michael_j._kravit1

"None - filters w/ B&W photography are used mainly for darkening skies in landscape photoraphy (if you include a lot of landscape in the background, you might try a yellow-green building), or for skin texture with nudes - for portraits they are not really necessary!"

 

Huh, really?

 

Out west for portraits I shoot 4x5 Tri-X and process in Rodinal and use either an orange or red filter. I find the filter just as important for portraits as with landscapes.

 

Mike

William,

 

Sorry for the late response as I never received your response. But to answer your question, yes, I have highlights that approach paper white. I think that a DR of 1.7 is just not enough in some cases.

 

Hopefully in the past year you have resolved your issue.

There are NO hard and fast rules here just like like verything else in life. My work is shown in a number of galleries and as such I tend to follow museum guidelines.

 

I print my images on 16x20 or 20x24 fiber base papers. The images are usually smaller than the paper size and as such have white borders. The prints are then attached to a white museum mounting board with linen tale in the upper right and left corners only.

 

I then overmat and frame.

 

In this way, should a mat become damaged the image can be removed and rematted and framed.

 

I sign and date my prints in the white border with a black pencil or fine sharpie pen.

 

Just my way of doing it. Your may differ and that is OK.

 

Mike

It seems many of us LF shooters enjoy our Leicas. My M7 is only a few months old and it goes everywhere with me. This past weekend I shot 80 sheets of Polaroid Type 55 and yes, the Leica was there.

 

Great camera, fine lenses and a lot of fun. It even captured a historic moment recently, my wife drunk as a skunk!

Try PMK Pyro 1:1:100 (Instead of the normal 1:2:100) and adjust your time to obtain the density range of the negative you are looking for. Works great with APHS and makes lovely prints.

A 35, 80 0r 100, and a 150 is a great range.

Point well taken. Howeve� I do not use a Contax so I can not opine. I see that

this came�a draws a hotly contested debate. I guess the�e are purists like

me that p�efer 6x6, howeve�, I am only gi�ing my initial opinion and

certainly do not intend to make a �commendation.

 

I am quite happy with my cur�ent tools and probably use the Flexbody as

much as my 4x5.

 

Anyway, just some thoughts.

You guys are a real "load"!

 

"Learn to focus better?"

Ok, that must be the problem. Wrong.

 

"Save a boatload of cash and by an A16 back"

Why? I don't want 645 on my blads, I have A12 backs. Not too bright a comment you made, eh?

 

Hey, all I did was give my experience using a studio's camera. I sense a bit of cynacism that is unjustified and a bit trite. If you don't want to hear it that don't read what people have to say.

All I can say is Incredible!

 

As a die hard 6x6 user (I own a Mamiya 6mf, a Hassy SWC, and a Hassy

Flexbody) I recently had the opportunity to shoot with a Hassy H1 in

a recent studio shoot.

 

The camera is quite ergonomic and felt "just right" with respect to

weight, balance and overall feel. The autofocus is very fast and

accurate. I experienced no hunting and even turned the camera on a

dimly lighted side room and still had no hunting problems.

 

The controls are for the most part nicely located easy to work with.

Film loading is as easy as any of my other Hassy film backs. I shot

roughly 20 rolls of film, no problems whatsoever.

 

Images were clean, sharp and exceeded my expectations.

 

Now, the 645 issue.....

I was a bit hesitant about shooting with a 645. I REALLY like 6x6, I

mean REALLY! So as you can imagine my heart skipped a beat with each

exposure. After processing the film I have to admit that I hardly

had any reservations at all. I think I may even like the format

(don't tell anyone).

 

The bottom line is that this is a wonderful camera that seems to be

well engineered and very pleasant to use. I loved the autofocus and

control that the camera offered. This camera may not be for

everyone, nor for every task, but it sure was fun using it.

Recently I was told by a vendor that the Hassy 200 series cameras

have been discontinued.

 

Has anyone heard if these cameras are to be replaced by a new model?

Autofocus or otherwise?

 

I am not a big fan of the 645 format and was disappointed with the

H1 being a 645 camera.

Nice images Al.

 

On another note, I recently read in the Miami herald that the Seminole Tribe of Florida has done so well with casinos and bingo that each and every member of the tribe receives a bonus of approximately $40,000 per year.

