christwigg
12 years ago
Is anyone out there still doing darkroom processing ?

I've got a shed load of old photographic paper from a house clearence, problem being its probably been in a loft for 20 years rather than correctly stored.

As theres a fair chance it could all be knackered I don't really want to put it on eBay, but it anyone is willing to cover the postage they can have it for nowt.
Willy Eckerslyke
12 years ago
"pwhole" wrote:

Wow - I also have one of those old khaki Kodak large-format cameras. It's half-plate size, but it takes 7 X 5 Fidelity holders.


My first thought was "that's handy, perhaps I could adapt these to do the same", second thought was "they weigh a ton, why would I even dream of using one anywhere?"
"pwhole" wrote:

Trouble is my light-meter's knackered, but if I could fix it I have toyed with the idea of some underground work with the camera as I've still got a 50 box of Tri-X sheets in the freezer. If I could be arsed to lug it all around, which is debatable...


Quite. Mind you, I'm not convinced that the lack of a working light meter is really a good enough excuse. 😉
Simon's suggestion does appeal though, and the 5x4 MPP might not be too much of a burden.
"The true crimefighter always carries everything he needs in his utility belt, Robin"
Willy Eckerslyke
12 years ago
"christwigg" wrote:

Is anyone out there still doing darkroom processing ?

I've got a shed load of old photographic paper from a house clearence, problem being its probably been in a loft for 20 years rather than correctly stored.

As theres a fair chance it could all be knackered I don't really want to put it on eBay, but it anyone is willing to cover the postage they can have it for nowt.


Depends what you mean by knackered. Chances are it'll have built up some level of base fog, but that wouldn't necessarily make it unusable.
If anyone wants a go at large format photography then starting with "paper negatives" might make more sense than film (in daylight at least). They could cut your old paper to size and load it into dark slides in safelight conditions; develop it themselves which they'd find easier than processing film; then scan the results with a flatbed scanner and reverse them digitally to give a positive image. Any base fogging would be eliminated so wouldn't matter.

I can donate developing trays, safelights, etc if anyone wants to give it a try. :thumbsup:
"The true crimefighter always carries everything he needs in his utility belt, Robin"
dangerous dave
12 years ago
Willy fancy selling me an mpp press camera ?
Willy Eckerslyke
12 years ago
"dangerous dave" wrote:

Willy fancy selling me an mpp press camera ?


Sorry I can't. Officially I have the MPP on loan from CCW though it's probably fallen through the cracks by now.
When I last checked, they weren't worth much so you should be able to find one pretty cheaply.
"The true crimefighter always carries everything he needs in his utility belt, Robin"
dangerous dave
12 years ago
"Willy Eckerslyke" wrote:

"dangerous dave" wrote:

Willy fancy selling me an mpp press camera ?


Sorry I can't. Officially I have the MPP on loan from CCW though it's probably fallen through the cracks by now.
When I last checked, they weren't worth much so you should be able to find one pretty cheaply.



yea there are a few on ebay but just dont wanna end up with a lame one
Edd
  • Edd
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie
12 years ago
"Paul Marvin" wrote:

That will not be a lug round what we had at Cambrian on Wednesday in all the snow and mud up and down with dive kit and camera kit THAT was a lug round... 2hrs each way 😢 got some nice shots of the underwater stairs though ;D



We look forward to seeing them :thumbup:
'I started reading it with full intention to read it all and then got bored and went and got beer instead!'
pwhole
  • pwhole
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie
12 years ago
Quote:

Quite. Mind you, I'm not convinced that the lack of a working light meter is really a good enough excuse.

I know - I could figure it our pretty easily I guess - I always have one in the SLR after all! The lens on it is in old 'imperial' (or whatever it's called) shutter speeds to complicate matters - I guess yours is the same? 5th, 10th, 25th etc. as I remember, but with light-painting, who cares? You might be right - maybe I should have a go. Don't need an enlarger for these as I've got a good contact frame and then all I need is a light bulb!
Paul Marvin
12 years ago
If you dont want to mess about doing your own processing I know Peak Imaging at Sheffield still do it although its a bit pricey that is what pushed me to go digital.
"I Dont Know Where I am Going, But When I Get There I will Know Where I am"
Willy Eckerslyke
12 years ago
"dangerous dave" wrote:

"Willy Eckerslyke" wrote:

"dangerous dave" wrote:

Willy fancy selling me an mpp press camera ?


Sorry I can't. Officially I have the MPP on loan from CCW though it's probably fallen through the cracks by now.
When I last checked, they weren't worth much so you should be able to find one pretty cheaply.


yea there are a few on ebay but just dont wanna end up with a lame one


This one has had a wallop in the past as the top is slightly concave and one of the focusing knobs is bent. Result is a slight tendency to spring open from its closed position but no effect on the images. Everything else works as it should, suggesting that the bodies are pretty resilient. So unless there are serious dents, you should be OK.
The bellows can be replaced if its full of holes.

The lens is a bit more of a worry. It and focusing cam are matched pairs so both should have the same serial numbers for the rangefinder to work properly. And the shutter speeds have probably slowed down, often to the point where the 1sec setting won't close at all. (Apologies if you already know all this.)
"The true crimefighter always carries everything he needs in his utility belt, Robin"
NewStuff
12 years ago
Should I manage to get my mitts on a Fuji 6x7, then that's coming underground.

Although it was the right thing to do at the time, I regret selling my Bronica SQAM. awesome piece of kit, and would take some very nice pictures.
Searching for the ever elusive Underground Titty Bar.

DDDWH CC
dangerous dave
12 years ago
"Willy Eckerslyke" wrote:

"dangerous dave" wrote:

"Willy Eckerslyke" wrote:

"dangerous dave" wrote:

Willy fancy selling me an mpp press camera ?


Sorry I can't. Officially I have the MPP on loan from CCW though it's probably fallen through the cracks by now.
When I last checked, they weren't worth much so you should be able to find one pretty cheaply.


yea there are a few on ebay but just dont wanna end up with a lame one


This one has had a wallop in the past as the top is slightly concave and one of the focusing knobs is bent. Result is a slight tendency to spring open from its closed position but no effect on the images. Everything else works as it should, suggesting that the bodies are pretty resilient. So unless there are serious dents, you should be OK.
The bellows can be replaced if its full of holes.

The lens is a bit more of a worry. It and focusing cam are matched pairs so both should have the same serial numbers for the rangefinder to work properly. And the shutter speeds have probably slowed down, often to the point where the 1sec setting won't close at all. (Apologies if you already know all this.)



thats the issue with the shutters i guess, no way of telling unless you get one from a shop thats been tested and is timing spot on then its up to silly money. ffords have a few but looking around the 300 for the lens, May well go with the RB67 and save a few quid on my film costs and have a cheaper lens options.

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