Images shot with Orthochromatic / Ortho Film / Litho

[smithdoor]

Post your Orthochromatic Images here

This film was used by newspapers until the 70's it was a low cost film
Today it use in the graphic industries using a high contras developer.
Back in the 70's I us D76 for the continuous-tone developer The ASA was 15 or 25

Today with cost of film going up and up now I am looking at using a low cost film again.
Cost of pan film for box of 50 4x5 is $54.99 and ortho $10.71
Pan film http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/486046-REG/Foma_42014550_Fomapan_Classic_100_4.html
Ortho http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/910365-REG/multitone_mol4550_multiortho_4_x_5.html

Dave

[megapickle1]

I´m using Ilford ortho plus with very pleasing results (grey scale). For Tungsten ISO 40° for natural light ISO 64° to 80°. With ID11 you can get the so called pictorial contrast G64. But it isn´t really cheaper than pan-film.
George

[Karl A]

You can get this film at Freestyle, although it is no longer being manufactured:

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/12781-Efke-PL-25-ORT-Orthochromatic-8x10-10-sheets

I've been playing around with it, seems like it will be good for cyanotypes at least.

[Vaughn]

If x-ray film can be considered Ortho -- here are three. I can handle the film under a redsafe light.

I use to use Kodak Copy Film -- I believe that is ortho, also, but I might be wrong.

My boys -- 8x10, X-ray film developed at the hospital. Scanned Platinum prints.

[plaubel]

Hello,

struggling sometimes and enyoing mostly with my LF-hobby here in germany,
this is my first posting here.
Usually i use 4x5" / 9x12 cm, and from time to time 5x7".

My english is bad,i am sorry; my scanning is ugly, i feel shame -and this pic is dusty.
I can t reach your very high quality, but i love orthochromatic film ( Ortho 25).
This pic was made on 9x12 cm, using RF, 6x9 cm. Is this small format allowed ?

http://img5.fotos-hochladen.net/uploads/rosehell54m6xupch1.jpg (http://www.fotos-hochladen.net)

Ritchie

[smithdoor]

This film has ASA of 80
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/24605-REG/Ilford_1813157_Ortho_Plus_4x5_B_W.html

Dave

[plaubel]

This Ortho 25 ( different names here, this were Rollei Ortho 25) has an Asa of 25.
Nearly 50 Euro / 50 sheets 4x5" thistime.
A crop from my print ( teststripe), 50x60cm, as a lithprint, because my scanner max. takes Din A 4...

http://img5.fotos-hochladen.net/uploads/roselithjpg5473eck9du.jpg (http://www.fotos-hochladen.net)

[Haapalahti]

"Pyynikki Ridge & Observation Tower", Tampere, Finland @ 19.10.-13.

Linhof Technika III, Rodenstock Sironar-N 135mm @ f8, 1s.
4x5" Fujilith ortho film VO-75 (expired -81 )
Rodinal (very old one) 1:100 / 6min.
Epson 1240U scan

103611

[alanbutler57]

Shot with a Gundlach Petzval lens 9In I think. on a Speed Graphic, ISO around 50 as I recall, Pyrocat HD. Ilford Ortho

103617103618103619

[Ootsk]

Some Pl25 ORT in Rodinal 1+12 for 16 minutes

103663

[plaubel]

Hello,

thistime i m playing with a lithofilm called Rollei ATO 2.1 - any experience here?
It s orthochromatic, with high density, and first results aren t really printable...
I will change developing, Xtol 1+2, to 1+3, it may work.

Thanks,
Ritchie

[blueribbontea]

8X10 Ektascan developed in HC110 1-19. This is a mammography film of about ISO 50 and I develop by inspection with a red safelight. Much less than 1 dollar a sheet.104132

[Haapalahti]

Swing bridge at Murole canal, Finland
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMAER3_Muroleen_kanavan_kntsilta_Swing_bridge_at_Murole_canal
Falz & Werner, mahogany field camera 24x30cm + Voigtlander & Sohn Portrait-Euryscop III No. 5A Lense
Gevrex ortho film [24x30cm] (expired 1981), Rodinal 1:25 / 7min
104374

[megapickle1]

My attempt to Mr. Kühn and his historic Tea Setup using Ilford Ortho Plus at 40° ISO, continous light and a Pipon Aplanat lens at f8/2sec.104814

[MMELVIS]

Swing bridge at Murole canal, Finland
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMAER3_Muroleen_kanavan_kntsilta_Swing_bridge_at_Murole_canal
Falz & Werner, mahogany field camera 24x30cm + Voigtlander & Sohn Portrait-Euryscop III No. 5A Lense
Gevrex ortho film [24x30cm] (expired 1981), Rodinal 1:25 / 7min
104374

What a wonderful image and a pleasing composition.

