Large Format Landscapes

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Originally Posted by asuilin

Thank you for kind words, Corran!
The hardest part of lens assembly is a threaded adapter to screw step-up rings into Copal shutter. Adapter should be custom machined and I had difficult times trying to find reliable machinist in Moscow. It was much easier to produce these damn adapters in China than here.
If I have a chance to make more adapters, I'll let you know.

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I can't believe that all of the machine shops in the Moscow area are gone. When you hang around with older machinists, and tell your sad story, they'll tell you where to look. Machinists are like photogrphers, they know what everybody else is doing.

Foggy day this Sunday, so a couple of hours of fun with my dog. The first hour with almost nobody around in the fog - pure enjoyment.

XPO45 Fujinon-NW 125/5.6HP5+ Pyrocat Jobo

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s5/...89575184-4.jpg

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s5/...53772700-5.jpg

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s9/...51098055-4.jpg

When she has had enough of waiting for me taking picture, she gives me a clue by seating or lying down right in front of the camera - clever girl...

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s5/v119/p933620-5.jpg

Cheers,

Luc

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Originally Posted by lbenac

Foggy day this Sunday, so a couple of hours of fun with my dog. The first hour with almost nobody around in the fog - pure enjoyment.

XPO45 Fujinon-NW 125/5.6HP5+ Pyrocat Jobo

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s5/...89575184-4.jpg

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s5/...53772700-5.jpg

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s9/...51098055-4.jpg

When she has had enough of waiting for me taking picture, she gives me a clue by seating or lying down right in front of the camera - clever girl...



Cheers,

Luc

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First and third are my favorites, on the 3rd, I wish the stair railing weren't there, but you couldn't help that, it's a great shot :)

Recently scanned, taken some years ago.
Had fun with this in photoshop - some of the elements are diffficult to control in the darkroom.

Alabama Hills in the backdrop of the Inyo Mountains (i.e. looking Eastward relative to Mt. Williamson)
Technika w/150mm Symmar, Tri-X Film, f22@1/100

http://www.jackandbeans.com/pbd/593_...263x1000px.jpg

Lovely image, Dennis.

Almost a 'Biblical' scene.

Incredible!

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Originally Posted by lbenac

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s5/...89575184-4.jpg

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Lovely!

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Originally Posted by DennisD

Recently scanned, taken some years ago.
Had fun with this in photoshop - some of the elements are diffficult to control in the darkroom.

Alabama Hills in the backdrop of the Inyo Mountains (i.e. looking Eastward relative to Mt. Williamson)
Technika w/150mm Symmar, Tri-X Film, f22@1/100

http://www.jackandbeans.com/pbd/593_...263x1000px.jpg

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Very nice!

So what was PS'd if I might ask?

And by Tri-X I assume you mean TXP320 correct?

Thank you George, Jeff and StoneNYC for your kind comments.

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Originally Posted by DennisD

Recently scanned, taken some years ago.
Had fun with this in photoshop - some of the elements are diffficult to control in the darkroom.

Alabama Hills in the backdrop of the Inyo Mountains (i.e. looking Eastward relative to Mt. Williamson)
Technika w/150mm Symmar, Tri-X Film, f22@1/100

http://www.jackandbeans.com/pbd/593_...263x1000px.jpg

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Originally Posted by StoneNYC

Very nice!

So what was PS'd if I might ask?

And by Tri-X I assume you mean TXP320 correct?

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Hi StoneNYC,

The image is difficult to print due to the values in the sky which easily loose separation. Same is true for the hills in front of the mountains. A lot gets lost in this image if not very carefully printed. I was able to make a fairly good wet print, but always felt it could be even better with more concentrated control not achievable with traditional printing. In PS I used luminosity masks and other masking techniques to help with the printing issues. There are still a few improvements I would make, but the results here far surpass what I could do in the darkroom.

The film used was Tri-X type 4164 (1980's vintage). It was on a thicker base than typical Tri-X for 35mm, similar to other 4x5 film bases. I don't recall what Kodak's ASA was, but,from my own testing, usually rated it about 200-320.

Regards,

Dennis

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Originally Posted by DennisD

Thank you George, Jeff and StoneNYC for your kind comments.






Hi StoneNYC,

The image is difficult to print due to the values in the sky which easily loose separation. Same is true for the hills in front of the mountains. A lot gets lost in this image if not very carefully printed. I was able to make a fairly good wet print, but always felt it could be even better with more concentrated control not achievable with traditional printing. In PS I used luminosity masks and other masking techniques to help with the printing issues. There are still a few improvements I would make, but the results here far surpass what I could do in the darkroom.

