J enea
Established
when i shoot RR400s, i use a speed of 160 and use rodinal, pyro-mc or beutler depending on my mood and all give me great shadow detail and no blown highlights. im surprised you only got a speed of 50 in diafine. Beutler is really cheap to mix yourself, just uses 3 chems. you can get the metol and the sod sulfite at B&H and the carbonate at a pool supply store. for me it works out to like 15 cents a roll, so hardly anything. it is a little grainier than rodinal, but much sharper and no speed loss.
shoot it at 160, then beutler 1+1+10 for 9.5 min at 68 degrees.
here is a smple in pyro, assuming i can get the picture inserted.
https://flic.kr/p/HaD7n8
shoot it at 160, then beutler 1+1+10 for 9.5 min at 68 degrees.
here is a smple in pyro, assuming i can get the picture inserted.
https://flic.kr/p/HaD7n8
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
J,
Thanks for your post. I get thinner negatives at 100 and 200 ISO. 100 ISO are not bad negatives, but 50 ISO has a broader midrange, has more shadow detail, and makes the negative both denser due to more exposure and perhaps better negatives for wet printing big.
If I were scanning I would go for less density for sure. If I were printing smaller also I would go for less density also.
In my case I'm really exposing for the midrange and not for the shadows. Basically I'm relying on a compensating effect to handle the highlights and shadows, but I'm adding extra exposure to dial in a vast midrange.
Understand with Tri-X and Diafine I only rate this combination at 800 ISO.
Cal
MrFujicaman
Well-known
Hey Calzone,
About the VAT tax-why not look in the NYC yellow pages and find a customs broker and see if they can advise you on how to avoid paying the VAT.
About the VAT tax-why not look in the NYC yellow pages and find a customs broker and see if they can advise you on how to avoid paying the VAT.
Jake Mongey
Well-known
I agree with you on shooting 120 like 35, and I am certainly doing this mostly for the cost as for the last year or so ive been shooting 3-4 rolls of 120 a week in college and around the place.
I was planning on using rodinol as im pretty used to it and have been using it 1+50 with bulk loaded 35mm rollei 80s with amazing results and looking at things 80s and 400s would react similar in rodinol 1+50. For most work I dont need the increase in film speed but if i do get some 400s at some point ill see how high i can get it to go in microphen.
Its my birthday next monday so I hopefully will be able to complete the set and get an a70 then ill be ready to shoot. Good luck with everything your end, this has been a great thread and I wouldnt have a clue without it
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
MFM,
If I can get rid of the about 18% VAT then I can possibly get 400S for about $80.00 per roll 120 equiv. At that price it becomes about $2.00 a roll per 120 equiv plus there will be bonus frames. "No money."
Rodinal seems like an inexpensive one shot, but for me the film speed is 50-80 ISO. I surely will exploit this. Since I have three 15 foot reels, I think cutting down an Expert JOBO to handle two reels will give me the capability to develop over 120 6x7's in one tank.
It seems like I discovered for some unknown reason that Microphen is a bad developer with Rollie 400S. Oh-well.
I mined that Rollie "Supergrain" developer is derived from AM-74, AKA Rollie RHS, AKA D74. It is available from Freestyle, 500ml for $21.59. Standard dilutions are 1+9, 1+12, and 1+15. It seems D74 is an earlier version of this developer. This is a liquid developer so it is convenient to use. Great for me because I want to be know as a lazy slacker.
I figure if I need 2 liters per 15 foot, so if I use 1+15 I can do two loaded tanks for $21.59. I'm glad I don't have to deal with the VAT with Freestyle.
I saw some examples of Agfa Superpan 200 (AKA Agfa Aviphot 200/ Rollie 400S) developed with D74 that gave 200 ISO using 1+15. Seems to be exactly what I'm looking for: a compatible compensating developer that gives me a good film speed. One sample I saw 200 ISO D74 1+15 for 5:15.
Dan suggests first contacting MACO. Hopefully they just drop the VAT since they are exporting the film to the U.S. I think an order over $1K would lean in my favor.
On the to do list is buy a used JOBO Expert tank and cut it down into a custom "Calzone" tank that is sized for a pair of 15 footers.
Buy 70mm film from MACO.
Buy Rollie Supergrain Developer.
Cut a cam for my Zeiss 53/4.5 Biogon with my "Linhof Consultant."
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Jake,
Happy Birthday.
Bad news is tha Microphen looks to be a bad developer for 400S. Good news is see my post above.
Cal
Jake Mongey
Well-known
thank you, looking forward to it as its so close.
Thats a shame about microphen, any comments on why?
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Jake,
On one thread some posters inquired if he had a bad batch of developer, but the response from that help mentioned he had use the same batch to process other film with good success.
Then there were other responses and reports of failed devevelopment with Microphen came trickling in. I wondered why such a popular developer had so little information on results, but I guess people tend not to post their failures.
For me using Linhof's I have to deal with shutter speed limits of 1/500th and 1/400th of a second. I'm cool with not using fast films, but if I can I like to hit F11 with one of the higher shutter speeds I'm capable of. I figure 160-200 ISO for me.
One thing about the 2x3 Tech IV is that it features a distance scale that can actually use to pre-focus with my Zeiss 100/2.8 Planar. On my 2x3 Tech V the 53/4.5 Biogon can be set up with a "kill zone" and basically is a 7 1/2 pound point and shoot. The FOV is like a 28mm and my target zone would be 7-8 feet with the 6x7 frame in a vertical.
With a Leica a 28 Cron is my most used lens. I figure the Tech V with the Biogon will get heavily used. I can see blowing through 15 feet of film in a days worth of walking around in NYC.
Loading under subdued light is really required. That clear base easily light pipes. I saw this on some of my films already and know that I loaded indoors and avoided bright light.
Cal
Jake Mongey
Well-known
Fair enough then, when i get some 400s ill get some d74 with it then.
Im not to familiar with the linhofs but I did a simular thing when I borrowed the colleges MPP micro technical with a 135mm schider which had the distance scale it was fun but not my cup of tea.
15 feet in a day! Imagine that contact sheet
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Jake,
15 feet is like 6 rolls of 120 with the addition of a a few bonus frames.
I figure cutting the film into divisions of three to fit into my Printfile pages so maybe cut to lengths of 15 or 18 frames in 6x7.
After a while you can pretty much pick out the best image off of a page of negatives. No contact sheet is needed.
The best thing about 70mm, if I get everything done, will produce 12 rolls of 120 equiv in one tank. Doing 12 rolls of 120, even in a 2 liter tank requires more a third more developer and processing three tanks instead of one.
I'd rather be shooting.
Cal
Nokton48
Veteran
Nokton48
Veteran
Cal,
120 pages won't work, 70mm is much wider that 120/220. I have 100 70mm VUEALL pages I bought some time ago. If you want to proof the whole page, you will need 8 1/2x11 paper, to contact it. I don't need proof sheets, I can easily see the best negs. Chalk it up to long experience. My Hasselblad negs get cut into strips of twelve, I stretched a wire and use wooden clothespins to dry. Some of you may wonder how I do that. Then I cut the 6x6's into strips of four to go into the 70mm VUEALL pages. I will order some of the ROLLEI SUPERGRAIN from Freestyle. But I am still going to run ACUFINE tests. It makes sense since the film is available year round and is relatively inexpensive compared to, like HP5+, which is available only during the Ilford spring/summer ULF run.
vueall neg pages by Nokton48, on Flickr
Nokton48
Veteran
They should drop the VAT but I would ask them to send you an adjusted PAYPAL invoice. Email them and discuss it, they speak reasonably good English.
You can't just point and click, as it dosen't remove the VAT
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Cal,
120 pages won't work, 70mm is much wider that 120/220. I have 100 70mm VUEALL pages I bought some time ago. If you want to proof the whole page, you will need 8 1/2x11 paper, to contact it. I don't need proof sheets, I can easily see the best negs. Chalk it up to long experience. My Hasselblad negs get cut into strips of twelve, I stretched a wire and use wooden clothespins to dry. Some of you may wonder how I do that. Then I cut the 6x6's into strips of four to go into the 70mm VUEALL pages. I will order some of the ROLLEI SUPERGRAIN from Freestyle. But I am still going to run ACUFINE tests. It makes sense since the film is available year round and is relatively inexpensive compared to, like HP5+, which is available only during the Ilford spring/summer ULF run.
Dan,
Thanks for the teamwork. Seems like we outlined a great way to do B&W 70mm on the cheap. I couldn't have done this without you.
If I can get 70mm Rollie 400S for about $80.00 per 100 feet film costs will be minimal.
Rodinal for me at 50 ISO is likely the cheapest one-shot. Remember to cover a 15 foot reel takes 2 liters of liquid, but a loaded 15 foot reel is slightly more than 6 rolls of 120.
Rollie Supergrain from Freestyle is for 200 ISO and a 1+15 will develop four 15 footers for $21.59. Not too bad for a one shot.
This is like a dream come true.
Cal
Nokton48
Veteran
Cal,
OK then we are both moving forward with this. I called Freestyle and ordered 500 mls of the Rollei Supergrain. And I asked them to check and see if they can special order 70mm Rollei 400s. As far as they can tell, Rollei is still in production with this film. If they could get it, prolly so could B&H. They are Rollei dealers.
