pete_watkins

In the March edition of the U.K. magazine "Black & White Photography"

(page 10) Stephen Brierley Of Ilford is quoted as saying "I cannot

say , hand on heart, that we will develop a new black and white

emulsion". It appears that we are being abandoned.

Pete.

i agree with Jim, the man's dead, he ain't gonna complain.

Pete

Jessops are very competative with Kodak 5x4 B & W film. Personnally I

thought that Bregger was rubbish. Maco seems to be fairly good and I

am developing it in Pyrocat HD with no loss of film speed.

H, you might grow them just as big in Arizona and Utah but the beers

better in Australia!

Bleach (household or otherwise) is most effective in cold water.

Pete

If we can all be as fit as Bill Smithe at the age of thirty I doubt

if we have anything to worry about, but I have made the decision not

to use Pyro and I now wear gloves since having orange fingernails for

three weeks after using amidol.

Roy, one thing is worth considering in the UK. My wooden Wista is

beautiful but when I'm using it in public strangers keep coming up

and start talking about it. Everybody assumes that it's old and

quaint. I have forgotten to pull out the darkslide and messed up in

many other ways just because members of the public are interested in

the camera. I just wish that it did not attract as much attention as

it does. It's worth considering a metal camera just for this reason.

You might find a roll film back a good investment to start with

considering the prices asked for 5x4 in the UK.

Pete.

In the U.K. we can buy bicycle clips. I admire youre devotion to your

art.

Pete.

If you're going to eliminate an acdic stop bath I would also use an

alkali fixer such as TF 3 (mix it yourself) or TF 4 if you're in the

states and can buy it.

Pete.

If you do use vinigar (or any acidic fluid) to neutralise the bleach

rinse the bleached items well with water before you use the acid.

Best wishes.

Pete.

Dave,

Teamwork in London import Fuji B&W readyload film packs, but they

ain't cheap.

Pete

The company is based in Germany, try PHOTO@mahn.net or INFO@mahn.net.

Pete.

Ross were an English company and were reputed to be one of the best

in their time. I use a 105mm Ross enlarging lens and I think that

it's of a reasonable quality.I would guess that the date that you

quote is about right i.e. between the 1940's & the 1950's. Try it.

Pete.

As you're in the U.K. try phoning Prochem on 0181 (this is the old

code for outer London numbers, you will need the new code) 974-1515.

The specialise in carpet cleaning chemicals for professionals.

Good luck, pete.

Scott, I asked a question about tacking irons some time ago. They are

very expensive here in the UK. I was advised to get a woodburning

iron. I filed one of the heads to the shape that I had seen on a

proper tacking iron and it works perfectly, i also have the best part

of a woodburning kit.

Pete.

I've just processed some films (120 & 4x5) in Pyrocat-hd for the first time. I am reasonably happy with the results, but has anybody out there got any advice on developing times for various films, 4x5 & 120. I am using a condenser enlarger and an alkali fixer.

Thanks for any help.

Pete.

Wow, an 021 who can spell (yes, I know that it's 0121 now).

See ya,

Pete.

Armin,

I have never heard of this film and I have had some very satisfactory

results on Tech Pan. I will try to find a supplier of Gigabitfilm in

the U.K.

Remember that Birmingham is not the interlectural center of the

United Kingdom, that is further south.

Armin, well said. I'm intrested in your question as I live in the UK

and any large format film is well overpriced. I find it very sad that

some contributers to this site are willing to critisise you because

English is not your first language.

Pete.

In the UK these jars are available from home brewing / winemaking

shops.Rubber and cork bungs are also available for these bottles (the

bottles are known as demijohns. Good luck

Silverprint in London might be able to help.

Beware, some of their cameras are now made from MDF. If you buy one

stipulate exactly what you want.

Pete

If you're in the midlands Stonleigh, Queensway, Leamington Spa,

Warwickshire, CV31 3JT. 01926-833539. Real quality.

Is a tacking iron essential when dry mounting? Could I use a soldering iron or a domestic iron? Thanks for reading this>

I have aquired a Macbeth Quanta Log. I have no idea how to use it and I am wondering if using it is worth the bother. Are instructions available anywhere? I'm in the U.K. Thanks for any help. Pete.