[rpa]

Hasami field camera, Nikkor SW 90mm/8, 7min @F22
Arista ortho litho 2.0 at about ISO 1..2 (/8 for bellows) , Rodinal 1:200 6min

107257

[Jim Noel]

"This film was used by newspapers until the 70's it was a low cost film"
Actually for until about the middle of the 20th century almost all film available in any size was orthochromatic, Panchromatic films slowly began to come into general use around the time of WWII. I do not remember particular dates, but I do remember the magazine articles debating whether orthochromatic or panchroamtic emulsions were better, much like today's discussions of analog vs digital.

[Peter Lewin]

"This film was used by newspapers until the 70's it was a low cost film"
Actually for until about the middle of the 20th century almost all film available in any size was orthochromatic, Panchromatic films slowly began to come into general use around the time of WWII. I do not remember particular dates, but I do remember the magazine articles debating whether orthochromatic or panchroamtic emulsions were better, much like today's discussions of analog vs digital.
I'm just reading a book, "George Hurrell's Hollywood," and it mentions that pan films came out in 1928. Hurrell had bought a lot of relatively cheap ortho film, and continued using it until mid-1931, when he switched to panchromatic film, which he decided was better for skin tones. The MGM studios, where Hurrell started working in 1930, had already switched over to panchromatic film for stills, but for at least a year Hurrell preferred to stay with the ortho film he was used to.

[MichaelRelguag]

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3805/10632102954_21eddc16e0_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69541531@N04/10632102954/)
Wephota Ortho 25 Adonal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69541531@N04/10632102954/) von Michael Relguag (http://www.flickr.com/people/69541531@N04/) auf Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/10632083604_6e1c36464c_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69541531@N04/10632083604/)
Wephota Ortho 25 Adonal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69541531@N04/10632083604/) von Michael Relguag (http://www.flickr.com/people/69541531@N04/) auf Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/10632069016_2dde0a2eae_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69541531@N04/10632069016/)
Wephota Ortho 25 Adonal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69541531@N04/10632069016/) von Michael Relguag (http://www.flickr.com/people/69541531@N04/) auf Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/10632054836_fe25aac28a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69541531@N04/10632054836/)
Wephota Ortho 25 Adonal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69541531@N04/10632054836/) von Michael Relguag (http://www.flickr.com/people/69541531@N04/) auf Flickr

I love this orthochromatic film together with my Voigtländer Avus 9x12cm

[austin granger]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51375841547_0c2e3a6af0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2mgUBMv)Baseball Field, Chinook, Washington (https://flic.kr/p/2mgUBMv) by Austin Granger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/austingranger/), on Flickr

[Jim Noel]

Efke Ortho, Ilford Ortho and x-ray films are all orthochromatic. I use all of them, mostly x-ray because of cost. Overall I estimate I use 10-15 times as much Ortho as Pan films. The built in contrast is great for my alt processes. I do not us it for female portraits, or outdoors with lots of sky, but other than those no limitations.
In the 1930's when I was first learning to photograph and process images, a large majority of available films were orthochromatic. I wish I could find some of the magazine articles discussing pros and cons of ortho vs "Those new pan" films. They would open a lot of eyes in today's photographic world. I won't be surprised if some manufacturer comes out with one of those digital things that is blind to red, orthochromatic ta tis.

[mmerig]

Thanks for the history, Jim. I am re-taking many historic landscape scenes, and use Ilford Ortho Plus and Ilford FP4 plus (and Fuji Provia) for each scene, unless I know for sure what film they used. Even in the 1920's the Orho re-take matches better than the pan film for some photographers. One of them Olaus Murie, developed his own film, and I wonder if he developed by inspection, or being a federal gov't employee, he had a stock of old or cheaper films available to him, and used ortho.

Anyway, your experience gives me another clue in matching things up as best I can.

