Interested in Medium Format

[venchka]

Y'all covered everything I was going to say.

Mellisa, there is an active film community at N.T.S.U. Jeremy Moore for one is in the MFA program there. I'm sure you could get a lot of help and encouragement from the film folks. Caution: One day you may hold up a MF negative and think, "This is too small. I need a larger negative."

[mmuhlenkamp]

Yeah, I took a black and white film class at UNT when I was there for my Comm. Design degree. I really enjoyed developing more than anything else (even digitally, I probably spend more time fiddling with adjustments than I do actually taking the photos). I'll have to see if I can find a film group there. If classes were at more convenient times I would even consider taking a few credits.

[venchka]

I know there are shows in the gallery from time to time. there should be folks around at the openings.

Dated myself, hey? I forgot about the name change. I had an English teacher back in the Stone Age. She was a graduate of T.S.C.W. For some reason the name stuck in my brain.

[wclavey]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

Westley, what else you got?!

I have 2 relatively complete MF kits.

(1) Mamiya TLRs - bodies: c220 & C3; lenses: 65mm, 2 x 80mm, 180mm; prism finder; porro finder

(2) Bronica S2A - S2A body, 3 120/220 backs, lenses: 50mm, 80mm, 200mm 400mm, prism finder, assorted other hacked accessories

I used the TLRs exclusively until about 3 years ago when I got the Bronica. I have not used them since. I normally shoot about 75% MF and 25% LF (Shen Hao 4x5, several lenses, and David P. has my old homemade 4x5 on loan right now). But I just got a used but very nice Olympus e-500 4/3s DSLR which I am enjoying the heck out of for short location scouting trips, etc. and I use the original OM lenses on it that I got back in 1975.

I also have several FSU LTMs and assorted 50mm FSU lenses.

I think about selling some of this stuff, but I do not think I can part with some of it permanently, except the FSU lenses & bodies - - make me an offer! So I loan it out and someone gets to use it.

I also have a nice little Minolta X-700 35mm body with several lenses & a flash (was my uncle's, who died recently) that I want to give away to someone who would actually use it... not build a collection...

[tropicpine]

Ive got developing tanks and other darkroom equipment for sale.

[mmuhlenkamp]

Originally Posted by tropicpine

Ive got developing tanks and other darkroom equipment for sale.

Thanks, if I had two bathrooms I'd be willing to try developing at home, I just don't have the space.

[mmuhlenkamp]

Got Westley's camera in the mail this weekend!

It's in great shape, though it took me a little bit to figure out where everything was at (a scanned in manual I found online helped a lot). It'll take me a while before I get any developed film back. I'll share if I get anything decent from my first couple rolls.

[tropicpine]

Originally Posted by mmuhlenkamp

Thanks, if I had two bathrooms I'd be willing to try developing at home, I just don't have the space.

Developing film requires 4 1gal jugs, a developing tank, thermometer, funnel, measuring cup, dark bag and something to hang the film on. (If you want to economize replace the 4 1 gal jugs with 4 32oz jugs, and a scale that will weigh in grams.)

Its printing that requires most of a bathroom.

BTW: Welcome to the Dark Slide.

[KJ Smith]

Here is my process. I just use one bucket and one measuring cup.
You will need a themometer.



Kodak Chart
Check this out.
Everything you need to know.

I use T-Max developer, liquid concentrate, 1:4
Liquid concentrate fix 1:3
Liquid concentrate Orbit bath
Liquid concentrate photo flo.

My process allows me to only mix up what I need, when I need it.

I have a 1/2 gallon bucket and a 16oz mixing cup, thats marked in ml.

I get the water in the bucket to temp. This time of year I have to use ice to cool the water 68-72f works fine.

The tank needs 270ml to do 6 sheets of film. I use 300ml because the math is easier and I like a little spillage room.

I pre-wash for 1-2 minutes with water from the bucket. Dump down the drain. If you are re-using the developer this help keeps it clean.

60 ml developer is mixed w/240 ml water from the bucket, dump or save.

I use water from the bucket as a stop bath. dump

75ml fix w/225ml from bucket for fix. dump or save.

Cap full Orbit in 300ml from bucket. dump or save

Wash, you can let the faucet do it, rig a hose, or get the really awesome Jobo wash tube. I just got a Jobo and love it.

I dump a capful of Photo flo in the water left in the bucket. To much Photo flo is worse than not enough. Soak 30 sec. or so and shake off excess.

Now how to dry ? People are gonna gripe, I fold up a couple of paper towels, set the reel on them and leave it overnight. the film will dry overnight.

Yes it will flatten out, No I do not squeegee. No it won't leave water marks if you photo flo right and shake off most the excess.

Thats what works for me.
Everything is stored as a concentrate, so it last longer. I store no working solutions. Unless I have a lot more film to do.

[venchka]

If you have an interior bathroom or closet large enough to work in, you're home free for developing. If not, a changing bag will do. A Harrison Changing Tent will do a lot better. Unfortunately, they cost more than a lot of MF cameras. Watch craigslist for stuff. Do your homework on prices. Some sellers on craigslist think their stuff is worth WAY more than it is. I saw Jeremy Moore selling stuff recently. Not sure what he has left.

If I had to, I could develop film in half of a double sink and 12" of kitchen counter space. I don't have to, so I use the whole sink and about 3' of counter space. In the summer I put water & chemicals in the fridge. Lately I've been storing chemicals in the oven.

The least expensive 120 film processing right now is color negative film at Walmart or Sams Club. Finding the film in Denton may be a challenge. Mail order from Freestyle is FAST! Like 2-3 days. Take the exposed film to Walmart/Sams. Find the box with envelopes near the digital cameras. 1 roll per envelope. Fill out the information. Include a phone number. Write 120 C-41 film in the instructions and Develop & Print. Wait 2 weeks. They will call you when the film comes back. Talking to the staff may or may not be helpful. Some of them know what you want and others may tell you they don't do it.

That is a sweet camera. I have admired it on several occasions.

Good luck!

[ronocnikral]

yeah, developing roll film takes very little space.

my "slim" outfit would be, tank, reel, thermometer, grad cylinder, cord, big paperclips, rodinol (or some other throwaway developer), fixer, and photoflo. if you don't reuse the fix, everything fits into a sock drawer. and if I ever live overseas, this is most likely what i would use. maybe diafine. i'm getting tuned into the diafine...it's really nice.

[venchka]

Rodinal works from a US Army wall locker. The space constrained, occasional use king of developers.

I can't believe Brother Clavey got to you.

[ronocnikral]

well, i like that diafine was cheap and westely had posted some developing process on apug. that and it pretty much takes temp out of the equation, mixing and measuring developer. just pour and time. pour back into jug. repeat. i'm sure it is possible to get nice negatives from any developer, it's just understanding and refining process to get what you want.

i'm getting there with the diafine...it takes time for a newb to get their process down and i don't want to be jumping all over from this developer to that developer and never know what is going on. that, and studying of the film doctrinal works.

[mmuhlenkamp]

Yeah, I know developing the film isn't nearly as space involve as doing prints. I just don't want to keep chemicals in my main living space (which is my whole apartment). Extra bathroom, closet, or garage would be great. At this point it's just easier to let someone else do it. I always made dusty film and hated putting it on reels anyway in my black and white photo class.

[ronocnikral]

fair enough. enjoy MF!!!