Share Your Large Format experiences

[Oldhand]

Many thanks to Attila for creating this new forum in MF Lenses.
I have seen several members posting results and comments about LF in other forums of MF Lenses, and asked if we might have a place here to share.
So here we are.
I guess this forum is open to all sorts of topics. Lenses of course, but also - cameras, techniques, problems, adaptations, film experiences, historical interests, photography "after the style" of a well known LF worker etc etc etc.
OK let's do it.
I look forward to reading and sharing much in this space.
Happy snaps
Tom

[RSalles]

Hi OH, so let's feed the pages with some content, and, pictures!

Few days ago I had made and experiment with a film made in China,not very well known as other film makers as Kodak, Ilford, Foma, etc, but indeed a great film in the 4x5 size. I have made 2 sets of images and developed in 2 "very well known" film developers: Kodak HC-110 and Agfa Rodinal.

The film is Shanghai GP3 - reminds me the old Kodak Panatomic-X.

Technical data -

Film: Shanghai GP3 4x5, box rated ISO 125, used as ISO 80.
Camera + lens: Sinar F2, Sinar Copal shutter, Staeble Ultragon 8/150mm at f45.
Developers: Agfa Rodinal 1:50 with 12min. 68F/20ºC and HC-100 dil "H" (1:63) with 10min. 68F/20ºC
Yankee Agitank 4x5 - Pre-soak 1min, 30s ini. agit., + 10S each min. til finish.
Lightning: Ambient light 10:30 AM, Spot metered - Minolta Spot Meter - at the rose petals to Zone VII, table tissue falling mainly at Z-IX, and Z-10.
Scanning & PP: Nikon El-Nikkor lens 4/75mm and a FF Digital camera, 2 passes stitched with Hugin Panorama Creator and Gimp 2.9, with curves.

With HC-110:

7419-20-hc110 by Renato Salles, no Flickr

... and Rodinal:

7416-17-Rodinal by Renato Salles, no Flickr

[Oldhand]

Thank you for posting these and the details.
I see more contrast with HC-110 but I can see little difference in grain and detail.
I am glad that you have shown the Shanghai G3 as I have read mixed reactions to it.
It looks very good to me.
I think the common question over it was one of consistency from batch to batch.
Have you used it long enough to notice this.
Tom

[RSalles]

Hi Tom,

I have tried the 4x5 sheet film, 4 boxes till now, and it went all ok. What I have read on the net is for roll film it could be a different story.

Yes, the HC-110 showed to be more contrasty, mostly on the highlights - I can imagine a contrast curve with a "soft feet" and the angle begins to increase after Zone V/middle gray. If I had the time I could even plot a contrast film curve à la BTZS, but I don't. On the other hand, I have rated the ISO of this film at 80-100, no more then this. What have to be defined is the reciprocity failure rate, as the data provided by the manufacturer addresses only development of the film. But for 18 bucks for a 25 sheet box, that's good enough.
I have developed some sheets with Rodinal and stand development with this film, and have had very consistent results with 1:150 dilution for 1 hour, too.

Cheers,

Renato

[Oldhand]

[exaklaus]

A shot, taken with my Tachihara with a Yamasaki Congo 1:6,3 f=90mm on Adox 4x5"
Stand developed in Rodinal-follower, 1:100, Epson V850

[Oldhand]

Thank you for sharing this image exaklaus.
There is something about overcast days that just begs for B&W imaging - the even lighting is so kind.
Well taken.
I am still awaiting my film - on a slow boat from China I think
OH

[exaklaus]

Yes, this lightning was perfect. No harsh contrasts. I had to shoot.

Klaus

[gary2881]

Butte Creek Falls 2015

Bute-Cr.-Falls-24 by gary2881, on Flickr
4x5, HP-5+, WD2D+

Butte Creek Falls 2007

Upper-Butte-Cr.-Falls by gary2881, on Flickr

4x5, Arista EDU100,

[RSalles]

Nice, Gary, same focal lenght?


Renato

[Oldhand]

Well taken Gary.
The recent image is blessed with less water flow, making the falls themselves more delicate, and revealing more detail.
I like these.
Tom

[gary2881]

Thanks, Renato and Tom.
The 2015 shot was with a Fujinon WS f5.6/150. The earlier shot was with a Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f4.5/13.5cm which is an uncoated lens from 1938.

The second shot is how this fall should look , booming from spring run-off. The lack of winter snow in the Cascades makes it look like summer flow.

[RSalles]

Look what I have read today:

A Deardorff is sort of like a violin that takes pictures. Sort of.





Cheers,

Renato

[gary2881]

Double-Delight-1 by gary2881, on Flickr

4x5, Arista 200, WD2D+


Lost-Cr-19 by gary2881, on Flickr

4x5, Efke PL 100, WD2D+

[exaklaus]

[quote="gary2881"]Double-Delight-1 by gary2881, on Flickr

4x5, Arista 200, WD2D+

Great one!
Klaus

[gary2881]

Thanks, Klaus.

Gary

[evgenv]

Arista 100, 4x5

[dan_]

Very well done, evgenv! I like it very much.
Congrats!

[Oldhand]

Very delicate lighting and shadows.
Nicely done
OH

[RSalles]

Some recent pics with the LF camera,

1)
7878-7880 by Renato Salles, no Flickr

Farm gate, near Sao Pedro do SUl - RS - Brazil -Sinar F2 6x9 roll film back, Ultragon 9/150mm, Ilford FP4+ with HC-110 dil. "E".

2)
7837 - _MG_7840 by Renato Salles, no Flickr

Still with kettle and roses
Sinar F2, Schneider Symmar 210/5.6, Shanghai GP3 4x5 with HC-110 dil E


3)
_MG_7736 - _MG_7739 by Renato Salles, no Flickr

Farm - Staeble-Ultragon 150/8 - Sinar F2 - Shanghai GP3 4x5, HC-110 Dil H.

Cheers,

Renato

[mmelvis]

Open Air Post Office St. Petersburg, Florida
Motley 8x10 Camera (Made from parts)
Gundlach Radar Extreme 155mm
Kodak tri-x pan txp 320 Film

[finarphin]

Not much activity on this thread. Here's one: this is Junction Peak in Kings Canyon National Park. Shot with a Calumet 4x5 and a Schneider Symmar 150mm lens. Must have been ektachrome. This was an experience, as it was part of a trip along the John Muir Trail. I think this was the fourth day. This one came out about the best.

[exaklaus]

That's a fine shot. From the colors, it looks a bit like a photo from the past


Klaus

[uddhava]

Nice photos, Renato!
I especially like the second one, "Still with kettle and roses".

[finarphin]