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rdenney
17-Jan-2020, 15:52
At the risk of inflaming anti-digital forces, and now that I’ve figured out how to host them conveniently for web display, let’s start a thread for the empty of wallet who have bought a medium format digital camera. This is for any digital camera with a sensor larger than 24x36, but smaller than nominal 4x5 (which would make it large format). Again, primarily images only, please, not extensive technical discussion.

I’ll start:

Https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0129.JPG
Sadie Cove, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, 2018. Pentax 645z. Pentax DFA 55mm lens, f/8 at 1/160.

Rick “with quite a backlog” Denney

darr
17-Jan-2020, 18:24
https://cameraartist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2018-darlene-almeda-at-the-waters-edge-e1579310621771.jpg

ALPA Max + SK 47/5.6 + Hasselblad CFV-50c

Oren Grad
17-Jan-2020, 22:49
Reaching back to earlier days of medium-format digital... I owned a Mamiya ZD briefly in late 2009 - early 2010. The camera spent most of that time traveling to and from Mamiya in Japan for servicing, but I did manage to take it out a few times for some tests. This was made with the Mamiya 55mm f/2.8 AF, which is just shy of normal for the 36x48mm sensor in that camera.


http://www.orengrad.com/LFF/MMFC0008mrcw.jpg

Audii-Dudii
18-Jan-2020, 06:36
https://i.imgur.com/zp4mlNS.jpg

A long-exposure test photo taken last fall using my P1 P30+ / KG TrueWide / Leica R 28/f2.8 PC Super Angulon lens combo ... no shutter required!

Alas, while the P30+ is clearly showing its age -- the DR recorded by its 2007-era CCD sensor must be at least two stops less than the A7R that replaced it in early 2014 (and which I'm still using to this day, believe it or not) -- it still has a pleasing way of rendering when used in brighter light.

Fortunately, I bought mine used for a very attractive price back in 2010, but even so, I'll still take a low- to mid-four-figure hit when I finally sell it.

Time and tide -- er, technology -- wait for no man! <sigh>

Eric Woodbury
18-Jan-2020, 12:40
JG, are you saying you're using 'vintage' digital equipment? "The times, they are a changin'. "

CCDs were the epitome of low-noise sensors from the beginning of digital imaging, and in many cases, still are.

Audii-Dudii
18-Jan-2020, 13:20
JG, are you saying you're using 'vintage' digital equipment? "The times, they are a changin'. "

Actually, I'm not using it, because for the type of photography I do -- long exposures in low light at base ISO -- my A7R-based setup (https://i.imgur.com/TO1GcUV.jpg if you're curious) produces much better results in pretty much every respect, not to mention larger files as well.

But I do still own most of my medium-format digital gear and, now that I think about it, in digital terms, I suppose even my A7R can be considered "vintage" these days.

So, yeah, I'm now using vintage digital gear for my photography and quite happily so! :D


CCDs were the epitome of low-noise sensors from the beginning of digital imaging, and in many cases, still are.

True, but the low-noise CCD sensors you refer to are all actively cooled, whereas the one in my P30+ requires five minutes of cooling between photos during our hot summer months, which was quite a nuisance at times.

Plus, the P30+ lacks any sort of freestanding "live view" capability, which significantly limits its usefulness for my purposes.

darr
18-Jan-2020, 15:47
https://cameraartist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2019-darlene-almeda-1.jpg

Sinar Norma + Brass Petzval Lens + CFV-50c

Audii-Dudii
18-Jan-2020, 17:33
Nicely done, Darr!

darr
18-Jan-2020, 17:37
Nicely done, Darr!

Thank you JG!!

rdenney
18-Jan-2020, 22:39
https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0135.JPG
Driftwood, Sadie Cove, Alaska, 2018. Pentax 645z, 55mm DFA.

Rick “nature has a sense of humor” Denney

neil poulsen
19-Jan-2020, 19:12
I'll post an image later. I have a factory refurbished P45+ that I purchased a few months ago and use on a medium format view camera. Very nice combination! While I may do some transparencies, this will be my go to system for color.

An OP interested in scanners (or something?) commented in their thread several days ago that, while they wanted to save money, they didn't want to purchase technology that could stand in the way of the success of their images. (Words to this effect.) I can't think of a better example than purchasing a scanner for color negatives. I can see this for existing color negatives, but for negatives yet to be . . . Niet!

For this reason, I decided to venture into direct imaging. No regrets. My digital side really enjoys photographing in this manner.

