Who is shooting 20x24 film nowadays?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FrancisF

I have been shooting 20 x 24 film for some time now. I started by building one out of foam board and duct tape - to my surprise it worked. I then ordered the parts for one from Filip Harbert in Prauge which I have been using for studio work since it has a 90 inch bellows. For field work I have one made by Richard Ritter. I use various expired films and the new film I use is Ilford.

I contact print and have been reluctant to post the work because it just does not look the same in small digital files from my iphone. Here is an example. I am glad to answer any questions, except "why do you shoot 20x24?" I do not have a good answer but I just keep doing it.

---

That's a great answer, Francis. Didn't know you had a the studio camera as well, maybe you could post a picture (if you haven't already).

When I win big on the lottery, I'll move up from 14x17 to 20x24 :D

Attachment 212607

Carl, here is a sample. I am still trying to sort out uploads here.

Thanks
Francis

Attachment 212608

Another sample from my studio work

Francis

Both of those are very nice. Great work.

Monty

Monty,

Thanks for the note.

Francis

I have good experience with 20x24 CHS II. The price is really good but the quality is also really nice. I pay less per sheet then for Portra 400 8x10. But I would also buy it if it would be more expensive. I shoot mostly TriX for b/w and when I want something slower I use CHS II. I really hope they get their Machines for Medium Format running again soon.

I agree, what a wonderful description. Makes me want to pick up a 20x24 camera, jump on a horse and ride to La Mancha - for the landscapes of course.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Monty McCutchen

As Oren kindly states I shoot 20 x 24. I shoot equal parts film for pt/pd, pt/pd gumovers and wet plate collodion (alumitypes and ambrotypes and the occasional glass negative). I’m a quiet but consistent 20 x24 evangelical. I love the format. Love everything about it. The difficulty. The cumbersome hassle. The overcoming. The lack of logic. The uselessness of it all. But they are my windmills I’m chasing and a person needs something useless in their life that is theirs and theirs alone to chase—outcome guaranteed or not. There are plenty of reasons not to do 20 x 24–ignore them and jump in if you have the desire. The ground glass is a world to get lost in that invites magical visits. Process gains equal footing to product with the 20 x 24 format. Portraits become true collaborations with your sitter as they become connected to the event and to their role in the outcome. Still Life’s take on the attributes of intimate landscapes, landscapes an entry into other worlds. You have to turn yourself over to the format which allows for a certain feeling of lost time but when you get in a rhythm the results are truly sublime. I say go for it detractors be damned.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Monty McCutchen

Francis

Both of those are very nice. Great work.

Monty

---

Francis, seconded, nice work. Thanks for posting.

Meanwhile, over on Keith Canham's Facebook there's a post from the beginning of Feb. 2021 that he's ordered 40 boxes of 20x24 Portra 400 (all pre-sold).