[LargeFormat] Big Old Cave

[Leigh Solland (on Chickadee)]

Hi Mike,


> Wow, the really hard approach of cutting your own film etc. -- 
> impressive. I guess I went the "easy route" of just 4x5 sheets ;-) 


Well, I couldn't find film to fit the 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 holders, so I bought 
some 4x5 film to cut down.  That disturbed my sense of "waste not/want 
not", so I went looking for alternatives.  Now I can make any size I 
want, for WAY cheaper (I am poor), and I can even use the cutter to make 
other things, such as backing paper for 116 rolls.  It's much easier 
than it might seem -- the only thing that makes it interesting is that 
you have to work in total darkness.  Makes me wonder if the companies 
making film and paper ever intentionally hired blind people to work in 
their dark factories.


> I started out with a Super Speed Graphic 45 (but hated the weight) 
> since I've had a Crown Graphic 23 with 120 film for years, went on to 
> a cheap wooden field camera (which was rather limited in movements) 
> and have since graduated to a brand-new Arca Swiss "Field" Camera... 


We always seem to find another one to buy, don't we?  I have Speed 
Graphics in 3x4, 4x5 and 2x3 now, plus a Busch Pressman in 2x3.  (I have 
decided that 2x3 is "medium format" if it is in rolls, and "large 
format" if it is in sheets.  How's that for arbitrary?)


> By the way, for B&W sheets, I am using a JOBO Multitank 2 (I think 
> it's their 2521 model). It'll load up to 6 sheets and the development 
> process by hand is just like a 135/120 tank (load in perfect darkness, 
> but develop in normal daylight). I learned the hard way, though, that 
> no matter what the directions say (or anything you read online), you 
> need 50 oz. of the chemicals... 


That's a good idea.  I have a Paterson processing unit that has been 
sitting in a box since I got it a couple of years ago, waiting for me to 
start working in color.  I hadn't thought of using it for sheet b/w, but 
I will.  Thank you.


> Sorry, can't help you on making positives, since I have never done 
> that... 


Richard Knoppow has suggested that I use paper 
internegatives/interpositives/whatever.  I think that is an idea well 
worth pursuing, but I would still be interested to hear from anyone who 
has used film for that.

Regards,
Leigh