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Thread: Hello Large Format

  1. #11
    Ted Harris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2000
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    New Hampshire
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    3,465

    Re: Hello Large Format

    Welcome Thomas,

    If you click on "LF Home Page" on the menu at the top of the page it will take you to the Forum's Home Page and all manner of articles on everything Large Format.

  2. #12

    Re: Hello Large Format

    So far - thank you for your heart felt welcome! Especially from NM!
    Jim, I'll probably mount that other lens I bought from you on the 5x7 eventually, although it's on my 4x5 sometimes with wonderful results. I attached an image that I made with that lens last October.
    Joakim, I am originally from Sweden but moved to the US in -01. Bodde i Helsingborg innan jag flyttade. Var ar du ifron?
    Ted, I'll study those articles for sure.

    To clarify, I am aware of the various methods of deep tank, gas burst, daylight tank, drum, and tray development. I've tried it all except gas burst but like to develop by inspection best. All I need is the trays, green light, and a metronome. It's pretty fascinating really, but I can do six sheets at a time, and that's it. So I'm looking to refine that method since I'm very trigger happy. If I bring thirteen holders with me, I burn through it all usually.

    Anyway, Happy Holidays to all. I shall dig into the forums now...

    - Thomas

  3. #13

    Join Date
    Dec 1999
    Posts
    1,905

    Re: Hello Large Format

    OK, back to New Mexico

    I would suggest some reading. Here are the books I usually suggest

    Jim Stone's User's Guide to the View Camera
    Jack Dykinga's Large Format Nature Photography
    Using the View Camera that I wrote.

    any/all are very good books as an introduction.

    The Free Articles section on the view camera web site has several articles that might be helpful to you.

    Search the archives here.

    I am a fan of tray development. I've done it for almost 30 years with great success. I can do 6-8 sheets simultaneously but each one for a different development time. I taught myself development by inspection but time and temp with consistent agitation works so well I gave up the safelight.


    steve simmons

  4. #14

    Re: Hello Large Format

    I think the real commitment to photography is not in the shooting but in the work that follows. Having tried multiple developing regimes including dbi, I've settled on shooting less, but hopefully better. This after burning thru 20 film holders in an afternoon once. If I do find myself in a situation where I may shoot many pictures I now take my mf or 35mm camera individually or in addition and soon my repaired 6x9 Graphic.

  5. #15

    Join Date
    Dec 1997
    Location
    Baraboo, Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,697

    Re: Hello Large Format

    With respect to your question about development, there are at least two possibly faster ways than what you're doing. One is a Jobo system. I've only used that system briefly but I understand that their drums will allow you to develop 10 sheets at a time. The other is the BTZS tubes. Much less expensive than Jobo and depending on how quick and agile you are and how big your sink is, you probably could do as many as about 12 sheets at a time if you bought 12 tubes. In general, though, speed and volume aren't advantages of LF photography.
    Brian Ellis
    Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you do criticize them you'll be
    a mile away and you'll have their shoes.

  6. #16

    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Socorro, NM
    Posts
    187

    Re: Hello Large Format

    Thomas,
    Another New Mexico welcome (Las Cruces). (Apparently every other person in this state is a large format . . . . a-h-h-h person.) When I shot medium format I exposed more film, but in truth I wanted to shoot more slowly and deliberately yet. Large format has forced me to slow down to the speed of my seeing-processing, which is to say s-l-o-o-o-w, so the frustration is self-prescribed and much deserved. My deepest desire is to catch up to my slowness. I "digitally" print my film after it's been developed so can't speak to the joys or pain of processing your own film.

    I have learned much from the knowledge and generosity of others here and am still amazed at the patience of those who have forgotten more than I will ever know. So, consider no question too basic nor any musing on the art too beyond the pale as not to catch someone's interest and response. Best of luck on your journey.

  7. #17

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    214

    Re: Hello Large Format

    Welcome Thomas.
    Take good care of that Century No.2 and when you outgrow it pass it along like I did
    I'm finding that I shoot a lot more 8x10 than anything else, even now that I have all three available.

    I can't really help you with developing. I started with Jobo drums/rollo pyro and 4 years later that's still all I've used. Per Volquarts told me to stick to one thing and learn it really well and here I am.

    Good luck.

    Alan.

  8. #18

    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Blue Ridge of Virginia
    Posts
    196

    Re: Hello Large Format

    And yet one more New Mexican bids you welcome- and Happy Holidays.

    Ditto Don Boyd's well considered comments.

    Photography is heavily constrained by equipment- and you have an excellent combination to use- so there will be no excuses- we expect to see marvelous images! Many people try to many combinations, searching for a magic bullet- some of photography's finest image makers possessed only one lens and camera and perhaps because of that simplicity and directness, created superb art. Better to learn 99% of what there is to know about a single set of equipment than 40% of a huge set of permutations and combinations.

    Russ

  9. #19

    Re: Hello Large Format

    I thank you all for your insightful comments. I too find simplicity refreshing. The best work I've ever done is with either a Rolleiflex TLR, or a Holga. Know the shortcomings and use them to your advantage.
    Less is more, I think, and it really helps you see to keep it simple.

    I think what I need to practice is to constrain myself and learn when NOT to pull the trigger on something. The most fun I've ever had with a camera is roll film on my 4x5. I'm more and more viewing that as a viable option, because it does slow me down and helps me think more about each scene and capture. I find that it takes me much longer to use up a roll of 120 with the 6x7 roll back than a similar roll of 6x6 in either the Rolleiflex or the other MF cameras I have.

    Thanks again for taking time to reply. Very helpful comments.

    - Thomas

  10. #20

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Gresham OR
    Posts
    1,374

    Re: Hello Large Format

    Hello and welcome to the large side Thomas, that was about time but glad you finally found it.

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