Large Format Landscapes

Years ago I operated a giant Hell scanner and an Optronics Colorgetter in a print shop, but since then haven't used one. I am really impressed at how good the lower end scanners models are. Just like digicams, cheaper and better all the time. Drum scanners and zany high end flatbeds are just out of my league, but I don't torment myself with the differences because personally I can't see anything lacking in the amount of detail in these prints.

To my eyes these modern tools are not the weak link any more, now it's all just a matter of human skill to get the quality you want. Well, it is ALWAYS human skill, but crummy tools do put a damper on the party. I would consider fluid mounting on the V750, though. But I'm in no rush to get a drum scanner, although it would be a trip to use one again. (I actually was fired from my first job partially over disagreements on what settings to use on the Hell scanner!)

The paper is, well, glossy; which means nice Dmax, long tonal range and it's also very sharp. Sometimes I think there's only really two or three kinds of paper in the world to choose from providing you don't:

1) Touch them
2) Look at them cockeyed

Heh!

Nathan,, next time use a beveled cut

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Originally Posted by Thad Gerheim

Walter has some great stuff on his website! I hope he is getting recognition and exposure in museums and galleries.

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Amazing,,,!

http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/m...8/Sommerx2.jpg
This is two photos of Genoa by Giorgio Sommer (1834-1914). I found the left hand print in a junk shop in Berlin and the right hand print in a Philadelphia gallery. The contact prints were scanned then spliced rather than stitched in RealViz. The lens corresponds to about 350mm on full plate He shifted the camera position about five yards for the right-hand shot and took it about one minute later. The distance a rower rowed between shots gives the time.

Christopher - did you reconstruct that image from two separate photographs that you found? If so, that is an amazing story!

One of my personal favs. is of a rock wall I found in Joshua Tree National Park a few years ago. 5x4 Tri-X, 150mm Sironar-S IIRC. I made a 125 x 100 inkjet print on canvas which really shows off the difference in textures between the rough rocks and the smooth clouds.

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Originally Posted by David Hedley

Christopher - did you reconstruct that image from two separate photographs that you found? If so, that is an amazing story!

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Yes, I found the two prints five years apart, one in Germany, one in America and reconstructed (spliced) the two together to make complete panorama. As I said, Sommer took them one minute and a few yards apart.

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Originally Posted by David Hedley

Christopher - did you reconstruct that image from two separate photographs that you found? If so, that is an amazing story!

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Yes, I found the two prints five years apart, one in Germany, one in America and reconstructed (spliced) the two together to make complete panorama. As I said, Sommer took them one minute and a few yards apart.

That's crazy!!!!! How big were the original prints?

--A

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Originally Posted by Bruce Watson

I made a 125 x 100 inkjet print on canvas...

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That's 125 x 100 cm. Sorry for leaving that out of my post.

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Originally Posted by Christopher Broadbent

Yes, I found the two prints five years apart, one in Germany, one in America and reconstructed (spliced) the two together to make complete panorama. As I said, Sommer took them one minute and a few yards apart.

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I admire your scholarship and dedication.

To the OP, here is one from Yellowstone;

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/...f773248b_b.jpg

Toyo metal field, Schneider 180mm, Acros / Rodinal

Haven't been here in awhile. AS 4x5, Fuji 240A, Kodak E100VS.

http://www.trinidaddreamscape.net/pi...AS45_060w1.jpg

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3...uincho2es7.jpg
Shen Hao 4x5, Schneider Super Angulon 47mm, Tmax 100, 25A filter

And some more...
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/4...sias232fd2.jpg
Wista 45 DX, Fuji SWD 90/5.6, Fuji Acros, Orange filter

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/133...sias243sb4.jpg
Linhof Technika IV, Schneider Super Angulon 65/8, FP4+, orange filter

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/8...esias60sg7.jpg
Linhof Technika IV, Schneider Super Angulon 65/8, Tmax 100, orange filter

Dramatic shot, Nana Sousa Dias! It's great to see what that lens (47mm) looks like on 4x5. Is that using a center filter?

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Originally Posted by nathanm

Dramatic shot, Nana Sousa Dias! It's great to see what that lens (47mm) looks like on 4x5. Is that using a center filter?

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No, nathan, this was shot without center filter, I opened a bit the levels at corners, on the bottom. At the top I didn't do any editing, that's the natural vignetting of the lens.

Gorgeous stuff, Nana.

Nana,
Thanks for the great images which just confirms to me that it's time to look for a lens wider than my 90mm.

