joselsgil
21-Jul-2010, 21:57
Hello. My name is Jose. I am new to this forum and after a 20 year lay off, returning to photography.
I used to freelance back in the 80s, but I used to shoot 35mm as I was primarily shooting motorcycle races.
Towards the end of my freelance phase, I purchased two 4X5 LF cameras. One a Graphic View, with Ektar lenses. A 127mm f:4.7. The other a 203mm f:7.7. Both Ektars were made in the '40s, so they are great B&W lenses. The other 4X5, I purchased from one of my photography instructors. It is a Crown Graphic, with a Graflex Optar 135mm f:4.7. Pretty much standard stuff. Funny thing is, I have never taken a photograph with either camera. Always kept telling myself, that I was going to get back into photography, but after shooting for $$, it kind of killed the passion of photography. Every time I used pick up the camera bag, I just used to think how much this photo shoot was going to pay and not, what photo Am I going to create. Got real tired of publications telling me to shoot Fuji Chrome instead of Kodachrome! Infidels!! Thank God, most were clueless on B&W, otherwise they might have told me not to shoot Tri-X.
While in school (Mt.SAC), I used the schools Calumet 4X5, tripods, and Schneider 210mm lenses. Also, I was able to develop B&W film in some neat SS tanks with nitrogen bursts instead of agitation. HC110 dilution B, was the developer that was used in the wet lab.
Recently, I have been acquiring and updating some of my 4X5 gear. Kind of like, preparing for an assault on the great outdoors. Unfortunately, it seems that all the gear needs calibration or a good cleaning. Slow shutter speeds on most of my cameras, from 35mm, 120 film, and 4X5, are way off. Light meters are questionable too. Might have to rely on the, "sunny 16 rule", I learned in high school.
Since my LF experience is limited, I hope to learn from those on this forum, that have more experience and learn what to avoid and what really works and is just not hype.
I have a lot of catching up to do and I am looking forwards to getting out and shooting some film again.
Jose
I used to freelance back in the 80s, but I used to shoot 35mm as I was primarily shooting motorcycle races.
Towards the end of my freelance phase, I purchased two 4X5 LF cameras. One a Graphic View, with Ektar lenses. A 127mm f:4.7. The other a 203mm f:7.7. Both Ektars were made in the '40s, so they are great B&W lenses. The other 4X5, I purchased from one of my photography instructors. It is a Crown Graphic, with a Graflex Optar 135mm f:4.7. Pretty much standard stuff. Funny thing is, I have never taken a photograph with either camera. Always kept telling myself, that I was going to get back into photography, but after shooting for $$, it kind of killed the passion of photography. Every time I used pick up the camera bag, I just used to think how much this photo shoot was going to pay and not, what photo Am I going to create. Got real tired of publications telling me to shoot Fuji Chrome instead of Kodachrome! Infidels!! Thank God, most were clueless on B&W, otherwise they might have told me not to shoot Tri-X.
While in school (Mt.SAC), I used the schools Calumet 4X5, tripods, and Schneider 210mm lenses. Also, I was able to develop B&W film in some neat SS tanks with nitrogen bursts instead of agitation. HC110 dilution B, was the developer that was used in the wet lab.
Recently, I have been acquiring and updating some of my 4X5 gear. Kind of like, preparing for an assault on the great outdoors. Unfortunately, it seems that all the gear needs calibration or a good cleaning. Slow shutter speeds on most of my cameras, from 35mm, 120 film, and 4X5, are way off. Light meters are questionable too. Might have to rely on the, "sunny 16 rule", I learned in high school.
Since my LF experience is limited, I hope to learn from those on this forum, that have more experience and learn what to avoid and what really works and is just not hype.
I have a lot of catching up to do and I am looking forwards to getting out and shooting some film again.
Jose