The film used was Tri-X type 4164 (1980's vintage). It was on a thicker base than typical Tri-X for 35mm, similar to other 4x5 film bases. I don't recall what Kodak's ASA was, but,from my own testing, usually rated it about 200-320.

Regards,

Dennis

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Thanks, googled "kodak 4164" yup, indeed TXP (which is 320). Thanks!

DennisD.

Great masterpiece photo!

I can see that during a long time searching details.

Regards from Spain.

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Originally Posted by StoneNYC

First and third are my favorites, on the 3rd, I wish the stair railing weren't there, but you couldn't help that, it's a great shot :)

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Originally Posted by Ken Lee

Lovely!

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Thank you both. There is something so wonderful shooting in the fog. It just feels like you are on your own until the next person emerges that is.
I did some CS6 magic on the rail :-)

Cheers,

Luc

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Originally Posted by DennisD

Thank you George, Jeff and StoneNYC for your kind comments.
Hi StoneNYC,

The image is difficult to print due to the values in the sky which easily loose separation. Same is true for the hills in front of the mountains. A lot gets lost in this image if not very carefully printed. I was able to make a fairly good wet print, but always felt it could be even better with more concentrated control not achievable with traditional printing. In PS I used luminosity masks and other masking techniques to help with the printing issues. There are still a few improvements I would make, but the results here far surpass what I could do in the darkroom.

The film used was Tri-X type 4164 (1980's vintage). It was on a thicker base than typical Tri-X for 35mm, similar to other 4x5 film bases. I don't recall what Kodak's ASA was, but,from my own testing, usually rated it about 200-320.

Regards,

Dennis

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Dennis,

I would say that it is well worth the effort.
I would not mind seeing this printed on a somewhat warmish paper (rock in the forefront specially) with carbon ink.

Cheers,

Luc

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Originally Posted by DennisD

Recently scanned, taken some years ago.
Had fun with this in photoshop - some of the elements are diffficult to control in the darkroom.

Alabama Hills in the backdrop of the Inyo Mountains (i.e. looking Eastward relative to Mt. Williamson)
Technika w/150mm Symmar, Tri-X Film, f22@1/100

http://www.jackandbeans.com/pbd/593_...263x1000px.jpg

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Real fine image, Dennis!! Wonderful scene and mood.

Hi Luc,

Thanks for your comment on my post.

I especially liked the image below. Even more so now... with the railing removed !
I'm particularly partial to trees and thought your fog series was beautiful !

I'm wondering if your fine dog can also spot good locations (as well as telling you when it's time to go home).

Dennis

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Originally Posted by lbenac

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s9/...51098055-4.jpg
Cheers,

Luc

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by DennisD

Hi Luc,

Thanks for your comment on my post.

I especially liked the image below. Even more so now... with the railing removed !
I'm particularly partial to trees and thought your fog series was beautiful !

I'm wondering if your fine dog can also spot good locations (as well as telling you when it's time to go home).

Dennis

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Thank you Dennis, I have to confess that the new tools in CS6 "content aware" are a God send to remove dust and sometime obstructive objects :-)
She might not spot them but we have gone together to many fine locations when she was younger so she gets a lot of photographic credit by my account.

Cheers,

Luc

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Originally Posted by OCM

DennisD.

Great masterpiece photo!

I can see that during a long time searching details.

Regards from Spain.

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Thanks OCM (Omar), I appreciate your generous comment. Also enjoyed photos on your site.

Dennis

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Originally Posted by Harley Goldman

Real fine image, Dennis!! Wonderful scene and mood.

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Thank you, Harley,

An acknowledgment from you means a great deal !
Kind regards,

Dennis

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwn_H0Eouu...rock3-Edit.jpg
5x7 Delta 100 in D-23, 210 Sironar S

Wonderful David. When I saw the Pansonic image I thought no way he would lug the 5x7 up there! I bet that's a story in itself.
Great shot. Thank you.

Thanks, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Its only a 3 hour walk. I may go back there soon, its a favourite place forever. (I think I was unconsiously inspired by William Clift's fabulous glowing shiprock book)

Three more to complete the set and the day shoot:

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s10...44056740-5.jpg

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s10...61447538-4.jpg

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s10...12852447-5.jpg

In my opinion, the middle one is extraordinaire! Really exceptionnal. Ghosts of trees walking in the fog

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Originally Posted by Myxine

In my opinion, the middle one is extraordinaire! Really exceptional. Ghosts of trees walking in the fog.

