andrew_ginther1

Are you using the CPP2 processor? If so go for the 3010 4X5 expert drum. It's very easy to load and the results are absolutely outstanding. Capacity 10 sheets. Processing time wise I've found pulling back about 20% on the film manufacturers recommended times about right for me.

Old thread I know but I recently acquired the 400mm 4.5 FD. It is very sharp but does anyone know where I could obtain the drop in filters?

I've had some nice results from Tech Pan and Technidol but only by using a Jobo CPP-2 processor. Hand processing gave very inconsistent results.

My sympathies Leonard. I have suffered back problems for many years but the one solution I have found to work effectively long term is acupuncture. It's not a quick fix and some form of ongoing stretching is part of the solution too. I have tried all the usual cures including physiotherapy, chiropractors and pain killers. But what they won't tell you is the unmentioned factor is in what you eat and drink. The high levels of acidity in our modern western diets have much to do with this. A few years ago I wrote a policy review for an arthritis charity here in New Zealand and wondered at the pervasiveness of the drug cultureas a "fix". Really a case of the "Ambulance at the bottom of the cliff" I have suffered MUCH less problems since giving up caffeine about a year ago. There is an excellent book on the subject by Stephen Cherniske called "The Caffeine Blues". At the age of 32 I really did think that I was going to be stuck with a permanent disability. Not so. I can haul around a Toyo 4X5 monorail without a problem now. As I have come to understand it, back & joint problems are related to the damage of nerve endings in the muscles. The problems arise when other muscles try and take over the role of adjascant muscles, this is what causes the misalignment. Simply forcing joints back into place is a short term solution at best. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

As a tutor of Digital (Photoshop 6.0) and an art photographer I've

wrestled with this question too. I think the big thing about digital

is that we can start with absolutely nothing and create whatever we

like with the tools available. Conventional photography has

restrictions such as lighting, type of camera, film stock etc...

Those very restrictions have made photography what it is today. Look

at what was being achieved over 100 years ago. The tedious and

difficult technical challenges of yesteryear made for some of the

greatest ever images. The danger also is that Photoshop can take us

away from the 'photographic' moment. That brief slice of reality

that sets photography apart from every other visual medium. My point

is that digital is a continuation of conventional photography. Not

something seperate. I thing digital is still too new and too fresh

for any kind of perspective to have really occurred.

The synthesiser has been around in music for about 30 years now and

its still hard to gauge the overall impact. Perhaps we will have to

wait for the next new thing to come along before we finally see the

impact of digital photography for what it really is.