checkat
Hi everyone, ;)
I’m new here and thought I’d introduce myself briefly, just to be polite. Alex, I’ve just finished my design degree and, in the final stages, ‘rediscovered’ the joy of photography (the introductory seminars at uni had taken some of the fun out of it back then) – I’ve done a lot of digital work (mainly as an assistant) and had an old Revueflex gathering dust in the cupboard. Then, after a bit of research and as a little extra for shoots, I found a Mamiya Universal in good condition with a 6x9 back and a Polaroid back.
I’d now like to experiment a bit with that. I’ve ordered pack film, but also roll film – HP5 Plus, Portra 160 and a roll of Fuji 400x transparency film.
As I said – I wanted to use the Polaroids as a ‘gimmick’ for portrait shoots or for the look – but I’d like to use the 120 6x9 film on a permanent basis for specific, independent projects. I can digitise these, for example, in a good Epson flatbed scanner after I’ve had them developed. That would be the initial plan.
During my university days, however, I had a lot of fun (yes, even then) with the enlarger (initially for b/w) and could well imagine setting up a small setup again for individual prints. My question to you – is anyone in a similar situation? What’s your workflow? What would you advise me (off the top of my head, I’ve only found enlargers up to 6x6)? What are the classic beginner’s mistakes? What equipment and papers might be worth investing in?
I’m open to suggestions for now and would be happy to take all good advice on board :)
Thanks and best regards,
Alex
Tandemfahren
Hi Alex, welcome to the world of the die-hards!
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Well, you’ve got some nerve, starting straight away with a 6x9 camera – wouldn’t a more run-of-the-mill solution have done the trick, like a 35mm film camera or a 6x7??? Not meant as a criticism, you’re already punishing yourself enough as it is :-)
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As you’ve already noticed, enlargers and V-lenses for formats larger than 6x6 are rarer and more expensive. You’ll just have to get on with it... (unless you enlarge your negatives using a 6x7 mask, which doesn’t seem unreasonable to me)
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You’d be better off cobbling together your own darkroom setup to suit your circumstances; I reckon you already know what sort of tins, bottles and trays you’ll need?
For the basics, if necessary, you should consult some literature; in my opinion, a forum isn’t the right medium for that.
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If you want to know the ins and outs, I’d highly recommend the hefty tome ‘Way Beyond Monochrome’ by Lambrecht/Woodhouse.
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I might offer one specific tip: from the outset, try to think in terms of stops rather than seconds when setting exposure times for the enlarger (if only I’d done the same...)
There’s a really well-designed timer for this, the StopClock by RH Design (by Chris Woodhouse, “coincidentally”).
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For everything else, you can simply follow the mainstream; you’ve already done that with your choice of film.
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Right then – go for it and have fun!
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Frank
checkat
Hi Frank,
Thanks for your quick reply! Haha, I’m actually quite good at that – though I ended up with the 6x9 more or less by taking a detour via Packfilm. The Mamiya is, after all, the sister model to the Polaroid 600SE, and there was ‘a back like that’ included alongside the actual Polaroid – I’d have to retrofit the 6x4.5 now, though ;P And for the very first attempt, there’s still an AE-1 here if need be 😉
I do have an idea for the HP5, but that’ll be the start of the darkroom fun for now.
Nonetheless, I’ll be more than happy to pick up the book recommendation. I’m in the mood for a bit of specialist reading. And that’s exactly the sort of advice you get in the forum (with your own experience thrown in at the end). I remember that from the lovely guitar forum, where the discussion was more about 2x12 and 4x12 rather than 6x9 and 35 ;)?
I’ve also done quite well starting with the mainstream ;) – and later, with a bit more experience, I was able to pick out the best bits. That said, I’d naturally be tempted by a glimpse into the future. Since independent analogue projects can certainly be a bit off the beaten track – which films aren’t mainstream and would, in your opinion, be worth a try at some point? I’ll leave the wet plate alone for now, though 😉
Go for it!
Cheers and best regards!
Tandemfahren
Hi Alex,
Your approach sounds quite sensible. For basic knowledge, though, Lambrecht is actually quite in-depth; there are loads of old books out there, second-hand ones (Booklooker, for example).
Then mix in some tips from the forum and enjoy – but with caution, because a lot of what comes from forums is actually a bit of a mishmash, or at least hard to make sense of.
I’d advise you to develop your own black-and-white film right from the start – I assume you’ve already done that. And you should have a decent tripod (and use it, of course...)
What materials are considered offbeat or non-mainstream? Quite a lot, more or less. On the shooting side, for example: black-and-white slides, ortho film, IR, high-resolution film, cross-processing...? On the lab side: lith prints, cyanotypes, colourisation, and so on and so forth...
Photography is a long, winding road with plenty of turn-offs!
But to be able to enjoy the side roads, knowing your way around the main road is sometimes helpful. Take HP5 in D76, Durst/Kaiser/Dunco/Rodagon, Ilford MGIV, Neutol.
For some, that’s enough for a lifetime, and that doesn’t have to be the worst thing. Some people play the same old banjo their whole lives and become masters.
By the way, I find describing the AE1 as a stopgap solution to be a snotty affront :-)
It’s a serious piece of kit. Those tiny little planes from the violin maker aren’t toys either, even though they’re no use to me with my thick fingers.
Oh, and I’ve just seen that there are backs available for the Mamiya in 6×4.5, 6×6 and 6×7.
Go for it,
Frank
Gast
Oh man, there’s so much truth in that last post… The streets, the banjo, the plane – I love that metaphor!
Thanks!
Max