================
'Rick while 'waiting for Neil' Denney" . (:))

This one was taken at our local Japanese Gardens. Color's not great; it lost quality after import. Taken with a 35mm Rodenstock f4.5. This was processed in both Capture One and PS. An interesting package, i'm gradually becoming more familiar with CO.

rdenney
24-Jan-2020, 08:27
https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0117.JPG
Captain Dave, Sadie Cove, Alaska, 2028. Pentax 645z, don’t recall the lens. Could be the 200/4 FA, which is much better than its reputation. (Edit: yes, the 200. F/5.6 at 1/320)

Rick “while waiting for Neil” Denney

rdenney
29-Jan-2020, 13:55
Thanks, Neil.

Even though my camera isn’t a view camera with real controls, I can’t avoid my view-camera experience and how that affects my image handling. A lot (certainly not all) of what we do with movements can be done in processing, and if the file has good enough resolution to begin with, the result still meets my requirements (which I describe as a 16x20 print that maintains the illusion of infinite detail).

https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0048.JPG
Kennecott Power Station, ca. 1914, Kennecott, Alaska 2018. Pentax 645z, 35mm Pentax lens, perspective correction in DXO Photolab. F/11, 125.

Rick “who took the biggest camera he could carry” Denney

Tin Can
30-Jan-2020, 00:22
Watching with interest

Peter Lewin
30-Jan-2020, 07:24
Rick, love your image, makes me think of a Charles Sheeler painting.

rdenney
30-Jan-2020, 09:58
Paul Raphaelson’s book on the abandoned Domino Sugar plant was really on my mind as I toured around the (original) Kennecott Copper mill. More to come.

https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0084.JPG
Backup Generator, Kennecott Leaching Plant, Alaska, 2018. Pentax 645z, 35mm FA Pentax lens, f/16, 1 second.

Rick “got a lot of use out of the amazing Gitzo 3235 and Arca B1” Denney

Sal Santamaura
30-Jan-2020, 10:04
...Captain Dave, Sadie Cove, Alaska, 2028...

That Pentax is really something. Film can merely freeze a moment in time; your digital device can image things eight years in the future. :)

rdenney
30-Jan-2020, 10:21
That Pentax is really something. Film can merely freeze a moment in time; your digital device can image things eight years in the future. :)

Captain Dave will be most pleased if he is still that vigorous a decade after the picture was made. But he (actually a retired MD) will shake his head sadly at the poor connection between my thumb and my brain.

Rick “a camera that shows us how we will be ten years hence—surely a Twilight Zone script” Denney

djdister
30-Jan-2020, 16:28
I don't see any images from Rick's posts -- wha' happened?

rdenney
30-Jan-2020, 17:03
I don't see any images from Rick's posts -- wha' happened?

I’m linking files on my own web site using image tags. My site has an up-to-date certificate and opens https calls properly, and the URL for my latest image opened in every browser on my iPhone, both in the forum and directly.

So I have no idea why it isn’t working for you. I can only guess that your internet access point is too many hops from my provider’s server. See if you can ping www.rickdenney.com.

The URL for the latest image is:

https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0084.JPG

Click on that and see if it brings up an image (your browser may attempt to resolve it and already show the image).

Rick “who had certificate problems last month but all corrected now” Denney

djdister
30-Jan-2020, 20:45
Google Chrome flagged your site as a non-secure site with the below message. I could connect and see the image using Firefox, so I guess that's that.

www.rickdenney.com normally uses encryption to protect your information. When Google Chrome tried to connect to www.rickdenney.com this time, the website sent back unusual and incorrect credentials.

You cannot visit www.rickdenney.com right now because the website uses HSTS. Network errors and attacks are usually temporary, so this page will probably work later.



I’m linking files on my own web site using image tags. My site has an up-to-date certificate and opens https calls properly, and the URL for my latest image opened in every browser on my iPhone, both in the forum and directly.

So I have no idea why it isn’t working for you. I can only guess that your internet access point is too many hops from my provider’s server. See if you can ping www.rickdenney.com.

The URL for the latest image is:

https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0084.JPG

Click on that and see if it brings up an image (your browser may attempt to resolve it and already show the image).

Rick “who had certificate problems last month but all corrected now” Denney

chuck461
31-Jan-2020, 05:57
I don't see any images from Rick's posts -- wha' happened?