Yeah, those are beautiful, Nana.

My contribution:

Wizard Island, Crater Lake. Osaka 4x5, 90 mm Caltar (widest I own), Astia with 2 or 3 stop split ND filter.

http://www.greggwaterman.com/CL_clouds_realsmall_BW.jpg

Welcome aboard, I have never lost the excitement of working with LF in the landscape.
Work with one or two lens and keep thing simple and you will have the time of your life.
If you are patient with yourself and give yourself the time to grow with this tool it will reward you ten fold.

Check out my new website to see what I mean
http://www.richardjohnsonphotography.com/

Richard

Welcome to the exciting fold of large format. I dived in two years ago and have never looked back. I use a Leica and Mamiya 7 for street work, and 4x5 for landscapes.

You can check out some of my work at the link below.

Cheers,
Jeff

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Originally Posted by h2oman

Yeah, those are beautiful, Nana.

My contribution:

Wizard Island, Crater Lake. Osaka 4x5, 90 mm Caltar (widest I own), Astia with 2 or 3 stop split ND filter.

http://www.greggwaterman.com/CL_clouds_realsmall_BW.jpg

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hard to believe this lake is almost 2000' deep

Nana, those are some stunning pictures...

Jiri

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Originally Posted by Jiri Vasina

Nana, those are some stunning pictures...

Jiri

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Thanks, Jiri.

I didn't heard from you, long, long time ago! I think you were posting photos on Photo.net, or am I wrong? Are you doing new work? Where can I see it? Regards

I know a Seascape is technically not a Landscape, but I figure nobody will complain.

Superb........

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Originally Posted by Nana Sousa Dias

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3...uincho2es7.jpg
Shen Hao 4x5, Schneider Super Angulon 47mm, Tmax 100, 25A filter

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Otherworldly!! Superb.

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Originally Posted by h2oman

Yeah, those are beautiful, Nana.

My contribution:

Wizard Island, Crater Lake. Osaka 4x5, 90 mm Caltar (widest I own), Astia with 2 or 3 stop split ND filter.

http://www.greggwaterman.com/CL_clouds_realsmall_BW.jpg

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Kirk,
so far, for me, your's takes the cake.
Brilliant
Mike

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Originally Posted by Nana Sousa Dias

Thanks, Jiri.

I didn't heard from you, long, long time ago! I think you were posting photos on Photo.net, or am I wrong? Are you doing new work? Where can I see it? Regards

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Nana, for the past 3 months I have done very little photography - either capturing new work, or finishing those already captured. Job issues in combination with my newborn son (2nd child) and some non-serious but still incapacitating issues prevented me from doing any serious photography work.

The only photos I managed to capture are shots of my family, and only this weekend did I manage to develop them. Right now the scanner is humming over them, and I hope something presentable will result... Though no landscapes so far.

The past few days, it seems that things are getting back to normal and I might have some time to do my usual photography outings...

I primarily add new photos at my website - www.vasina.net. If they are large format, I usually post them here too. And also most of the photos are uploaded to my flickr account, too. But my main presentation place is my website, if there is nothing new there, it's almost certain nowhere else is either... ;)

I have not posted anything over on photo.net for years, it has changed a great deal since I was active there (and since I learned about your work, too :) ).

I'm greatly pleased (and honored) by your interest.

Jiri

http://www.vasina.net/wp-content/gal...18-171_web.jpg
Old Orchard

And this is what the scanner was humming on yesterday :) . The picture was shot less than 2km from my house - the less free time I have, the closer to home I have to look for inspiration. My city - Brno, the 2nd largest city in Czech Republic is just over the horizon...

Chamonix 5×8", 13×18cm Fomapan 100 cropped to 5×8" ratio, Schneider G-Claron 150mm, developed in Rodinal.

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Originally Posted by Jiri Vasina

http://www.vasina.net/wp-content/gal...18-171_web.jpg
Old Orchard

And this is what the scanner was humming on yesterday :) . The picture was shot less than 2km from my house - the less free time I have, the closer to home I have to look for inspiration. My city - Brno, the 2nd largest city in Czech Republic is just over the horizon...

Chamonix 5×8", 13×18cm Fomapan 100 cropped to 5×8" ratio, Schneider G-Claron 150mm, developed in Rodinal.

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Nice image, Jiri

That Chamonix of yours is 5x8"? Not 5x7"? I've never heard of that format.

Thanks Nana.

