david_l3

<p>What hasn't been mentioned is scanner noise from the CCD sensor. The second high magnification photo shows it in the dark section which should be smooth black. Noise factors in more with older scanners with older CCD technology. Also there's grain aliasing that sometimes causes extra big grain in scans but which does not exist in the negative. Aliasing is a characteristic of the scanner's native resolution, and the lower it is the worse typically. Grain aliasing happens mostly with large smooth areas, like an expanse of clear sky. Where there are many changes in tone and edges of details aliasing is less of a problem. I have dealt with these image quality issues often enough to appreciate how hard it is to get a good scan with certain combinations of film and subjects. For the curious, search grain aliasing and Nyquist frequency. </p>

<p>I recently bought a used RB67 and find it hard to hand hold. A tripod is 99% necessary. It's awfully heavy and very bulky. There are other medium format cameras that are much lighter and much more compact; Fuji 645,6x6,6x7 Rangefinders, 6x6 Rolleiflexes and Rolleicords, and Mamiya 6x6 and 6x7 rangefinders. </p>

<p>I've made several adaptations over the years due to carpal tunnel. A laser mouse seems easier to use because of the light touch. Trackballs have helped a lot too. My Mac touch trackpad seems to help the most and is my all around preference. But the biggest change was years ago I began to use my left hand all the time. I'm now ambidextrous and if needed, can switch hands without blinking. </p>

<p>You can set the aperture anytime in any sequence. Its blades are a different set from the shutter blades. I leave the shutter uncocked, when focusing or for storage. When it's time for an exposure I close the preview lever, then cock the shutter, pull the dark slide, then trip it, then reinsert the dark slide. Then open the preview leaving it uncocked. </p>

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<p>Espiritu Santo Mission 2</p><div></div>

<p>An update to the Green Rolleicord post on March 9th. The camera was sent to Mark Hansen to have the film transport repaired and he returned it in wonderful condition. I was anxious to give it a workout and wanted to select a really good location to see just how good the Xenar lens is. Thus I was driving through south Texas and stopped at Goliad State Park. There is an old Spanish mission which turned out to be quite photogenic. Here are a few shots taken with Fuji Acros film. I used a tripod and in lieu of a light meter used the sunny 16 method of exposure (including one taken from the interior). Developed at home with Xtol 1:1. </p> <div></div>

<p>It looks like a light leak, probably when you wind the film. Check to make sure the back is fully closed and locked. Be sure, on the bottom of the camera, the swinging metal tab's hole is fully engaged on the little pin before rotating the lock. </p>