rafal_m

<p>Greetings Everybody,</p>

<p>Just was going through my shelf of large format lenses recently, and something struck me as very interesting. I'm starting to feel like I may have way too many lenses. Most of the time I'm using either the 135mm or 210mm (on 4x5). While the rest just sit patiently, waiting to be chosen for the next photographic project. Has anyone else felt the same way? More likely a philosophical question then a technical one, but I still find it interesting.</p>

<p>Oh, and for all those that are thinking of helping to relieve me of my "too many lenses" burden. Currently I'm keeping them all. :P</p>

<p>-Rafal</p>

<p>Meet and Greet invitation to all large format photographers (and enthusiasts) in the Vancouver area. We will meet outside the starbucks in station square on Saturday 20th June, at 4pm. This is going to be the first meeting, and if things go well, we could turn this into a more regular get together.<br /> <br /> Date: Saturday 20th, June<br /> Time: 4:00 pm<br /> Location: outside Starbucks, next to Red Robbins<br /> Station Square<br /> 4600 Kingsway<br /> Burnaby, BC<br>

<br /> <small><a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=115-4600+Kingsway,+burnaby,+bc&sll=49.230644,-122.999411&sspn=0.004876,0.014291&ie=UTF8&ll=49.230434,-123.001814&spn=0.019617,0.036478&z=14">View Larger Map</a> </small></p>

Hello Peter,

On the barrel of the lens it will say either CB, CF, CFI or CFE (unless the printing has been rubbed off). You can also tell my the style of the lens and "rubber" grip. My CF lenses all have that checkered pattern, but I think the newer lenses (CFI and CFE) are a different design and have smother looking grips. While on the inside, I have been told that the main spring is slightly different in the CFI and CFE lenses, but the CF lens can be easily upgraded to the newer spring. Can anybody verify this information about the spring? Hope this helps. :)

Cheers,

Rafal

True, it is very difficult to get informal type portraits with LF, but it can also be a lot of fun. A few months ago I had the pleasure to photograph a friend, and we both had a lot of fun. Sure the initial setup was a little tedious, but once you get started we only stopped because I ran out of loaded film holders. :) I guess what I'm trying to say is that it all matters on the interaction between you and the model and if both of you are having fun.

Cheers,

Rafal<div></div>

Hello,

I've got a modern Nikon Nikkor-W 13mm 1:5.6 with modern Copal 0 shutter. Just

wondering if anybody know what type/size of thread the little retain pin at the

back of the lens/shutter is? Some lens boards have a little notch to

accommodate this little pin, but I'm just wondering if there is a standard size

for it. Thank you all in advance for your help.

-Rafal

Hello Michael,

Some of the workshops at Vancouver Photo Workshops are good. They tend to be short (a few days to a few weeks) and mostly on weekends or evenings after work. If you need any more info, please feel free to contact me.

Cheers,

Rafal

Hmm... I kind of guessed that these classic metal monsters would be rare; I guess I'll just have to keep an eye open for one whenever they do come around.

I still think they look really cool... some kind of robot thing you would see on an old episode of Dr. Who. :)

Cheers,

Rafal

Very nice work everybody. :)

I'm finding myself using the 4x5 a lot more then anything else... unless I'm out in the field (with a medium format). Next weekend I'll be doing some still-life work, so I'll be posting that shortly afterwards. Hopefully with our contribution to these LF presentations, we can get others to contribute and maybe even have more photographers trying LF. ;)

See you all in a week or two with some more photos... if not sooner.

Rafal

Hello Andrew,

I'm just wondering if you could share how the group got formed and how it started organizing the workshops? This could be helpful to anyone else that is thinking of starting up a similar LFPG (large format photography group) in their area.

Cheers,

Rafal

Hello Everybody,

Just wondering if anyone knows where I could find one of the Gigantic

Studio Stands (model GIG)?... or even the DeLuxe Geared Dolly (model

number 493)? I just think they look really cool and from some strange

reason I want one. :D

Rafal<div></div>

Rita is a retired ballet dancer and stage actress, with a great dynamic personality and ability to express herself. I hope I get a chance to work with her in the studio soon.

Rafal<div></div>

Hello Everybody,

Just like to share a few photos from my portraiture session... and

hope that the rest of you will also share too :)

Rafal<div></div>

Hello Everybody,

Since I've been here for quite a long time now, I probably should

start posting some of my photos... and hopefully inspire others to do

the same. So, lets see all those glorious floral photographs. :)

Rafal<div></div>

Hello Max,

Welcome to the world of large format, and looking forward to seeing some of your work. As to your questions of swapping lens elements; yes you can obtain replacements, but you'll also have to get a corresponding aperture scale for the lenses too. What do you mean by the elements are "done"? I have had an old lens cleaned (fungus removed), it took off the coatings but the lens is still a beautiful lens to use. Great for b/w portraits; no need to worry about colour correction and a little soft for flattering portraits.

Cheers,

Rafal

Welcome to the club John,

Don't know if you already have a copy, but I highly recommend getting "The Hasselblad Manual" by Ernst Wildi. It is a really good book with a ton of information about Hasselblad gear and its use. Most medium/large size libraries will have a copy or two, so you can have a read over it before you decide to purchase a copy.

Good luck, have fun, and looking forward to seeing some of your work.

Cheers,

Rafal

Hello James,

The QuickDisc is a wonderful tool and I use it a lot. Friends of mine also gave me a Calumet exposure colculator, which is just a comercial version of the QD. :) I found the QD to be a great tool, and it gets me within a third of a stop of correct exposure due to bellows extension.

http://www.salzgeber.at/disc/

Have fun and hope to see some of your work.

Cheers,

Rafal

Hello Rob,

Could you post a photo of your lens and front element? Just to see to what extent the "modification" has been done to the lens. :)

Cheers,

Rafal

Hello everybody,

I came across an interested 4x5 negative from way back when.

http://i13.ebayimg.com/03/i/06/37/1c/ab_1.JPG There is a number tag

imprint on the negative (top left corner); does anyone know which film

holders had these?... or is this a custom job?

Thank you all for you time,

Rafal

Hello Bruno,

I have a pdf copy of the instruction manula for the FCM2. If you like, I can email it to you.

Cheers,

Rafal

Hello,

I've spotted this one on *bay, have a look (I'm not the seller here)

http://cgi.ebay.ca/SINAR-Rare-BINO-REFLEX-8x10-20x25-very-hard-to-find_W0QQitemZ7587111871QQcategoryZ79337QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers,

Rafal

Hello John,

If you are starting out with the Hasselblad system, you should definitely get yourself a copy of "The Hasselblad Manual" by Ernst Wildi (I've got two different editions and thinking of getting another). :) These books are indispensable, they will answer almost any question you may have about the use of these cameras.... oh, before I forget, most major libraries have one or two copies of these books, so you can always get one if you can not find one in the bookshop.

Best regards,

Rafal

Hello,

The 9V battery adaptor is okay, but I find the 9V batteries are a little too large and they push against the battery door. I'm currently looking for an alternative battery (same size as the old ones but with better usability) or just upgrading to the 553ELX and use AA batteries.

Cheers,

Rafal

One thing that I found when I had my Leica gear is that I used it a lot more then anything else. It is just a fun system to use when out with friends or just working on a personal photography project. The only reason that I sold it is to finance my way to large format. I've used other other gear, and currently using 4x5 for almost all my studio work/fun (I'm not a professional, this is just a hobby for me), but outside it is the best system to use.

Cheers,

Rafal