Greetings from Pittsburgh

[pigpen]

Hello, I'm Mike.
Just found you guys today, and I'm glad I did. Very familiar with 35mm & MF, very new to LF. I bought a Crown Graphic last summer and was hooked. In the process of selling off 35/120 gear to pay for more LF gear. I've been home developing/scanning since switching back to film, in the process of converting small room to darkroom. I've shot some B&W film but having much more fun shooting Harman direct positive paper and developing on sight. Hoping to spend this winter finishing darkroom, shooting paper negatives, and practicing my contact printing. Then, hopefully, playing with dry plates (tin/glass) when the weather gets nicer and the UV light increases. Wanting to upgrade my camera but choices are overwhelming for a newbie. Currently leaning towards the Intrepid 4x5 Black, not a fan of the plywood look. I like the idea of buying "new" due to fear of getting a set of bad bellows.

I'm sure after a little time here I'll be much better informed.

[Rick A]

Howdy neighbor, I live between Mt Pleasant and Donegal (just north of Connellsville). Give me a shout and we can meet up or you can visit my darkroom up here on the mountain.

[DeBone75]

Good afternoon Gentlemen. I too am from the area. I live in Emlenton about 65 mile North of the Burgh. I'm retired and living the slow life. Been shooting large format for about 30 years. Love to talk shop

[Leszek Vogt]

Welcome to the forum. Used to live in tuna fish Altoona where I shot lots of stuff for the school and the Yearbook. Need to revisit the place (one day) before I'm old and grey....ooops, I'm almost there.

[pigpen]

Hey Rick
Sorry Took so long to respond, been away then had trouble resetting password. Looking forward to playing in my new (very tiny) darkroom. I've veered off into "alternate processes", cyanotypes, van dyke brown, salt prints, so only really need a "dim room". I'll be spending some time in the highlands when the weather breaks, shooting some 4x5.

[pigpen]

Wow, 30 years at large format! You've forgotten more than I know. My wife and I have spent a lot of time in Cook's Forest.

[pigpen]

My day job takes me to Altoona area a couple times a month, I know the area very well.

[DeBone75]

Well at 65 I've also forgotten more than I know��

[Rick A]

Hey Rick
Sorry Took so long to respond, been away then had trouble resetting password. Looking forward to playing in my new (very tiny) darkroom. I've veered off into "alternate processes", cyanotypes, van dyke brown, salt prints, so only really need a "dim room". I'll be spending some time in the highlands when the weather breaks, shooting some 4x5.

I'm looking forward to seeing you down here.

[Tin Can]

I spent some youth near Pottstown, home of KIWI shoe polish

I was amazed how wild the area was coming from MN

Found overgrown and dry shipping canals, BIG mustrats, eels, lots of game