Cadfael_tex Posted June 25, 2012 Author Share #61 Posted June 25, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I know several people have told me it is easy and I’m sure I could probably manage to get it. How fiddly is the film loading in the bag onto the reel? I have a strength and feeling (nerve damage) issue in my left hand? I prefer black and white film. For the little bit I shot film it was mostly what I shot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 25, 2012 Posted June 25, 2012 Hi Cadfael_tex, Take a look here Contemplating Leica. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
IkarusJohn Posted June 25, 2012 Share #62 Posted June 25, 2012 The mechanics of extracting the film, loading the reel and drum is all pretty simple. I have a large windowless cupboard in my office. If I go in there after dark, stuff a towel along the bottom of the door, it's fine. The trick is to place your tank, reel and scissors in exactly the right place so you can find them in the dark. I hold the reel in my left hand, and load and rotate with my right, so the left really only holds the reel steady. The chemistry is all pretty straightforward, once you have the hang of it. I stock pile a number of films, and batch make the chemicals, then away you go. In the long run, it has to be said that digital is easier. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 25, 2012 Author Share #63 Posted June 25, 2012 My basement is completely dark but also very dusty. I wonder if it would be a good place (i.e. better than a changing bag)? I’m somewhat swayed by the digital obsolescence argument (even for Leica). So would the M8 not be a good choice if I decide to go digital? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ming Rider Posted June 25, 2012 Share #64 Posted June 25, 2012 Shooting both an M8 and CL (and a Mamiya TLR) I manage a happy balance between the two (or three). Usually my mood decides which camera I'll take, though if I think I'll need color, I take the M8. Oh yes, TLR's. That's a good alternative especially for street. People are so used to others nowadays looking down at their phones, they think your checking your share prices But with film. To check if you can load the reel (the most involved bit), buy a single reel off ebay for £5 and use any scrap roll of film and load it in day light. First watch what you're doing, then try with your eyes shut. Dust isn't to much of a problem if just processing film. Clean down a small area and wait a day for everything to settle. Personally, I've never tried a bag but it would mean you could do it on the kitchen table with the lights on. I would go for the darkened cupboard approach myself. Besides, sorting and building a system that works is quite satisfying. Made me quite proud, as if I was back in the pioneering days, like Fox-Talbot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 25, 2012 Author Share #65 Posted June 25, 2012 @Ming Rider: I decided to go watch some youtube on the M8 and saw videos by ‘CountryGent’ or somethings like that and I says to myself, “That sure looks like Ming Rider”. Alright, I’ve talked myself down a bit from the fear of filming. I hope the slow boat from the Ukraine doesn’t take to long with the Zorki. I’m anxious to try it out. I will say that lugging the F2 around felt a bit like pulling an anchor up on shore after swimming the channel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ming Rider Posted June 26, 2012 Share #66 Posted June 26, 2012 @Ming Rider: I decided to go watch some youtube on the M8 and saw videos by ‘CountryGent’ or somethings like that and I says to myself, “That sure looks like Ming Rider”. Alright, I’ve talked myself down a bit from the fear of filming. I hope the slow boat from the Ukraine doesn’t take to long with the Zorki. I’m anxious to try it out. I will say that lugging the F2 around felt a bit like pulling an anchor up on shore after swimming the channel. Yes CountryHouseGent, my Gent of a Country House dwelling twin brother. Did you see the color film processing clips. Shot in my tardis of a darkroom, built by my own fair hands from a tumble down chicken shed. Great in the winter cos' it's so small, it can be as warm as toast in 2 minutes. Home to two spiders that I've known since their birth. Big fellas now. Lovely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share #67 Posted June 26, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yes CountryHouseGent, my Gent of a Country House dwelling twin brother. Did you see the color film processing clips. Shot in my tardis of a darkroom, built by my own fair hands from a tumble down chicken shed. Great in the winter cos' it's so small, it can be as warm as toast in 2 minutes. Home to two spiders that I've known since their birth. Big fellas now. Lovely. Going to go watch it now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share #68 Posted June 26, 2012 Very Interesting, didn’t see the two spiders though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 26, 2012 Share #69 Posted June 26, 2012 Hi, You say you have a "deep reservation" about using film and the "chemical part doesn't excite me". If the convenience of digital suits you better, and you want a digital Leica, then you only have the M8 or M9 to choose from! My point about the Zorki was a serious one, you just need to find out if the handling/focussing and 'way of seeing' with a rangefinder camera suits you. You can do that without even running a film through it. Good luck with whatever you choose. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share #70 Posted June 26, 2012 Probably need to quit thinking about it until the Zorki gets here. That’s one problem when you’re house/bed bound for a bit, you have nothing to do but think. I’ll play with the Zorki for sure. I definitely have a roll of Fuji Pro 400H waiting for it. I’m hoping to get the fast boat and not the slow boat on delivery of it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ming Rider Posted June 26, 2012 Share #71 Posted June 26, 2012 Cadfael, Sorry to hear you're laid up for a bit, get better soon. In the mean time regarding the Film v Digital debate, it prompted me to make a YouTube video that I've been meaning to do for ages, about how easy B&W film development is. Here it is Enjoy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share #72 Posted June 26, 2012 That was an excellent and very helpful video Ming Rider. I think I might just have to try it. I need to get a good film scanner while I'm at it. You use the Epson V500, I watched a video last night of Steve Huff using one of the epsons, and I've seen a lot of talk of the Plustek models. What is the best (and not super expensive) film scanner? (I was disappointed to see that my HP all-in-one doesn't support film scanning). On a side note, shot several frames on my F2 today. It was a pleasure to feel the mechanics working but with even the 2.5./105 the thing weighs as much as a battleship. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ming Rider Posted June 26, 2012 Share #73 Posted June 26, 2012 Glad you liked it. I forgot to mention that with all the chemicals, you dilute them with water so they last an eternity as they can be reused, except developer which is diluted but chucked afterwards. I could only recommend the V500 as it's the only one I've used. I would avoid these £25 cheap scanners on ebay. They're more for Uncle Dave archiving his family snaps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ming Rider Posted June 26, 2012 Share #74 Posted June 26, 2012 How embarrasing. With the lighting and digital compression, it looks like half my top teeth are missing !!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share #75 Posted June 26, 2012 Didn't notice. Of course, if you'd like I could include an English dentistry joke here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ming Rider Posted June 26, 2012 Share #76 Posted June 26, 2012 Yes, please do. But how will you know which one to pick, there must be so many? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share #77 Posted June 26, 2012 Since you asked so nicely. Cheers. Video - IMDb Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ming Rider Posted June 26, 2012 Share #78 Posted June 26, 2012 Typical, "This Video Is Not Available In Your Country". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share #79 Posted June 26, 2012 Asked on the film forum but I'll throw it in here as well. Rodinal (Adonol) seems to be hard to get over here due to postal regulations. What would be a good alternative? Actually I guess I need to know a set of chemicals and film that all go together well and are easy to use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadfael_tex Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share #80 Posted June 26, 2012 It was a clip from The Simpsons that showed one of the characters scared straight at the dentist by the Big Book of British Smiles. That's probably enough of the English bashing since you and Earleygallery have been two of the most helpful to me Been shopping for chemicals and supplies after watching your video. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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