I had the same problem. I copied the link and pastes it directly into the address bar. The browser told me that Rick Denny was dangerous. I clicked "I'm not afraid of Rick Denny". Now I can see the pictures.

Chuck "Not afraid of you" Wells

rdenney
31-Jan-2020, 06:35
Try the suggestions offered here:

https://www.thesslstore.com/blog/clear-hsts-settings-chrome-firefox/

The images loaded without difficulty or warning on Chrome on my iphone. There was a time when my site certificate was expired, and you may have tried to go there then and left some detritus in your browser.

Rick “Thinking browser companies are a bunch of nannies” Denney

djdister
31-Jan-2020, 16:06
I'll add one to this thread.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mXija5ds9g4/XiPeydhA1gI/AAAAAAAAA9w/3Vk8nCXZrW4LKXOk8xU1Q6WA6vCOiOVNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20191215_2904-2.jpg

Gas Station, Hooksett, NH
Fujifilm GFX 50R, 32-64 mm lens

darr
1-Feb-2020, 04:19
https://cameraartist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/old-truck-ruins.jpg

ALPA Max + SK 72/5.6 + P45

Tin Can
1-Feb-2020, 04:33
Very sellable moneymaker

Like!






https://cameraartist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/old-truck-ruins.jpg

ALPA Max + SK 72/5.6 + P45

darr
1-Feb-2020, 05:06
Thank you Randy!

rdenney
1-Feb-2020, 15:11
https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0093.JPG
Window, Worker Housing Ruins, Kennecott, Alaska, 2018. Pentax 645z, Pentax FA 200/4, f/16, 1 second.

Rick “looking up exif data” Denney

Arne Croell
1-Feb-2020, 15:44
Here is one, Fuji GFX 50s and 110mm f/2:

rdenney
3-Feb-2020, 13:53
https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0073.JPGOre Sorting Machine, Kennecott, Alaska 2018. Pentax 645z, 35mm FA Pentax lens, f/16 at 1 second.

At ISO 1600, noise is nearly invisible and compression only slight.

Rick “mirror lockup used” Denney

darr
3-Feb-2020, 14:08
https://cameraartist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/colored-light.jpg

Flexbody + 120/4 CFi + CFV-50c

djdister
3-Feb-2020, 20:53
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wM7y_qcVvPE/XjjqHBsky_I/AAAAAAAABAA/oPtiOK9YpMkK732cxVIS4PRY5bwrYnhZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200202_3020-2.png
Railroad Buildings, Concord, NH
Fujifilm GFX 50R, 32-64mm lens

rdenney
13-Feb-2020, 00:32
https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0058.JPG
Ore Separation Mill Wall, Kennecott, Alaska, 2018. Pentax 645z, DFA 55mm lens, f/5.6 at 1/400.

Rick “stabilized ruin” Denney

Tin Can
13-Feb-2020, 05:51
Interesting!

Is the color straight out of camera or PS aided?

darr
13-Feb-2020, 08:26
https://cameraartist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/solitary-one-1024x884.jpg

Hasselblad 501CM + 80/2.8 CF + CFV-50c

CreationBear
13-Feb-2020, 10:34
Very much like this one--anybody who can make a drip/dry anhinga look "artistic" has some skilz.:)

darr
13-Feb-2020, 16:14
Very much like this one--anybody who can make a drip/dry anhinga look "artistic" has some skilz.:)

Thank you CB!
It was a unique weather day at the marsh on Tuesday when I went out to shoot. Thick afternoon fog, warm air and a drizzle every now and then. The birds were in the ponds except for this guy.

Kind regards,
Darr

rdenney
13-Feb-2020, 17:59
Interesting!

Is the color straight out of camera or PS aided?

Assuming you’re commenting on my photo...

That question makes about as much sense to me as asking whether the color is just like it was on a color negative. :)

I start with raw images and “develop” them. And then I target the image to what I want it to look like when displayed, just as we have always done. But I rarely add saturation, or need much sharpening when using the big Pentax. I do usually work on macro and microcontrast, though, and often correct color balance (not so for this image that I recall).

None of my Alaska images went through Photoshop, by the way. I used DXO Photolab, which is more raw processor than editor. There is very little spot editing.

It seems to me the most important lesson of the Zone System is making sure the exposure and development place the tones of the scene where we visualize them. I follow that principle when making raw digital exposures—I don’t necessarily need or want the image to look good on the camera’s display, but I do want the histogram to be contained in the exposure. I can then adjust its shape during processing and targeting (printing), just as we have always done.