 

Thanks for showing your work.

Actually, getting a Holga is probably the best advice that has been offered here. If that does not cut it, buy a very used 503 and save your money.

"Those are some of the most frightening photos I've ever seen."

"Because of the distortion, or the support of Bush?"

 

No, because Michael Moore was there.

Looks like Ivan is heading for the Panhandle of Florida. Miami may be spared the wrath. I was without power up here in Palm Beach County for 4 days after Frances. It was HOT! Now

 

I wish they would end the curfew. Last night we were told to leave a restaurant by some cops telling everyone they would be given citations or arrested.

 

Wonder if the dude would have been pissed if I made his portrait with my M7? ;-)

I own the Hassy 905 SWC, a Hassy Flex body, and an Ebony 45SU. I really have to tell you that the SWC will work fine as long as you don't tilt the camera and don't need longer or shorter lenses. The Flexbody is nice and fun to use, but if you seriously want to do architectural photography you need a view camera with movements.

 

Invest in a good 4x5 or as suggested 6x9 view camera and you will always have a tool that will perform for you when and how you need it.

 

Mike

 

Michael J. Kravit, AIA

Architect/Photographer

After obtaining some excellent recommendations received here on the

Leica forum I purchased a Leica M7 w/ 35, 50 and 75mm lenses. Th

camera arrived about a week ago but due to a large volume of work I

was not able to make any images.

 

This weekend my son and I went Kayaking along the Loxahatchee River

in Jupiter, Florida. I shot a roll of 400TX through the camera with

only the 35/1.4 lens. I had to travel light and the camera fit

wonderfully into a dry bag and into the hatch of my Kayak.

 

Sunday evening I processed the film. I was concerned with the

contrast range under the canopy of the forest. There were brightly

lighted areas as well as areas of deep shade. As a precaution I

underdeveloped the film an extra 20% from my standard processing

time. I also processed the film in PMK Pyro to hold the highlight

detail without the possibility of an upturned curve.

 

The negatives looked wonderful upon initial inspection. I made a few

prints on Ilford MG Warm Glossy Fiber paper. The results were

awesome, the tonal range was comparable to MF images, detail was

better than I imagined from a small 35mm negative. Not as good as a

4x5 negative but certainly very nice none the less.

 

The best part was I had fun with this little gem. Not lugging a 4x5

with film, filters, a tripod, etc. on the river was a blast. I was

able to pull out the camera, brace myself against a tree or other

support and make some pretty nice photo's.

 

Obviously this is a tool that is different than my LF cameras, but

it is a tool that will allow me to explore an alternative world. I

am going on a shoot in September, the M7 will be coming along right

next to the Ebony 4x5.

Must be a "butterfly" video created by the dems in Palm Beach County.

I spent quite a bit of time testing 400TX about 6 months ago in a number of developers. I find that with the following I can print on my diffusion enlarger at grade 2 on Kodak Polymax Fine Art FB F or G.

 

400TX

Rodinal 1:50

6.75 minutes

24C

Rated at EI-200

 

Of course this is highly dependent of the camera, shutter and meter but should give you a good starting point.

 

Mike

My wife is a flounder.

I am amazed that she can get anything done at all.

There are no TROUT in Biscayne Bay!

Hey dude, the girl on the right is my wife. She grew up in Sky Lake! Whatch what you say!

Thanks all,

 

I ordered the .72X in black with the follwoing lenses;

 

35/1.4 lux APH

50/1.4 lux Aspheric

75/1.4 lux

John,

 

Hmm, Leica says the following;

 

".85x viewfinder model with brightline frames for 35, 50, 75, 90 and 135mm lenses. This high magnification model has the ability to accurately focus every Leica lens even at maximum aperture & minimum focusing distance, including the 50mm f/1.0 Noctilux & 75mm f/1.4 Summilux optics."

I am purchasing a Leica M7 with 35, 50 amd 90mm lenses. The dealer

recommeded the .85 viewfinder saying that all frame lines will be

visible and easy to focus.

 

Thoughts? Pro's, Con's?

As I sit here getting ready to order a M7, I need to make a

decision. Black or silver, jeez this is gettibg complicated. Any

thoughts by the experts?

 

Thanks

Mike