[Daniel Unkefer]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51220120501_d0cd961bbe_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2m39vkT)5x7 Sinar Norma Twin Lens HRU Ortho+Mic-X (https://flic.kr/p/2m39vkT) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Left is Ilford Commercial Ortho+ 5x7 Schneider 240mm f5.6 chrome Componon Sinar Norma Shutter 4 seconds. Lighting was 45 left Broncolor Pulso Softbox in close. Ambient lighting 250W modeling lamp only no flash. Silver fill panel 45 right just off camera. Shooting wide open with 5x7 Sinar Norma early version film holders

Right is 5x7 Fuji HRU XRay film 1/2 second F5.6 Schneider 240mm f5.6 Componon wide open. Sinar Norma Automatic Shutter

Good to have a choice of negatives.

[Dugan]

Daniel, I see a band about an inch wide going across the approximate middle of the cactus in both negatives....is that on the cactus?

[Daniel Unkefer]

Thanks I'll have to check that. I do have a new lightbox from B&H so maybe a reshoot is in order.

I was using an Acculight which has small fluorescent tubes. Hmmm

[alanbutler57]

218644
Pleasant Hill Reenactment 2014 Speed Graphic + Petzval+ Ilford Ortho+Pyrocat HD 1:1:100 17min @70F

2014 Re-enactment Pleasant Hill, Louisiana

218647

Speed Graphic + Petzval + Pyrocat HD 1:1:10 (by mistake) 6 min, constant inversions. Ilford Ortho+

2014 Re-enactment Pleasant Hill, Louisiana

218648

USS Texas 1940 Speed Graphic 127mm Ektar Ilford Ortho+ Pyrocat HD 1:1:100 12 minutes shot in April 2016

My grandfather crewed on a 5" gun like this one aboard USS Tacoma during WW1, so I found it particularly interesting.

Port of Houston, TX

[austin granger]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52153860275_84d1462527_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nsEaDv)Matter over Mind, Portland (https://flic.kr/p/2nsEaDv) by Austin Granger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/austingranger/), on Flickr

[austin granger]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52211784104_597c2bcc4d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nxM3od)Missile Defense Radar Dome, Portland, Oregon (https://flic.kr/p/2nxM3od) by Austin Granger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/austingranger/), on Flickr

[John Layton]

...either some gent needs to improve his indoor golf game (and re-locate away from his H/O train setup) - or he's got a set of really huge clubs! :rolleyes:

[LabRat]

Another reason ortho was used in press labs so long was the "Lab rats" would routinely develop by inspection, but some workers got good at inspecting pan with deep green safe lights briefly/late development (if requested)...

Steve K

[Old_Dick]

Nice, Austin. Thanks.

[PatrickMarq]

229128
It seems that I will be posting a lot to this thread in the future

[austin granger]

Thanks, Dick.

[austin granger]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52349429105_7668815071_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nKWvrT)Straw Stack, Eastern Washington (https://flic.kr/p/2nKWvrT) by Austin Granger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/austingranger/), on Flickr

[Tin Can]

Monumental!


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52349429105_7668815071_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nKWvrT)Straw Stack, Eastern Washington (https://flic.kr/p/2nKWvrT) by Austin Granger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/austingranger/), on Flickr

[Tin Can]

Really like this, never noticed it before



Some Pl25 ORT in Rodinal 1+12 for 16 minutes

103663

[Salmo22]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50874417056_9d603af707_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kvAFKE)ARLINGTON SCHOOL ROAD, ARIZONA (https://flic.kr/p/2kvAFKE) by Jeffery Dale Welker (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffwelker/), on Flickr

[Daniel Unkefer]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52277045839_1876760f1c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nDxwqx)Makiflex Auto 270 Tele Arton Mammo 9x12cm MicX (https://flic.kr/p/2nDxwqx) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

18x24 Kodak Mammography MINR film cut down to four 9x12cm's. Sinar Norma film holders, Plaubel Makiflex with 4x5 Adapter Back. 270 Auto Tele-Arton Yellow filter. Broncolor Portrait lighting. Microdol-X Legacy developer 12 mins 73F. 8x10 RC #2 Arista Dektol 1:2 dev. Handheld camera

[Michael R]

Yes. Good one, Austin. Well spotted and rendered.


Monumental!

[Tin Can]

Actually Double-Plus-Good as Austin has a knack and eye to see MORE

The Monument says a lot, as the barren and dry earth

No water in sight, straw is a last choice

"Do animals eat straw or hay?
Straw Versus Hay

Hay is harvested while it is still a live, healthy plant. Straw is the dead stalks of plants after the valuable parts of the plants have been harvested. Hay provides a good nutritional value for animals who are going to be eating it, while straw provides little nutrition."

