john grunke

For the love of flowers and 8x10 Large format, I went for it despite all of the why nots. Truly an exercise in complexity!

My set was a Big Green 8X10 C-1 Monster mounted to a Polaroid MP-4 copy stand with a fax-Nikkor 160 for glass. I composed my shot, turned out the lights opened the Iris and pulled the dark slide popped the strobe, The transparencies printed to 4'x5' are mind-bending. Best five years of my shooting career.

<p>Yes! the world is indeed full of wonderful people.<br>

And yet, occasionally we encounter someone who is simply "Kind", enough to grant you such a vantage point.<br>

This kind gentleman deserves kudos for his kindness as you for your tech expertise.<br>

"PAY IT FORWARD"</p>

Brilliant! Another example of mind over marketing & hype to accomplish results better for

us rather than spending $$$ unwisely. Bravo!

I use my digital & laptop for previewing during architectural interior shoots prior to

exposing 4x5 sheet film. thus eliminating Polaroids and problematic Polaroid film holders.

My fear of buying used is the possibility of a glitch, thinking it was something I was

doing wrong and an interuption in the learning curve.

Beg & Barrow to buy the absolutle best new (!) DSLR of your dreams w/the best glass of

course.

The manual that comes with the DSLR, I found to be the best book after looking for others,

that I am reading most, over whelming at first, but it will continue to make sense as you

shoot,

Read, shoot and continue to read the manual so that the machines functions become 2nd

nature, thusly you can put all your energy into creating the most artistic work for your

new clients. The cameras' manual covers all the functions, the basics of digital are here at

this site. The creativity to please clients is already in you!

After shooting 4x5 for 30 years, I have never been soo humbled than after purchasing the

Nikon D2x. After shopping for books I found most ?s answered in the book that came with

the camera. And also,pay close attention to Photo.net with the kind post masters as Ellis &

Micheal B. Your 1st Pro. assignments will return all your investments.

Kindly.

JG

MW-D.

Loaded with the above info I sense that you are headed in the right direction, A

concern for me when shooting macro is weight, a thought to keep in mind.

Get your lens and go have some fun! (55mm 3.5 w/ uv filter)

During my 1970's Nikon purchases, many discussions with my long haired hippies ensued

regarding the cool Micro-NIKKOR f=55. This lens has never failed to satisfy my

micro desires since its purchase. The uv hasn't been off as long as I have owned it, I am

now testing on the my first new body 25 years. A D2x.

There in lies my vote. Check out KEH Camera. ( Please forgive my candid reply)

Kindly

John Grunke

Fax-NIKKOR 160mm 1:5.6- I have given up on trying to find out or understand (Fax! ? )the

original use for the lens. However on a 810 C-1 Green monster mounted on a 63" Mp-4

stand shooting Macro ( 18"-24"-32" bellows ex.) The lense seems to perform outside all

the math that so many of you have so kindly helped me with over the years. The lens is

giving me nose to nose perfectly defined detail on 4' x5' floral prints. The images are

composed so that the content is such that the shallow DOF becomes a non-issue.

Beginning tests w/lens focused at Infininity. "THANK YOU Dagor 77!!!!!"

Kind Regards,

John Grunke

When ever possible or feasible I DRIVE! $.37-$.42 per mile goes in my pocket

and I am helping my clients with evermore tighter budgets.

As I am older I am charging more and booking less. I am so much more relaxed after

arrival having my reliable ole Jeep packed full of even things I don't need, even a ladder

on top if I choose. I shoot strictly artchitecture and flew for years w/ 8 cases without any

major problems. The air ports are a very different enviroment now with too many

inconsistencies.

David, I know this is not what you exactly asked, But some compassion

and empathy arose when I thought back to the last time I stood in a line amile long with

my cases on a steel cart and then had to spend $$$$ for extra baggage even after getting

the media rate,

I do suggest taking the first flight in the AM so you can arrive as early as possible in the

event of any problems,

Kindly

John Grunke

Specializing arch/interiors, I, filled with pride, set up my Sinar to photograph the family

house. Very proudly I had all the family come out to share my entusasim of shooting LF.

Big mistake!

The comments ranged from the obvious; "Its upside down" to the worse.

Mom says:

" Don't worry honey, when business is better, you can buy a new Nikon"

(i.e. 35mm)

Kindly! Are we sure that this is not a school illustration for doing a 3 camera set-up b

ackwards? This shot brings stupidity to mind!

In the photo the photographer has his equipment set up with the lightest camera on t

he most solid support, the heavy telephoto on least stable center post fully extended, w

hile holding a 4x5, the camera needing the most support!

This has got to be some sort of humor.

I would love to get my hands on a 8x10 Hobo, but curtainly keeping logic as my

guide.

Creating a presentation CD. I am in need of 8x10 scanner and would also like

a 5mp or higher digital camera, but connot afford both.

Sitting in the corner collecting dust is my old 4x5 to 35mm slide dupe set-up.

Why not put the $$$ into a better Digital camera and use my copy stand

with 8x10 trans on light box instead of a single use designated scanner.

I cannot even begin to start doing the math comparisons!

So any input into this idea is kindly welcome!

Please forgive me if I missed this subject in the archives.

John Grunke

As Kelly mentioned copystand is a good answer. I've mounted a calumet c-1 8x10

to a polaroid 60" mp-4 reversed w/ shooting platform well weighted. They are cheap

when you can find them. Well made " Majestics" of the copystand world.

BTW Duke university's surplus store had one for sale about a month ago.

E-6 ran 4x5 for me for years without a flaw. Bob english owner tolerated my

absentmindedest as true gentleman. Always helpful as a true scientist when

in my early years color balance was harder for me than speaking Greek.

I now use Moakler, They have better counter humor and are just off Peachtree

They ran 150+ 8x10 sheets of trans. clean and without a single scratch to be seen.

Moakler Photographic services 1468 Mecaslin St. Atlanta, Ga. 404-874-3749

One of the great joys of being an architectural/interiors photographer

is delivering 4x5s fresh from the lab and watching the arch. office

gather around a lite box with a high-mag lupe admiring the the

fruits of labor from a completed project.

You can start shooting w/4x5 & film for under

$1000, shoot one job and take home $2000. This alone is

reason the continue being a hopeless film fan.

As many have said before me "right tool, right job"

For me, I see no reason to step DOWN(!) to digital shooting

on location.<div></div>

Who wants BAD prints to last 80 years? Who wants to spent extra $$$

for "Premium Gloss" paper for matt inks that smudge? Grit is for eggs,

not my beautiful flowers that I tried to print on the C82..even acceptably...until 5:30 am. When was the last time that that water caused a problem for one of your d-prints. I just want a descent print to pass around in a board room or at a party. Dura, used to mean durable. Bright does not mean MATTE. The above ? does show, indeed, the world is in paralel. I purchased the C82 Sat. and attempted to accomplish at least what was promised by epson. Not even close!

This PRINTER GETS AN F-. Who knows whats in the inks to make epson

think that this printer is worth the box it came in.

I've haven't been snake oiled/conned like this in a long time!

I welcome any rebuttles to make me think other wise.

Sincerely

John Grunke<div></div>

Put your diopter on the front as it was intended and also pay attention to the correct side toward your subject, I always refer to

the bloop sheets for those details. I put a 10x on a 160

32" B.E. for 8x10. The results were stunning, however,

I had to redefine acceptable dof and the meaning of focus.

I could not stop staring at the rose pedal edges projected

on my GG. Have Fun!!!!!

JG<div></div>

Fax-Nikkor 160 5.6.

My mistress since it's purchase.

Dagor was right! The razor sharp edges did cut my hands.

Your enthusastic inventive nature is infectious!

I can see the propellers not spinning now!

May the Lilacs Grow Green, all I need the name of

professional E-6 lab in Oklahoma City.

Hopefully not owned by the sinister Jud Fry.

Thanks!

Traveler

His web site took forever to download, even after downloading

the suggested viewing program. Still only his intro, no pics!

Signed

Humble Dial-upper.

Here is a novel idea. Contact the manufacture and ask.

They may even be willing to provide you with a big

ol box of baby Godzillas. Big corporations can be

surprisingly kind.....

Lots in the archives on this subject. Correctly, the shortest lens that will cover 8x10 , not only is less bellows extension

needed, also less complicated to establish good exposure and

less light needed. A lens that can be had for a few $$$ is

the Polaroid 135mm.

I have had very simlar corruption on 8x10 sheets of trans, and that

is very painful. Take the back off, stare in to the interior of

camera while holding a lamp with a bare bulb in multiple areas

around lens, observe just where the light is to give you flare.

See any light leaks, flare, light reflecting of any interior surfaces?

Continue a process of elimination until the culprit is found.

I could not beleive that the devil in my stew was highly

reflective flat black surface inside my camera, my problem

was solved by using a very exagerated homebuilt lens hood.