thomashobbs
4-Feb-2010, 21:50
I was wondering if there are any photolabs in LA or San Francisco that might be able to process ultra large format black and white film as a kind of custom order.
This would be either 12x20 or 16x20.
I have access to a very large process camera at a small-town newspaper in central California. I would like to use it to take portraits. I posted about this recently (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=58504). I've decided against using lithographic film because it's too slow, especially with the very narrow depth of field I'd get shooting a 19" lens wide open. So I'm thinking of using a fast black & white film [tmax 400 or hp5] and a strobe light set on full power.
A wall bisects the camera [I said it was big] and the rear of the camera opens into it's own dark room. The camera has a vaccum powered back that will hold the film in place. I'll have to do this in total darkness but I'm used to leading film in my changing tent so I think it's doable.
The problem is that I'm a near total novice when it comes to the darkroom. I mostly shoot color, and this is really kind of a one-off project. I'll only have access to this camera for another month so I'm wondering if I can shoot these negatives and then find some lab that will process them for me. I'm located near Fresno so LA or SF are the logical spots.
Any suggestions are appreciated!
Thanks!
Thomas
This would be either 12x20 or 16x20.
I have access to a very large process camera at a small-town newspaper in central California. I would like to use it to take portraits. I posted about this recently (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=58504). I've decided against using lithographic film because it's too slow, especially with the very narrow depth of field I'd get shooting a 19" lens wide open. So I'm thinking of using a fast black & white film [tmax 400 or hp5] and a strobe light set on full power.
A wall bisects the camera [I said it was big] and the rear of the camera opens into it's own dark room. The camera has a vaccum powered back that will hold the film in place. I'll have to do this in total darkness but I'm used to leading film in my changing tent so I think it's doable.
The problem is that I'm a near total novice when it comes to the darkroom. I mostly shoot color, and this is really kind of a one-off project. I'll only have access to this camera for another month so I'm wondering if I can shoot these negatives and then find some lab that will process them for me. I'm located near Fresno so LA or SF are the logical spots.
Any suggestions are appreciated!
Thanks!
Thomas