A simple plan

[venchka]

I'm trying to try to try to do this. I'm trying. With one lens. Thinking of trading my M8 in for an MP. Going to get my 35mm pre-asph serviced. Thinking of New TMax 400 in D-76 1:1. For a year. Aim for two rolls a week. Process everything at home and scan the contact sheets on the flatbed at the weekends. Scan and print at least one select pic a week.

But it's like going out for that run when it's cold and raining outside...I know it would be good for me, but being inside and warm (read: owning and using loads of gear) is just too comfortable.

After much thought, I arrived at the following:

365 days.

8,320 square inches of film, minimum. B&W for personal, hands on processing and control as well as budget concerns.

Contact sheets properly annotated and filed.

Enlargements as indicated by the contact sheets.

Personally, just for me, nobody else needs to follow my lead, I plan to use 2 Leica M5 bodies and 3 lenses: 35mm, 50mm and 90mm. This arrangement follows the very first advice I ever got regarding rangefinder photography. I didn't pay attention at the time. Too young I suppose. It has taken me decades to put this advice into practice.

However, I will always take heed of "Use the right tool for the job." Depending on the situation at hand, I won't allow the Rangefinder Only Project to interfere with getting the right photograph.

Clear as mud? July 1, 2009 start.

Your mileage will absoulutely vary. 😀

 

[jb17kx]

Inspired by that one-camera-one-lens-one-film blog thing, innit?

I started a bit like that, with an FE2, a Nikkor 35/2, and TMY. Then I got the 645 bug, then the rangefinder bug, and its gone up/down-hill since then.

As much as I like the idea of getting back to basics for a year - as well as being an excellent excuse to treat myself to an M4 or the like - I don't think it's right for me now.

Good luck though!

 

[venchka]

Thanks! I need the discipline. I have enough 35mm film and chemicals on hand to see me a good bit of the way. I need a new habit.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

I might be getting lazy - in old age!, but more and more I'm going out walking with just a 40 or 50mm attached, I'm pleased with what I'm getting, and don't really miss that heavy Billingham!.
Cheers, Dave.

 

[venchka]

Nice work Dave. I go in cycles. Get into ruts. Even though I may have more than one lens, I tend to "see" in 50mm as well.

I wish I had a small Billingham.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Nice work Dave. I go in cycles. Get into ruts. Even though I may have more than one lens, I tend to "see" in 50mm as well.

I wish I had a small Billingham.

Thanks, not P.C. to mention on RFF! - but these were from a Konica FT1 slr😱 .....this cameras not much bigger than my M2 and handles a dream!, difficult to judge with a quick scan and tiny file size on screen - but those AR Hexanons have blown me away! 🙂
Dave.

 

[venchka]

I am never far from a Hexanon lens. I never met a Hexanon lens that I didn't like.

 

[venchka]

The project is off to a rocky start. The cameras and I are seperated by 250 miles. That situation will be rectified tomorrow.

I created a blog documenting the progress of the project on Al Gore's interent. This old dog is learning new tricks.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

Any film or developer to be used exclusively for the project?

 

[Al Kaplan]

You should consider the classic combo of Tri-X, D-76 1:1. You can't go wrong. Cut expenses by bulk loading.

 

[35mmdelux]

Or, cut bulk loading expense by jobbing it to Walmart. A few bucks for D&P and let them clean up the mess.

 

[venchka]

Film & Developers

Film & Developers

Current stocks to be disposed of first:

5 liters of fresh Xtol to be used 1:3.
1 liter of fresh Rodinal for the APX25 for sure.
8 one gallon bags D-76
2 one quart bags Microdol-X
3 one liter bags Microphen
2 one gallon bags D-19
The Xtol and Rodinal will be used first. The rest may end up for sale. That's one odjective of the one year exploration.

200' Ilford PanF+
7 rolls Agfa APX25
6-8 rolls of Ilford Delta 100
8 rolls Arista Premium 100
10 rolls Arista Premium 400
10-12 rolls of Kodachrome. In light of Kodak's retirement of Kodachrome, I will use the Kodachrome alongside B&W.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Hmmmm....

180 sq. in = 1 sheet 12x15 film in my Gandolfi Universal

5 sheets = 900 sq. in.

8320 sq, in. = near enough 50 sheets or a bit under one a week

... sounds a bit too much like hard work.

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[venchka]

If I don't set goals for myself, how will I know if I am underachieving?

I could also use 4x5 film at 8 sheets per week. That did seem like work.

 

[Trius]

As you know, Wayne, when you emailed me I initially thought you intended 4x5. C'mon, man, you need to exercise those biceps! 😉

Seriously, I admire you setting this goal, however you structure it. Tomorrow I am processing a roll of FP-4+, the first I've shot in, oh, mebbe > 20 years? I just love the look of it, and while my natural tendency would be to dunk it in Rodinal, I think I'll use XTol. Haven't decided which dilution yet.

 

[venchka]

Find the old Kodak German Xtol data sheets with 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 times. I am seriously in love with 1:3 and continuous agitation. I was pointed in that direction by a LF photographer in North Carolina, Bruce Watson.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm overwhelmed already.