steve_m11

Rodeo_Joe has good advice. Just play with things and see how you go.

Henry, Try eBay item number: 192185654592 if you have the room. To power it, you'd need 4xAA NiMH batteries to give a peak input of 6.6V but usually around 5.2V. I'm not sure if a varying input voltage would affect the output. Not much cost, try and see !

So Ben, the 'button' is pressed to release the shutter manually and also to fire a solenoid that trips a flash ? Can I also assume the batteries for the setup also power the flash ?? My mind is wandering here ... the 'flash' is a high-powered incandescent bulb ?? This is getting fairly zany / crazy .... !! I think I need a diagram.

Hi, I'll chip in and ask what the solenoid was for ... I'm assuming shutter ? I do not own a Speed Graphic nor have I ever seen one. I do own a lot of large format gear otherwise. I'll help you if I can for the design. Email me or PM me. As far as you know, what were the original circuit components ? A battery, a capacitor, a switch and a solenoid ?? How much room do we have ? Four Eneloop AA NiMH batteries will give a lot of grunt...

<p>Thanks Bill,<br> I most certainly did miss a zero in the figure quoted. Other than the typo I think you're confirming my thought patterns.<br> Its a shame some expertise has moved on. I personally don't like the business model of the APUG site. I was a member for a period of time but got really frustrated with the small images.<br> Cheers,<br> Steve</p>

<p>Hi,<br> I have recently shot a full 36 exposure roll to test my development regime. I need some help from those who are experienced in the darkroom. My darkroom dreams are a while away so I am trying to get my head around a few concepts now so that I do not shoot in vain.</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0"><colgroup span="4" width="68"></colgroup> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#23FF23" height="17">1:200</td> <td align="center">f+b</td> <td align="center">0.22</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">Stops</td> <td align="center">Shot</td> <td align="center">Density</td> <td align="center">Zone</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-5</td> <td align="center">1</td> <td align="center">0.23</td> <td align="center">0</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-4.67</td> <td align="center">2</td> <td align="center">0.24</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-4.33</td> <td align="center">3</td> <td align="center">0.26</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-4</td> <td align="center">4</td> <td align="center">0.26</td> <td align="center">1</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-3.67</td> <td align="center">5</td> <td align="center">0.28</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-333</td> <td align="center">6</td> <td align="center">0.31</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-3</td> <td align="center">7</td> <td align="center">0.34</td> <td align="center">2</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-2.67</td> <td align="center">8</td> <td align="center">0.38</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-2.33</td> <td align="center">9</td> <td align="center">0.42</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-2</td> <td align="center">10</td> <td align="center">0.48</td> <td align="center">3</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-1.5</td> <td align="center">11</td> <td align="center">0.57</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-1</td> <td align="center">12</td> <td align="center">0.67</td> <td align="center">4</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">-0.5</td> <td align="center">13</td> <td align="center">0.77</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">0</td> <td align="center">14</td> <td align="center">0.85</td> <td align="center">5</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">0.5</td> <td align="center">15</td> <td align="center">0.94</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">1</td> <td align="center">16</td> <td align="center">1.01</td> <td align="center">6</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">1.5</td> <td align="center">17</td> <td align="center">1.1</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">2</td> <td align="center">18</td> <td align="center">1.18</td> <td align="center">7</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">2.5</td> <td align="center">19</td> <td align="center">1.26</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">3</td> <td align="center">20</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#FFFF00">1.33</td> <td align="center">8</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">3.5</td> <td align="center">21</td> <td align="center">1.42</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">4</td> <td align="center">22</td> <td align="center">1.49</td> <td align="center">9</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">4.5</td> <td align="center">23</td> <td align="center">1.57</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">5</td> <td align="center">24</td> <td align="center">1.63</td> <td align="center">10</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">5.5</td> <td align="center">25</td> <td align="center">1.69</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">6</td> <td align="center">26</td> <td align="center">1.68</td> <td align="center">11</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">6.5</td> <td align="center">27</td> <td align="center">1.74</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">7</td> <td align="center">28</td> <td align="center">1.81</td> <td align="center">12</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">7.5</td> <td align="center">29</td> <td align="center">1.85</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">8</td> <td align="center">30</td> <td align="center">1.89</td> <td align="center">13</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">8.5</td> <td align="center">31</td> <td align="center">1.97</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">9</td> <td align="center">32</td> <td align="center">2.02</td> <td align="center">14</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">9.5</td> <td align="center">33</td> <td align="center">2.09</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">10</td> <td align="center">34</td> <td align="center">2.1</td> <td align="center">15</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17">0</td> <td align="center">35</td> <td align="center">0.89</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" height="17"> </td> <td align="center">36</td> <td align="center">0.2</td> <td align="center"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>As I understand it, both Mr Ansel Adams in 'The Negative' on pp220-221. and Mr Lambrecht in "Way Beyond Monochrome 2nd. ed." on pp.221-223 say that the minimum useable density is about 0.8 to 1.0 above f+b. They also both agree that a density range for diffusion enlargers is around 1.2. However only Mr Lambrecht seems to mention the density range for condenser enlargers and he is suggesting 0.9.<br> As I understand it, the above data shows that I have over-estimated the ISO by at least 2/3rds of a stop.<br> For a diffusion enlarger I read from the above that my zone at min density of say 0.34 is ~2. My max density is then 1.2 + 0.34 ~ 1.54 which corresponds to a zone of ~9.3. This then corresponds to a 9.3 - 2 ~ 7.3 zone range. Could this then be regarded as slightly over developed for 'N' ?<br> For the condenser enlarger on the other hand, and using the 0.9 from Mr Lambrecht, the min density and zone remains roughly the same at 0.34 and 2. However if I take a max density of 0.9 + 0.34 ~ 1.24 I see this is at zone 7.5. Which leaves me a zone spread of 7.5 - 2 ~ 5.5.<br> Am I thinking correctly here ?<br> Furthermore, taking a method used by many, the minimum useable density of 0.34 at zone 2 is at one point on the slope and the density at zone 9 (7 zones above zone 2) of 1.49 is at the other end of the slope. The slope is then (1.49-0.34) / 2.1 = 0.547.<br> My confusion is relating to the N numbers and expectations. For a diffusion enlarger the above is seeing 7.3 stops within the paper range yet for the condenser enlarger it will be only 5.5 zones on the paper if the 0.9 of Mr Lambrecht is used.<br> Should I use a higher number of say 0.95, 1.0 or 1.05 for the condenser ? 0.9 seems a little low. I do bow to the much more experienced folks and their opinions though.<br> Is there really at least a zone and a half of data 7.3 - 5.5 difference in the two enlargers for the same paper ?<br> Cheers,<br> Steve</p> <p> </p>