Hard Times


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52349429105_7668815071_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nKWvrT)Straw Stack, Eastern Washington (https://flic.kr/p/2nKWvrT) by Austin Granger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/austingranger/), on Flickr

[Roger Cole]

Hay is for eating, straw is more for bedding and such.

[austin granger]

Thanks, Tin Can, Michael R, Roger.

To be honest, I'm not completely certain whether this is hay or straw, but as the harvest in the Palouse region of Washington where that photo was taken is largely wheat, and straw is a by-product of wheat farming, I'm going with straw.

I need a farmer friend to go around with me to tell me what I'm looking at. The equipment can be especially puzzling to a city guy like me; "what the heck is THAT thing?" :-)

[Ootsk]

Another in PL25ORT
Rodinal.
No-name petzval mounted on a copal3 shutter.
230817

[Tin Can]

Also wonderful

I bet the tattoo is very colorful

Great model!



Another in PL25ORT
Rodinal.
No-name petzval mounted on a copal3 shutter.
230817

[Ootsk]

Also wonderful

I bet the tattoo is very colorful

Great model!

Thanks! There WAS some color in the tattoo, but being colorblind I mostly shot in b/w.

[Vaughn]

Two recent 4x5 carbon prints; 4x5 Kodak Professional Copy Film developed in PyrocatHD.

[Salmo22]

Two recent 4x5 carbon prints; 4x5 Kodak Professional Copy Film developed in PyrocatHD.

Terrific work Vaughn.

[Vaughn]

Thanks. They are test prints for an upcoming show.

Below is an 8x10 carbon using 8x10 Kodak Pro Copy Film. This is not a 'realistic' rendition of the scene (which had a 3 stop range). The film can be manipulated through exposure (for highlight placement) and through development for increased shadow information. It worked wonderfully here, but I have recently had some negatives that made too big of a jump into the highlights which did not work well with the images...lost the feeling of a continous tone film.

[Dugan]

That's a beautiful image, Vaughn!

[austin granger]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52371972470_ccb45f3f00_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nMW3NA)Ground Station, Eastern Washington (https://flic.kr/p/2nMW3NA) by Austin Granger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/austingranger/), on Flickr

[mmerig]

231138

Shoal Falls, Gros Ventre Mountains in Wyoming

Ilford Ortho Plus, 4 by 5 negative. 121 mm F8 SK

[Tin Can]

I wonder why in our distant past X-Ray was not rolled into this Ortho thread?

[Martin Aislabie]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52371972470_ccb45f3f00_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nMW3NA)Ground Station, Eastern Washington (https://flic.kr/p/2nMW3NA) by Austin Granger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/austingranger/), on Flickr

What is a ground station ?
Thanks
Martin

[Daniel Unkefer]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51974286563_ae5d059d49_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nbMND2)18x24 Mammo Sinar Norma 300 Xenar Arista No 2 RC (https://flic.kr/p/2nbMND2) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Second test of 18x24cm Kodak Min-R XRay film developed 18 minutes at 60F Straight replenished Legacy Mic-X in Cesco trays. 300mm Schneider Xenar barrel lens f22 Yellow Filter. Four pops Broncolor C171 Beauty Light Contact Print 8x10 Arista #2 RC Multigrade dev. Again interesting how the red flowers go deep black.



https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52222110706_ddb1c49ac5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nyFY85)18x24 Mammo Shortie Sawed Off Norma (https://flic.kr/p/2nyFY85) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

This is a test shot (my Shorty Norma) French Kodak 18x24cm Mammo Film, processed in D23 1:1. Taking camera is my new Annie/Avedon inspired 8x10 Norma. I applied 30 degrees of front and rear swing, the Norma original recessed lensboard is sharp all the way across the field. I like how the DOF drops off with the 360mm f5.6 Norma Symmar. There appears to be highlight blooming, which I find kind of attractive. Best thing about this film was that it was not at all expensive. And I have a lot of it