And yes, it's a bit strange format, but has a lot of merits. The film can be very easily cut from 8×10" - and the availability of 8×10" film is much better and more diverse than either 5×7" or 13×18cm. And it's one simple cut. Also, the aspect ratio is a nice one, and it serves well a lot of images.

The camera can very easily be used not only to shoot the 5×8" format, but also 13×18cm/5×7" film in standard holders (and I also have some holders for Half Plate format for it...). Here on my website, you can read more about the camera and have a look at the camera itself - part 1 and part 2.

And here is a link to the 5x8 camera on Chamonix website.

Come to Alaska when you get used to your new camera.
1. Mt. Pendelton in fall, Denali National Park
2. Receding rain storm over Savage River in fall, Denali National Park

Bruce - the second image (Savage River) is sublime! Do you have a large print of it?

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Originally Posted by Bruce M. Herman

Come to Alaska when you get used to your new camera.
1. Mt. Pendelton in fall, Denali National Park
2. Receding rain storm over Savage River in fall, Denali National Park

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Fantastic images!

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Originally Posted by Jiri Vasina

Thanks Nana.

And yes, it's a bit strange format, but has a lot of merits. The film can be very easily cut from 8×10" - and the availability of 8×10" film is much better and more diverse than either 5×7" or 13×18cm. And it's one simple cut. Also, the aspect ratio is a nice one, and it serves well a lot of images.

The camera can very easily be used not only to shoot the 5×8" format, but also 13×18cm/5×7" film in standard holders (and I also have some holders for Half Plate format for it...). Here on my website, you can read more about the camera and have a look at the camera itself - part 1 and part 2.

And here is a link to the 5x8 camera on Chamonix website.

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The camera looks nice, I like the focusing system. The choice of this format it's a bit strange but makes sense, because of 8x10" sheets. I never did cut sheets in the dark but I think will be not very hard to do with some practice.
The only problem I see, with this format, is about developing. I use Jobo Expert Drums, I have the 3010 tank, wich can develop 10x 4x5" or 9x12cm Sheets, the 3006 tank, wich takes 6x 5x7" or 13x18cm sheets and the 3063, wich takes sheets from 5x7", untill 20x24". I use this one to develop 6x 8x10" sheets, but I don't know if it could be adapted to 5x8". With some skill, probably will fit.
I am thinking aobut purchasing a 5x7" camera, maybee, this 5x8" is a better choice, I think 5x7" and 13x18cm will be very difficult to find in the future.

Bruce, love em. we want pix of redoubt when it blows!

Bruce... excellent.

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Originally Posted by Nana Sousa Dias

The camera looks nice, I like the focusing system. The choice of this format it's a bit strange but makes sense, because of 8x10" sheets. I never did cut sheets in the dark but I think will be not very hard to do with some practice.
The only problem I see, with this format, is about developing. I use Jobo Expert Drums, I have the 3010 tank, wich can develop 10x 4x5" or 9x12cm Sheets, the 3006 tank, wich takes 6x 5x7" or 13x18cm sheets and the 3063, wich takes sheets from 5x7", untill 20x24". I use this one to develop 6x 8x10" sheets, but I don't know if it could be adapted to 5x8". With some skill, probably will fit.
I am thinking aobut purchasing a 5x7" camera, maybee, this 5x8" is a better choice, I think 5x7" and 13x18cm will be very difficult to find in the future.

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Nana, I develop all my LF films in 2830 print drum. I think the the 3063 tank of yours could be used to develop the 5x8 size too. My drum has ridges on the inside, which allow either placing 4 13x18cm (5x7") sheets with the shorter side of the film along the axis of the tank (and the longer side bent around the circle of the drum). It's also intended to develop 2 sheets of 8x10" with the longer side along the axis of the tank - and 1 sheet 8x10" is 2 sheets of 8x5" placed next to each other :) So if you load the 8x10 film in the tank in the same way, you could also develop a 8x5" (5x8") film.

Try cutting a paper and loading it in the developing drum...

The 5x8" format is a very nice one aestheticaly. The only downside is the high price of the Chamonix holders - but this is relative, and subjective too.

Ken Lee has presented some extraordinary work in this format in the past 6 moths (+-) among others (sorry for not mentioning by name, I can't remember them at the moment).

(Btw., I'm looking for a way to develop my quarter plate [3 1/4 x 4 1/4] films - they won't hold in the 2509N reel, and are too small to be placed in the 2830 drum. Does anyone of you have a way to develop them in Jobo tanks, or a non-expensive dedicated way? Thanks)

For all my recent work I have masked my ground glass to the golden ratio, on both 4x5 and 5x7.

