Jump to content

matthew_harrison2

Members
  • Posts

    14
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by matthew_harrison2

  1. I bulk load my film onto the standard black plastic cartridges but I need to have a DX coded cartridge for one of the cameras I use.

    I've bought a couple of roles of HP5 but want to re-use the cartridges with my bulk loader in futuer.

     

    So my question is: how to open the cartridge (I usually use the Ilford tin opener thing but this tends to bend the lid quite a lot).

    Also - any general tips for this would be appreciated.

  2. The idea of stop bath is that it preserves the life of the fixer, but fixer and stop bath need to be matched. It's not good using an acid stop bath with a so-called alkali fixer. I wouldn't recommend re-using stop bath either.

     

    OK this has confused things as I just picked up some Kodak Indicator Stop Bath - is this going to be OK with Ilford Rapid Fixer? Looks like the main component of the Kodak stop is acetic acid and Ilfostop is citric acid - vinegar vs limes right? I guess a both acids i'm OK - they are both pushing the ph in the same direction?

  3. Also, I never used stop on film. Developers are basic (pn>7), and the purpose of the stop is to neutralize the ph of the emulsion in order to extend the life of the fixer which is acidic. A brief wash in water is sufficient with film, but because FB paper can absorb chemicals, an actual acid stop is required to neutralize the ph.

     

    This is interesting - so your saying that a short rinse in water can replace a stop bath when developing film?

    So I could for example develop for the 6.5 mins (for HP5) in Ilfotec HC - rinse - then fix with Ilford Rapid fixer as usual?

  4. Great advise Ben - exactly what I was looking for. Had never heard of using a film leader to test fixer which is ingenious, but reading the other comments seems to be a common practice. Appears I have been dumping good chemicals all these years!

     

    Bill - not too much info - I get the concepts and while the two stage fixer is not something I would use now, its good to know these solutions as I might decide to use them in the future and even if I never use the method, I find the broader understanding useful.

     

    Vincent - the fixer check is something i've seen and am considering it for my print bath. As stated i'm shooting more and more film these days but most of it gets scanned. However, I have a dark room in the loft so it could be useful in a fixer that doesn't get used much. That said - I should have lots of film leaders (now i'm going to start saing them) so i'll see how I get on with those.

     

    rossb - I just ordered some HC110 last week as been reading good things about it, although using up my current Ilfotec stock first. I got three young kids so a drawer full of baby syringes!! Also picked up some of the Kodak stop bath as it dilutes 1:63 which seems very economical, plus the Ilfostop seems to grow some kind of mould jelly in the container which I have to filter with coffee filters - so hope the Kodak stop doesnt do this!

     

    Thanks all for the advise - at the moment I'm just looking for an easy workflow that produces uniform results on my negs.

     

    One last question however: As I mentioned, I currently mix in 5L containers. I easily use this in 6 months, although this might change now I'm not throwing it all down the sink! However, I've found in the past that shelf life is often much longer than that stated on the labell. Do you think its a good idea to invest in some smaller containers? I suppose it cant hurt for the small price of some 1L jars for stop and fox (will probably still use 5L for developer as I will certainly use that in 6 months).

     

    Thanks again all.

  5. Been developing at home for years but have recently been shooting alot more film so looking to get my processes right (and more economical).

     

    This is probably a really simple question and I apologise because its probably been answered 1000 times elsewhere on the forum.

     

    I mix and store developer, stop and fix in 5L containers. I'll then dispense what I need to dev some films (usually 2 or 4 35mm and the odd 120) and usually dump everything i've used after each session.

     

    My question is - should I be returning the stop and fix to the containers??

    Currently using Ilfostop which is an indicator stop bath and Ilford rapid fixer. I've noticed you can buy test kits for the fixer.

     

    I seem to remember from college, when processing film, developer is single use which seems to make sense to me - but correct me here as well if i'm wrong!!

