paul_wrobel

<p>I have never had any problems with Formula MC on a kodak cleaning tissue followed up with a microfiber cloth. <a href="http://www.2filter.com/prices/products/formulamc.html">http://www.2filter.com/prices/products/formulamc.html</a></p>

<p>I still shoot slides is because I like to use them to make Polaroid/Fuji instant film transfers.</p>

<p>I process with a Gralab 300 less than 2 feet away from my trays. I've never had any fogging issues with film or paper.</p>

<p>If you don't want to build one yourself, I own and recommend the Zero Image 4x5. I have the deluxe version which is essentially 18 cameras in one (9 pinholes and 9 zone plates). Its a bit of change but if you are serious then its well worth the price. The cameras themselves are nothing less than a work of art.</p>

<p>"<em>Even processing your own, you're looking at a $3-5 dollars per sheet (one exposure).</em> "</p>

<p>I must be doing something wrong because it costs me less than $1 dollar per sheet.</p>

<p>The bottom line is if you want to give large format photography a try then you should but don't let costs get you down because the most expensive part will be the camera and lens. Film is cheap (I pay $0.48 per sheet) and not only are chemicals cheap, you don't have to use fresh chemicals for each sheet you process. You could buy some Diafine for under $15 dollars and it will last you well over a year and process hundreds of sheets. The other materials are affordable and can be found for practically nothing on the used market nowadays due to everyone going digital.</p>

<p>I have a 90mm, 127mm, 150mm, 210mm and a 300mm but find I use the 150mm and 210mm the most. It really depends on what the landscape is and how far away you are from it.<br />If you go with a 90mm, you may find you are limited in movements and require a bag bellows. I'm not sure the Tachihara feature exchangable bellows but I may be wrong.<br />As for film, Quickloads are expensive. Around $4.00 per sheet which adds up if your exposures are off more than they are on. I like to use Arista.edu Ultra iso100 from Freestyle Photo shot at iso50. This film costs less than $0.50 per sheet and has always produced great negatives for me. The reciprocity on it isn't the greatest so you need to know how to compensate but I could send you a copy of what I use if you'd like.</p>

<p>Hi, I recently picked up a Shen Hao HZX-45IIA and although I'm not a beginner to large format (about 4 years now), in the instruction booklet it labels these two clips I noticed on the back as "120 convolve back pressure plates." I've never heard of this term nor have I ever seen it on any other 4x5 cameras I have used.<br>

Does anyone have an Idea what these are? Sorry I don't have a photo.<br>

Thanks.</p>

<p>I've noticed this a lot lately on eBay. My guess is people are to lazy to do research on what they want or they are from another country that has higher prices.</p>

<p>I second what Kevin mentioned above. To get water droplets it is best to use glycerin. Its just another one of those tricks that product/food & beverage photographers use.</p>

<p>I use the X-Rite EyeOne Display 2 that Ellis mentioned and have found it works quite well for calibrating my monitors.</p>

<p>Jared-<br>

I searched around for quite a while before settling on a host for my site. I decided to go with hostmonster.com and have been quite pleased. My site has never gone down for any reason, I have more space than I will ever use and it is relatively affordable ($5.95/month). The last I checked, they were among the top web host with a plethora of excellent reviews. My only nit would be that they don't allow fine art nudes to be displayed on photography sites.<br>

Happy Holidays!</p>

I use White House Custom Colour (www.whcc.com) for the majority of my work. I have always been very pleased with them. However, they don't do foil stamping for senior portraits so for that I use Allied Photographic (www.alliedphoto.com).

 

The reason I don't use Allied for everything is because they charge for shipping and White House doesn't so they are a bit cheaper.

 

Hope this helps.

 

-- Paul

My first large format camera was a Graflex Crown Graphic similar to your Speed Graphic. They are lovely cameras so considering your limited budget, I would say buy some roll film to use with it or some Arista.edu Ultra sheet film from Freestylephoto.biz and start shooting. The Arista is rather cheap as far as large format goes ($12.99 for 25 sheets/$23.99 for 50) so it doesn't hurt the wallet that much. Home developing doesn't cost that much either once the initial investment is made to buy the needed supplies. I do my developing in a windowless bathroom. Then you can contact print the large negatives or scan them.

 

On the other hand, it sounds like you really aren't to thrilled with with the 4x5 format as it does have its negative aspects. I don't recommend getting rid of a gift that has been given to you but if it comes down to it, I see Speed/Crown Graphics selling on auction sites for decent amounts of money as of late.

 

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

 

--Paul

The only asian photographer that comes to my mind is Fan Ho.

I agree as well. There have been to many times I've tried to search for a certain topic only to end up at Adorama. Its quite annoying.

"As for the film back's failure to stop at frame one, this sounds like a problem"

 

Not exactly. The newer style backs are designed to stop at frame one but the older style backs like those that came with the 500C originally did not. I'd bet this is an older style back.

Peter,

 

I haven't used a Hasselblad in many years so if I am wrong here hopefully someone will correct me. On the back of your film magazine, is there a peep hole which you can look into? If there is, after loading the film you need to look into that peep hole and wind clockwise until you see the number 1. Then close the peep hole and wind the tab once counter-clockwise. This should show the number 1 in the side window.

 

Hope this helps. I'm sure some others will respond soon.

 

Paul

Depending on how tight it is stuck in there, you could try sticking a small piece of Duct tape to the end of the battery and see if that will allow you to pull on it.

I have to go with some type of hawk as well. The wing tips are not buzzard-like at all.

As many others have stated, both are fine lenses. As a portrait photographer who works on location in clients homes

as well as doing senior portraits, I use a combination of 35mm/2, 50mm/1.8, 85mm/1.8 and 105mm/2.8 depending

on the situation. The wider lenses work well with the limited space in most homes. The 35mm is used for group

shots, the 50mm and 85mm are almost exclusive for seniors and I pull out the 105mm when photographing infants.

 

I say keep both lenses and add the 85mm if you need the extra reach.

First I use a large Giottos Rocket to remove dust, then I use a little Formula MC on a piece of lens tissue followed by polishing with a microfiber cloth. Glass looks like new every time.