6x11 folders?

[FallisPhoto]

Dear Andrew,

Sorry for the delay in replying: I don't know how I missed your post.

The only difference in our analysis is whether adapting cameras is a separate hobby, or a different part of the same hobby. For me, it's the former. For others, it may be the same.

I'd not argue that adaptations, creating from scratch, coating one's own materials, etc., can deepen or broaden one's understanding: I've done most of that bit (well, not grinding my own lenses, but I've made pinholes and used magnifying glasses). All I meant was that having tried it, I've either become lazy or simply changed my emphasis.

A lot of people think they 'ought' to do this, that or the other thing. Some of the time, I'm just saying that 'ought' is of limited application in many spheres of life.

Cheers,

Roger

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[kuzano]

Two panoramic images on each 4X5... easy trick

Two panoramic images on each 4X5... easy trick

To arrive at two panorama's per sheet of 4X5 film:

I had a ground glass on my 4X5 with a line across the middle (landscape mode). I had a dark slide for double holders that had an opening on half the slide portion, lengthwise. Steps were:
1) compose on the upper half of the ground glass
2) close shutter
3) insert the film holder
4) Pull the dark slide
5) Insert the holed dark slide with the opening up
6) expose the film
7) Pull the holed slide
8) Insert the full dark slide
9) Pull the film holder
10) Compose second pic on the bottom half of the Ground Glass
11) commence with steps 2 thru 9 above only inserting the holed slide opening down.

Result... two pics on each sheet or 4 on a dual holder, thereby cutting the cost per image in half for both film and processing.

What's the problem... Worked for me

Resulting in images that were 5cmX12.7cm for a panorama

Working patiently and diligently, you too can create a dark slide for one of these 2X panorama images on a 4X5 sheet of film.

A utility knife and a couple of C-clamps w/a straight edge.

Good usable 4X5 cameras can be had for $100 and up. I know. I just bought (today) a Calumet Cadet monorail for $100 shipped. Like new in the calumet case they were sold in with a dark cloth and a half dozen fidelity holders. Just takes some time spent scouring the poorly done auctions on eBay.

90 to 150mm lenses can be had for $100 and up, although it'e far cheaper to buy them combined with a camera.

Or, if you want... a 6X9 roll film holder (I just sold a nice one for $90) to fit 4X5 Graflok.

4X5 can be done very inexpensively, if you're not hung up on who sees what camera or lens you are standing behind. Ego is the cause for expensive large format photography. I don't think, over the years, I have ever spent over $400 for a camera or over $200 for a lens, many times much less, and have enjoyed the experience, the images, and most of all... the fact that I did it on the cheap.

I don't process film... haven't since 1967. Too many people can do it for far less money and better than I have the patience for. Currently I am using ProPhoto in Portland, Oregon. They just built a new lab and are very price favorable.

I asked them right after they opened the new lab what their intention was, with most other labs cutting back or closing. The answer was, to grab all the business left out there.

So, is the intent to actually fix, modify and build old cameras, or take pictures? Hmmmm?

 

[jan normandale]

Kuzano "So, is the intent to actually fix, modify and build old cameras, or take pictures? Hmmmm?"

Hi Kuzano, any links to some of the 2x5 panos? I'd really like to see the results. What lens do you use a 90,150, 180?

 

[chippy]

Sounds like a good deal kuzano...

Just takes some time spent scouring the poorly done auctions on eBay.

any tips on how to do this...just browsing every ad in the camera section i suppose?

So, is the intent to actually fix, modify and build old cameras, or take pictures? Hmmmm?

not sure what you are getting at here? surely anyone that fixes, modifies or builds a camera does it so they can then use it.

 

[bmattock]

On the other hand, it isn't that hard to do if you know how. It might only cost you another $10 to $20 in materials. If you don't know how to do it though, count on $100+. Nothing in photography is cheap and that includes the people who work on our gear.

I'm not terribly mechanically-inclined, but I did manage to modify a couple of 620 cameras to take 120 film with a dremel tool. Not pretty, but it worked.

 

[FallisPhoto]

I'm not terribly mechanically-inclined, but I did manage to modify a couple of 620 cameras to take 120 film with a dremel tool. Not pretty, but it worked.

