+1 all true
Hi, can you post some photos of the new setup?
Also, costing out 8x20 film for the Ilford annual order may give a bit of sticker shock (hint -- seems like the price of 8x20, 14x17, 12x20 are pretty close, as I recall).
A while back I came across an interesting young documentary photographer, Eliot Dudik (might want to check out his book 'The Road Ends in Water', which is 4x5 color) who shoots 8x20 color on a vintage Korona using 2 sheets of Portra 8x10 in each holder:
http://eliotdudik.com/
http://www.thephoblographer.com/2012.../#.VG-qd2TF9MM
Granted, it's a certain 'look' but I think it's effective.
I asked him how he did it and wrote that he 'built a jig to slide two sheets of 8x10 into and attach together before they go into the 8x20 holder'.
Along with Ilford 8x20 and anything else you can find, perhaps using a method similar to what Dudik describes would allow you to also try [single-sided] x-ray film (haven't seen x-ray film in 8x20). Just a thought, anyway.
Seems like a very exciting format and will look forward to hearing more about your progress.
Scanning the images and stitching them together is an easy task in this day and age. The late William Corey shot 8x20 and figured this out. My eye continues to go to the center seam and camp out. The marvel of 8x20 is the totality of the image unobstructed. The compromises made to work with this format in size, weight and logistics such as film holders IMHO dictate a commitment to the final image because it is results that drive the process. Otherwise it would be easier to cut the equivalent of 8x20 proportions out of an 8x10 negative and call it good. This reminds me of the mission statement of the German firearms company H&K. "In a World of Compromises - Some Don't"
Michael, I agree. No compromise here. My first ULF camera was my 8x20. Someone on one of the forums told me I could not build a camera if I did not have a shop full of tools etc. I built the 8x20, got some holders a couple of great process lenses and have never looked back. I find film wherever I can and have a nice stash now. It takes dedication when one moves to ULF. My 8x20 carbon prints have made me very happy and I've done well selling them. They are unique as my clients have told me.
Unquestionably Jim what you have accomplished without a shop and with a passion for image making is amazing. I tip my hat to you in respect.
The willingness to challenge the presented format is like the person that said that you could not build an 8x20. It caused you reach to a new level of performance and you in fact did it. ULF is inherently a step above the norm in all respects. Where there is a will there is always a way!
Speaking of which, I need to get the 8x20 out and make some images.....
Oren, Thanks for your responses and insights.
One question that I have, what do you include in your "sandwich" when exposing the image? You mentioned 3mm. But that's close to an 1/8", which is pretty standard for glass. Is this 3cm, which would indeed be a heavy piece of glass?
Wow, color in this size is a very interesting thought, even if split down the middle. A sales person who helped me when I bought this outfit commented that one could put the split between the two halves of an image into the fold of a book.
I think that I will probably stick with B&W. But, it's thought provoking. We still have a dip and dunk lab in Portland that I believe can do 8x10 color.
Interesting links to the Phoblographer. I noticed that he was using a 12" Dagor. He must really be closing that lens down.
Film buckling out in the field sounds pretty scary. Jeepers. Did that happen with 8x20? Where do you get the DF tape? I was thinking about how tape could be used. Does the film stick to the tape as it's being inserted into the holder? Or catch on the edge of the tape?
Of course, I had a 1570 earlier this year that I picked up for $20 and sold it. But, I think that sounds like a good head. One thing about having this conversion kit mounted on the Toyo, it can be set up in stages, versus having to mount the camera on the tripod all at one time.
Bookmarks