still-life

4x5 for 365 project (360/365)

in

One of the things I really look forward to spending more time doing once this 365 project is over, is getting caught up with the various unique cameras I have been acquiring over the last year.  I bought this Kodak Recomar 33 9x12cm plate camera back in July.  It dates back to around 1932-1938 and was made in the Nagel factory in German after Kodak purchased the Nagel Camera Company in the early 1930s.  This one pictured came with two 9x12cm plate holders and I quickly found an additional nine plate holders in almost brand new condition, all with the hard to find sheet film sheaths.  Shortly after that initial camera purchase I was lucky enough to acquire an additional two Recomar 33s for next to nothing.  One of those has a fully functional 120 roll film adapter (included in this picture) and the other Recomar had been customized by a previous owner to take 2 1/4" X 3 1/4" (6x9cm) sheet film holders.  The condition of all three of the Recomar 33 bodies is excellent with supple leather bellows and no light leaks.  I've loaded a bunch of the plate holders with Foma 100 ISO film and I'll be enjoying these cameras in the coming months.  Five days left in this year long project !

Technical details:
Busch Pressman Model D 4x5 large format press camera.
150mm Caltar-S II F 5.6 lens in Copal BT shutter.
Ilfor Fp4+ B&W film shot at 125 ISO.
1/30th second at F22.
Lighting from an Alien Bees B800 at 1/2 power shot into a 36" Photek Softlighter umbrella softbox positioned to camera left.  A 30" white reflector was held just off to camera right. Strobe triggered with PocketWiard Plus IIs.  
Developed in Adox Rodinal 1:50 dilution for7 minutes and 20 seconds @ 20 degrees Celsius using a Beseler 8x10 print drum placed on Unicolor Uniroller 352 auto-reversing rotary base.
4x5" negative scanned with Epson V600.

4x5 for 365 project (345/365)

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Passenger's trunks stacked on a baggage cart at the Railroad Museum Of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  There are several such scenes like this setup at the museum that represent things that would have been witnessed in and around an old passenger or freight railroad station.  Just 20 days left in this 365 project.  I might just make it :)

Technical details:
Busch Pressman Model D 4x5 large format press camera.
Graflex Optar 135mm F4.7 lens in a Graphex shutter.
Ilford HP5+ B&W film, shot at ISO 400.
Exposure was 5 seconds at F16 after adjusting for reciprocity compensation.
Developed in Adox Rodinal 1:50 dilution for 7 minutes and 25 seconds @ 20 degrees Celsius using a Mod54 six sheet insert in an older screw top Paterson System Tank # 4 placed on Unicolor Uniroller 352 auto-reversing rotary base.   
4x5" negative scanned with Epson V600.

4x5 for 365 project (263/365)

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A strand of freshly harvested onions hanging near a cabin doorway, drying in the afternoon sun.  Found at the Landis Valley Museum in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  

Technical details:
Sakai Toyo 5x7 large format metal field camera with 4x5 film back.
Fujinon-W 210mm F5.6 lens in Copal B shutter.
Wratten # 8 Yellow filter on lens to help with contrast.
Arista EDU Ultra 200 (re-branded Fomapan) B&W Negative Film, shot at ISO 160.
1/4 second at F22.
Developed in Rodinal/Adox Adonal 1:50 dilution for 9 1/2 minutes @ 20 degrees Celsius in Mod54 daylight developing tank.  
4x5" negative scanned with Epson V600.

4x5 for 365 project (50/365)

in

This is a carved statue depicting a Mother and her Son.  A valentines day gift for my Wife, one of the most loving Mothers I know. 

Camera: Calumet 45NX 4x5 large format monorail view camera. 

Lens: Fujinon-W 210mm F5.6 lens in a Copal B shutter.  Yellow-Green filter on the lens.

Film: Fuji Super HR-T 30 medium speed green sensitive X-Ray film.  Purchased as 8x10" sheets and cut down to 4x5".  Film rated at 100 ISO. 

Exposure: 20 seconds @ F22 after compensation for filter factor, bellows extension and film reciprocity. 

Lighting: Lit from a constant light made up of four 25 watt daylight balanced CFL bulbs in a four socket adapter placed on a light stand and diffused through a home made diffuser made of white bridal satin around a pvc pipe frame positioned to camera left.  Above the subject was placed an Alien Bees B800 studio strobe in a 22" white lined beauty dish with diffusion sock with just the modeling light on @ full power. 

