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My first 4x5 came with a Sironar (not N) 180mm and I never found a reason to fault it. I have several Fujinons and they are fine lenses, too. Go with what is affordable, in good condition, and meets...

5 stops is correct, but stops are on a logarithmic scale with a base of 2: each stop doubles the exposure; shutter speeds are on a linear scale , though the speeds on the dial have been chosen to...

I'm thinking of building a VC LED head--has anyone doing this considered just having on/off switches for the blue and green LEDs. Contrast would be adjusted by varying the on time of each color?...

If your intent is to use 4x5 format for your architectural work, then look at the 120mm Angulon (not Super Angulon) lens, available used at reasonable prices. It's much more compact than lenses with...

I've rarely used D76, but when I did it had a brown tinge to it when freshly mixed--I'd say this is normal. If I recall, Dektol does, too. Maybe it's typical of MQ developers? I've tended more to use...

The original Weston thermometers were specified as accurate to within 1/2 degree F. I've regularly used them. Now I have a thermocouple cooking thermometer that I could use to check the Weston...

If it is maple, it is very difficult to get the stain to "bring out the grain"--mostly stain will just put a color tint across the wood. My preference for maple is a clear coat, and I can't think of...

It also might have been shot with Ortho film--often used back then for portraits of men.

Hypo eliminator is not recommended--it chemically reacts with hypo. Hypo Clearing Agent is a washing aid that dilutes the hypo quickly; also sold as Orbit Bath, Heico Permawash and others.
...

If you use Kodak fixer, follow the fix by a rinse and then Hypo Clearing Agent (or equivalent); only a 5 minute wash is required after that. If you go for an alkaline fixer, a clearing agent isn't...

Jobo used to make a loading device for these reels, and I found it easy to use. I think it is discontinued. See: http://www.catlabs.info/product/jobo-2508-4x5-sheet-film-loader-for-2509-reels

You...

To me, the concepts of "good" and "inexpensive" are mutually exclusive when it comes to tripods. There was an episode of "How It's Made" that showed the construction of a tripod, and with all the...

For reductions, have you tried using shorter focal length lenses? Lenses actually have an angle of coverage rather than a specific area--the angle relates to coverage by the distance from the...

Duolab:

I'll post photos when I get the thing done. Omega made some cones for mounting lenses to the Super Chromega E (5x7), and I have one of those--came with a lens I bought. I'll measure it...

If $65 got me a finished board, I'd go for it. But I need to mount an Omega threaded extension onto the board, so I'd have to drill the mounting screw holes for that plus the center bore, which is a...

Just a word of caution: the ruby bulbs used in these might not be filtered enough by the paint to eliminate all wavelengths that could expose the paper, especially multi-contrast. A separate switch...

I am just about to fabricate my own using PCB material and a router. Fiberglas-epoxy is a very strong material, and tungsten carbide router bits along with some strategic drilling should make this...

1. You should be able to see by looking directly at the negative if there is detail in the highlights. If there is no detail, then there are no "tricks" that can bring it out. If there is detail,...

Enlarge it or contact print it directly onto B&W negative film. Using the enlarger can allow for some dodging, burning-in, and cropping.

Slow speed film is very useful, as it's very hard to...

A friend gave me a 6.8 90mm angulon, and I've never felt the need to replace it. I think it is mid-50's vintage. It's a lot less lens to carry than the Super Angulon is. I doubt, though, that it...

I use the Jobo 2500 series tanks with hand inversion--it's heavy because of the volume of liquid required (not the same amount as the label says), but it works--just hold onto it tightly so it...

This thread is at an opportune time for me--I'm planning to build a darkroom in my basements. 15 years ago, I did this, and used the Mill's Pride cabinets from Home Depot--they worked out fine. I did...

For portability, I'd say the best option is contact printing 5x7. The Zone VI short column would be a beast to move (the baseboard is 32x32, IIRC); the Beseler 5x7 models were somewhat portable, but...

At 60 mph, the train would be moving 88 ft. per second, and travel about 4-1/4 inches during a 1/250 sec expsoure. That would be along its axis of motion, which is oblique to the camera. This is...

You have to remove the top column cover before doing any of this (and how to do that should be obvious). There is also a pin that clamps the spring bands to the column, which needs to be removed.
...

It is possible to buy Aristo REPLACEMENT tubes--I don't believe Light Sources is manufacturing complete heads.

Charlie

You could try an exposure indoors with flash. That would remove the issue of camera/tripod shake for a test.

Ansel Adams mentioned in one of his books that a particular camera and tripod...

The Yankee is the least expensive; you can't use inversion agitation with it, but it can be effective. I developed my first 4x5 transparencies in one of these using the E-3 process (telling you how...

Did you contact Calumet? When I needed a 50mm lensboard last January, they said they had lots of 25mm boards in stock, and they custom drilled one to my size. Drilling was about $25 in addition to...

For me, 5x7 seems the optimum size. Here's why:

1. 5x7 cameras are not much bigger nor much heavier than 4x5. 8x10 cameras are a lot bigger and a lot heavier.

2. Many 4x5 lenses will cover 5x7....

Photographer's Formulary has silver nitrate for sale.

I purchased a pair of spanners years ago: one was like the one Badger is selling, the other was similar but had pins for the feet (instead of blades); after years, I found a use for the pin-pair: a...

I lived in SF bay area for 13 years and had the luxury of multiple local stores who could fill my photography needs with well stocked shelves.

Then I moved to a little city in northern Utah with...

I recently acquired a 5x7, but haven't used it much. My rationale:

1. a 5x7 contact print is big enough, but a 4x5 isn't big enough (for me); contact prints can have an impact that no enlargment...

NEVER apply lens cleaning fluid directly to the lens; always put a drop or two on the cleaning tissue, and use that to wipe the lens. If the fluid is applied to the lens, it can run down the side of...

Re: Touching the film while loading.

Yes, it's very difficult to never touch the film when loading. (Even harder for 8x10, but about the same for 5x7). I have some older holders where the recess...

Increased mass can sometimes INCREASE vibration problems because of resonant frequency problems. Ansel Adams mentioned in one of his books about a very heavy tripod that with a particular camera...

Scientifically, woods (at least the ones used for tripods) dampen vibration far better than the metals that are used in tripods. This is a provable fact, if you care to delve into the science. It has...

You could try a recessed lensboard with the Schneider, although they are a pain to use.

Otherwise, an Osaka Commercial 210 f/6.3 might fit. It's a compact lens, but won't allow a lot of movement...

Start by getting and reading Ansel Adams' Camera & Lens. He has much good advice to offer.