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51946522165_181ff34c85_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2n9kvfv)18x24cm Mammo Norma 121mm F45 18 pops C171 Beauty Light Grid (https://flic.kr/p/2n9kvfv) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Testing Kodak Mammography 18x24cm in HC-110 "H" 6.5 mins at ambient. 8x10 Sinar Norma 121mm F8 Sinar Norma Schneider Super Angulon on Norma Vertical Copy Arrangement. Shooting straight down at F45. Broncolor C171 Monolight with Broncolor Blue Pulso Beauty Dish, popped eighteen times with shutter on "B" to build up the density. Contact printed Omega DII with Omegalite Arista RC #2 Matte paper Multigrade developer. Digital background shot by Tim Layton and was blown up by me at Costco. It was dark red so I guess I should have expected a lack of density on the right. Live and learn. Highlight tonality looks decent to me. 18x24 XRay film is easy and fun to shoot

[nolindan]

You can get this film at Freestyle, although it is no longer being manufactured:
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/12781-Efke-PL-25-ORT-Orthochromatic-8x10-10-sheets
I've been playing around with it, seems like it will be good for cyanotypes at least.

I've used Freestyle's house brand litho film to create enlarged negatives for making cyanotypes. Reversal processing produces a high contrast continuous tone copy negative. I used 1:2 Dektol for the first and second developer, P. Chromate/Sulfuric Acid bleach, S. Sulfite clearing bath.

Ortho lithographic film is very different stuff than plain-old continuous tone orthochromatic film. Something advertising itself as 'hard dot' is going to be contrasty even for a lithographic film.

[austin granger]

What is a ground station ?
Thanks
Martin
Technically it is a VOR ground station, but I didn't think that would mean much to most people (myself included) so I left that off. Also, I enjoy the ambiguity. But what is a VOR station, you ask? It's used for aircraft navigation. This is a better explanation than I could ever give: https://www.liveabout.com/vor-navigation-system-282557

[Tin Can]

Oddly I just listened to a history of aircraft navigation. Very interesting!


Technically it is a VOR ground station, but I didn't think that would mean much to most people (myself included) so I left that off. Also, I enjoy the ambiguity. But what is a VOR station, you ask? It's used for aircraft navigation. This is a better explanation than I could ever give: https://www.liveabout.com/vor-navigation-system-282557

[austin granger]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52789215144_d5c72ab707_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2oqNwvN)Portland (https://flic.kr/p/2oqNwvN) by Austin Granger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/austingranger/), on Flickr

[Tin Can]

Exotic!


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52789215144_d5c72ab707_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2oqNwvN)Portland (https://flic.kr/p/2oqNwvN) by Austin Granger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/austingranger/), on Flickr

[Daniel Unkefer]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47988755306_9a483631fc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2g7AV3S)Layton Falls Comm Ortho (https://flic.kr/p/2g7AV3S) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

Sinar Norma 4x5 90mm F8 Super Angulon Ilford Commercial Ortho ISO 50 D76 Aristo #2 8x10 RC Multigrade developer

[Vaughn]

4x5 Kodak Profession Copy Film, HC-110, Dilution B, 70F, 9 minutes
ASA set at 25, f/22 @ 8 seconds.

Indian Creek, Yosemite Valley, 1995

Carbon Print. As a side note, I reprinted this neg last week. Only one attempt that was about 1.5 to 2 stops too dark. Only lost shadow detail was directly under the large rocks and it was interesting to see that all of the water has detail. Interesting to know I can bring it out, but prefer the version presented here. The small size of the image (4x5) means that the area of white water lacking information is itself small and visually/mentally (to me) does not need information to 'work'. And there is a 'feel' that there is some form to the water that we can't see...perhaps due to the fact that the area is not actually blocked up from exposure/development.

[Don Dudenbostel]

What is a ground station ?
Thanks
Martin

I’m a pilot and quite familiar with a VOR. It stands for very high frequency Omni-directional range. It used for aircraft navigation and transmits a very precise set of radials much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. There are 360 radials corresponding to 360 degrees. Each vor has a specific frequency plus encoded identifiers unique to that vor. Vor transmitters are located across the world creating a precise set of invisible roadways. An instrument on the instrument panel has a rosette marked in degrees, a needle that moves left and right, a flag that says to and from and a radio coupled to the indicator.

The pilot lays out a course from the point of origin to the first vor then to the second and so on. The course is determined from a navigation map and with a compas you determine the course in degrees to and from each vor plus the radio frequency of each.

When you’re preparing to takeoff you’ll put the frequency into the vor receiver and the degrees you’ll fly to the first vor. You’ll also set the flag to the to position. Once airborn you’ll see the needle on the vor indicator move either right or left and you’ll fly the direction the needle is moving until it centers. When centered you’re in the middle of the radial or highway. You’ll maintain the course keeping the needle centered until the flag flips to from which means you just passed over the vor.

