Four Letter Word

[Barefoot]

I was picking through some of the shots I've made with my F100 this past several months. I don't make a habit of carrying it around with me everywhere I go, but if I have to put a little effort into the trip and intend to be there for a while , I'll have it it with me. Thats why so many look like they come from the same place.

This stuff cost to much to keep stashed without showing at least a little of it so...lets do it this way. There was some talk of challenge so my challenge to myself is this: I'm committed to using the lightest of hand in processing any film scans I show in this thread. Slight levels and/or curves, sharpening, and trim the edges if leveled. That's it. You guys know how I like to murder one, so it'll be different for me.

[Jason]

This is a nice series of shots. I've thought about trying to go back and shoot some film again, I haven't given it a shot yet but these photos make me want to go back and give it a go. Love the last two!

[Iguanasan]

Very nice results. Honestly, the medium doesn't bother me but I have absolutely no interest in going back to film. Others are more than welcome to enjoy it if they wish.

[Barefoot]

Thanks, Jason. Thanks, Iggy. I've lost track of which photos are from which roll. Some are on TMax 100, some AGFA 100, and some are TMax 400. The tightest grain is the TMax 100.

I thinks this one in on AGFA.

[Runmonty]

I love these Barefoot and I commend you on your challenge. I really like the contrast in shot 2. Shot 4 is simply gorgeous.

Very nice results. Honestly, the medium doesn't bother me but I have absolutely no interest in going back to film. Others are more than welcome to enjoy it if they wish.

I love the look of film and decided a while ago to embrace my inner hipster and keep a film camera with me with B & W film loaded as well as my DSLR. I have noticed that I tend to "save" the film and accordingly don't use it much as I originally intended and therefore it takes me forever to fill a roll. After seeing these images I am inspired again, and my personal challenge is to use it more to determine if it is something I will continue with or not.

[Barefoot]

I got this goofy looking photograph from an old Mamiya Six that was made in the early fifties. It doesn't have double exposure prevention and at first, while learning to use it, its real easy to slip up. You have to advance the film by turning a knob on top while looking through the red window on the back of the camera waiting for the next number to appear. Then, cock the shutter by means of a lever on the lens. Add to that you have all the other options to fiddle with in its only mode of full manual with no meter. After having developed a regimen, the “slip-ups” have significantly decreased and even if it is a lot of work, its a blast to shoot with.

This was from the first roll I ran through the camera and there was nothing but nonsense on it from one end to the other with frame after frame of doubles. There's something different about this one. One of the darnedest doubles I've ever made.

I farmed out the scan work(that won't happen again-new epson coming) and did a very slight curves adjustment. For what its worth, I processed the film in Caffenol CM.

[Barefoot]

These are from the first roll through a Konashiruko (Konica) Pearl made in 1949. Another medium format folder, this one shots 6x4.5 instead of 6x6 like the Mamiya above. Also, unlike the Mamiya, its an uncoupled rangefinder meaning that I have to transfer the distance reading from the rangefinder to the focus scale on the lens for correct focus.

Processed in Caffenol CM.

[Runmonty]

These are great BF. The subject matter suits the "look" from this camera and film. Has a real vintage feel to it.

[mbrager]

I can see the attraction in shooting film. The blacks are so deep. I'm pretty sure these forum posts don't do the photos real justice. And then you have the satisfaction of controlling the whole process, from shooting to developing (you make your own developer?) to scanning to printing. Shooting digital loses a lot to gain simplicity. I loved the Caffenol website link. It's humorous too, the posts about using a heaping tablespoon versus measuring the precise weight or volume. So nerdy. My favorite is the first post in section#7, the brick walls. Simple and effective. I hope you will keep sharing your efforts. You are right, it's too much work not to share.

[Barefoot]

I hope they start to show improvement once I get past the "first rolls". Using them to practice with the caffenol before I dive into the rolls that may actually have something on them. I've bought over thirty rangefinders since January of this year, so there will be quite a bit of testing cameras still to come.