Development: Self Developed film in Rodinal (Adox Adinol) 1:100 in three reel Paterson Universal Tank using Mod54 six sheet 4x5 insert.  6 1/2 minutes @ 20 degrees Celsius with minimal inversions. Kodak indicator stop bath. Ilford Rapid Fixer. Photo-Flo. Hung on shower curtain to dry on film.

Scanning: Negative scanned with Epson V600 in two scans and merged back together in PhotoShop since the V600 doesn't natively support 4x5 scans in one pass.  Slightly sepia toned in Lightroom 4.

4x5 for 365 project (49/365)

in

"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth." --Oscar Wilde

Camera: Calumet 45NX 4x5 large format monorail view camera. 

Lens: Fujinon-W 210mm F5.6 lens in a Copal B shutter.  Yellow-Green filter on the lens.

Film: Fuji Super HR-T 30 medium speed green sensitive X-Ray film.  Purchased as 8x10" sheets and cut down to 4x5".  Film rated at 100 ISO. 

Exposure: 20 seconds @ F22 after compensation for filter factor, bellows extension and film reciprocity. 

Lighting: Lit from a constant light made up of four 25 watt daylight balanced CFL bulbs in a four socket adapter placed on a light stand and diffused through a home made diffuser made of white bridal satin around a pvc pipe frame positioned to camera right.  Above the subject was placed an Alien Bees B800 studio strobe in a 22" white lined beauty dish with diffusion sock with just the modeling light on @ full power. 

Development: Self Developed film in Rodinal (Adox Adinol) 1:100 in three reel Paterson Universal Tank using Mod54 six sheet 4x5 insert.  6 1/2 minutes @ 20 degrees Celsius with minimal inversions. Kodak indicator stop bath. Ilford Rapid Fixer. Photo-Flo. Hung on shower curtain to dry on film.

Scanning: Negative scanned with Epson V600 in two scans and merged back together in PhotoShop since the V600 doesn't natively support 4x5 scans in one pass. 

4x5 for 365 project (46/365)

in

Poohlaroid.  One day I'll actually break down and buy a battery from the FPP store and see if this flea market find still works.  I have pack film for it. 

Camera: Calumet 45NX 4x5 large format monorail view camera. 

Lens: Fujinon-W 210mm F5.6 lens in a Copal B shutter.  Yellow-Green filter on the lens to improve contrast.

Film: Ilford HP5+ 400 ISO Negative Film, shot at 400 ISO. 

Exposure: 12 seconds @ F32. 

Lighting: Lit from a constant light made up of four 25 watt daylight balanced CFL bulbs in a four socket adapter placed on a light stand and diffused through a home made diffuser made of white bridal satin around a pvc pipe frame positioned to camera right.  Above the subject was placed an Alien Bees B800 studio strobe in a 22" white lined beauty dish with diffusion sock with just the modeling light on @ 1/2 power. 

Development: Self Developed in Kodak Xtol 1+2 dilution in Paterson Universal Tank using the Taco Method. 13 minutes @ 20 degrees Celsius. Kodak indicator stop bath. Ilford Rapid Fixer. Photo-Flo rinse.

Scanning: Negative scanned with Epson V600 in two scans and merged back together in PhotoShop since the V600 doesn't natively support 4x5 scans in one pass.  Cropped to taste in Lightroom 4.

4x5 for 365 project (42/365)

in

"God may not play dice but he enjoys a good round of Trivial Pursuit every now and again." --Federico Fellini

Camera: Calumet 45NX 4x5 large format monorail view camera. 

Lens: Fujinon-W 210mm F5.6 lens in a Copal B shutter.  Yellow-Green filter on the lens to improve contrast.

Film: Ilford HP5+ 400 ISO Negative Film, shot at 200 ISO. 

Exposure: 1/60th second @ F22. 

Lighting: Alien Bees B800 studio strobe @ 3/4 power in 22" soft white beauty dish with diffusion sock, positioned above and slightly in front of camera position.  A 45" white reflector on reflector stand positioned to camera left to bounce some light back onto the subject.  A second B800 strobe @ 1/32 power in a 12X48" gridded strip box positioned horizontal to the table at camera right.  Strobes triggered with PocketWizard Plus II radio triggers. 