Rick “that wall was in open shade in a train car loading area” Denney

Tin Can
13-Feb-2020, 23:04
Thank you

Nice color!

rdenney
14-Feb-2020, 01:48
Thank you

Nice color!

Thanks, Randy. The colors everywhere there were wonderful, even on gray days. That red oxide paint may peel and bubble, but it does not seem to fade.

Rick “setting up a new computer—guaranteed all-nighter” Denney

darr
14-Feb-2020, 03:24
https://cameraartist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/borrowed-time.jpg

Hasselblad 501CM + 80/2.8 CF + CFV-50c

CreationBear
14-Feb-2020, 08:06
That's probably the most "non-Floridian" shot I've seen--I can't believe it's anywhere south of the Chesapeake. Wonderful color palette, though--hope the greens print for you.:)

darr
14-Feb-2020, 10:10
That's probably the most "non-Floridian" shot I've seen--I can't believe it's anywhere south of the Chesapeake. Wonderful color palette, though--hope the greens print for you.:)

Thanks CB.

It was a very unique weather day as I stated in the previous photo. The fog was thicker than I had ever experienced there before, and this was around 2pm! As far as printing goes I have not printed the image yet. I use ImagePrint and have never experienced a color shift. I do however choose between a thick matte paper and a baryta paper depending upon details, mood and color palette. I will print one on each paper to see how it looks. I am more interested in the mood than the details.

Thank you again for your kind comments!

Best regards,
Darr

CreationBear
14-Feb-2020, 10:36
I am more interested in the mood than the details.


Excellent, that clump of grass at lower left and the chop/horizon line strike me as especially "painterly.":)

BTW, these "native format" digital shots reminded me that there are a few Sinar bits-and-bobs on the auction site that would let you cobble together a 5x7 Norma. Of course, I keep trying to get Bryan just to buy a 5x7 Walker Titan XL and couple it with a 6x17 Canham RFB. (Being Scots-Irish means I'm great at spending everyone's money but my own.:))

Pedro_fiz
16-Feb-2020, 09:33
Deleted

darr
16-Feb-2020, 10:48
Excellent, that clump of grass at lower left and the chop/horizon line strike me as especially "painterly.":)

BTW, these "native format" digital shots reminded me that there are a few Sinar bits-and-bobs on the auction site that would let you cobble together a 5x7 Norma. Of course, I keep trying to get Bryan just to buy a 5x7 Walker Titan XL and couple it with a 6x17 Canham RFB. (Being Scots-Irish means I'm great at spending everyone's money but my own.:))

CB I had a 5x7 camera in the past and while I find the format nice, it is not for me. I would have to put too much money into all the other essentials with film and processing and in the end, the 4x5 format suits me well. I do have a 6x17 pano back that does fine on my Linhof MT, but I find I actually like 6x12 better. I recently purchased a Cambo Wide 650 for pano shooting with my 6x12 back and will be working with it in the near future. As always, I appreciate your insights!

Darr

Peter De Smidt
16-Feb-2020, 10:54
That's a lovely image, Darr!

darr
16-Feb-2020, 11:38
That's a lovely image, Darr!

Thank you Peter!

CreationBear
16-Feb-2020, 18:16
I recently purchased a Cambo Wide 650 for pano shooting with my 6x12 back and will be working with it in the near future.


Excellent, if you've got some tricks up your sleeve for using 1:2 in terms of composition, I'd be love to hear them...as much as I dig 1:2.5, for anything other than a planar subject I often find myself grasping at straws.

darr
18-Feb-2020, 22:14
https://cameraartist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/perfection.jpg

Hasselblad 501CM + 80/2.8 CF + CFV-50c (x3 stitched)

GG12
18-Feb-2020, 23:52
Very fine work, as always!

rdenney
19-Feb-2020, 14:43
Continuing the same series...

http://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0054.JPG
Not Yet Scabbed Over (howzat for a title?), Kennecott, Alaska, 2018. Pentax 645z, FA 35mm lens, f/11 at 1/125.

Rick “just the facts” Denney

Peter Lewin
20-Feb-2020, 16:17
Rick, I’m enjoying your series. It is nice to see the images the moderators produce when they aren’t necessarily earning a living, or taking care of us (an occasionally unruly mob.

rdenney
20-Feb-2020, 22:05
Rick, I’m enjoying your series. It is nice to see the images the moderators produce when they aren’t necessarily earning a living, or taking care of us (an occasionally unruly mob.

