Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

What fun with your bargain purchase. The atmosphere of #2 is wonderful, and I particularly love the composition: talk about leading lines! #1 is also appealing to me for the tonal range, shadows, strong geometry (a Minnie term I'm trying to learn to use correctly, lol). Well spotted.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Thanks, Linda. I can't explain it but I'm getting addicted to ebay. All the cameras that I always lusted about thirty years or more ago are now cheap. I had a Minolta that I shot a few rolls of film with and one of the girls in my photography club at school wanted to shoot; but only had a cell phone to use. I suggested that she could learn the ins and outs of exposure and how photography really works with an old film camera. I loaned her one of mine. I have not seen any photos yet; but I'll bet it will be fun. I know it is mostly nostalgia and you can't really make an argument that film is really any better than digital. I think it gives you different results; but I don't actually think it is "better" whatever that is. There is a real joy though, for me, to use those old cameras. Not for everyone,though. They are all made out of steel and weigh a ton. Most of them are robust enough to practically drive nails with. I guess that is why they still work after almost half a century. Will our digital bodies have the same longevity? Don't know. Good to hear from you, Linda and thanks for taking a look at the photos.
Erich

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Robust enough to drive nails...too funny. