It took 30 years but I finally made it.
I have been shooting for over 40 years, starting with a Kodak Brownie 127. For 30 of those years I have wanted to try large format but have never really been in a position to try it either through lack of funds in my younger days or lack of darkroom later on.
I still don't have a darkroom but can now process 4x5 at home so a couple of months ago I bought a Speed Graphic, then recently picked up a Gundlach 5x7 that is missing its back.
My first few sheets through the Speed Graphic came out well, I'm looking forward to getting a lot more use out of it. The Gundlach is in amazing condition, came with 2 lenses, the extension and it's original case. For the moment I am going to build a 4x5 back using a Graflex back, I will look for a suitable 5x7 back for it though.
So far I'm shooting HP5, once I have got my technique sorted out I will also try some slide film.
Re: It took 30 years but I finally made it.
Re: It took 30 years but I finally made it.
Welcome to the most unpopulated island in the world! It's also the friendliest -- probably due to the low density. But there's no need to burn your bridge behind you -- I still shoot with a Minox!
Re: It took 30 years but I finally made it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
xkaes
Welcome to the most unpopulated island in the world! It's also the friendliest -- probably due to the low density. But there's no need to burn your bridge behind you -- I still shoot with a Minox!
Mike, xkaes is one of our straight-shooting fact-checkers. We can trust him.
Welcome to the far side of photography. Far from Leicas.
Re: It took 30 years but I finally made it.
I have a mix of LF cameras, but my Gundlach Korona 5x7 is the one that gets the most use. I got mine with the case, also, and it's a tidy package for road trips!
If yours is like mine, one thing I noticed that's not immediately obvious: if the two sides of the front or back get misaligned, rather than rolling them off the end of the rack and realigning them, as necessary with every other flatbed I've had, just pick up the focus knob against the downwards spring pressure, slide that side forwards or back until it's even with the other side, and then drop the knob back in the rack!
Re: It took 30 years but I finally made it.
Thank you for the welcomes, I'll try not to annoy you too much by asking a bunch of dumb questions. :) Obviously some of you know who I am, I use the same name on all photo boards so a few of you know I also shoot a lot of smaller stuff, I don't have a Minox though. :)
The hint about the Gundlach would have been handy to know a week ago, the rear standard was crooked when I got it and I did run it off the tracks to straighten it up again. :)
Thanks again and if anyone knows where I can find a 5x7 back that will fit the Gundlach please let me know!
Re: It took 30 years but I finally made it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MikeMGB
Thanks again and if anyone knows where I can find a 5x7 back that will fit the Gundlach please let me know!
I'm afraid you will find little film in 5x7", especially color.
Best,
Re: It took 30 years but I finally made it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jac@stafford.net
I'm afraid you will find little film in 5x7", especially color.
Best,
The situation is bad, but it isn't impossible:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1801...9174648332527/
Keith Canham keeps us stocked with both B&W and color negative. Transparency film, on the other hand...that's probably a lost cause.
Re: It took 30 years but I finally made it.
May I be the first to suggest x-ray film to start with. Dirt cheap. You can see what I do with in on my LF flickr site, below.
Re: It took 30 years but I finally made it.
Welcome aboard.
I find most of my film at Badger Graphic, Freestyle or B and H, and X-ray from CXM Medical Imaging.
