[Leica] IMG: a feast for sore eyes (Hoppy)

[hoppyman at bigpond.net.au (G Hopkinson)]

On the new picture, YIKES times six, methinks they have been attending many 
feasts.
On the gear collection, well you are not alone there. Go ahead and break out 
a tank and buy some XTOL. You have a change bag and a
laundry to work in? That really doesn't represent a huge time investment to 
try when it suits. I came back after 30 yrs away from
the darkroom.
One correction, there is no such thing as too many cameras. Just as long as 
you are pressing that shutter button on at least one of
them at any time.
Cheers
Hoppy
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Re: [Leica] IMG: a feast for sore eyes (Hoppy)

I am a great collector of equipment. My problem is that I never get 
around to using it. In my closet is an unused Besser 23c enlarger. In 
the basement are unopened packages of chemicals. On shelves are more 
cameras than anyone needs in a lifetime. My problem is that some few 
years ago I was bit by the computer bug and the sickness only worsened. 
Now I find myself with Nikon scanners and HP and Epson printers, 
Photoshop and Lightroom software and not enough time to use any of it as 
it should be used. I doubt that I will ever use the 23C for anything but 
large format and I do so little of it anymore. So you may be correct. 
Maybe to interrupt this cycle I should at least develop my on B&W.

That said put on your sunglasses. I took along a D40 as backup and here 
is a not so well composed but much brighter shot of the ladies.

http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/smilingjack/North+Carolina+festival/DSC_0122+copy.jpg.html
http://tinyurl.com/yv89x8

Jack

G Hopkinson wrote:
> I know we have drifted slightly off the original thread, but I think that 
> developing your own BW negs is really a nice extension
of
> M'ness. When I decided to take up the cudgel again, I popped into the Bay 
> for cheap gear. Typical of me and that site, I think I
now
> have more than twelve tanks! But they can be extremely cheap and even a 
> modern enlarger is often a fraction of its original value.
I
> saw a good Durst 35mm here recently go for AUD35 or so!
> Anyhoo, I have now arrived at decent technique, chemistry and numbers for 
> my chosen BW films and as of about one day ago, finally
> have a reasonably efficient scanning workflow happening. Forced on me by 
> 11 rolls of Neopan film at once (plus 13 of slides)!
> I wish I had the dedication, space and time to get reasonably proficient 
> at wet printing as well. However, intellectually I know
> that scanning, PS and inkjet gives me large advantages in control, 
> repeatability and productivity. Maybe I just need open
containers
> of stop bath and fixer on my computer desk for atmosphere.
> BTW I just revisited your medieval fair, now my night vision is ruined for 
> another day by those ladies.
>
> Cheers
> Hoppy 
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Subject: Re: [Leica] IMG: a feast for sore eyes (Hoppy)
>
> I have all of the aforementioned equipment. What I lacked was the will. 
> These were developed by a professional lab. One of the very few 
> remaining in any city. They have performed flawlessly  in the past One 
> out of many I can deal with. A bad pattern would be something else. That 
> said your advice is sound. I just might mend my ways.
>
> Jack
>
>
>
> G Hopkinson wrote:
>   
>> The surprise is fun of course. Re the processing, that would make you mad 
>> after your effort of taking pics for the day. Maybe
time
>> for a modest neg developing kit for your cupboard, Just a tank and a few 
>> measures etc. You can still get your prints commercially
>> maybe or join those suffering through scanning the bw.
>> Cheers
>> Hoppy
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> Subject: Re: [Leica] IMG: a feast for sore eyes (Hoppy)
>>
>> The surprise factor is part of it as it was for me also.I looked but 
>> didn't see Ric or Tina. This roll was so poorly processed that the grain 
>> was the size of golf balls and the contrast was nil. I had to loose the 
>> mans beard just to get a printable file.
>>
>> Thanks for looking and commenting
>>
>> Jack