  6. <p>I recently upgraded to a Canon 5D3 (from 5D2) and as a wedding photographer the ability to create a backup in-camera is great for peace of mind.<br>

    I used to shoot on 4GB cards in the knowledge that I would only lose a small number of images through any card corruptions (not that i've ever had any!).<br>

    My question is, now that I can mirror SD and CF cards in-camera is it safe to shoot on larger cards, say 32GB SD and CF? Having to buy SD cards I got a couple of 32GB cards which I use with my old 4GB cards, changing out the 4GB cards regularly. In reality, what are the chances of both cards corrupting?<br>

    Thanks for any advice.</p>

  7. <p>I am lucky enough to have booked my first international wedding, shooting in Kenya in December.<br>

    I'll be taking my bodies, lenses, laptop, external HDD and memory cards in carry-on hand luggage.<br>

    Is there anything I need to consider to protect the data, especially on the way home. I'll have the RAW files on my laptop and backed up on the external HDD and probably still have a copy on the CF/SD cards.<br>

    Having images wiped by x-ray machines would be a little annoying. I'm that paranoid that if i have a fast enough internet connection I might just upload my files to the cloud!</p>

  8. <p>I have just upgraded to a 600EX-RT with a view to getting a couple more when my budget allows.<br>

    I mostly use my speedlite on-camera for wedding reception work (don't judge me!).<br>

    I have been doing some off-camera shots with the 430 and some cheap Calumet radio triggers but now I have 2 speedlites i'm thinking of a few other shots I could try out, with the off-camera 430 being triggered by the 600 on-camera.<br>

    My question is, using the optical sync is there a way of controlling the 430 in manual mode while still having the 600 in E-TTL? I have managed to sync them both in wither manual or E-TTL but not mixed-mode.<br>

    For reference - i'm thinking of doing reception shots with the 600 on-camera in E-TTL to light my subject and having the 430 high on a light stand in the background, on manual mode so I can crank the power up for a star-burst in the background, and also creating some separation on the subject.<br>

    Can I shoot in mixed-mode using the optical sync?</p>

  9. <p>You can set this either on the camera or on the flash. Each will do the same thing. Save going through all the menus on your 7D and hit the button on the back of the flash. Its the one with the High-Speed sync and second curtain symbol (a capital H with a flash arrow / three little arrows). The three little arrows are the second curtain symbol, so press the button until you get this on your display. Set your shutter speed super low and of you go!<br /><br />It should be noted that this only works on the hotshoe or with a TTL cable. Not sure if you can run it off camera triggered by a 580. Its a fun technique on camera though. Great for a disco or in a bar as you can 'drag' the shutter and burn in all the lights and colours. Good luck.</p>
  10. <p>I have a corp job this week to light a bunch of people in an office.<br>

    Its about 30 people and apparently the room is pretty small and dark.<br>

    I was going to take a couple of strobes and shoot through umbrellas to flood them with light but wondering if this might be overkill.<br>

    Any suggestions would be appreciated, I'm not used to shooting this number of people, especially in these conditions!</p>

  11. <p>Hopefully someone out there can help.<br>

    While on a shoot recently I dropped my camera, and as I was shooting in a crowd didnt have the hood on.<br>

    I now have a Canon 24/70 f2.8 lens with a Hoya Pro1 UV filter stuck on the end. The Lens appears un-damaged but the UV filter has a dent on one side and as such will not unscrew from the lens.</p>

    <p>Any ideas how I can get this off??????</p>

  12. <p>Canon cameras are (roughly) on a 3 year product cycle. The 40D has been the only camera that they refreshed in uder 3 years (recently). This has also been significantly influenced by the disaster in Japan. The 7D has at the very least 1 more year. Its a great camera. If you are shooting still images and you have decided on the 7D then you will not be dissapointed. They retain their value very well so you dont have to worry too much about losing out if canon do relaese an updated model after 12 months or so. </p>
×
×
  • Create New...