Hello from Colorado

[John Rice]

I just stumbled across this forum while looking for feedback on using PMK with some specific films.

I am a 1987 RIT grad who got away from photography as a profession a couple years ago. Maybe someone will relate, but all those years in commercial photography had caused me to absolutely hate it. Now I am thinking about shooting ONLY for my own appreciation again. I have a nicely equipped, large darkroom, but right now I am planning to only shoot and develop B&W negs (Maybe some transparencies. We'll see.) scan them and go digital from there out.

I have a great Cambo Master PC, which has been used, maybe, twice, in the last 5 or 6 years, and a pretty extensive set of lenses from 58mm to 360mm. Also a Bronica SQ-A outfit with 8 lenses from 40mm to 250mm. They are both outstanding cameras I would love to use again.

Just thought I'd say hello.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Welcome, John! This is a great forum with lots of very helpful people. My first LF camera was a 4x5 Cambo. Still have it, but prefer working in 8x10.

[ImSoNegative]

Hi John and welcome to the forum, I can relate to what you said, i used to paint and draw for my own enjoyment, someone suggested i begin to teach classes and put my work on display, so i did, i soon began to get comissions, my classes were full, my paintings and drawings were selling fairly well, i was making money but when my passion turned into a profession it wasnt fun anymore to me it was about making money so it started getting boring i sooned began to hate it, that was 8 years ago and i havnt picked up a paint brush since. I love photography, i might sell a piece here and there but use the money to buy gear or film or whatever, that keeps it fun. Im a chef by trade, (i hate cooking, go figure) but photography is my passion and i dont want to ruin that. good luck and again welcome

[Erik Larsen]

Welcome John - If you are near Grand Junction look me up. There are a few of us lf shooters around here.
regards
Erik

[Vick Vickery]

Welcome to group therepy, John. Sounds like you're pretty well set up with equipment...you'll probably find that shooting for fun is more fun than shooting for profit!

[Eric Biggerstaff]

Welcome to the forum John, as Erik noted there is a pretty sizeable group from Colorado who participate here.

Have fun!

[John Rice]

Well, I typed up a response, then when I went to post it, the forum had gone offline...

I'll be back.

[Warren Clark]

Hi John,

Let me know if you're interested in shooting in N. Colo. and Wyoming--
also other areas of the western states. I know some of these areas well
and am always scouting new locales. Send me a PM if you are travelling
this way.

Warren Clark
Ft. Collins, Colo.

[John Rice]

Thanks guys.

My history with photography is long and contentious. The last two or three years I have basically abandoned it. It's only in the last few weeks that I've started thinking about shooting, even if it is only a couple times a year. We'll see what happens, but I like the idea of starting with film and then going digital after that.

I had never seriously thought about shooting 8x10 before, but now I'm thinking if I can find a Cambo that uses the same lens boards I use now for a good price, who knows. Might be interesting.

I have a ton of film in the freezer and some of it still must be OK. I need to clear out the darkroom and get some new chemistry. I plan to keep it simple and go with PMK and HC-110, maybe some Rodinal. I'm curious about Efke film. I'm open to suggestions. I always liked experimenting with films and processing.

Warren, I may take you up on that, eventually. I'm in F/C, so it won't be a long trip.

[roteague]

Hello John from Hawaii. What part of Colorado are you in? I grew up in Colo Sprgs, but haven't been there for many years. I've lived in Hawaii the past, 12 or so years; got tired of the snow.