Development: Self Developed in Kodak Xtol 1+2 dilution in Paterson Universal Tank using the Taco Method. 13 minutes @ 20 degrees Celsius. Kodak indicator stop bath. Ilford Rapid Fixer. Photo-Flo rinse.

Scanning: Negative scanned with Epson V600 in two scans and merged back together in PhotoShop since the V600 doesn't natively support 4x5 scans in one pass.  Cropped to desired size in Lightroom 4.

4x5 for 365 project (41/365)

in

Jacks was one of my Wife's favorite childhood games and still is to this day.  Not fun to step on in the middle of the night however and that's why they stay in their protective tin when not in use. 

Camera: Calumet 45NX 4x5 large format monorail view camera. 

Lens: Fujinon-W 210mm F5.6 lens in a Copal B shutter.  Yellow-Green filter on the lens to improve contrast.

Film: Ilford HP5+ 400 ISO Negative Film, shot at 200 ISO. 

Exposure: 1/60th second @ F32. 

Lighting: Alien Bees B800 studio strobe @ 3/4 power in 22" soft white beauty dish with diffusion sock, positioned above and slightly in front of camera position.  A 45" white reflector on reflector stand positioned to camera left to bounce some light back onto the subject.  A second B800 strobe @ 1/32 power in a 12X48" gridded strip box positioned horizontal to the table at camera right.  Strobes triggered with PocketWizard Plus II radio triggers. 

Development: Self Developed in Kodak Xtol 1+2 dilution in Paterson Universal Tank using the Taco Method. 13 minutes @ 20 degrees Celsius. Kodak indicator stop bath. Ilford Rapid Fixer. Photo-Flo rinse.

Scanning: Negative scanned with Epson V600 in two scans and merged back together in PhotoShop since the V600 doesn't natively support 4x5 scans in one pass. 

4x5 for 365 project (26/365)

in

"I've got all the money I'll ever need, if I die by four o'clock." --Henny Youngman 

Camera: Calumet 45NX 4x5 large format monorail view camera. 

Lens: Fujinon-W 210mm F5.6 lens in a Copal B shutter. Yellow filter on the lens to improve contrast.

Film: Fuji Super HR-T 30 medium speed green sensitive X-Ray film.  Purchased as 8x10" sheets and cut down to 4x5".  Film rated at 100 ISO. 

Lighting: Lit from a constant light made up of four 25 watt daylight balanced CFL bulbs in a four socket adapter placed on a light stand to camera left. 
   
Exposure: 24 seconds @ F16 after adjusting for bellows extension, film reciprocity and filter factors.

Development: Self Developed film in Rodinal (Adox Adinol) 1:100 in three reel Paterson Universal Tank using Mod54 six sheet 4x5 insert.  6 minutes @ 20 degrees Celsius with minimal inversions. Tap water stop bath. Ilford Rapid Fixer. Photo-Flo. Hung on shower curtain to dry on film.

Scanning: Negative scanned with Epson V600 in two scans and merged back together in PhotoShop since the V600 doesn't natively support 4x5 scans in one pass.

4x5 for 365 project (25/365)

in

A wind up musical box type of statue of couples dancing on our dining room table provides the subject for today's project entry. 

Camera: Calumet 45NX 4x5 large format monorail view camera. 

Lens: Fujinon-W 210mm F5.6 lens in a Copal B shutter. Yellow filter on the lens to improve contrast.

Film: Arista EDU 100 Ultra 100 ISO B&W Negative Film, shot at ISO 64. 

Lighting: Lit from the overhead lamp over the dining room table.  I think that's a 60 watt bulb in there. 
   
Exposure: 32 seconds @ F16 after adjusting for bellows extension, film reciprocity and filter factors.

Development: Self Developed in Kodak Xtol 1+2 dilution in Paterson Universal Tank using the Taco Method. 13 minutes @ 20 degrees Celsius. Tap water stop bath. Ilford Rapid Fixer. Photo-Flo rinse.

Scanning: Negative scanned with Epson V600 in two scans and merged back together in PhotoShop since the V600 doesn't natively support 4x5 scans in one pass. Cropped to taste in Photoshop. 

4x5 for 365 project (24/365)

in

This biting Winter freeze is making me yearn for the Summer months even more and even though I'm not much of a "beach person" I still wish to feel that warm sand between my toes right now. 

