burner to the aesthetic I get with the old glass.

this is a full size image (beware) of some old glass

http://jcollum.com/fm/20110715_RoaringCamp_05.jpg


some other samples (just what i happen to have online)


http://forum.getdpi.com/gallery/files/1/2/20100823_roaringcamp_016a.jpg


http://jcollum.com/fm/heliar-01.jpg


http://forum.getdpi.com/gallery/files/1/2/20100819_petcemetery_001a-edit.jpg

http://forum.getdpi.com/gallery/files/1/2/20100826_fortord_006.jpg

[Adamphotoman]

Jim,
Mike Collette 4 thumbs UP

Old Glass Eh!


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