My Ermanox Journey

qqphotos said:
Regarding 127 film, rather than Rerapan (which I also don't much care for) have you considered the bulk 46mm HP5+ that Ilford still sell? If you have spools and backing paper already it's much easier than cutting down 120 rolls, and HP5+ is more resistant to scratching as well as being a nice flexible film. I go through lots of it feeding a pre-war baby Rolleiflex and usually expose it at 200, and I imagine even 100 isn't out of the question. Ilford provide it in 50 foot by 46mm rolls which have to be ordered during a short period annually, but various dealers buy extra and can supply it at will.
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HP5 would be too fast for this camera, at least for normal usage (if I was shooting exclusively low light, it might be okay, but otherwise I'd have issues with fogging). I have thought about ordering that width film in bulk, but honestly the prospect of adding the film to the backing paper and then rolling it by hand (and I don't have a darkroom) is something I wouldn't want to attempt, and knowing me it would likely be a frustrating experience. The cutting down of the 120 film isn't too too bad, as long as I take my time with it. One thing I'm now having issues with is loading the exposed film onto my Paterson reels - it is a big butt-pain and it's a miracle I don't have a slew of kinks in the processed film. I wonder if I'd have better luck with metal reels?

Two more from Little St. Simons on 127 Pan F -- I think I finally got the horizontal film scratches mostly eliminated:


Little St Simons Ermanox3 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr


Little St Simons Ermanox4 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
 
All of these from Little St. Simons are jewels! There's a wonderful tension between a very contemporary way of seeing, and a very retro/analog look. Keep 'em coming!
Now, re: the clumsy oaf part. I don't know what happened to the Ermanox, but probably we all have our stories. Years ago, I drove off with a Nikon F2 sitting on the roof of my car. One camera trashed. Then there was the time I was carrying a brand spanking new Olympus OM4-T on a tripod, walking down a breakwater. I lost my balance, and in attempting to regain it, smacked the camera into a rock. Another camera trashed, on the first roll of film! Hope this makes you feel better...
 
Vince Lupo said:
HP5 would be too fast for this camera, at least for normal usage (if I was shooting exclusively low light, it might be okay, but otherwise I'd have issues with fogging). I have thought about ordering that width film in bulk, but honestly the prospect of adding the film to the backing paper and then rolling it by hand (and I don't have a darkroom) is something I wouldn't want to attempt, and knowing me it would likely be a frustrating experience. The cutting down of the 120 film isn't too too bad, as long as I take my time with it. One thing I'm now having issues with is loading the exposed film onto my Paterson reels - it is a big butt-pain and it's a miracle I don't have a slew of kinks in the processed film. I wonder if I'd have better luck with metal reels?
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Fair enough, fogging would certainly present a problem anyway, and re-rolling without a darkroom would be wretched. How are you cutting down 120 - with the Camerhack widget? 127 metal reels show up on ebay from time to time, and I've stopped snapping them up so I'm sure you can get a couple now. :) Loading 127 on them is a breeze, easier than 120 even. I've never found single or double 127-sized cans but they work in 120 cans well enough.
 
It's good to see you getting more use out of the Ermanox, Vince. You just have to be more careful with it. The photos, especially the Little St Simons series are an indicator of the time and skill you apply to the craft.

PF
 
qqphotos said:
Fair enough, fogging would certainly present a problem anyway, and re-rolling without a darkroom would be wretched. How are you cutting down 120 - with the Camerhack widget? 127 metal reels show up on ebay from time to time, and I've stopped snapping them up so I'm sure you can get a couple now. :) Loading 127 on them is a breeze, easier than 120 even. I've never found single or double 127-sized cans but they work in 120 cans well enough.
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Yes I'm using the Camerhack device - I've had to adjust the way Claudio says to use it so that I get consistent results with tight rolls (and no light leaks!). Takes about 20 minutes per roll, if I'm being careful. I did manage to snag two 127 metal reels and a two-reel 120 tank last night, so I should have them later this coming week. Only thing is that now the camera has to go back to Frank for some repair, so I can't test them out just yet.
 
farlymac said:
It's good to see you getting more use out of the Ermanox, Vince. You just have to be more careful with it. The photos, especially the Little St Simons series are an indicator of the time and skill you apply to the craft.

PF
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In particular I think I need to watch my step and not trip on an errant tree root causing me to fall flat on my face :(
 
Vince Lupo said:
In particular I think I need to watch my step and not trip on an errant tree root causing me to fall flat on my face :(
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Yeah, nature will jump up and get you if you don't watch out. I almost wound up in a lake with my Leica CL outfit because I put the wrong foot down on a slope.

PF
 
Ouch! Sorry to hear that, Vince!

I once had a sculpture in the SFMOMA Cafe reach out and grab my ankle when I had my Olympus E-5 in my hand. I went down, curling around the camera as I fell, and gave myself a pretty livid bruise on the shoulder and noggin, but managed to keep the camera from smacking the ground... barely!

Who knew that Photography was such a contact sport? ;)

G
 
Godfrey said:
Ouch! Sorry to hear that, Vince!

I once had a sculpture in the SFMOMA Cafe reach out and grab my ankle when I had my Olympus E-5 in my hand. I went down, curling around the camera as I fell, and gave myself a pretty livid bruise on the shoulder and noggin, but managed to keep the camera from smacking the ground... barely!

Who knew that Photography was such a contact sport? ;)

G
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Yeah my incident wasn’t too pretty either, and I hope that Frank is able to easily get the Ermanox back into fighting shape.

I just purchased an Ernemann Miniatur Ernoflex with the 75/3.5 lens, which supposedly is in good working condition, along with six plate holders and the original case. The Ernemann stable continues to grow!
 
Got the Ermanox back in my hot little hands yesterday and it’s presently traveling to New Mexico with me. I also have all my processing stuff along so that I can process plates and film out there.

Bad news though - very very very bad news. Hate to even admit how bad this news is……a second Ermanox is on the way :(
 
Vince Lupo said:
Got the Ermanox back in my hot little hands yesterday and it’s presently traveling to New Mexico with me. I also have all my processing stuff along so that I can process plates and film out there.

Bad news though - very very very bad news. Hate to even admit how bad this news is……a second Ermanox is on the way :(
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Good to have a back-up camera.

PF
 
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