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Wish I had a dollar for every time someone asks, "Does that camera take good pictures?" I usually respond, "Depends where I'm pointing it," or, if the person asking is a friend, "Does your computer...

Our local library is bringing the photography collection up-to-date, so there's an opportunity to build a nice collection of instructional works. It would be g reat if photographers would be willing...

First big job I tackled with an Arca 4x5F/6x9 combination required 4x5, so I got used to using the reflex viewer with 2X magnifier. It seems just enough magnif ication to allow me to confirm focus. ...

Ask them if a recording company gets all rights to their music when they make a CD. It might help to talk to them as if it's their work that's at stake. If you can get them to be upfront about...

Whatever brand you buy, make sure the print guide is square with the blade and the guide marks on the bed. This seems like an obvious basic requirment, but in my experience you can't take it for...

I'll second the Robert White suggestion. Last summer I wanted a 4x5 viewer, but without the eye cup, since I already had one for a 6x9 viewer. Robert White sold me just what I needed at a...

Knowing how to reason out a probable exposure is a useful skill, but mostly as a check on the accuracy of a hand meter, in my opinion. It's also useful to know how to bias exposure to the...

Bought a rolling, carry-on flight bag for $19 at the local closeout store and a military-spec foam sleeping pad from the surplus store, to use as the source of padding and homemade dividers. Works...

In theory, I prefer a three-way head to a ball for LF. When I bought a B1, it was primarily intended for 35, but I ended up using the B1 for LF too, simply because it's so smooth and easy to...

Key question is the maximum power you'll need. Virtually any unit that has a power ratio control to dial down flash output in manual mode should do the job for close work. Maximum working...

The small Bogen geared head sounds like the best solution. If you had an Arca B1 or B2 (for preference) already, you need no quick release. The camera's mounting block is flared to fit within the...

On one occasion, I loaded one sheet of film backward in the holder, so the anti-halation backing produced a color cast on the developed film (actually the mis-loaded film was more pleasing under...

It would seem that processing flaws would be a more likely cause than your lens. Are you using a trusted lab and have you consulted the lab manager?

Just in case this thread sticks in the archives, I thought I'd mention that I could not find any Arca equipment for rent, so finally broke down and bought a binocular viewer. Robert White had an ...

The budget ran out before I could get every accessory I could wish for to comple te an Arca 45F classic C outfit. In particular, I'd like to rent a binocular re flex finder to see if life really...

Stokes Imaging in Austin has done scanning work for National Geographic, if memory serves me. They've done optical slide duplication also for years before that, so I would check with them.

The sun is a point source. A point source enlarger produces very contrasty light that old timers thought of as very sharp. A comparison of point, condenser and diffused enlargers setups by David ...

Just a follow-up for anyone interested. This site, which for some reason did not show up on my previous search, has a good bit of information:...

Now that my first HABS/HAER shoot is in prospect, I'm scrambling to find informa tion about the film and paper processing requirements. The National Park Servic e pub is only a buck, but allowing...

Is the D2V a condensor enlarger? Apparently Kodak's development recommendations are based on a diffusion light source which can handle higher contrast negatives. Why the hell they don't say that...

Wayne, who you callin' a runt? Come over here and say that to me and my curly-haired sister!

I have the 6 x 9 F compact. As you probably know, the metric offers, according to the AS catalog, "self-locking geared rise and fall movements." Shift, tilt and swing appear to work the same way...

This is a similar to a model I used for a number of years, except that the eyepiece appears to swivel on its mounting arm, whereas mine was fixed. It was a good tool, particularly with older...

Four blades like the Saunders are very flexible in terms of border widths and custom sizing, but expensive because it's more difficult to assure the blades maintain exact right angles. Speed easels...

Can't remember exactly where, but I know I've seen plans over the years for homemade vacuum easels. Maybe a used Electrolux cannister vacuum and a little time in the workshop could give you a...

Thinking much as you are, I bought a magnetic stirrer once and found that it wasn't a very wise purchase. Using the stirrer saved on my forearm, but it didn't mix very vigorously and I got equally...

Considering a new ball head, I'm curious about the qualitative differences betwe en the Arca B1 and the Kirk BH-1. People talk about the Arcas sometimes locking up. Is that the problem the Kirk was...

The power demands are likely to be so high, you may need to consider one of the newer Balcar battery-operated studio flashes. With 8x10, you're obviously interested in a high quality aesthetic,...

Assuming you used test strips with the Polyfiber to determine the enlarger exposure, did you develop the strips for a standard time? Pulling prints when they looked OK under the safelight was not...

A newer twist on the spring-framed reflectors is the Chameleon--a translucent diffuser with a reversible zippered outer cover that includes silver, gold, white and black faces. Offers more...

Why not keep it simple and contact the sculptor? Explain your desire to share his work and yours with a larger audience and ask if he'd have any objection to your selling prints in your...

Not only that, but if you wear bifocals, you've got one of those trick near-far filters!

Develop at least a couple of sheets. Years ago I did the same thing with transparency film but shot also on medium format so I had a standard of comparison. Took me awhile to figure out why the ...

Regarding the prints, I can tell you how the U.S. military trained us to put aerial photographs together. Overlap your views about 30% when taking your shots. Don't mess with the resulting...

Yes, and an enhancing filter on the lens.

Before buying an Arca 6x9/4x5 FC, I was intrigued by the Brainbox accessory. Thi s mechanical aid offered to help measure and calculate "depth of field, extensio n and swing angle." This may...

You're right to be concerned. I found it necessary to block the glow of the 300 with the lid of a paper box to keep from having slight fogging of film.

For architectural shots with an Arca FC 6 x 9, I need a wider lens than my 65mm Caltar. Since it needn't cover 4 x 5, I'm assuming that a Rodenstock 45mm (unli kely used), or more likely a used...

Fuji publishes the Fujifilm Data Guide, which lists reciprocity and color shift characteristics for their films. Their U.S. technical hotline number is (800) 788-3854. My copy says that Velvia...

You've got a great piece of gear in the Duplex. Although I used one for years I can't answer your filter questions except to say that I remember working for countless hours in the amber glow of...