What did you learn new lately? Anything photographic? We are all students!

[Tin Can]

I looked at your flickr images, very nicely done!

Then I checked your DIY listing and will follow you there.

And finally I also liked the camera posted by keechoon.

All good ideas, and I plan to build a few cameras, AFTER my 14X17 ULF build gets done.

Randy, I actually started a thread about my current build in the DIY section a few days ago
And my previous build looks like this: https://www.flickr.com/photos/moribundworld/8962444804/

[Michael Cienfuegos]

Yes, same film plane. Full size 6x7cm digital back would be great.

Soon some genius will make a new sensor that scales to larger sizes.

I have 3 RB's. Because now they are darn near free, one was. I bought an RZ, I thought it was crap compared to an RB. ymmv

I have 3 LN Grafmatics and I simply grabbed the Mamiya DDS's as they were cheap also. Really well made, almost as nice as the 3 Busch 2x3 DDS's I have. I have been collecting 2x3 sheet film cameras, holders and film. I like the film size. I have 2 little waffle things to develop 12 sheets at a time in a 120 can.

I have one of those waffle thingys, I really have had bad luck with it. Not sure why, but it sure didn't work well for me. I amy cut down some x-ray film and try it in my baby Speedie. I just picked up another one for 65 bucks on fleabay. The shutter and bellows are in great shape, so I may be trying it with some different lenses. Lomography people have come out with a "Petzval" lens built in that "superior Zenit factory". (Wonder how their QC is these days?) It seems to be overpriced, just hope Galli comes up with a few that I can afford.

[Tin Can]

I posted the mini Petzval in Safe Haven for small portraits. The Kickstarter is really moving fast. It will sell out in days. They met their goal within hours of opening today!

I don't fully load the waffle, clumsy fingers and I am getting great results with a 6 sheets in it and R09 1/100 10 minutes.

I think people have very different water and agitation methods, among the dozens of other variables.

I have one of those waffle thingys, I really have had bad luck with it. Not sure why, but it sure didn't work well for me. I amy cut down some x-ray film and try it in my baby Speedie. I just picked up another one for 65 bucks on fleabay. The shutter and bellows are in great shape, so I may be trying it with some different lenses. Lomography people have come out with a "Petzval" lens built in that "superior Zenit factory". (Wonder how their QC is these days?) It seems to be overpriced, just hope Galli comes up with a few that I can afford.

[John Kasaian]

I learned that I could use a red safe light when developing my graded FB B&W prints rather than my itty bitty oc GE Guide Lamps (which have been long out of production anyway)

[Tin Can]

That's good to know as I will be using a lot of graded paper soon. I have totally converted to a dozen 1 watt red LED's all over my 750 sq ft. I just leave them on 24/7, not much power consumption. I live inside my darkroom/studio.

I learned that I could use a red safe light when developing my graded FB B&W prints rather than my itty bitty oc GE Guide Lamps (which have been long out of production anyway)

[Jody_S]

I learned that if you have a large extended family, and you say 'yes' to even one request, you will spend the rest of your life taking wedding, christening, etc. photos. For free. And most of the time you won't even get a 'thank you' out of the deal.

[Tin Can]

Easy to say the camera is in the shop, just like owning a van and everybody thinks it's a car share. I always have a flat tire.

Unless of course you actually enjoy the attention.

I learned that if you have a large extended family, and you say 'yes' to even one request, you will spend the rest of your life taking wedding, christening, etc. photos. For free. And most of the time you won't even get a 'thank you' out of the deal.

[SergeiR]

That i am sucker for new techniques... Once again.

[Ari]

I am always learning Photoshop.
My problem is common, I think: I now have a job which excludes me from spending hours on honing one or two techniques, or spending the day doing test shots or trying a new process.
Inevitably, I have to spend lots of time on job #2, so by the time I have a spare hour or two, I forgot what I learned a few weeks earlier.

[VPooler]

Well, I am going to start studying Electrical Engineering at the university this fall so an electronic, high-speed behind-the-lens shutter will be surely retrofitted to whatever 4x5 I finally manage to build. I am thinking about making a recessed lensboard with the shutter inside, making the electronic shutter an option. I can mount the actual lensboard on top of it. Yup, time to start crackin'.