A Kodak Medallist? A Kodak Tourist II? You might want to try one of these: a few conversions are very easy indeed -- just take out the film cradles. Those absolutely beautiful art deco PB20 Agfas, for instance, are easy to modify. The Argus TLRs with metal bodies are another type of camera that is like this. There are maybe a dozen more like that.

 

[FallisPhoto]

"So, is the intent to actually fix, modify and build old cameras, or take pictures? Hmmmm?"

Well, anyone who fixes, adapts, modifies and/or builds an old camera and then lets it just sit on a shelf is acting pretty damned weird, if you ask me. If it is going to just sit on a shelf, what's the point of doing the fixing, adapting, building and etcetera?

 

[kuzano]

any tips on how to do this...just browsing every ad in the camera section i suppose?

not sure what you are getting at here? surely anyone that fixes, modifies or builds a camera does it so they can then use it.

On the first query... I don't look at all the listings. I do have some idea of cameras that are less valuable and come up often. I also don't restrict my searches within categories. All the good deals are usually found in the wrong categories. For instance, some cameras that sell inexpensively are various Calumets, Toyo monorails, Graflex of various models including the Graphic View models I and II, etc. I just picked up a Calumet Cadet for $40 plus shipping, because the seller did not even know it was a large format camera. I simply searched "All Categories" for the word Cadet. It was not listed in Large Format category. It's coming with film holders, dark cloth, etc.

I tend toward auctions (in cameras at least) that close on Sunday late in the evening. No other bidders at that time, obviously, since all my best buys are at that time. I mis-spell searches. For instance, while browsing Large Format lenses one time, I picked up a very nice Calumet Caltar IIn for half it's value. Why..... it was listed as a calument calstar, which caught my eye. I was the only bidder. I picked up a Bronica medium format 6X6 LNIB for $275.. the seller did not use the name Bronica in the listing.

In fact, there are a couple of books out that talk about how to make money on mis-spelled auction titles. Auction titles are also very poorly done by most people, resulting in very few views. Finding those auctions usually yields money making or good deal opportunities.

So, eBay is ripe with mis-categorized auction, poorly done auctions, and badly timed auctions.

For well over 5 years now, I have been buying photography items on eBay and turning the listings into good listings and very often doubling my money.

eBay can be your inventory and your resale source. In fact, I teach eBay classes at our local Community College.

Regarding the comment about building and/or shooting, I was merely indicating that doing both may be rewarding, but I spent some time repairing and modifying cameras and I found it addictive, distracting me from going out and shooting. I realize some people may favor one over the other, so I'm just pointing out that if you really want to take pictures, the time spent on gear manufacture or repair can be a real distraction and a trap.

Regarding " Hi Kuzano, any links to some of the 2x5 panos? I'd really like to see the results. What lens do you use a 90,150, 180?"

I'll have to dig out some of those. They are not on the internet. My current panoramic method is to use a Fuji 6X9 on a panoramic head (modified tripod) and stitch two or three images together for 6X17 or 6X24, in Photoshop.

When I used the method (2 images on 4X5), I used a 90mm and a 150. My favorite 150 was an early Fujinar which produced nice contrasty images. The 90 I used was a Schneider Angulon. I think I paid a bit over $100 for each of those lenses in working shutters.

I try to get a copy of a couple of the images from 2 on 4X5 and post them.

 

[jan normandale]

@ Kuzano, thanks. I'd be interested in seeing the 2x5's. I figured you might be using a 90mm. I've a Fuji BL G690 and toyed with the idea of trying panos with it. I haven't tho. Some scans are enormous and stitching three together.. lal, my computer would probably freeze. If you get a chance to put up even a very low res version of a 6x9 stitch I'd be interested.

cheers J

 

[kuzano]

Same camera.... GL690

Same camera.... GL690

@ Kuzano, thanks. I'd be interested in seeing the 2x5's. I figured you might be using a 90mm. I've a Fuji BL G690 and toyed with the idea of trying panos with it. I haven't tho. Some scans are enormous and stitching three together.. lal, my computer would probably freeze. If you get a chance to put up even a very low res version of a 6x9 stitch I'd be interested.

