<![CDATA[Large Format Photography Forum - Style & Technique]]> http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/ For questions about exposure, meters, Zone system, or advice on photographing specific subjects. en Wed, 22 May 2013 02:20:29 GMT vBulletin 15 http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/images/misc/rss.png <![CDATA[Large Format Photography Forum - Style & Technique]]> http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/ Lighting equipment recommendations for still life http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103517-Lighting-equipment-recommendations-for-still-life&goto=newpost Mon, 20 May 2013 11:17:08 GMT I'm interested in doing some still life photography. I've been trying (with my digital camera) to set up some lighting situations but unfortunately the desk lamps I'm using really aren't that suitable! I was wondering if anyone can recommend some lighting equipment and a bit of advice on getting started with this.

I've done some work in the past with Nikon speedlights with models, with some reasonable results but money won't fund a bunch of those again with remote triggers etc.! I'm looking for some DIY/budget ideas (if this might suffice?) that any of you may have!

Cheers,

Welly ]]> welly http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103517-Lighting-equipment-recommendations-for-still-life The film holder nightmare we all dread – and what to do http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103493-The-film-holder-nightmare-we-all-dread-–-and-what-to-do&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 19:21:45 GMT Most of us have awakened from the following nightmare in a cold, heavy sweat. Some of us (like me) have actually suffered the experience: You... Most of us have awakened from the following nightmare in a cold, heavy sweat.

Some of us (like me) have actually suffered the experience:

You bring 7 loaded film holders, all identical, to a remote location. You’re there for a long weekend. No extra film, no film stores. Your first session, you take out 3 holders & expose all six shots. Everything goes perfectly. You put the holders back in the bag, no particular order. Hours later, your next session, you realize you didn’t reverse the darkslides for the 3 holders you used – nor did you indicate in any other way which ones they might be.

All you know is that you have 3 holders w/ six exposed sheets, and 4 holders w/ eight unexposed sheets – all mixed together. :(

After screams and curses, what’s your best strategy?

Any tips to share about managing multiple holders? Do you use more than one safeguard?
Attached Images
]]> Heroique http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103493-The-film-holder-nightmare-we-all-dread-–-and-what-to-do Determining film speed. http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103446-Determining-film-speed&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 13:05:05 GMT Hello. I am about to receive my new developing chemicals. I opted for the Ilford DD-X. I soon realised this is a quite expensive developer. So I... Hello.

I am about to receive my new developing chemicals. I opted for the Ilford DD-X. I soon realised this is a quite expensive developer. So I will be changing to Ilford HC. I need to do some film testing to figure out which ISO/ASA/EI to place my Ilford Delta 100 at and the correct development time. I recently also purchased a 8x10 camera. I have a 4x5 camera. What I am wondering is if it is possible to use the same speed rating and development time for 8x10 film as for 4x5? Determining speed and development for 8x10 with 8x10 sheets will be immensely expensive, seeing I need a lot of sheets if I am to follow what "The Negative" preaches.


-Fredrick. ]]> Fredrick http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103446-Determining-film-speed Lens shade or just using the hand http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103394-Lens-shade-or-just-using-the-hand&goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 21:03:15 GMT I have the practice of using my hand only for shading the lens from the sunlight. Will my images benefit from using a compendium/lens shade compared... I have the practice of using my hand only for shading the lens from the sunlight. Will my images benefit from using a compendium/lens shade compared to only using my hand? I use both multicoated and single coated lenses, but no uncoated. ]]> wiggywag http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103394-Lens-shade-or-just-using-the-hand <![CDATA[16" Goerz Celor equivalent 35mm lens]]> http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103352-16-quot-Goerz-Celor-equivalent-35mm-lens&goto=newpost Wed, 15 May 2013 11:41:23 GMT Gents,

With the exorbitant cost of 10 x 8 sheet film these days, I don't know about you, but I can't afford much trial and error at film stage.

I plan to shoot portraits in 10 x 8 using a 16" Celor on an Agfa Ansco. Lighting is completely hot and fresnelled. Through the glass and to the naked eye, it all looks Hollywood, but as yet, I haven't committed to film.

Now, the days of affordable Polaroid backs/prints for checking/testing have gone. So, I wondered about the viability of setting up a 35mm digital SLR on a tripod, as near as dammit beneath the 10x8 for angle as I can get it, linked to a laptop - and voila! instant tests.

However, when I start googling to try and find a best-match (not perfect match I know) lens for 35mm equivalent to the Celor, I get in a muddle. Can any of you help me out here or suggest potential flaws in my cunning plan?

Obviously, the digital route offers another positive – you can test quickly before your model/actor/actress dies in the heat!

Many thanks
PB ]]> Paramount bokeh http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103352-16-quot-Goerz-Celor-equivalent-35mm-lens Metering Light For Tintypes http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103259-Metering-Light-For-Tintypes&goto=newpost Sun, 12 May 2013 23:22:36 GMT Can someone help me out in understanding how you would meter for a tintype? I've heard the ISO can be as little as 2--did I hear that right? Is there some kind of mathematical equation in figure this out?