I'm going to order a roll of 70mm 400S and some 120 400S from Macodirect. I have today restored my customer access and will place the order soon. Figure it's way cheaper over there; Over 100 Euros in total order they have free shipping!
Will let you know what happens with Freestyle. Maybe they will give me a price $$$
Agfa PDF Date on Aviphot 200/Rollei 400S:
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/static/pdf/product_pdf/rollei/RolleiRetro400s_.pdf
OK then we are both moving forward with this. I called Freestyle and ordered 500 mls of the Rollei Supergrain. And I asked them to check and see if they can special order 70mm Rollei 400s. As far as they can tell, Rollei is still in production with this film. If they could get it, prolly so could B&H. They are Rollei dealers.
I'm going to order a roll of 70mm 400S and some 120 400S from Macodirect. I have today restored my customer access and will place the order soon. Figure it's way cheaper over there; Over 100 Euros in total order they have free shipping!
Will let you know what happens with Freestyle. Maybe they will give me a price $$$
Agfa PDF Date on Aviphot 200/Rollei 400S:
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/static/pdf/product_pdf/rollei/RolleiRetro400s_.pdf
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Dan,
I still have some work to do before loading up the truck with 70mm film.
I will be doing a bit more Rollie 400S 120 work with the Rollie Supergrain developer to get my 160-200 ISO. If my testing works out I will be going green light big time.
I also need to cut a JOBO 3063 tank down to size. These tanks have a big enough diameter to fit a 15 foot reel of 7 inch diameter. I can cut it down to fit two of my reels. A 3063 is made for 20x24 prints. Basically I'm modding a JOBO into a custom size to use as my daylight tank that will hold a wopping 4 liters of solution. Oddly I have a non daylight stainless steel tank for a 15 footer I'll use as a film safe for a loaded reel.
I like being a bit ambitious and crazy. 120+ 6x7's in one tank is about right for me. You know how JOBO tanks lids are. I'll load two reels and than place them together in the JOBO. The changing bag will be a bit crowded. LOL.
I'll also plug Freestyle. I think my first order of 70mm will be about $1K worth of film to get started.
I was checking out CatLabs for JOBO, and I discovered a heading called "Pack Film." Basically they will be coming out with a Polaroid. Also they have a new 35mm film that is a new offering. Soon this new B&W film will be available in 120.
What is interesting about this new film is that it is a 400 speed "dual emulsion" for wide latitude. When the 120 comes out there is a bulk discount of 100 rolls of 120 for $595.00, so the cost is just a tad more than a roll of Ilford FP4 in 120.
If CatLabs is getting into the film business I wonder if they will make 70mm for me/us? We don't want no stinkin cassettes or spools; just feed us bulk film cheap.
They are partnered with some French film manufacturer. There is an interesting article on why Fuji can't scale down FP-100, and why the old Polaroid is somewhat more modular to scale. Evidently they have a way to make a modern film using some computerized deposition system that allows CatLabs to make their own film.
Check out CatLab's site for specifics. This is just starting to gear up.
Cal
Nokton48
Veteran
Here is my home made Sinar Norma Handy camera, with a 6x9cm Graflex Back. Indeed in this configuration this camera is quite "Handy". Weighs almost nothing, balances well in my hand. The 65mm viewfinder from China is now in Chicago, so I should have it in a few days.
The Graflex back is loaded with 120 respooled 70mm Plus-X Aergraphic 2402, hand rolled by Bennini, and came all the way from Italy.
This will be a hoot to shoot with. I am going to drill out the handle and fit a long cable release to go to the 65mm F8 Super Angulon Compur #00 shutter. Then it is finally done.
Sinar Norma Handy 6x9 Graflex Back 70mm 2402 by Nokton48, on Flickr
Here's the new viewfinder coming from China. Sure hope it works out for me.
Sinar Norma Handy Viewfinder by Nokton48, on Flickr
The Graflex back is loaded with 120 respooled 70mm Plus-X Aergraphic 2402, hand rolled by Bennini, and came all the way from Italy.
This will be a hoot to shoot with. I am going to drill out the handle and fit a long cable release to go to the 65mm F8 Super Angulon Compur #00 shutter. Then it is finally done.
Sinar Norma Handy 6x9 Graflex Back 70mm 2402 by Nokton48, on FlickrHere's the new viewfinder coming from China. Sure hope it works out for me.
Sinar Norma Handy Viewfinder by Nokton48, on Flickr
Nokton48
Veteran
Nokton48
Veteran
Also Schneider made a Center Filter 1 specifically for the Super Angulon 65mm F8. I am looking for one on the cheap............
Helpful when shooting 4x5" Handy photos.
Schneider 65mm f8 Center Filter by Nokton48, on Flickr
Helpful when shooting 4x5" Handy photos.
Schneider 65mm f8 Center Filter by Nokton48, on Flickr
