Backpacking with 7x17

[Steve Sherman]

Wondering what others are using for a backpack to transport their 7x17 to remote locations?

[Hugo Zhang]

Steve,

I just use a regular Ridgeway backpack made by Kelty for it. My 7x17 is about 10 Ibs. :)

[Kerik Kouklis]

When I shot the format I used a LowePro Super Trekker.

[Asher Kelman]

What cameras are you talking about? Also how many holders do you have loaded?

Asher

[Scott Squires]

I use an old Lowepro Super Trekker for my Canham 7x17. There is enough room for two lenses, a Nikkor 450M and a 305 G-Claron. I carry an AWB film holder case that holds three holders. It works about as good as you can get for 7x17.

[scott_6029]

In my Lowepro super trekker, I get my camera, three holders, two lenses and meter/filter.

My tripod is heavy and is carried separately.

It weighs 30-35 pounds..I wouldn't backpack very far. I also have a wagon/garden cart with large inflatable wheels which can go over somewhat rough terrain. I load all my stuff including tripod.

Others simply load a Jeep and go four wheeling.

[Asher Kelman]

So Kirk and the two Scotts and Hugo,

how much do your cameras weigh? (We know the Chamonix is 10 lb). Then what happens to the negative and making the print?

So here are the 5 key questions I see. Do any of you:


scan your prints?

have a 7x17 enlarger?

only do contact prints?

do platinum/gold etc prints?

send your work out to a photography lab?


Also what film do you use?

A lot of questions, but you guys would kow

Thanks so much for sharing. It seems once one starts with pnoramic format, it's addictive!

Asher :)

[Geert]

Asher,

I'm calling in since I use 7x17 too. Here are my answers:

1. I do scan prints for web display, sometimes I scan the negs. I use a Canon 9950F and have to stich the two parts in Photoshop.

2. uhm, no :rolleyes:

3. yes

4. not yet. I'm practising in smaller formats untill I get my methods right. I'm currently exercising pt/pd and gum printing.

5. never.

I use my homebuilt 7x17 camera with 3 filmholders loaded with Fortepan 200. It sure is addictive but the camera should get out more!

Greetings,
G

[Hugo Zhang]

Asher,

I only do No. 3.

I use any cheap films I can get my hands. Currently Efke 100.

Hugo

[Steve Sherman]

I used to have a Folmer Schwing with 4 holders and 5 lens. Recently acquired a Phillips 7x17 with 6 holders and now 6 lens.

I am heading to New Mexico for a few overnights and would like to get the system, tent, ground pad and bag to location on my back.

Thanks for your input.

[Asher Kelman]

I used to have a Folmer Schwing with 4 holders and 5 lens. Recently acquired a Phillips 7x17 with 6 holders and now 6 lens.

How much does the camera without the lenses and film holders weigh? Is it more than the Chamonix (10lb)?


I am heading to New Mexico for a few overnights and would like to get the system, tent, ground pad and bag to location on my back.


I wish you a great trip! Let us know how it goes?

Enjoy that wonderful camera!! No one else will get one from now on, I expect!

Asher

[sanking]

[QUOTE=Asher Kelman;294538]

how much do your cameras weigh? (We know the Chamonix is 10 lb). Then what happens to the negative and making the print?

I also have a Chamonix.

So here are the 5 key questions I see. Do any of you:

In answer to you questions.

1. I scan my negatives with a tabloid size scanner that scans the entire negative at one time, no need for stitching. Usually make copies of prints with a digital camera.

2. I do not have a 7X17 enlarger.

3. I only make contact prints, with in-camera and digital negatives.

4. I print with a number of alternative processes, incluidng carbon transfer, kallitype, palladium and vandyke.

5. I do not send any of my work out to a photography lab?

My favorite films are TMAX-400 and Ilford FP4+ because both develop good contrast for printing with alternative processes.

Sandy King

[Steve Sherman]

How much does the camera without the lenses and film holders weigh? Is it more than the Chamonix (10lb)?


The camera alone weighs more like 11+ lbs. A very innovative design though. Very fortunate to come by one.

[scott_6029]

Don't scan; no enlarger, only a light bulb, only contact prints, mostly silver, some palladium/plat. - I do not send any of my work out. My favorite film is whatever I can get my hands on and learn how to work with it...

[Scott Squires]

[QUOTE=sanking;


1. I scan my negatives with a tabloid size scanner that scans the entire negative at one time, no need for stitching. Usually make copies of prints with a digital camera.


Sandy King[/QUOTE]


Sandy
What scanner do you use? It would be great if I did not have to stitch with the 4990.

[Scott Squires]

So Kirk and the two Scotts and Hugo,

how much do your cameras weigh? (We know the Chamonix is 10 lb). Then what happens to the negative and making the print?

So here are the 5 key questions I see. Do any of you:


scan your prints?

have a 7x17 enlarger?

only do contact prints?

do platinum/gold etc prints?

send your work out to a photography lab?


Also what film do you use?

A lot of questions, but you guys would kow

Thanks so much for sharing. It seems once one starts with pnoramic format, it's addictive!

