christopher_ward2

<p>If you mix Photo-Flo and keep it you will find a jelly/slime in it you need to filter out. best to mix as needed. Soak washed film for 30 seconds in dilute Photo-Flo then hang to dry . Chris</p>

<p>Second shot. Nice lens but the manual diaphragm can be a pain.</p><div></div>

<p>I have a later black one in Nikon mount. Sharp and fast but a real beast.</p><div></div>

<p> Just a thought ... did you trim the film leader to 4"/10cm? This will cause wind and shutter issues. Otherwise if the camera has been unused a long time winding and dry firing it can work out some kinks.</p>

<p> When I sorted thru my parent photo box very few 120/620 films had any edge marks. Some said 'Kodak' some 'safety film' but most were blank. These were snapshots from the 1940's ,50's and 60's. Hard to date an image by the film stock. Kodak Tri-X roll film came out in 1955 and is still here today. Even the vendor may only have guessed at the date.</p>

<p> The camera is just weight. You need to rethink what else will or will not live in your backpack during the trip. Some solo hikers carry almost nothing gear wise. Balance your hiking gear need against the photo gear. Backpacks over 80lbs/36Kg are tough on mind and body. When backpacking 7-10 days my camera gear runs 25-30lbs/11-14Kg ,I have at times carried only a compact fixed lens 35mm but felt naked. It is all about priorities ... more camera gear = less food/clothes/camping gear. I would plan a strenuous day trip with full pack and RB67 kit (or a bag of misc stuff about the weight of the planned kit) to get the feel of the project. Start deleting non essential/ safety gear and check out ultra-lite hiking web sights and talk to your local hiking/camping retailers ... the staff do this all the time and know all kinds of stuff. Do you need a tent/sleeping bag or will a bivouac sack work? or maybe a tarp and blanket is all you need. Stove/fuel/cook-set or granola/jerky/pita bread. It is always all about your priorities and how strong ,stubborn and determined you are. First order of business is to have fun and be safe. Chris</p>

<p>By the look of the camera ,the brass clips allow the back to be removed. If I had the money to play with I would cut some plywood to fit the back and clips then buy a 4x5 spring back on-line. You would not damage the camera or back and you would get a chance to test the camera. A 3x4 image on 4x5 film may seem odd but less chance of damage to the original stuff and less money than a custom film/holder work around.</p>

<p>The 9x12 single sided holders I had, used a spring tab that flipped up when the dark-slide was pulled. Not sure if this was standard.</p>

<p>With the lousy economy and high gas prices the last 8-10 years, I haven't shot much. Disposable income for a serious hobby is hard. I still develop B&W film and print in the darkroom. For me the crisis is the dwindling range of film/paper/chemicals. I shoot 35mm, Med format, 4x5 and 8x10 film ...when I can find the money. For over 30 years it has been "Hi I'm Chris, a photographer" but the statement has less meaning to me now. The lack of focus has a lot to do with my income to mood index. When the money and time are there, I am happy and tend to shoot a lot. The love of film and paper to express the inner you has value whatever the wiz-bang digital only crowd has to say. Hang in there and keep shooting, it's bound to get better. Chris</p>

<p> I would use the film without hesitation. If you are worried about base fog, develop in Kodak HC-110.</p>