thomas_k.

<p>I've read somewhere about black and white film production and how expensive is machinery used to make it. Extrapolating I assume that it goes the same for color film - to make it, expensive machinery is needed. If Fuji and Kodak are using production lines build 15-20 years ago, no new production lines are being build and manufacturers of film producing equipment are gone, we can see actual end of color film. If production of B&W film is less expensive maybe it will survive.</p>

<p>Daily use of white cardboard in studio. I cut it, bend, twist, attach, throw on the floor - and the best part is: it's free - comes as a part of packaging for bulk ordered items.</p>

<p>From manufacturers description:</p> <blockquote> <p>Pictures with exceptional bokeh and charm.</p> </blockquote> <p>How cool is that! Separate adjustment ring for more or less "charm" in picture!</p>

<p>Robert,<br> Whichever camera you will decide to use make sure you have time to test it thoroughly before your trip. Have at least 2 weeks to shoot and develop film. There can be many things going wrong with 20-50 years old film camera.<br> Good luck.</p>

<p>My experience is taking an RB on daily, not intensive hikes up to 4-5 miles. A body with 2-3 lenses, 6 rolls of film and few accessories plus sturdy tripod and water. It was probably maximum I would do in relative comfort. I would not take this set up for multiday hiking with all camping/survival/food/drink gear needed. Personally, I'm not very creative when physically exhausted.</p>

<h1 ><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/stradivarius-violins-lose-in-blind-test-against-new-ones-1.2601191">"Stradivarius violins lose in blind test against new ones"</a></h1> <p>Not only photographers...</p>

<p>Maybe I'm just lucky and my sample of 28mm 2.8 AFD gives me great images. It's small, light and inexpensive, I have used it many times as a vacation lens or a backup/alternative to big pro zoom lens. I have no experience with 1.8 version.</p>

<p>I'm in Chicago and can get sunrise or sunset over Lake Michigan with little driving. Actually I haven't done sunrise for years, I'm not a morning person :)</p>

<p>Whichever camera you will get, make sure it is fully functional - preferably recently serviced. MF cameras you are looking at are 20-70 years old and can frustrate a beginner with never ending list of malfunctions that you discover after you developed your film - this is my own experience from few years back. Also remember that you will need a reliable hand held light meter, majority of older MF has none. Personally, I use the most a folding camera I got from a guy on ebay, he goes by name certo6. His cameras are serviced, ready for reliable use and not expensive.</p>

<p>Fred:</p> <blockquote> <p>I find it gives me many more choices</p> </blockquote> <p>I'm often doing the opposite: giving myself less choices when I shoot in B&W. Also by using single focal lens and being forced to include or exclude parts of image presenting itself to me. My point is: setting some limiting rules can lead to fruitful explorations - in my opinion and experience.</p>

<p>My personal comment is that B&W image (film or digital) is one that I intend from the beginning to be in black and white. It translates to using B&W film or shooting digital in B&W. I do not convert images from color anymore, I intend them to be B&W before pressing shutter button.</p>

<p>Strong contrast, strong sharpening and high color saturation show in this image. My experience with fuji sensor (on X-E1, same as X-T1) is very good. When shooting jpegs I use -1 sharpening setting.</p>

<p>Did you ever try digital? </p>

<p>I had same problem with my negatives when using plastic Patterson tank and reels. I started to tap the tank after inversions more vigorously and inverse it more gently. Also I slide the negative further into the reels - outer edge of the reel seems to trap air bubbles more. Problem was solved.</p>

<p>Filters might be what you need. Buy a bunch of clear filters on ebay and do bad things to them like scratching and smearing with vaseline.</p>

<p>Dave:<br> I find shooting B&W film, developing it at home and scanning on flatbed epson scanner a good workflow. I have full control over the process and do not have to rely on "someone doing something" to my film. Give it a consideration.</p>