Asher :)

(1) My Canham 717 weighs 13 lbs. Keiths website says it should weigh 10 lbs?
(2) No enlarger
(3) Contact prints only
(4) No Platinum/Gold yet
(5) I use a CPP-2 and 2850 drums (two 717 at a time) for developing and do not send anything out.
(6) Film is FP4
(7) I do scan my negatives with a 4990 and stitch.

[John Powers]

An ancient’s (67 years) perspective:

Baby Jogger with 20 inch wheels and 100 pound shocks. This only works on trails and open fields. I wish I could go where you want to go Steve. On board are: Phillips 7x17 mounted on the big Ries tripod and head, cooler bag with five lenses-meter-loupe-tools-stuff, up to seven film holders in the individual MC Photo bags sold by Quality Camera. This gear and an 8x10 Phillips mounted on the smaller Ries in the back of a Toyota SUV. One or two yellow lady Labradors to keep me company and warn me of visitors when under the cloth.

1. scan your prints? - no
2. have a 7x17 enlarger?- only an 8x10
3. only do contact prints? – Kentmere Fineprint VC. I print using VC filters under an Aristo cold light on a Durst 138S
4. do platinum/gold etc prints? - no
5. send your work out to a photography lab?- Might as well do digital as not have the pleasure of doing the film myself.

Film: T Max 400 and FP 4+ developed in Rollo Pyro

John

[sanking]

Sandy
What scanner do you use? It would be great if I did not have to stitch with the 4990.


I am now using a Scitex EverSmart Pro. This is a very large and heavy professional quality flatbed scanner.

Before I got the EverSmart Pro I used an Epson 1600XL and a Microtek 9800XL, which are no longer sold but can be found used on ebay in the $1k range, give or take a few hundred. These models have been replaced by the Epson 10000XL and the Microtek 1000XL, which go for $2k or a bit more.

Since you will not be enlarging more than 2X-3X the less expensive used Espson 1600XL or Microtek 9800XL would probably be satisfactory for scanning 7X17, if you can find one in good condition.

Sandy King

[Hugo Zhang]

Scott,

I use Jobo 2850 tank too. How do you put two negatives there without letting them touch each other? Do you use some kind of divider? I process one sheet a time. A big waste of time and chemicals.

Thanks.

[sanking]

Scott,

I use Jobo 2850 tank too. How do you put two negatives there without letting them touch each other? Do you use some kind of divider? I process one sheet a time. A big waste of time and chemicals.

Thanks.

You might try one of the 16X20 Beseler print drums. If you get the dividers with the drum it is possible to process two 7X17 sheets at a time. Two 8X20s also I believe.

These drums, and motor bases, come up quite often on ebay as they were made in fairly large numbers in the 70s and 80s for amateurs to process color prints.

You can also use a 16X20 Unicolor drum, though the gaskets on these drums make them more likely to leak than the Unicolors. The Unicolor drums have the dividers built into the side of the drum.

Sandy King

[John Powers]

My Jobo CPP-2 came with a 2830-2560 combined tank. I am not sure how the original owner used it, but it allows two 7x17s to be processed at a time. The interior is 20 7/8 inches deep. There are ridges of two different heights running lengthwise. The four higher ridges allow two 7x17s to wedge in place on either side off one ridge. The other 7 inch film edge wedges against two more ridges leaving a gap of 1 7/8 inches. The fourth ridge runs down the middle of this gap.

A sheet of film 8 inches wide could wedge between these two ridges placed on opposite sides of the tank interior. I have not tried this tank with 8x20 film, but it appears to have that possibility.

Sorry Steve. This has come a long way from backpacks.

John

[Michael Kadillak]

The Super Trekker AW II is the right pack for the task at hand.

I am not into wheeled devices simply because they are prohibited in any wilderness area and some National Parks. Usually this is where you want to make photographs, at least here in Colorado. Fact is that when you are putting on a back pack with anything of consequence make NO mistake about it - you are participating in a very physically arduous event. As a result carrying only as much as necessary to make your photographs is the objective. How this manifests itself is a very personal decision from tripods to darkcloths and film holders to lenses. I know this for a fact. The older I get the less weight I want to subject myself to.

A physical and regular cadiovascular conditioning/weight training are both recommended and advised. It should not take long for you to decide that this technique is the cats meow OR working from the vehicle is not such a bad proposition after all.

Last count I have four pack frames, five back packs and a cross buck saddle along with a set of panniers for a pack horse. Just think of the possibilities for LF/ULF images that are off of the beaten path?

Cheers!

[Scott Squires]

Scott,

I use Jobo 2850 tank too. How do you put two negatives there without letting them touch each other? Do you use some kind of divider? I process one sheet a time. A big waste of time and chemicals.

Thanks.

Hugo

The 2850 drums have ridges that stick out maybe a 1/16". One on one side and the other side (180 degrees) has three more about an inch apart. When I load the film I put one edge of the film up against the single ridge and the other film edge against the second or middle ridge and just feel the film as I slide it down the tube between the ridges. I put the second sheet on the opposite side of the same ridges. The ridges keep the two sheets seperated and I have not had any problem with the sheets moving. I run my CPP-2 at 3 or 4 and it works great! Use a flash light and look down your tube and you should see the ridges.
Good Luck!

