trevor_crone1

Larry a new paper from Bergger called VCB Style is advertised, quote "The NEW Ektalure?" I've not used it so cannot comment as such.

John I do sympathise, for it seems that know matter how careful you are DUST always rears its ugly head. I do find however I get less dust when using roll backs (smaller surface area). I also believe a lot of the dust is from within the camera, bellows etc.

 

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Also like you I do a lot of beach photography and I try never to put the camera bag down always try to work from it hanging from the shoulder. I also keep the camera covered between shots, using a draw string stuff sack I purchase from an outdoor pursuit shop. These bags are also shower proof but do need replacing after a few years, but they are cheap.

 

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All the best,

I would go for either the Durst or The DeVere 507 bench or free standing. Check out www.odyssey-sales.com I don't think the 507 is made any more but they have second hand/reconditioned enlargers and can even make modifications to your requirements.

Regards,

I can only endorse on what both Ellis and Paul have said however I don't use the Ebony 23S I use their SW23. The S has more available movements and can handle longer lenses then the SW. However the SW has very flexible bellows and can "outrise" my 35 Apo Grandagon.I chose the SW because its so compact and light and will handle lenses like the 45 on a flat lens panel, my 35 requires a 10mm recessed panel.

If you get the chance do try before you buy. Good luck,

Rob I use anti Newton glass both top and bottom in my DeVere neg. carrier without a hint of texture from the etched lower surface. However caution is called for this was not the case when I used a Meopta enlarger. There was a pronounced textured image when using a lower AN glass. This is a case for try it and see.

Regards,

Bob I own and use both the Ebony SW45 and SW23. The SW45 is probably my best "alrounder" camera. However if you just like 6x9cm then the SW23 is ideal. Its incredibly small and light and takes the very useful Horseman angled viewer. It is very easy to set up and use. Having a hinged GG back makes it ideal in adverse conditions. Just swing it out and attach the roll back, you'll appreciate this if you've ever worked in the rain.

Regards,

Clark I have an Ebony wide angle fresnel permanently mounted between the GG and protective glass on my Ebony SW45. No problems negs are as sharp as a pin.

Regards,

Andre my post may seem a little crazy but bear with me. Are you using film with a "shiney" emulsion like T-Max or Delta if so this could be the problem re.Newton rings. I use Delta and was still getting N.rings despite the use of anti-Newton ring top plate. I solved the problem by using another anti-N. ring as the bottom plate as well. However there is the risk of the pattern of the etch being projected, it depends on the type of etched glass. I use a DeVere enlarger and I've had no problems here. It certainly solved a headache.

 

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It may be worth a go, at worse you'll have a spare anti-N.ring glass.

 

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Good luck,

Dave if you find the lens has insufficient coverage when offset, tilt the lens panel back to bring the image circle back onto the film and with careful focusing and small aperture its surprising what you can get away with.

Regards,

The Horseman 6x12 roll back is expensive but I've found it to be very reliable. The film flatness is excellent negs. are critically sharp edge to edge. Spacing is good but not perfect, certainly no overlap. I find I'm using more roll film then sheet film these days so this has become an almost essential piece of kit for me. A big plus is that the negs. are much cleaner then when I shoot sheets despite great care in loading and exposing the plates. Dust! Its such a curse.

 

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Regards,

I too would like to offer my deepest symphathy to all those caught up in these terrible acts.

 

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Also to let the people of Ammerica know that we Brits are with you, whatever it takes.

 

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With deep regret,

Trevor.

Rodrigo, I rather like the Rodenstock 135 Sironar-N since replaced by the apo version. Its quite a small lens weighing just 210g with a filter thread of just 40.5mm. Its image circle is about 200mm so will cover 4x5 and allow a little displacement of the lens. I'm not sure of its US price but would be very surprised if it was more the $650.

 

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Its certainly sharp enough but its selling point for me was its small size and weight.

 

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Regards,

Arthur I use the SW45. It has 60mm of front rise and is usable with lenses as short as the 35mm Apo Grandagon (with 10mm rec. lens board) because of its very flexible bellows. In fact it has enough rise to exceed the coverage of my 75/4.5 Grandagon-N.