Thanks—I appreciate it. It’s the first big project I’ve been able to undertake in several years, and I’m glad people (at least some people) like it.

Rick “doing it again this year in the Escalante Basin” Denney

Leszek Vogt
21-Feb-2020, 03:11
Looks like you had a good time in McCarthy, Rick. Do you have any shots of the glacier ? From what I saw, being far away, I did see some people hiking on the glacier.....and they kinda look like pinguins from a distance. Anyhoo, nice shots and brings back memories.

Les

rdenney
21-Feb-2020, 05:10
Looks like you had a good time in McCarthy, Rick. Do you have any shots of the glacier ? From what I saw, being far away, I did see some people hiking on the glacier.....and they kinda look like pinguins from a distance. Anyhoo, nice shots and brings back memories.

Les

https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0104.JPG
Waterfall, Root Glacier, Wrangell Mountains, Alaska, 2018. Pentax 645z, DFA 55mm at f/11 and 1/250.

I spent a dramatic day on Root Glacier :)

Rick “more to come” Denney

Tin Can
21-Feb-2020, 05:21
Like!

rdenney
24-Feb-2020, 12:35
https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0107.JPG
Moulin, Root Glacier, Alaska, 2018. Pentax 645z, DFA 55mm, f/10 at 1/1000.

Rick “don’t fall in” Denney

Tin Can
24-Feb-2020, 12:42
Excellent!

I won't rhapsodize on what I think it looks like...

darr
27-Feb-2020, 22:31
https://cameraartist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/spring-has-sprung-small.jpg

CAMBO WIDE + Schneider 65/5.6 Super Angulon + CFV-50c





We have a beautiful lake and park at our local library, and I go there for books and to test cameras. Today I tested an old Cambo Wide 650. I bought it to take on road trips for shooting panoramas with film, hoping it was lighter and more portable than my Linhof MT, which it is. I grabbed my digital back to see what it could do with the old lens. This is a ten stitched image (over 90" wide) and looks better when not shrunk. The only way the digital back will orient on this Cambo is in vertical position, so I guess it was made for pano stitching. It was a bit breezy so the spanish moss is blowing around, but overall the image is sharp. Spring has arrived in Tallahassee. Hoping great weather for you wherever you are.

Kind regards,
Darr

rdenney
28-Feb-2020, 13:02
Oooh, panos. I don’t make many, but there was a time I lusted after a Cambo Wide, just for that sort of thing.

Here’s a pano stitched in Photoshop:

https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0003.JPGKachemak Bay, Cook Inlet, Homer, Alaska, 2018. Pentax 655z, DFA 55mm lens, stitched from five images.

Rick “who has made panos on 6x12 stacked vertically in the Sinar; this was easier” Denney

Sal Santamaura
28-Feb-2020, 15:23
...Kachemak Bay, Cook Inlet, Homer, Alaska, 2018...Did you run into any Kilchers while shooting? :)

rdenney
28-Feb-2020, 20:20
No, though I spent a week at an entirely off-grid former boat works up one of the coves across this bay. It is owned by a retired gastroenterologist—not exactly a homesteader. But we did meet several true homesteaders. It takes some toughness to live off-grid in Alaska, and few do it year-round.

Rick “who was there in early July” Denney

rdenney
2-Mar-2020, 13:51
https://www.rickdenney.com/scratch/Alaska2018/IMG_0105.JPG
Ice Fall, Root Glacier, Alaska, 2018. Pentax 645z, FA 200mm, f/11 at 1/1000.

Rick “needing longer lenses often in Alaska” Denney

Corran
2-Mar-2020, 15:02
https://cameraartist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/spring-has-sprung-small.jpg

CAMBO WIDE + Schneider 65/5.6 Super Angulon + CFV-50c





Nice one darr. That evokes a lot of nostalgia for me, living and working in the Azalea City (http://valdostamuseum.com/exhibitions/online-exhibits-2/how-did-valdosta-become-the-azalea-city/) for 10+ years.

darr
3-Mar-2020, 09:17
Nice one darr. That evokes a lot of nostalgia for me, living and working in the Azalea City (http://valdostamuseum.com/exhibitions/online-exhibits-2/how-did-valdosta-become-the-azalea-city/) for 10+ years.

Thank you Bryan, much appreciated!
Yes, lots of azaleas in this area and in Georgia when I lived there. Always a sign of Spring in the South. :)

Kind regards,
Darr