Generally you’ll have two vor receivers and indicators. The second is generally setup for your second vor frequency and Route in degrees. When you cross that first vor you’ll look to the second indicator and again fly to the direction of the needle until it centers. At that point you’re on the second leg and you’ll setup the third onthe other radio. You would continue that until you’re near or at your destination.

Vor stations are often at airports near the runway and provide landing information. They can be used for a vor instrument approach in low visibility weather.

Simple isn’t it. I adopted GPS early on and haven’t used vor in years but they’re still important as a backup incase of an EMP or something that would take out the GPS system. I learned to fly navigating by vor and doing non precision vor approaches. Actuall it’s a pretty cool system and I’m glad I learned with them prior to GPS. I guess one could compare vor navigation vs GPS to film vs digital. GPS is so much faster to setup a route and in the end much more efficient but not always the most fun.

[Rick A]

4x5 Kodak Profession Copy Film, HC-110, Dilution B, 70F, 9 minutes
ASA set at 25, f/22 @ 8 seconds.

Indian Creek, Yosemite Valley, 1995

Carbon Print. As a side note, I reprinted this neg last week. Only one attempt that was about 1.5 to 2 stops too dark. Only lost shadow detail was directly under the large rocks and it was interesting to see that all of the water has detail. Interesting to know I can bring it out, but prefer the version presented here. The small size of the image (4x5) means that the area of white water lacking information is itself small and visually/mentally (to me) does not need information to 'work'. And there is a 'feel' that there is some form to the water that we can't see...perhaps due to the fact that the area is not actually blocked up from exposure/development.

Exquisite image Vaughn. I love the juxtaposition of the softness of the water against the sharp features of the rock.

[Martin Aislabie]

I’m a pilot and quite familiar with a VOR. It stands for very high frequency Omni-directional range. It used for aircraft navigation and transmits a very precise set of radials much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. There are 360 radials corresponding to 360 degrees. Each vor has a specific frequency plus encoded identifiers unique to that vor. Vor transmitters are located across the world creating a precise set of invisible roadways. An instrument on the instrument panel has a rosette marked in degrees, a needle that moves left and right, a flag that says to and from and a radio coupled to the indicator.

The pilot lays out a course from the point of origin to the first vor then to the second and so on. The course is determined from a navigation map and with a compas you determine the course in degrees to and from each vor plus the radio frequency of each.

When you’re preparing to takeoff you’ll put the frequency into the vor receiver and the degrees you’ll fly to the first vor. You’ll also set the flag to the to position. Once airborn you’ll see the needle on the vor indicator move either right or left and you’ll fly the direction the needle is moving until it centers. When centered you’re in the middle of the radial or highway. You’ll maintain the course keeping the needle centered until the flag flips to from which means you just passed over the vor.

Generally you’ll have two vor receivers and indicators. The second is generally setup for your second vor frequency and Route in degrees. When you cross that first vor you’ll look to the second indicator and again fly to the direction of the needle until it centers. At that point you’re on the second leg and you’ll setup the third onthe other radio. You would continue that until you’re near or at your destination.

Vor stations are often at airports near the runway and provide landing information. They can be used for a vor instrument approach in low visibility weather.

Simple isn’t it. I adopted GPS early on and haven’t used vor in years but they’re still important as a backup incase of an EMP or something that would take out the GPS system. I learned to fly navigating by vor and doing non precision vor approaches. Actuall it’s a pretty cool system and I’m glad I learned with them prior to GPS. I guess one could compare vor navigation vs GPS to film vs digital. GPS is so much faster to setup a route and in the end much more efficient but not always the most fun.

Dom, thanks for the explanation

VOR sounds like hard work, although I expect it feels like quite a sense of achievement when you have used it (successfully).

Martin

[jimskelton]

I've shooting regent royal hard dot film on a Polaroid 110A converted to 4x5, then developing them in D-23. I find exposure is pretty critical, otherwise the negative is too dense or too thin. I started shooting lith because it was so much cheaper, but have learned to appreciate the unique qualities of lith film, and will continue to shoot it in the future, especially since making my 8x10 camera...

Here's an example:

237482

[austin granger]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53584866160_b250c38930_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pD7rQL)Clyde, Washington (https://flic.kr/p/2pD7rQL) by Austin Granger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/austingranger/), on Flickr