Regards,

Like Paul I've used both Pyro and DiXactol. Of the two I find Pyro to be sharper and finer grained especially with Delta 100 both 120 and 4x5.

Here in the UK there is a new type of pyro about to go on sale by a company called Creative Monochrome Ltd. www.cremono.com, e-mail cremono@btclick.com I'm told it does away with the second staining bath. If it passes their tests it should go on sale by the end of September. I've asked for a test sample so I'll let folk know if its up to scratch.

 

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All the best,

Armin, I used this lens on the Horseman VH (6x9)which I think has the same focusing rail and front stage has the FA. Focusing at infinity is no problem but it gave me very little in the way of lens movement however you may got more because the FA has the removeable top body panel. Incidently this is a first class lens one I still use alot for 6x9, 6x12 and 4x5.

Good luck,

Fabio if all else fails treat yourself to their VC head its illuminination is quite even. I used it a lot with 6x9cm negs. for many years with excellent results. I even used the 6x9 mixing box with 35mm with no ill effects. Highly recommended.

Good luck,

Yes I also present exhibition work this way although I reveal about 1/4" of the white border of the print rather then the mount but aesthetically its the same. On the odd occasion when presenting a "panoramic" image I oftern have a larger top margin then the two sides but the base is always kept slightly larger.

regards,

Theo I used this combination with the Ebony SW45 and I had no problems with regards to stability. I recently changed to a Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod with the 410 jnr. geared head which is a real pleasure to use so easy to carry with the camera attached.

Good luck,

Hi Paul, You may want to checkout the new Gitzo Explorer which is available as a 3 or 4 section carbon tripod. This one certainly looks vesatile, a bit like a Bembo.

 

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Although most of the carbon tripods available now will suit a lightweight 4x5 camera. They all seem well designed. I personally went for the Manfrotto 3 section carbon simply because I prefer their lever locks to Gitzo's twist locks. Which I've used but never really liked on one of their Studex Performance tripods.

 

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Good luck with your selection. I don't think you will regret the move to a carbon fibre tripod, I certainly haven't.

Dave, good luck with this venture. Like you I worked my way through the "ranks" Pentax 67 to 69cm field cameras which I still enjoy using. Then the big jump to 45.

 

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The books others have mentioned give excellent advice. But regular reading of ViewCamera mag. I consider a must. Every new issue seems to inspire me in some way to just get out and take pictures.

 

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I suppose a 45 enlarger will be a must some day unless of course you become one of those "modern" printers and let the computer do it for you.

 

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Regards,

Ebony SW45 or the cheaper reduced spec.RSW45. Very light and compact, quick to set up and second to none with wide angle lenses.

Regards,

Indeed the 47 SA is excellent on 6x9cm. I used it some years back with my first 6x9 field camera and it produced some fine images. Because I was using it with just b/w I didn't feel the need for the centre filter however one may be necessary if you are shooting colour slide film, the light fall-off at the corners is noticable.

 

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If you are only going to use it with roll film then go for it, but if you wish to step-up to 4x5 then the 47XL will be necessary.

Good luck,

George, I've used it extensively over the past year as a single bath developer with lovely results on 4x5 and 120 Delta 100, 120 SFX200, 35mm Kodak IR and Delta 400. You get a good stain on Delta 100 and the gradation and sharpness are excellent. However I do find its not as fine grain as PMK Pyro.

Regards,

Jim, I recently processed a roll in Pyro, but alas I under developed the film. I gave it 9min. @ 21.C. I think 12min. would be nearer the mark. However I've had good results with DiXactol, 9min.@ 21.C. Nice looking negs.Regards,

Dmitri you shouldn't need a helical focusing mount(very expensive)

with the Horseman FA. I used this lens with the Horseman VH which I

believe has the same focusing rail as the FA. Focusing was ok,

however there is very little room for lens movements although the FA

has a flap that moves out of the way for rising front.

Regards,