The GL690 works great. I calculate that the nodal center of that lens is about 6CM in front of the Tripod socket, so made a simple steel bracket which moves the camera back 6CM on the tripod. I don't think the Nodal Point correction is critical on landscape, but when stitching photos where the subject is relatively close, it make the stitch easier.

I recently picked up a low count GSW690III with the 65mm lens which will preclude the three image stitch to get the same content. Two should do it.

Care taken on getting same exposure, which is easier with the manual function of these cameras, over an automated camera, is key to a good stitch, as is having a 15 to 20% overlap.

I am not at my home computer and files for a few days, but will be happy to either email, or post a couple of files.

In the meantime, here is a link to a thread when I started doing the panos with the fuji. Had some good responses here.

http://photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/00MdQU

Also... one of the responders on that page uses a 690 to create panoramas. I located this link which shows some of his 690 panos. Scroll down the page and some of images are describes as done with the 690. He was very helpful. Goes on most sites as toyotadesigner, and is apparently in Spain. His name is Jens G. R. Benthien:

http://choose-film.com/?page_id=3&user_id=580

Lars.

 

[jan normandale]

actually I know Toyota, he posts here from time to time. Very accomplished photographer. I have done stitching using 35mm and digital. I try to overlap about 1/4 to 1/3 frame for my panos.

I'll check the links you've provided , thanks for the tip on the pano head adjustment!

 

[chippy]

Lars, thanks for sharing your enlighting insights...i would love to pick up some 4x5 or 8x10 lenses for a bargin, dont fancy my chances much *fingers crossed* ...dont suppose anyone would be silly enough to mis-catergorise an ebony or Gandolfi veiw camera for me eh!

 

[kuzano]

Well, don't hold your breath... but>>

Well, don't hold your breath... but>>

Lars, thanks for sharing your enlighting insights...i would love to pick up some 4x5 or 8x10 lenses for a bargin, dont fancy my chances much *fingers crossed* ...dont suppose anyone would be silly enough to mis-catergorise an ebony or Gandolfi veiw camera for me eh!

There have to be dozens of ways to spell Gandolfi, and it is possible that some pawn shop or KnickKnack seller on ebay may put one in Cameras and Photo>Film Cameras>Accessories>Hoods, as an accessory lens accordian fixture

 

[kuzano]

@ Kuzano, thanks. I'd be interested in seeing the 2x5's. I figured you might be using a 90mm. I've a Fuji BL G690 and toyed with the idea of trying panos with it. I haven't tho. Some scans are enormous and stitching three together.. lal, my computer would probably freeze. If you get a chance to put up even a very low res version of a 6x9 stitch I'd be interested.

cheers J

Jan,

I haven't been able to get to the "two up on 4X5 pics, but I did shoot some scenes in a park last week to stitch two together for a Pano. This was a quick and dirty test, because I needed to try a new MF processor lab by mail. So, I was more interested in the lab turnaround results than the final IQ. Here are the steps I used throughout:

1) took seven pics, overlapping about 25% with My Fuji G690bl and 100mm lens. On the tripod (did not use the 6cm adaptor, just the camera on the tripod). Leveled the tripod head so rotation would be on a horizontal plane. Basically worked on two shot sequences with slightly different exposures.

2) Shot Fuji Velvia 50ASA. Sent the film to the lab. Strip processing was $4.95, HD scans on CD $9.00, Sleeve fee $1.50. Shipping back $6.60. Turnaround time... about 6 work days.

3) Loaded scans from CD into computer. Worked on two image stitch in Photoshop Elements 6. HD scans were about 5 Mb, so not that big. Sized images for 8X20 prints at 230 DPI on printer.

The enclosed image is small due to the limitations on the forum for image upload size. Also, if I had been after a better image, I would have done the stitch in CS3. Also, I would have spent a bit more time matching exposures. Getting the edges metered to match is a bit tricky on long formats. I'm still working on that one.

Granted, if money were no object, I'd probably buy a 617 camera, but money is always and issue, plus I get a certain amount of pleasure out if finding ways to do these things without just throwing money at the problem.

So here is an example of stitching two images using the 690...