References to Capa Research in Spain

JohnTF

JohnTF

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Igor just emailed me some references in an email from the author, hope this is of interest to Capa fans, links are to rather long articles, but they are condensed from 500 pages of research. A roll of film should be awarded to readers who spot RFF members mentioned in the articles, but no fair for Roger to compete as I gave away one answer to him already. :rolleyes: Good discussion of gear as well and some photos.

I believe some mention has already been made of some of this research, but hope these files are of interest regardless. Material is news to me in general.

If this is in the wrong place, moderators please feel free to move it.

Regards, John

http://elrectanguloenlamano.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

http://elrectanguloenlamano.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html

http://www.dslrmagazine.com/estado-del-arte/publicaciones/film-und-foto-n-2.html
 
It makes me feel odd, that all these words are written about "..the Everlasting Bullfighter of the Silver Halide.." and nowhere near as much about the men who's world ended that sunny day and the grief that must have rippled through their friends and family.

Don't get me wrong, I think highly of Capa, and I ask this from a point of ignorance, but, what do we get from this?
 
I think 'Capa' is about heroic coverage of wars and revolts as much as about the nowadays perceived romance of the days when photographers could cover wars and battles without too much hassle, being embedded, having to comply with numerous rules and regulations etc.

There might be little historical significance in these images (Who are on them? What difference did their sacrifice make for modern times?), they communicate a sense of romance, of adventure, of leaving all larger-than-oneself responsibilities behind, as well as of being able to get those shots printed in magazines around the world, since hardly anyone else did do this kind of photography in the Spanish war.

I love looking at them.

A question: what kind of film leaves a 'Super X' inscription along the shots? How would you rate that film?
 
Well, there were plenty of other war photographers out there... why is just his case so fascinating? Is it because the appearance of those lost negatives or because right now the 70th anniversary of the end of the Spanish civil war?
 
CLE-RF asked, ''A question: what kind of film leaves a 'Super X' inscription along the shots? How would you rate that film?''

Well, by the mid 1940s , I think the film was Kodak Super XX (double x) that 'back in the day' had a speed of ASA 100 ... ISO 100 if you prefer. Really hot stuff then. If there was a Super X, it's before my time.
 
newspaperguy said:
CLE-RF asked, ''A question: what kind of film leaves a 'Super X' inscription along the shots? How would you rate that film?''

Well, by the mid 1940s , I think the film was Kodak Super XX (double x) that 'back in the day' had a speed of ASA 100 ... ISO 100 if you prefer. Really hot stuff then. If there was a Super X, it's before my time.
Click to expand...


I took a look around, I know I have a bulk can of some of this stuff, old nitrate base stuff, and if I find it I will let you know if there is anything more interesting about it that I can find, other than to keep it from sparks ;-)

I have hung on to some old samples, will give my executrix something to toss out. I have some 1940's direct positive, and some IFF from the 60's, plus some Paper "cans" for Kodak films, and there is some DuPont photo paper. ;-)

I do have some probably good 5x7 Double X in the fridge.

Probably should do a poll "What's in your fridge". ;-)

Am looking for a new freezer to keep what film I have left as good as it can be. Put some tin foil on top for the Cosmic rays and alien scans. ;-)


Regards, John
 
Super X was one of the first films Kodak offered in 135 magazines, along with Panatomic. (Note that there's no X after Panatomic yet.) It was faster than Panatomic, and slower than Plus-X, which came out a few years later.
 
Super X and XX have been films I have certainly heard about over the years.

I was surprised that Kodak made Super XX for so long, it was reputed to be a terrific film for zone system manipulation.

Regards, John
 
Hi,

Just read the article on artdaily.org and I noticed something: while El Periodico de Catalunya claims the photo was taken at Espejo and not Cerro Muriano, they fail to include pictures proving this. I have not seen a picture anywhere proving the Espejo landscape matches the Capa photo.


I'm not buying it. It's summertime and news is widespread, why not contort up some story that will keep claiming ink for a while?

I'm done with it, waiting for more conclusive evidence.
 
Yea nice but i dont get it why such an article-writer blogger Capa fan cannot properly spell his name (first link). Ernő and not Enrö!. Copy paste at least, if you cannot type it!!!
 
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