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I agree, the spookiest image so far of 2014...

Not sure how, but it seems the trees (piers?) are warlike, facing you down.

Hope you got out of there safe!

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Originally Posted by Myxine

In my opinion, the middle one is extraordinaire! Really exceptionnal. Ghosts of trees walking in the fog

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Agree the middle one! Looks like a futuristic image

Druids

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Originally Posted by Heroique

I agree, the spookiest image so far of 2014...

Not sure how, but it seems the trees (piers?) are warlike, facing you down.

Hope you got out of there safe!

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Originally Posted by lbenac

Three more to complete the set and the day shoot:

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Nr. 2 is great!!!

Great series Luc.

You can feel the foggy atmosphere in everyone. But de second is perfect.

Regards from Spain.

Thank you very much :-)
It's because of the bear looking down at you from the totem slightly on the right.
Always have a lot of respect for bears....

Cheers,

Luc

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Originally Posted by Myxine

In my opinion, the middle one is extraordinaire! Really exceptionnal. Ghosts of trees walking in the fog

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Heroique

I agree, the spookiest image so far of 2014...

Not sure how, but it seems the trees (piers?) are warlike, facing you down.

Hope you got out of there safe!

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Originally Posted by StoneNYC

Agree the middle one! Looks like a futuristic image

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Randy Moe

Druids

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by mono

Nr. 2 is great!!!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by OCM

Great series Luc.

You can feel the foggy atmosphere in everyone. But de second is perfect.

Regards from Spain.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by StoneNYC

Agree the middle one! Looks like a futuristic image

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Though it appears to be some sort of sculpture, my thoughts went the other way... to vlad the impaler.

http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/vlad1.gif

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Originally Posted by lbenac

Three more to complete the set and the day shoot:

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Nice group, especially 1 and 2. Both are quite excellent.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lbenac

It's because of the bear looking down at you from the totem slightly on the right.

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I missed the bear the first time, but now I see it on top of the pier!

The tiny rounded ears give it away as a grizzly.

(And I thought grizzlies couldn't climb trees.)

These three images were from this fall here in Wisconsin. The fall colors were very spotty and poor, at least in those areas I visited. All three of these shots were taken on the one morning where a little fog rolled in and gave some atmosphere to the images. The first and third images are the same set of trees, just from different angles, and the second image was taken a few hundred yards down the road at a different pond. All were taken with an Ebony 8x10. The first on with a Fuji 300 f5.6, the second with a Nikkor 450 f8, and the third with a Fuji 210 f5.6.

Those are nice. I was up by you in October and as far as Reedsburg, and took a last look at the family farm near LaRue. Perhaps my last trip to the area. I was riding a very small motorcycle. I stopped at my friends new restaurant in Mineral Point, he used to run my favorite French Bistro walking distance to me in Chicago. I guess he retired to God's Country. http://www.mpdiningcompany.com/

I really love the entire area.

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Originally Posted by Jim Becia

These three images were from this fall here in Wisconsin. The fall colors were very spotty and poor, at least in those areas I visited. All three of these shots were taken on the one morning where a little fog rolled in and gave some atmosphere to the images. The first and third images are the same set of trees, just from different angles, and the second image was taken a few hundred yards down the road at a different pond. All were taken with an Ebony 8x10. The first on with a Fuji 300 f5.6, the second with a Nikkor 450 f8, and the third with a Fuji 210 f5.6.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jim Becia

These three images were from this fall here in Wisconsin. The fall colors were very spotty and poor, at least in those areas I visited. All three of these shots were taken on the one morning where a little fog rolled in and gave some atmosphere to the images. The first and third images are the same set of trees, just from different angles, and the second image was taken a few hundred yards down the road at a different pond. All were taken with an Ebony 8x10. The first on with a Fuji 300 f5.6, the second with a Nikkor 450 f8, and the third with a Fuji 210 f5.6.

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Nice little collection. I am really liking the first one. Great mood to the image, very dreamy.

Good job, Jim.

I haven't ever seen a 8x10" color sheet. It would be espectacular.

Regards.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jim Becia

These three images were from this fall here in Wisconsin. The fall colors were very spotty and poor, at least in those areas I visited. All three of these shots were taken on the one morning where a little fog rolled in and gave some atmosphere to the images. The first and third images are the same set of trees, just from different angles, and the second image was taken a few hundred yards down the road at a different pond. All were taken with an Ebony 8x10. The first on with a Fuji 300 f5.6, the second with a Nikkor 450 f8, and the third with a Fuji 210 f5.6.