Thanks Sandy for the scanner Info.

[sanking]

The Super Trekker AW II is the right pack for the task at hand.

I am not into wheeled devices simply because they are prohibited in any wilderness area and some National Parks. Usually this is where you want to make photographs, at least here in Colorado. Fact is that when you are putting on a back pack with anything of consequence make NO mistake about it - you are participating in a very physically arduous event. As a result carrying only as much as necessary to make your photographs is the objective. How this manifests itself is a very personal decision from tripods to darkcloths and film holders to lenses. I know this for a fact. The older I get the less weight I want to subject myself to.

A physical and regular cadiovascular conditioning/weight training are both recommended and advised. It should not take long for you to decide that this technique is the cats meow OR working from the vehicle is not such a bad proposition after all.

Last count I have four pack frames, five back packs and a cross buck saddle along with a set of panniers for a pack horse. Just think of the possibilities for LF/ULF images that are off of the beaten path?

Cheers!


I have also used a Super Trekker to back pack a 7X17 outfit, though I figure a mile or so in one direction would be about my limit these days.

In any event I have found that there are no good subjects for 7X17 and 12X20 cameras more than 50-75 feet from the vehicle.

Sandy King

[Steve Sherman]

of this thread, nevertheless interesting.


scan your prints? NO
have a 7x17 enlarger? NO
only do contact prints? YES
do platinum/gold etc prints? Pt. / Pd. and AZO with occasional gum over
send your work out to a photography lab? Never

Also what film do you use? Ilford FP 4

I have scanned the internet in a quest for another pack and still come back to the one I presently have here: http://www.meipacks.com/TravelPacks01.html#china1

I am probably a little foolish in my attempt to get two camera systems, 7x17 and 5x7 out to a fairly flat hike of about 2 miles one way. Not a big deal to return to car for the second system on the way out, the problem would be on the last day to return for just gear with no chance of making negatives.

Thanks for everyone's input. Steve

[John Powers]

Steve,

If the terrain and law permits, you might consider this for the 7x17 and a backpack for the 5x7. http://babyjogger.com/performancesingle.htm I have never tried to collapse both rigs and put both my 7x17 and the 8x10 in this buggy, but I wouldn't rule it out until I tried it. I think using one light carbon tripod rather than my two wooden ones would keep everything under the 100 pound capacity. On flights you could ship it ahead with film or take it as extra baggage.

Locally I prefer to take one camera at a time all set up. I think and shoot in that format and make notes to come back for shots with the other. Of course I have the luxury of working from home. I can still go out up to four miles round trip, but two is a more reasonable limit.

I hike with a local group called hikinghounds.com. My Labs are on one leash with about an 18 inch splitter. Often they carry me up the steep hills to keep up with the younger group on their weekly five mile walks. I may try the dogs and the jogger for steep terrain.

Check the location for laws. We live a mile from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Walkers and wheeled vehicles are prohibited from the horseback trails for safety reasons, but all other trails are open to babyjoggers.

John

[Louie Powell]

In any event I have found that there are no good subjects for 7X17 and 12X20 cameras more than 50-75 feet from the vehicle.

Sandy King


I think this is one for the book on famous photographic quotations.:)

[Dave Wooten]

I have also used a Super Trekker to back pack a 7X17 outfit, though I figure a mile or so in one direction would be about my limit these days.

In any event I have found that there are no good subjects for 7X17 and 12X20 cameras more than 50-75 feet from the vehicle.

Sandy King

Here! Here! Words of wisdom!

4 wheel drive ATV behind 4 wheel drive suv...adds a nice touch..any wilderness I can t reach in this manner, can be reached with a longer lens.
:)

Dave in the Mojave desert-king of of BLM canyons and mesas , riverbeds, and places you have never seen!:)

On another thought, someone should design and produce some "soft bags" cordura as protective covers with straps to transport 7 x 17 etc and film holders , that would slip into and out of an open back pack...

[David A. Goldfarb]

On another thought, someone should design and produce some "soft bags" cordura as protective covers with straps to transport 7 x 17 etc and film holders , that would slip into and out of an open back pack...

I had some belt packs made for my Grafmatics and for my 5x7" bag mag by a guy who goes by "Ted.B." on eBay, and the prices were reasonable, and he was good to work with. He didn't mind going through a couple of iterations to get them right, because then he could add them to his product line. He could do this sort of thing.

If Kevin Saitta is still making custom bags, that would be another possibility.

[John Powers]

On another thought, someone should design and produce some "soft bags" cordura as protective covers with straps to transport 7 x 17 etc and film holders , that would slip into and out of an open back pack...


Dave,

Have you looked at the MC Photo individual film holder bags that Quality Camera sells for just under $30 each? Mine have come in blue or black and are padded. They appear to be light tight and water proof, not sure what the material is. They have a top flap over the opening with a velcro seal. I carry up to seven holders in a scuba gear back pack from Dick's Sports. The holder bags slide easily in or out of the open top back pack. I carry the rest of the holders in a water proof bag with a draw string.

John