SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Somewhere in photo.net I read about this lab called dr5 in which they process regular, run of the mill, silver based black & white film and turn it into slides, Scala style. The owner created a process which allows him to treat any silver-based film this way.
I've read that Kodak used to market a special kit for reversal processing of T-Max 100 (but you had to expose the film at ISO 50). It was a kit for home developers, mind you.
Apparently nobody develops B&W film into slides commercially, except dr5 because they own the process. I sent them an experimental roll (bad photos, through and through) two weeks ago and the slides came in today. Here's a sample (I wonder whose shadow that is? See? I told you: bad shots!):
I've read that Kodak used to market a special kit for reversal processing of T-Max 100 (but you had to expose the film at ISO 50). It was a kit for home developers, mind you.
Apparently nobody develops B&W film into slides commercially, except dr5 because they own the process. I sent them an experimental roll (bad photos, through and through) two weeks ago and the slides came in today. Here's a sample (I wonder whose shadow that is? See? I told you: bad shots!):
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SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Again, it's for a case in which you're in a pinch. I try to keep Scala around but there are times when I simply don't have none.
They cater to professional photographers in the LA area, so we tyros aren't the bulk of their business. However, I called them twice regarding their order form and they were extremely nice and helpful.
Do I recommend it? Sure, but in the important a$pect, Scala is still more cost-effective. In any case, for those interested, there you go!
They cater to professional photographers in the LA area, so we tyros aren't the bulk of their business. However, I called them twice regarding their order form and they were extremely nice and helpful.
Do I recommend it? Sure, but in the important a$pect, Scala is still more cost-effective. In any case, for those interested, there you go!
R
Rich Silfver
Guest
Kinda hard to tell from a scan on the net - the big impact would ofcourse be if this was projected. How does the positive look on the lightbox?
Interesting concept.
Interesting concept.
Francisco,
Obviously you were thinking of the self-portrait theme when you made this well-composed street shot.
I seem to recall that any of the traditional B&W (Pan-x, Plus-x, Tri-x) films could be made into positives. I will check my Kodak Darkroom Guide when I get home.
Obviously you were thinking of the self-portrait theme when you made this well-composed street shot.
I seem to recall that any of the traditional B&W (Pan-x, Plus-x, Tri-x) films could be made into positives. I will check my Kodak Darkroom Guide when I get home.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Richard... I guess in photographic parlance you could say the negative is a bit thick when it looks like underexposed. That is the case with these slides. I haven't projected them yet, but I'm interested in seeing how much punch they deliver. Not with these photos, though. I'll send them a roll of Chicago street shots on T-Max later and see what they do with it.
Brian, I'd be happy to learn about those processes!
Brian, I'd be happy to learn about those processes!
Thanks Francisco for being our test pilot on this. I can see how you needed to call a couple times regarding the pricing, just a little confusing. It seems though that it still is a little less expensive than standard B&W print processing, unless you are doing it yourself of course.
HelenB
Established
Here are some shots from a test roll of HP5+ rated at 3200 and developed by dr5. Please remember that this was a test roll and that it is pushed three stops. These are straight scans with a Nikon 5000, no further processing other than re-sizing.
The slides look good on a light table. I was surprised by the control of the highlights. The streaking from the highlights is a scanner problem - the first time that I have encoutered it.
Best,
Helen
The slides look good on a light table. I was surprised by the control of the highlights. The streaking from the highlights is a scanner problem - the first time that I have encoutered it.
Best,
Helen
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HelenB
Established
Second
Note: I've switched scans - the first version was not very good (my sloppiness) as Doug gently pointed out in a post below this one.
Note: I've switched scans - the first version was not very good (my sloppiness) as Doug gently pointed out in a post below this one.
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HelenB
Established
Third
AAAHHHH!!! The darkroom guide is in the BASEMENT OF TERROR! I will look this up; if I remember (Late '70s) you develop, do not fix, expose to light, develop and fix. Ring a bell with anyone? I will look this up at work. I did find my Z80 assembly language manual. I may just fire up the CP/M machine...
taffer
void
Brian Sweeney said:
Brian, I have one of those books too, and a Sinclair Spectrum Z80 in the closet somewhere...
Hey I have a software engineering exam next monday, any tips ?
The Kodak reversal process looks interesting, most if we have in mind that the lab charges me around $15 for Scala processing...
Oscar
HelenB
Established
Speedibrews sell Celer Reverser which is a monochrome reversal kit that delivers a speed increase with certain films. It is worth a try if you are interested in that sort of thing.
Regards,
Helen
Regards,
Helen
Taffer,
Yes. Computers should be on desks and not inside cameras. After 10 years of management, and time off for good behavior (HA!), I am now a "Senior Staff" Engineer. I have spent most of the last month programming in C and assembly for an optical feedback loop on a communications system. I think they realized I was the only person old enough to remember how to program assembler.
I found the Kodak Guide, it did not cover the process. I know I have it somewhere for Panatomic-X and Plus-X. The Morgan and Lester Leica Manual contains the "recipe" for mixing your own developers for direct-positive B&W film.
Yes. Computers should be on desks and not inside cameras. After 10 years of management, and time off for good behavior (HA!), I am now a "Senior Staff" Engineer. I have spent most of the last month programming in C and assembly for an optical feedback loop on a communications system. I think they realized I was the only person old enough to remember how to program assembler.
I found the Kodak Guide, it did not cover the process. I know I have it somewhere for Panatomic-X and Plus-X. The Morgan and Lester Leica Manual contains the "recipe" for mixing your own developers for direct-positive B&W film.
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Helen, your #2 image seems different from the other two... low-contrast, grainier, maybe a small portion cropped from the negative? Maybe a self-portrait?
Harvey Platter
Member
Back in the 'seventies, Johnsons of Hendon sold a reversing kit in the UK which I tried out. As I recall, the cycle went develop; bleach/fix; expose to light; develop and finally fix.
I tried it with HP4, FP4 and Pan F. The results all had a slight gray fog which I think may have come from the anti-halation backing not disolving fully. I've often been tempted by Scala but it's fearsomely pricy stuff by my standards.
I tried it with HP4, FP4 and Pan F. The results all had a slight gray fog which I think may have come from the anti-halation backing not disolving fully. I've often been tempted by Scala but it's fearsomely pricy stuff by my standards.
Easier than looking in the basement: enough keywords and google at the fingertips...
Found this on the Web. Looks more up-to-date than Morgan and Lester's 1942 information.
http://users.frii.com/jkbl/reversal/
Found this on the Web. Looks more up-to-date than Morgan and Lester's 1942 information.
http://users.frii.com/jkbl/reversal/