Singapore Chapter of RFF

[Peter]

Hi Peter yeap someone offered me a 35mm 1.7Ultron but unfortunately i am due to fly off, so i am sort of reserving it till i come back from Taiwan

Good choice! The Ultron is my favourite lens and for travelling that is the only lens that I need. So are you developing your own B&W negatives? I have stopped doing that since last year and I am using XP2 or Kodak BW400CN as it is very cheap to ask the local photo shop to just develop them as I scan the negatives myself. I just re-acquire the 75mm/2.5, great lens!

 

[Peter]

Sorry, forgot to introduce myself too.

I am a chemist (synthesis chemist) by training and profession.

Was a Nikon SLR user, went from a cheap manual Nikon FE10 and then to a F90X with AF lenses. Went totally back to manual again 5 years ago with a FM3A and AIS lenses. Just love winding film and cocking the shutter.

Fondled...ahem...tried out a Leica MP last year and my wallet and bank account was empty ever since. Sold almost all Nikon gear except a beat up FM3A and a nice 28/2.8 AIS.

Shoots mainly HP5+ processed at room temp myself scanned with a 5 year old Coolscan 4000. Subjects are mostly street and family.

Now waiting for enough funds to get a CV 21/4.

Hi Chua! I know the thrill of using a manual camera too! What Leica lens do you use for your MP? 🙂

 

[glchua]

glchua

welcome, what developer u use for the HP5+?
I usually process my own Neopan and Tri-x in Rodinal ans scan the negs too.
However, I don't like the way they look when scanned. (Maybe it's cos I got a cheap scanner.)
Traditional printing still seems to get the most from the negs.

Nick

I use DDX (1+9) and 7 min at about 27C. I'm a lazy person when it comes to developing, so when I started, I tried to find the most convenient procedure. Since DDX is so ex, it is much cheaper to do a 1+9. Seems alright so far, to my less-than-discerning eyes.

Scanned negs always looks much grainier, seems like the better the scanner, the worse it gets. Anyway, I try to avoid the smooth digital look in my pics.

Sometimes its also the computer screen. When I print them using the greys of a HP 8450, they look nice enough to me.

 

[glchua]

Hi Chua! I know the thrill of using a manual camera too! What Leica lens do you use for your MP? 🙂

I pair the MP 0.58 with a 35/2, got a M6 which I pair with a 50/2. I also have a 90/2.8 but don't really like it. Usually I go out with only M6+50. When I have something in mind to shoot, I'll go with MP+35 and M6+90.

That's probably all the Leica stuffs before my wife disowns me!

 

[nihraguk]

lol apologies to all the people i offended by not considering the QL17 as a 'proper' RF... slip of the tongue, that..

it seems like this would also be a good opportunity to trade our b&w processing recipes suitable for s'pore's water temp, etc.

i've only just recently started processing b&w film, and i use tri-x and hc-110 diluted from syrup to 1+100, 15mins at 27 deg c - which tends to mean tap water + 1 ice cube in my 500ml measuring cylinder. i agitate 20 secs initially, then for 10s every 3 mins. found this recipe from a post on offstone.

 

[Peter]

Gentlemen, I have a look at your galleries and I am impressed with your visions and perspectives. I propose that we take one year to shoot whatever topics that you fancy with your RF cameras and we come up with a book that showcase RF photography of Singapore. Terence and I were talking about it last night and we could actually market over the internet via the various forums and I am looking into an exhibition in Singapore. Any other ideas and suggestions? 🙂

 

[glchua]

lol apologies to all the people i offended by not considering the QL17 as a 'proper' RF... slip of the tongue, that..

it seems like this would also be a good opportunity to trade our b&w processing recipes suitable for s'pore's water temp, etc.

i've only just recently started processing b&w film, and i use tri-x and hc-110 diluted from syrup to 1+100, 15mins at 27 deg c - which tends to mean tap water + 1 ice cube in my 500ml measuring cylinder. i agitate 20 secs initially, then for 10s every 3 mins. found this recipe from a post on offstone.

Hey, I started rangefinder first with a QL17 GIII! Definitely proper rangefinder with a fine lens. I still have it and I put it in my office. Mine has some irregular frame spacing though but still nice.

 

[Peter]

Hi Chua, since you mentioned about irregular frame spacing, I also have the same problem with the R2. Do you have the same problem with your Leica?

 

[Peter]

By the way guys, when do you think is the best day and time for local RFF members to meet up over coffee? On the weekends? 🙂

 

[Terence T]

Hi Chua:
I like this ONE, he looks like he's really getting the full use of the bench. Hope he was still alive at the time of capture.

Hi Nihraguk:
Saw your shots of the buildings in Changi. I was just there a few weeks ago where i spend an afternoon exploring old changi hospital. Really eerie, especially the operating theatres.

