Topic: Any View Camera Enthusiasts Here?

[Bob Wessner]

Many years ago I was very active in 35mm B&W photography. Loaded my own film, etc. fiddled with Tech Pan (really liked that, but not avail. anymore). Then succumbed to the digital craze and still use digicams, but have gotten back to film. Retro like my bike I guess. I always had a thought of moving on to a view camera to get that larger negative and I'm acting on that thought now, a 4x5 cam is on the way. I got a really good deal on a Beseler 45 enlarger, as in free though I had to scrounge a condenser head, quite the beast. Right now I'm looking for some suggested methods (not too expensive since this is something of a trial) for the sheet film development. Any 4x5 users out there with any suggestions?

[troppo]

I`m so jealous bob, i was really into photography years ago but had my car stolen and the whole kit was in it, got the car back but not my kit.
 Dont forget, we LOVE pics here lol.

[gerhed]

Many years ago I was very active in 35mm B&W photography. Loaded my own film, etc. fiddled with Tech Pan (really liked that, but not avail. anymore). Then succumbed to the digital craze and still use digicams, but have gotten back to film. Retro like my bike I guess. I always had a thought of moving on to a view camera to get that larger negative and I'm acting on that thought now, a 4x5 cam is on the way. I got a really good deal on a Beseler 45 enlarger, as in free though I had to scrounge a condenser head, quite the beast. Right now I'm looking for some suggested methods (not too expensive since this is something of a trial) for the sheet film development. Any 4x5 users out there with any suggestions?

4x5 sheet (B&W) is very easy to develop in a tray.
3 trays needed--1st Developer (D-76), 2nd-- Stop (Use water)-3rd-Fixer-Kodak rapid fixer.
You can eliminate the the 2nd tray.

[Bob Wessner]

Gerhed,

Any experience with other than open trays? I was aware of this, not much different from the print processing. I've done some scouting and there are drum methods, tend to be expensive from the equipment standpoint, and two different tank methods, darkroom only and daylight tanks. I've read where some are more than happy with tanks, but some mention uneven development. Not sure if that is inherent in the method, or poor agitation habits by the users or maybe the chemicals can't be drained and replaced quickly enough?? I have nothing against trays, but it would be nice to limit the amount of time in total darkness.

[Bob Wessner]

I`m so jealous bob, i was really into photography years ago but had my car stolen and the whole kit was in it, got the car back but not my kit.
 Dont forget, we LOVE pics here lol.

Don't be too jealous, I have much to learn about view cams and sheet film. I really enjoy the 35mm and processing and enlarging my own. Let's hope it works for the view world.

[fuzzybutt]

i used to be really into b+w photography as well. i had the old workhorse of 35mm cameras a k-1000, good solid camera and a beseler 23cII enlarger. been kind of hunting for an affordable k-1000 for a little while now as i'd like to get back into film photography.

[Jonesy]

Bob, if you're interested in trying out a few different development methods but not sure if you want to make the investment, PM me. I have a bunch of that stuff left from when my grandfather did his own photo print work....

[Bob Wessner]

i used to be really into b+w photography as well. i had the old workhorse of 35mm cameras a k-1000, good solid camera and a beseler 23cII enlarger. been kind of hunting for an affordable k-1000 for a little while now as i'd like to get back into film photography.

Check eBay, there are three out there right now. My first 35mm was a Pentax SV, totally manual and pretty much what I learned on. Carried it with me in Vietnam and still have it. Added two Nikons (FM and FE) which I also still have. I still use them all. I even have my first camera, a Brownie Six-20. Do you see a packrat pattern here.

[gerhed]

Many years ago I was very active in 35mm B&W photography. Loaded my own film, etc. fiddled with Tech Pan (really liked that, but not avail. anymore). Then succumbed to the digital craze and still use digicams, but have gotten back to film. Retro like my bike I guess. I always had a thought of moving on to a view camera to get that larger negative and I'm acting on that thought now, a 4x5 cam is on the way. I got a really good deal on a Beseler 45 enlarger, as in free though I had to scrounge a condenser head, quite the beast. Right now I'm looking for some suggested methods (not too expensive since this is something of a trial) for the sheet film development. Any 4x5 users out there with any suggestions?