Camera: Calumet 45NX 4x5 large format monorail view camera. 

Lens: Fujinon-W 210mm F5.6 lens in a Copal B shutter. Yellow filter on the lens to improve contrast.

Film: Ilford Delta 100 ISO Negative Film, shot at box speed. 

Lighting: Lit from camera right with four 25 watt daylight balanced CFL bulbs in a four socket adapter placed on a light stand and aimed through a large home made diffuser constructed from pvc pipe and white bridal satin.  
   
Exposure: 1 second @ F16 after adjusting for bellows extension and filter factor.

Development: Self Developed in Kodak Xtol 1+2 dilution in Paterson Universal Tank using the Taco Method. 13 minutes @ 20 degrees Celsius. Tap water stop bath. Ilford Rapid Fixer. Photo-Flo rinse.

Scanning: Negative scanned with Epson V600 in two scans and merged back together in PhotoShop since the V600 doesn't natively support 4x5 scans in one pass. Slightly sepia toned in Photoshop.

4x5 for 365 project (23/365)

in

A variation on yesterday's fruit basket still life, this time with the addition of a wine glass and a different layout of both the fruit basket and placement on wine bottle and shot on white seamless instead of black background. I wanted to see how the green sensitive X-Ray film responded to the colors green and red.  Being an orthochromatic film and less sensitive to the red part of the light spectrum, the X-Ray film showed the Valentines colored red acrylic beads in the wine glass as light black and the wine glass in the foreground, which is a deep green, as almost clear.  All things to keep in mind when shooting this film with those green or red colors as dominant in the frame.    

Camera: Calumet 45NX 4x5 large format monorail view camera. 

Lens: Rodenstock Geronar 150mm F6.3 lens in a Copal 0 shutter. Yellow filter on the lens to improve contrast.

Film: Fuji Super HR-T 30 medium speed green sensitive X-Ray film.  Purchased as 8x10" sheets and cut down to 4x5".  

Lighting: Lit from above subject with the modeling lamp on full power in an Alien Bees B800 studio strobe placed in a 22" soft white-lined beauty dish with diffusion sock.  To camera right was a second light made up of four 25 watt daylight balanced CFL bulbs in a four socket adapter placed on a light stand and aimed through a large home made diffuser constructed from pvc pipe and white bridal satin.  
   
Exposure: 1 minute and 17 seconds exposure @ F32 based upon an original reading of 4 seconds and compensated for reciprocity and bellows extension and filter factor.  

Development: Self Developed film in Rodinal (Adox Adinol) 1:100 in three reel Paterson Universal Tank using Mod54 six sheet 4x5 insert.  6 minutes @ 20 degrees Celsius with minimal inversions. Tap water stop bath. Ilford Rapid Fixer. Photo-Flo. Hung on shower curtain to dry on film 

Scanning: Negative scanned with Epson V600 in two scans and merged back together in PhotoShop since the V600 doesn't natively support 4x5 scans in one pass.  Cropped to square format in Lightroom 4.

4x5 for 365 project (22/365)

in

I went for a still life for today's entry to the project.  Basket full of vitamin rich fruit and other assorted goodness.  

Camera: Calumet 45NX 4x5 large format monorail view camera. 

Lens: Rodenstock Geronar 150mm F6.3 lens in a Copal 0 shutter. Yellow filter on the lens to improve contrast.

Film: Fuji Super HR-T 30 medium speed green sensitive X-Ray film.  Purchased as 8x10" sheets and cut down to 4x5".  

Exposure: 1/60th second @ F32. 

Lighting: Alien Bees B800 studio strobe @ 3/4 power in 22" soft white beauty dish with diffusion sock, positioned above and slightly in front of camera position.  A 45" white reflector on reflector stand positioned to camera left to bounce some light back onto the subject.  Strobes triggered with PocketWizard Plus II radio triggers. 

Development: Self Developed film in Rodinal (Adox Adinol) 1:100 in three reel Paterson Universal Tank using Mod54 six sheet 4x5 insert.  6 minutes @ 20 degrees Celsius with minimal inversions. Tap water stop bath. Ilford Rapid Fixer. Photo-Flo. Hung on shower curtain to dry on film 

Scanning: Negative scanned with Epson V600 in two scans and merged back together in PhotoShop since the V600 doesn't natively support 4x5 scans in one pass.