<p>Thanks Peter,<br> It'd be too late now of course because the damage has been done I believe. If you know differently let me know 'cos it's about to go to the bin.<br> Cheers,<br> Steve</p>

<p>Thanks both. Much appreciated.<br> I bought a total of 2 litres specially made by the Formulary. It looks as though I have a complete dud. My first test roll shows a range of densities from 0.30 to 1.03 that correspond to -5 EV through to +10 EV - a 15 stop range in a 36 shot roll of FP4 @100. Processing in a small Jobo @ 21C for 10 mins and 30 secs.<br> The stock I have reacts immediately as it is mixed with water and within a minute is the colour of a weak cup of tea. When it comes out of the drum it is very black.<br> There is some evidence to say it has happened to others also. I was warned about the Formulary using the 85% TEA and 15% water after I had made the order unfortunately. They didn't want to take any responsibility.<br> I feel gutted as it costs a lot to do special order and shipping is huge too.<br> Any tips you want to share on dispensing it ? A pipette can only be used by immersing just the tip. Do you guys use a syringe ? What about the blunt needles for a syringe ? Having seen it, I guess that ain't gonna happen.<br> Cheers,</p>

<p>Hi,<br> Can I ask those with experience what the colour of the developing fluid after the development should be ? Does the colour change much with dilution ? <br> What if the colour is significantly different ?<br> Perhaps someone might respond on what happens if the 510 Pyro were mixed with a TEA fluid that contained 15% water ? Is the colour of this different to any of the other TEA varieties (like the 85% TEA, 15% DEA variety) ?<br> Thanks,</p>

<p>Hi Jonathan,<br> My experience with Gitzo is limited to the newer GT2540LVL a levelling carbon fibre base with a Rationelle head and it is the largest head around to fit large format equipment.<br> I'm afraid my experiences with the tripod are also less than satisfactory considering the amount paid for it. I've re-engineered the bolts that fit each leg to the stem, I've used a different lubricant on the head and base, I've lost numerous feet because the simply fall off ...<br> They do release new models and I suspect they do not like to admit their errors publicly. The price goes up each time.<br> Like you, I am getting by on a cobbled-together tripod that I fear will fail somehow. Let's hope a cheaper and more reliable replacement can be found soon for both of us. Perhaps the Chinese CF models might be a match someday soon.<br> Cheers,<br> Steve</p> <p> </p>