Hey Peter:
Any day of the week is fine by me if I'm in town. My suggestion would be The Book Cafe near the Robertson Quay area. Do you have any other place in mind? I'm not sure where everyone is but I suppose a central place might be more convenient.

 

[nihraguk]

hey terence,

thanks for taking the time to look at my gallery. i also explored old changi hospital with a few friends one lonely night... but unfortunately i didn't load my film properly (was just starting out with photography then)... and the roll was blank 🙁

the book cafe is a great place to meet.. though these days free time during the weekends is scarce for myself. but i'll try to pop by for the meetings whenever i can make it.

 

[glchua]

Hi Chua, since you mentioned about irregular frame spacing, I also have the same problem with the R2. Do you have the same problem with your Leica?

Not that I know of. I think for me is how I advance the film. It seems that I need to conciously advance fully each time even though the shutter may be cocked already if I didn't do so.

I like this ONE, he looks like he's really getting the full use of the bench. Hope he was still alive at the time of capture.

Thanks Terence. It was actually a missed moment. I was waiting for a cab with my whole family and saw this guy and another old man sleeping with his mouth wide open. The false teeth from the old man was actually dangling out of his mouth. It was the only time I left my cams at home! I quickly rush back to get my cam but when I was back, the old man had gone.

By the way guys, when do you think is the best day and time for local RFF members to meet up over coffee? On the weekends?

Peter, Saturday mornings and weekday evenings are easiest for me. But I can try to come whatever time arranged.

 

[nickchew]

With all this activity we need to encourage our spouses and girlfriends to form a RF-widow support group so we have time to ourselves!!

 

[Terence T]

With all this activity we need to encourage our spouses and girlfriends to form a RF-widow support group so we have time to ourselves!!

Hey Nick,

Being the psychiatrist, you and your skills of persuasion are hereby appointed to carry out the said task.

 

[Terence T]

Thanks Terence. It was actually a missed moment. I was waiting for a cab with my whole family and saw this guy and another old man sleeping with his mouth wide open. The false teeth from the old man was actually dangling out of his mouth. It was the only time I left my cams at home! I quickly rush back to get my cam but when I was back, the old man had gone.

One of visions I had when I embarked on my RF journey was that I'll be going around everywhere, and I mean everywhere, with a small cam bag slung over my shoulder. I was always kicking myself whenever I came across a photo opportunity and never had my DSLR with me. My wife can attest to the number of times I've said, "Dang, wish I had the camera.". So, I went out, got myself a cheap Domke clone (the tiny F-802 costs $180!) last week, we'll see how that goes. In my buying frenzy, I forgot I had mail ordered a cheaper Domke J-803, now I have 2 RF bags... never mind, I just have to buy more gear to fill them up.

Great story, the pictures would have been nice. Bet you never leave home without the cam these days eh?

 

[Peter]

There is another place that is right in the centre of photography paradise in Singapore, the Coffee Bean of Funan. We could drink coffee and go shopping at Ruby and Cathay Photo! 🙂 By the look we would have to meet after work or at the weekends to suit the busy schedule of the guys here. Any other suggestions on a meeting place in the city? Somewhere that is convenient and not too crowded? Any other Singaporeans that has yet to stand up identify himself (I am quite sure that there are few ladies who are into RF gears)? 😛

 

[Peter]

Hi Terence, do keep us posted on your review and impression of your new CF 700. I am interested in how well the bag age.

 

[Peter]

With all this activity we need to encourage our spouses and girlfriends to form a RF-widow support group so we have time to ourselves!!

Totally agree with that! My wife has been complaining that I am spending more time with the R2 than her. She really hates it when I am batch scanning the negatives or editing the scanned shots! She is especially annoyed when I said no more lenses during Christmas when I bought the Minolta SD IV but last week I bought a Color Heliar 75mm/2.5! The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak! So weak when I am faced with a piece of good glass! At least I can console her that at least I am not into more carnal pleasures! 😛

 

[dryonks]

🙂 hello all.
I am a psych medical officer in IMH i.e. good old ban chiao. in response to Peter's query, yes, a lady interested in RF with 2 kids...
I have an FM2 and am dying to get hold of a bessa R2 or R2a.
with regards to photo projects, am considering one for mental health.
so where on earth do i get one in sing?? 🙂

 

[Peter]

🙂 hello all.
I am a psych medical officer in IMH i.e. good old ban chiao. in response to Peter's query, yes, a lady interested in RF with 2 kids...
I have an FM2 and am dying to get hold of a bessa R2 or R2a.
with regards to photo projects, am considering one for mental health.
so where on earth do i get one in sing?? 🙂

Hello there! Welcome to the club! A lady from Singapore at last! You can get Bessa R3A and some Voigtlander lenses at Fotografix in Lucky Chinatown. But I recommend you buy from Dr. Joseph Yao from Hong Kong. You could e-mail him at joseph@yao.com and his prices are the best around here. I am a very satisfied customer of his you see. Other than the mental health project, do you have other projects in mind? 😀