jay_smith3 Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 Going to Aspen in two weeks. At the moment I only have a Rodenstock 135 lens. I noticed one photographer on this site who has a great photograph of Crystal Mill in Colorado who says that he used a 65mm. It would be disappointing to drive up that dangerous road only to realize that I do not have a wide enough lens or can not get back far enough to get a decent shot and get everything in the photo. What do you think? BTW, I have a 99 Jeep Cherokee which should be fine but it sounds like there is hardly room for two vehicles to pass each other. I may have to leave my wife at the hotel on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_gentile Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 <em>"... there is hardly room for two vehicles to pass each other. I may have to leave my wife at the hotel on this one...."</em> <p>Hmmm. You can't take her in <em>your</em> vehicle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_caluori Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 It depends on the type shot you're looking for. I've used a 355mm lens on 8x10, which roughly equals a 165mm lens on 4x5 with good success. Your 135 should work fine. It's been a few years since I've been there, so I can't speak to current road conditions, but there are places along the road where two vehicles cannot pass each other; that's where knowing how to drive in these situations is important. The uphill vehicle has the right of way and if two vehicles find themselves at one of these spots at the same time, someone will have to back up. It a great place and a beautiful trip, have a great time! Regards, Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich long Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 You should be able to get a decent composition with the 135. As far as the road, it's very rocky and rough, mostly narrow. It will take you 45 minutes to drive the 5 miles from Marble to the mill. Like many FS roads in the mountains, you have to keep track of 'pullouts' and any spot that's wide enough for 2 vehicles to pass. You may need to back up to the nearest one at any time. Although uphill traffic has the ROW, the tourist in the rented Jeep coming at you may not know that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_kocurek Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Slightly OT: In Colorado, it is generally recognized that the vehicle going downhill should yield to the vehicle heading uphill. downhill vehile should always be in control + uphill vehicle may not be able to regain traction if the road is wet, icey, etc. = the vehicle going uphill has the ROW While it might seem overly cautious, slowing down and honking the horn before trying to negoiate a blind corner is always adviseable. Hopefully, a driver heading the opposite direction will be paying attention. If you're not sure, check with the State Patrol or one of the 4wd outfitters. Most of the really bad spots are between Crystal and Schofield/Gothic and this portion of the road is still blocked by snow from last winter. Have fun. The aspen trees are starting to peak and there is a slight chance of snow in the forecast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirk_keyes Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 I tried to go to the Crystal Mill about 10 years ago and I don't remember a road going to it. I remember going to the town of Marble and then up to the Marble Quarry and parking (in a VW Jetta). We then tried to hike up the river from there but we had a late start and didn't make it to the Mill. Could someone be kind enough to give a like to Topozone showing where ther Crystal Mill is? I may be going through the area next month and I've always wanted to go there. TIA! Kirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich long Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 The Crystal Mill (aka Crystal Power House, aka Dead Horse Mill) is just outside the tiny village of Crystal, Colorado. Right about here. It's on the Crystal River, east of Marble. The marble quarry is on the Yule River, south of Marble. There's definitely a road there, at least there has been for the last 120 years or so. It was still there 2 months ago when I was there last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich long Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Trying that link again. TopoZone map of Crystal Mill location is <a href="http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=13&n=4325430&e=317899&s=50&size=l&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25" >here</a>. I wouldn't attempt a Jetta on this road, although I'm sure it's been done before. You don't really need 4WD if the road is dry, but you do need a good bit of clearance to get over rocks. From Marble, take the road around the lake, and watch for the turn to the right about a mile or so farther on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_mcconnell1 Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 The road is not that bad but bring a 65 mm for 4x5. I shoot this subject with a 90mm on 5x7 which is about 67mm on 4x5. If you use 135 mm you will get a good shot from the bottom of the mill but I'm convinced the real shot is up top where you need super wide angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w_t1 Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Take the dogs and leave the wife at hotel. Or is this a veiled attempt to validate the need for another lens to the wife (boss)? Good responses on the FS road etiquette. There is a reason logging trucks have the whistles...Looks like a good place, post some pics. Tom in Seattle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_mcconnell1 Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 This is what I shot on 5x7 with the 90mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_mcconnell1 Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Here is the larger version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_mcconnell1 Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 A larger picture: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_smith3 Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 Michael, A week ago I searched for previous threads on Crystal Mill and came across your photo.....After the initial shock passed, I used my left hand to lift my chin up off my chest and my right hand to pull my eyebrows back down from the my hair line on my forehead.....Amazing photo!!....I would like to see that photo in person. Do you have it displayed anywhere for the public to see? Bobby has a nice Crystal Mill photo also. I will be in Aspen on Oct. 6th. I am worried that I will be too late for the Aspen trees. I do need to see If I can get a wider lens. WT, you are very perceptive on the wife issue. You must have one of those also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w_t1 Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Jay, yes, one wife, two kids, one dog, XX cameras and counting...My secret is to buy only black camera bodies, they all look the same..."oh this camera I bought 18 years ago before we were married..." nah, it's not a problem, really, but i do see a lot of posts here where guys start out with "my wife will kill me if i spend any more money on photography..." I couldn't live like that. My main thing is to give the wife the freedom I expect. Crystal looks like an awesome place, sounds like won't be much solitude though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_mcconnell1 Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Hi Jay, I'm having my first show on March 10, 2006 at Camera Obscura Gallery. It's a 6 week show and I will have the Crystal Mill shot there. The print looks a lot better than the monitor. I have spent my entire career working in the field of large format printing. Currently I own 3 drum scanners and two MacDermid ColorSpan printers and I am a freak about file quality and print quality. If you want give me a call when you are in Aspen 303.868.2685. There is a chance that I might be shooting the Bells or the Mill. If I am I will let you use my Nikon 90 4.5 for the shot. You might also take a look at the San Juan Mts. The Aspens will peak there around the first week of October. Thanks, Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_smith3 Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 Michael, thanks for the response. I will try to call you when I get up there. Also wanted to go to Maroon Bells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brent_doerzman Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 Jay, I think a 135mm will be pretty good. Maybe a little bit tight from up on the road, but most likely fine. Will for sure be OK from down below by the water. I'll try to attach a shot from a few years ago, shot with a 90mm, the widest lens I have. Have fun, I think you'll enjoy the trip!<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brent_doerzman Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 Forgot mention-- very cool image Michael!!! Well done!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirk_keyes Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 Rich - thanks for the map link! That's a great help. So it looks like afternoon (or the middle of the night) as the best times to be there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirk_keyes Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 OK - I see what happened. I had thought it was "past the quarry in Marble", so had gone there and started hiking south down the Yule drainage. That was as good as I was able to figure in the pre-internet days of the early 90's... Thanks again for the map. I'll being my 75mm for the 4x5. But there is a 65 for sale in town... Kirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich long Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 Kirk, yes afternoons in the fall have been my preference. Although after seeing Michael's photo, I'm thinking that I should investigate other possibilities also. That's a very unique view of the mill! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott bacon Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 Michael, Awesome image of the mill!! Brent, your's is really nice too! ;-) Jay, just for comparison, my shot below from Oct 2003 is with a 135mm (on 4x5) from the same spot as Brent's. You can't back up too much because the hillside will block the falls shown in Brent's image. FWIW, I also shot this with a 75mm from the same spot on the same day. But I liked this one better since you can see the dusting of snow on the distant peak better.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_mcconnell1 Posted September 23, 2005 Share Posted September 23, 2005 Don't worry about the crowds of photographers, 99% are 35mm. Two years ago I was at the Maroon Bells in the fall. The weather was not right to hit a home run on the shot so I grabbed my 8x10 and stuck it on a 13 foot tripod with a 10 foot ladder behind it. The sight of it standing next to 30 to 40 35mm an medium format cameras made for a great shot on my 5x7. Have fun, Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_williams2 Posted October 11, 2005 Share Posted October 11, 2005 Michael that is one of the most unique shots I've ever seen of Crystal Mill! Very nice work! Could you please tell us how long your exposure was? Did you use a strobe or did you paint the light to get the building properly exposed and the snow so white after sunset!? What film? Filters? ...I'm mostly impressed with how long you can hand hold your camera without any movements! Most of us have to use a tripod! :o) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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