I'm very new to these photo forums, so if I'm placing this in the wrong area, please let me know. Also, I'm very interested it talking more about tintypes, so, if someone knows of a better forum for me to be in to learn more about the process and techniques, I'd love for you to let me know!
Thank You!! :D ]]> mkvidt http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103259-Metering-Light-For-Tintypes Round images on negatives. http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?102911-Round-images-on-negatives&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 21:40:03 GMT When I first started researching photography years ago I came across a few images that were a round image on the negative vs square . Over the years... When I first started researching photography years ago I came across a few images that were a round image on the negative vs square . Over the years I've learned they were taken with 8x10 cameras. So I started doing light research into how it was done, but I've ran into a roadblock. Here's what I'm hoping to do. I have a 4x5 Calumet rail camera that takes 4x4 inch lens boards. I'm hoping to get a lens small enough that the image on the negative is round. I was wondering if I bought an old pocket film camera that takes 120 or 620 film and then buy a lens board and cut a hole for the smaller lens like an old Anastigmat Volgtar, would that lens work for what I'm trying to do? If not what do you recommend? Or what's another method to mimic a full image circle on the negative so the sweet spot is in the center of the image then it's soft around the edge and causes a circle image on the negative? Also what potential issues would I experience when it comes to the camera movements?

Here are a few examples of what I mean. Thought they are not exactly what I'm aiming for. Just visual guidelines.
http://media2.onsugar.com/files/2012...er.preview.jpg

Imagine this with black around the image
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BjOAQyimGu...ingCircle1.jpg


Thanks for your time and I appreciate the help.
Sincerely,
JRC ]]> JRCriton http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?102911-Round-images-on-negatives <![CDATA[Well I've got one, now what do I do with it?]]> http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?102690-Well-I-ve-got-one-now-what-do-I-do-with-it&goto=newpost Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:08:53 GMT A densitometer that is. I've picked up a X-Rite 811 but not sure what to do with it. I've managed to find the manual online for the 810/811 with an addendum for the 811 but having read through both twice I'm none the wiser.

Bought a Stouffer 21 step wedge to use with my Analyser Pro and believe I can use it with the 811 too, but what do I do with it.

I've got all the books The Negative, Zone VI Workshop, Beyond Monochrome etc, but I'm just not getting it at the moment. ]]> Ed Bray http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?102690-Well-I-ve-got-one-now-what-do-I-do-with-it A poll about polls (useful or just fun?) http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?102648-A-poll-about-polls-(useful-or-just-fun-)&goto=newpost Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:30:20 GMT Maybe you’re like me – you participate in LF forum polls, but can’t actually recall the results of a single one.

If so, you must ask yourself whether LF polls are ever really helpful. Maybe they’re entertaining while they last, but not much else. :D

Or maybe you’re different – you make good use of results, not only when the poll is new and active, but long after the poll is finished. Still others might ignore polls altogether, never vote, but glean useful info from the comments people share.

Please tell us what you think about LF polls around here. What’s the most entertaining (or the most helpful) type of poll? Are they about gear? LF technique?

And how, if ever, did the results of a poll – not just the comments – help you in your practical work? ]]> Heroique http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?102648-A-poll-about-polls-(useful-or-just-fun-) Problems understanding the Zone System http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?102645-Problems-understanding-the-Zone-System&goto=newpost Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:07:44 GMT Hi. I am having som difficulties understanding and utilizing the Zone System. I unfortunately have dyscalculia, I cannot comprehend numbers.... Hi.

I am having som difficulties understanding and utilizing the Zone System. I unfortunately have dyscalculia, I cannot comprehend numbers. Therefore I can't understand the math behind the zone system meetering and development. I would however very much like to learn how to use it.

I guess the thing I am wondering is the following. If my film has a dynamic range of say 10 F/stops, since that is the number of zones. If I then place the shadows at Zone 5 to in order for them to be visible in the print, but this blows the highlights by 3 stops, putting them on zone 13. How do I develop? I'm sorry if this is an inconvience to anyone, but I really like working with largeformat and I would very much like not having to carry Lee filters everywhere I go. ]]> Fredrick http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?102645-Problems-understanding-the-Zone-System Lights http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?102548-Lights&goto=newpost Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:57:02 GMT Hello, I a have modified Polaroid 110A 4x5 camera and want to know if the flash accessories that comes with it would be enough for 4x5. I am having a... Hello, I a have modified Polaroid 110A 4x5 camera and want to know if the flash accessories that comes with it would be enough for 4x5. I am having a lot of trouble getting to shoot with smaller apertures and faster shutter speeds due to low light. I was looking at eBay and I have found a lot of flash units for that camera but I am not sure if they would work for 4x5, these are wink lights and other reflector type flash.

As I live in Pakistan, it is not easy to get things off eBay, is there any way I can ask my electrician to make me a light that I can use, I am not sure what power light bulb would be required and how to make them like what reflector to use and how. I was thinking if that can be a cheaper solution then I don't mind using a constant light for my shots, even if I can't sync.

One more thing, do I need to take the meter reading with the light on, or can I calculate using the power of the bulb?

Here is my camera:
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1366610049.948946.jpg

Here is the light I am referring to:
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1366610217.494837.jpg

Cheers
Raffay
Attached Images
]]> Raffay http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?102548-Lights