john_billington

I like Agfa 400, rated at 320, also i used a Polaroid B/W positive

film on a few occasions, its got a great look but its quite delicate.

Not sure if the Polar. is still available.

The thing i like about the Agfa film is that it has a charcoal-ish

look to the print, tri-x is also great for a snappy, contrasty look.

Developer D76 or Rodinol as per instructions, add extra agitation for

more contrast.

I do like Leitz enlargers, i had a very simple Focomat which i passed

on, i miss it.

FP 4 is good with strobe flash for product/commercial work, but i

dont like it, i find it bland.

Good luck James its not the arrival, but the journey thats the lesson.

Regards

John B.

Thank you for posting the photographs of HCB, those taken by David

Duncan presumably.....17 of 37?

The wonderful thing i find is that i am able to hear about this

disagreement so easily, through the internet. I was intrigued by the

photographs, you look tired Mr. Cartier-Bresson, and rather bored,

thank you for your inspirational work.

With regard to these photographs, I feel that they are a contact

sheet none of which i would care to publish, simply because they are

of a subject pinned down like a moth, unlike those of HCB's

photographs which i love, which show people in flight.

I have worked as a news cameraman, in many situations in which I

filmed, I wasn't welcome, my best work involved me getting past the

point where i was unwelcome, either by being unobtrusive or being

sympathethic, these are neither.

I am glad to have discovered this forum, I have recently become

involved in photography again and the information and opinions

available here are excellent.

<p>

Regards

<p>

John Billington

Dear Sam,

Roof paint would probably be an extravagance for your car,

but i know you craftsmen....

Seriously, I am reminded of the plastic bags on the seat syndrome

with Leicas, I care lovingly for my camera, I know it isn't actually

built like a tank....i droped my M4-P on cobbles in Germany and paid

for resucitation at the factory....

I recently bought a new M6 with 35asp., what a camera!, however i

dont want to keep it in as delivered condition, i want to take

photographs with it, and if this involves me and the camera getting

knocked about, then the photograph should be worth it.

The reason i like to make my camera neutral is that white lettering

and logos are attention grabbing for the subject, blacking them out

fixes this. And as far as the craftsmanship thing goes, you are

welcome to follow the road you please.......

What a bore....... i simply used a permament marker and scribbled

over the m6 and the logo,its fine, takes nice pictures too.