Bob,

In an earlier life I sold a high end product line called "Jobo".
German made beautifull black plastic cylinders for developing
film and paper.
Cylinder ends were geared to fit an electric rotating mechanism.
When I "left that position", I "inherited" a whole bunch of those cylinders
which I have been cutting up and drilling, for various projects" for the
past several years. I'm afraid there's not much left. Jobo may still be around , though.
One of my "Jobo incarnations" was my Cylindrical Wymshurst machine which
utillized two of the counter rotating cylinders.

Phil

[Bob Wessner]

Yup, the Jobo system is still being marketed. It is the higher end of things and it appears many serious photographers use it. Hoping to start out with something less costly until I get my feet wet.

[gerhed]

Many years ago I was very active in 35mm B&W photography. Loaded my own film, etc. fiddled with Tech Pan (really liked that, but not avail. anymore). Then succumbed to the digital craze and still use digicams, but have gotten back to film. Retro like my bike I guess. I always had a thought of moving on to a view camera to get that larger negative and I'm acting on that thought now, a 4x5 cam is on the way. I got a really good deal on a Beseler 45 enlarger, as in free though I had to scrounge a condenser head, quite the beast. Right now I'm looking for some suggested methods (not too expensive since this is something of a trial) for the sheet film development. Any 4x5 users out there with any suggestions?

Bob,

Another option might be to get a 6x12 back for your 4x5--shoots 120 size film
Which can be processed in most mini-labs that do 35mm.
I got one made by Cambo which shoots 120 and 220 film.
220 gives you 12 shots on one roll.
Negative is almost 5 inches wide by 2 1/4 inches high-just slightly smaller than 4x5.
I took this rig to Egypt a few years ago and I think my best pics were with the 4x5-
even though I used it a lot less than my 35mm.

[Bob Wessner]

Good points, thanks for the suggestions. I'll keep them in mind. I sensed there were alternative backs, even Polaroid, though I suspect that one is for trial shots. Oh, should have mentioned, the cam coming is a Cambo. What is the cam in your picture? Speedgraphic?

[gerhed]

Good points, thanks for the suggestions. I'll keep them in mind. I sensed there were alternative backs, even Polaroid, though I suspect that one is for trial shots. Oh, should have mentioned, the cam coming is a Cambo. What is the cam in your picture? Speedgraphic?

Bob,

Mine's a Horseman (made in Japan).
All metal "field camera"--it's been everywhere.
Favorite lens is a 65mm--90 degree coverage.
Theremin in back--"ode to horseman"
<a href="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u251/gearheaded_photos/HorsThrm1.swf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u251/gearheaded_photos/HorsThrm1.swf</a>

phil

[Bob Wessner]

Phil,

Familiar with the Horseman name, nice camera. Definately more luggable than the Cambo, but I wanted to learn all the movements. If myself and view cams turn out to be a good fit, I'm guessing some sort of field camera is in my future. You might get a kick out of this. There's a gentleman in Australia that converts Polaroid bodies to full frame 4x5 cams. Now that's luggable.

[jevfro]

nice Wimshurst machine there Gerhead!  I built one a couple of years ago and they're all kinds of fun! (here... hold that ball while I crank this...  )

As far as 4X5 cameras go.. I wish I had one.. Pricey lil' buggers.   Here at Central Washington University we are waiting to get one for the Art Dept.  Students usually supply there own cameras anyway, but those are some spendy rigs (when purchased new).  I'll see what our photo prof suggests for developing.

I have a few old cameras that I've been meaning to get out again.  I've got an old Kodak retina reflex III

I think there's another one that shoots 120 if I remember correctly.  My Grandpa gave them to me and an enlarger w/ all the assorted paraphernalia.  I've actually got the space to put a darkroom but I've never got around to being much of a photographer.