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Beautiful dreamy images, thank you

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Originally Posted by asuilin

Of course, I did not grinded the glass. It's too much even for crazy Russian :)
Optic for this lens (multicoated plastic) was ordered in ophthalmologist shop. It is just the blank for eyeglasses manufacturing.
There are three important parameters for meniscus:

• diopters - affects focal length
• lens curvature - affects balance between corner sharpness and astigmatism aberration (astigmatism, in turn, affects bokeh smoothness).
• distance between the meniscus and diaphragm - affects amount of coma aberration. The more coma, then more "swirly" the picture. I dont' like swirl, so trying to minimise coma in my designs

The rough design was calculated in WinLens and tuned by trial and error. If you want, I can write detailed post in "DIY" forum.

This is a photos of 167mm meniscus:
Attachment 108749Attachment 108750Attachment 108751
It looks and works like a modern lens. No PVC tubes, no waterhouse stops, no old junk. Diaphragm controlled by shutter, as usual.
Yellow-green filter is a part of lens design, it reduces chromatical aberrations (more sharp picture).

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The design is very beautiful. I have experience working with the Winlens. But not for the photographic lens. Rather, for making optical viewfinder. But, it is very difficult to build a lens for photography. I congratulate to you.
http://www.mr-alvandi.com/technique/viewfinder.html

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Originally Posted by Jim Becia

All three of these shots were taken on the one morning where a little fog rolled in and gave some atmosphere to the images.

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I like how the slight fog adds a sense of a quickly receding distance to the nearby lake edges.

I've always enjoyed series like this one – a few images of a small area, over one morning, one evening, or one day.

An example of unity in variety...

An early-autumn morning in the Cascade mountains, Washington state.

The clouds are shaking-off sleep for another journey across the skies.

A favorite place for cross-country hiking + open views.

Tachi 4x5
Schneider XL 110mm/5.6
Ilford HP5+ (in HC-110)
Epson 4990/Epson Scan

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Originally Posted by Heroique

An early-autumn morning in the Cascade mountains, Washington state.

The clouds are shaking-off sleep for another journey across the skies.

A favorite place for cross-country hiking + open views.

Tachi 4x5
Schneider XL 110mm/5.6
Ilford HP5+ (in HC-110)
Epson 4990/Epson Scan

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Really beautiful! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Heroique

An early-autumn morning in the Cascade mountains, Washington state.

The clouds are shaking-off sleep for another journey across the skies.

A favorite place for cross-country hiking + open views.

Tachi 4x5
Schneider XL 110mm/5.6
Ilford HP5+ (in HC-110)
Epson 4990/Epson Scan

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Superb. Great Sharpness and nice composition.

I agree. ...really beautiful

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Originally Posted by lbenac

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s10...61447538-4.jpg

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Alien monoliths? Ethereal and surreal, i like :)

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Originally Posted by StoneNYC

Really beautiful! :)

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Originally Posted by pdmoylan

Superb. Great Sharpness and nice composition.

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Originally Posted by brucep

I agree. ...really beautiful

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Thanks for the kind words! – the Cascade range is a place where the weight of LF gear seems lighter to me, coming or going.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Heroique

An early-autumn morning in the Cascade mountains, Washington state.

The clouds are shaking-off sleep for another journey across the skies.

A favorite place for cross-country hiking + open views.

Tachi 4x5
Schneider XL 110mm/5.6
Ilford HP5+ (in HC-110)
Epson 4990/Epson Scan

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Nice job!
Well done!

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Originally Posted by lbenac

Three more to complete the set and the day shoot:

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s10...44056740-5.jpg

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s10...61447538-4.jpg

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/s10...12852447-5.jpg

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Amazing atmosphere, very nice.

Schneider SA 90 F8,Astia// http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/1...82c3f836_o.jpg
Evening about Podsvât′e. Boat. by Alex-meshera, on Flickr

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Originally Posted by Alex Menkov

Schneider SA 90 F8,Astia// http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/1...82c3f836_o.jpg
Evening about Podsvât′e. Boat. by Alex-meshera, on Flickr

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Perfect object and color in the scene, green boat, nice

Thank you! It is a pity that there are no more Astia.

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Originally Posted by Alex Menkov

Thank you! It is a pity that there are no more Astia.

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There's some Astia quick loads on ultra fine right now... For like $150 a box...