john_d._clark

Ghost images like this are almost always due to a pinhole

somewhere in the camera -- so you have two images forming, one from

the lens, and one from the inadvertant pinhole camera. I suspect

that it's due to something flexing just a little, and only

occasionally when you rotate the camera to its side for the vertical

photo.

JDClark

Joel, I develop 8x10s exactly the same way as 4x5s with one

possible exception -- I usually develop just one negative at a

time. I haven't gotten to the point where I can do more than one at

a time, and in general I don't have so many to do...

JDClark

I have the Calumet shutter tester like Neil -- it's a great deal

at about $75. Almost all large format shutters are somewhat

inaccurate (but precise) at long and short speeds. I keep tables of

speeds in my field notebook, so I know that my 210 is +1/2 stop at

1/60, etc.

I mark the range of shutter speeds that are accurate enough

(within +/- 1/6 stop) so I know at a glance that my 210 is accurate

between 1/2 and 1/30, and exposure need no additional adjustment.

Of course, if the speeds are drastically out, it may need

professional servicing.

<p>

JD Clark

Another shop for 4x5 E-6 is North County Camera in Escondido. Have

had many sheets done there.

I find that I use my Schneider 210 APO Symmar-S and 90mm Super

Angulon, and my 14 inch (355mm) Red Dot Artar the most in the field

for landscapes. The reputation the Red Dot Artars have for

sharpness is no exageration.

Calumet also offers the service of determining your film speed for

about $15 or $20, as I recall. Go to their site, and search for

film speed test. I've used it several times.

When I am feeling like you are describing, I recall this quote,

attributed to Robert Hughes: "The greater the artist, the greater

the doubt; perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a

consolation prize."

Both of those procedures are offered through Calumet's Service

department. I was told to their contact Service M-F at 800-462-2550,

ext 2258 for full details.

Al,

If you aren't sure whether it's been modified, you might also

want to have it calibrated -- in other words, Calumet ought to be

able to tell you, and at the same time calibrate it. I have a

modified meter, and I was told to contact Service M-F at 800-462-

2550, ext 2258 for full details. They might be able to tell you how

to check without sending it in.

JDClark