If I had the big money, I would work in 5x8, which is very close to the golden ratio. I'm sure that someone could make a 5x8 back at a reasonable cost, but the big expense would be to purchase or make a large enough number of 5x8 film holders.

Shades... Overlooking Sugar creek in Shades state pk. 8x10 115mm (I think) 4721 film in D76

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Originally Posted by Ken Lee

For all my recent work I have masked my ground glass to the golden ratio, on both 4x5 and 5x7.

If I had the big money, I would work in 5x8, which is very close to the golden ratio. I'm sure that someone could make a 5x8 back at a reasonable cost, but the big expense would be to purchase or make a large enough number of 5x8 film holders.

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The price for the film holders is the most serious drawback. If they were not so pricey, I'd have more than 2. But on the other hand, I'd not be pressed to find a way to use regular 13x18cm/5x7 holders in the camera...

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Originally Posted by Jiri Vasina

Nana, I develop all my LF films in 2830 print drum. I think the the 3063 tank of yours could be used to develop the 5x8 size too. My drum has ridges on the inside, which allow either placing 4 13x18cm (5x7") sheets with the shorter side of the film along the axis of the tank (and the longer side bent around the circle of the drum). It's also intended to develop 2 sheets of 8x10" with the longer side along the axis of the tank - and 1 sheet 8x10" is 2 sheets of 8x5" placed next to each other :) So if you load the 8x10 film in the tank in the same way, you could also develop a 8x5" (5x8") film.

Try cutting a paper and loading it in the developing drum...

The 5x8" format is a very nice one aestheticaly. The only downside is the high price of the Chamonix holders - but this is relative, and subjective too.

Ken Lee has presented some extraordinary work in this format in the past 6 moths (+-) among others (sorry for not mentioning by name, I can't remember them at the moment).

(Btw., I'm looking for a way to develop my quarter plate [3 1/4 x 4 1/4] films - they won't hold in the 2509N reel, and are too small to be placed in the 2830 drum. Does anyone of you have a way to develop them in Jobo tanks, or a non-expensive dedicated way? Thanks)

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Well, after thinking a bit about 5x7" and 5x8", I decided to go for 5x7" because of a "little" detail I have forgotten, wich is the fact that my enlarger is a Durst 139G wich can deal with 5x7" negatives, maximum. I still enlarge my photos and use fiberbase baryted paper, I don't enjoy inkjet (at least, for this week, because we never know what comes next!!!!).
I've been watching the Chamonix 5x7 black walnut horizontal model, I enjoyed it a lot, it's small and light and I can build a 4x5 back for it, if they don't sell one of those.

Nana, be careful, the "horizontal models only" usually have fixed back so it might be difficult/impossible to make a reduction back for them. From my knowledge, it's not possible to have a regular reduction back (like the one I have for my 5x8 camera, which is here). You can easily build a back for the horizontal/vertical model in any size, but not for the horizontal only. That is the price you pay for the camera being lighter and smaller...

Do check with the factory, if it's possible.

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Originally Posted by Jiri Vasina

Nana, be careful, the "horizontal models only" usually have fixed back so it might be difficult/impossible to make a reduction back for them. From my knowledge, it's not possible to have a regular reduction back (like the one I have for my 5x8 camera, which is here). You can easily build a back for the horizontal/vertical model in any size, but not for the horizontal only. That is the price you pay for the camera being lighter and smaller...

Do check with the factory, if it's possible.

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Thank you for the advise but, I had been watching that closely and, if you look well, you can see that the back on this horizontal model has the very same lockers on the upper borders of the back, that the normal model has. I think the back is detachable, but not rotatable, because the back is rectangular, not square.
http://www.chamonixviewcamera.com/_images/57c.jpg

Yes, from that photo it would seem you are right. It seems to be detachable.

I have just checked the 5x8 horizontal only model pictures and they lack the lockers - so my previous comment might concern only the 5x8 model, and not the other.

Down on Wildcat Creek, 8x10 165mm Schneider fujichrome processed myself:p Myself and a friend just about froze when the wind came up but had a blast

McCormick's Creek state park, 8x10 fujichrom 300mm GR Dagor

Crescent City,Ca Marina 8x10 210mm 5.6XL just going home

I apologize for my tardy replies. Darn day job!

Thanks to you all for your generous comments.

David, the largest print that I've made to date is an 11x14. Please contact me offline if you're interested in a print of this size or larger.