Images shot with Orthochromatic / Ortho Film / Litho

[Jim Noel]

Efke Ortho, Ilford Ortho and x-ray films are all orthochromatic. I use all of them, mostly x-ray because of cost. Overall I estimate I use 10-15 times as much Ortho as Pan films. The built in contrast is great for my alt processes. I do not us it for female portraits, or outdoors with lots of sky, but other than those no limitations.
In the 1930's when I was first learning to photograph and process images, a large majority of available films were orthochromatic. I wish I could find some of the magazine articles discussing pros and cons of ortho vs "Those new pan" films. They would open a lot of eyes in today's photographic world. I won't be surprised if some manufacturer comes out with one of those digital things that is blind to red, orthochromatic ta tis.

[mmerig]

Thanks for the history, Jim. I am re-taking many historic landscape scenes, and use Ilford Ortho Plus and Ilford FP4 plus (and Fuji Provia) for each scene, unless I know for sure what film they used. Even in the 1920's the Orho re-take matches better than the pan film for some photographers. One of them Olaus Murie, developed his own film, and I wonder if he developed by inspection, or being a federal gov't employee, he had a stock of old or cheaper films available to him, and used ortho.

Anyway, your experience gives me another clue in matching things up as best I can.

[Daniel Unkefer]

5x7 Sinar Norma Twin Lens HRU Ortho+Mic-X by Nokton48, on Flickr

Left is Ilford Commercial Ortho+ 5x7 Schneider 240mm f5.6 chrome Componon Sinar Norma Shutter 4 seconds. Lighting was 45 left Broncolor Pulso Softbox in close. Ambient lighting 250W modeling lamp only no flash. Silver fill panel 45 right just off camera. Shooting wide open with 5x7 Sinar Norma early version film holders

Right is 5x7 Fuji HRU XRay film 1/2 second F5.6 Schneider 240mm f5.6 Componon wide open. Sinar Norma Automatic Shutter

Good to have a choice of negatives.

[Dugan]

Daniel, I see a band about an inch wide going across the approximate middle of the cactus in both negatives....is that on the cactus?

[Daniel Unkefer]

Thanks I'll have to check that. I do have a new lightbox from B&H so maybe a reshoot is in order.

I was using an Acculight which has small fluorescent tubes. Hmmm

[alanbutler57]

Pleasant Hill Reenactment 2014 Speed Graphic + Petzval+ Ilford Ortho+Pyrocat HD 1:1:100 17min @70F

2014 Re-enactment Pleasant Hill, Louisiana



Speed Graphic + Petzval + Pyrocat HD 1:1:10 (by mistake) 6 min, constant inversions. Ilford Ortho+

2014 Re-enactment Pleasant Hill, Louisiana



USS Texas 1940 Speed Graphic 127mm Ektar Ilford Ortho+ Pyrocat HD 1:1:100 12 minutes shot in April 2016

My grandfather crewed on a 5" gun like this one aboard USS Tacoma during WW1, so I found it particularly interesting.

Port of Houston, TX

[austin granger]

Matter over Mind, Portland by Austin Granger, on Flickr

[austin granger]

Missile Defense Radar Dome, Portland, Oregon by Austin Granger, on Flickr

[John Layton]

...either some gent needs to improve his indoor golf game (and re-locate away from his H/O train setup) - or he's got a set of really huge clubs!

[LabRat]

Another reason ortho was used in press labs so long was the "Lab rats" would routinely develop by inspection, but some workers got good at inspecting pan with deep green safe lights briefly/late development (if requested)...

Steve K