Share your large format rangefinder/handheld photos

[graywolf]

OK, I will just start a new thread. Intent here is for photos done with you handheld large format cameras, whether shot hand held or not. Please do not post View Camera shots here, there a lots o places on the web for those.

Here is one to start the thread.

1952 Graflex Pacemaker Crown Graphic, 135mm f/4.7 Optar lens. Ilford FP4+, if I remember correctly. Probably f/22 @ 1/50 second. This was a test shot after sorting out the camera. Picked because I had it on the w

 

[DNG]

From my Dads Archive I have been scanning....

From my Dads Archive I have been scanning....

I don't own a LF camera... But, my Dad owned and traveled with his trusty 4x5 Speed Graphic. He was a Photographer in WWII, he photographed large areas of land in a plane to make maps of the Enemy Landscape.... He also had a 4x5 he used for more casual images... on a Pass etc.

Here a few from VE-Day in Paris, Sept, 1945
Scanned with a V700, and edited in CS5, But, because of the age of these negatives (70+ years), I did not "Spot" them,... but, many are pretty darn good as far as spots goes.

Ansco Supreme Pan 100 4x5

 

[okcomputer]

DNG: wow, those are fantastic!

 

[DNG]

I have more.....

Fort Eustis (possibly)

 

[bensyverson]

How incredible... They're all great, but the shot of the window painter is astonishing.

 

[DNG]

I have more to explore, I will be scanning some Germany next. I am only scanning at 2100 dpi, which gives me a file size of about 120 megabytes. when I sharpen these in Photoshop I use a radius of three or four and I use the amount slider about 150.

I have found a gold mine.

 

[bensyverson]

Peter, I use similar sharpening for my Epson scans. I've found a good combination for 2400 DPI is a radius of 3.0 and an amount of 60, followed by a radius of 1.5 with an amount closer to 100. The Epson definitely needs that larger radius sharpening to cut through the scanner's fuzziness, and then the 1.5 brings out some of that fine detail.

You really do have a gold mine on your hands! We've all seen 4x5 from the WWII era taken by photojournalists or war photographers, but it's a rare treat to see personal snapshots in that format.

 

[rjbuzzclick]

Speed Graphic handheld with paper negative:

Speed Graphic handheld with 6x7 roll film back:

Speed Graphic, tripod, 6x7 roll film back:

 

[DNG]

Germany 1945, My Dads Archive

Germany 1945, My Dads Archive

From the few Germany 4x5 I have found so far...
Just one or 2 that may be of interest, framing wise..

 

[oftheherd]

DNG - You do indeed have a gold mine there. Those are great. As Bensyverson said, it isn't so often we see personal photos of WWII.

Thanks. Look forward to seeing more.

 

[bensyverson]

Wow, that second one is interesting. Double exposure?

 

[GaryLH]

Could also be a long exposure and ghost image of someone walking thru frame.

Gary

 

[seakayaker1]

DNG, great photographs. Thanks for sharing, it is great to see such well preserved negatives brought to life!

 

[DNG]

Wow, that second one is interesting. Double exposure?

Could also be a long exposure and ghost image of someone walking thru frame.

Gary

No telling... the exif had no info 😀

 

[f16sunshine]

This is why I love photography! Thankyou 😀

 

[DNG]

Here is one after VE Day, Belgium, Re-Patriot's

I have about 75 now to finish up....
French Alps, Misa images of unknown location...

I'll be back 😎

 

[peteography]

I keep posting this:

127 ektar on a Busch Pressman D. Fomapan 100, sunny 16, ~100th (slow shutter) wide open at f4.7 dev in rodinal.

Not as awesome as those 1945 pictures though good find DNG!

 

[DNG]

French Alps... mid 1940's during WWII as far as know... while on Pass I think

BTW... My Dads Photo Archive is here,

https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Angelo-Arbib1924-2010-His-Photographic-Archives/207310222734753?ref=hl

I update on a regular basis now that I have a Epson V700 that handle every possible print or negative up to 8x10

 

[xyz3450]

DNG -- Thank-you for sharing your fathers photographs. They are impressive and wonderful. - Martin

 

[Pirate]

Printed this one today.
Shot with a Crown Graphic 4x5
Schneider-Kreuznach 135 lens
Printed on Ilford 5x7 matte fibre paper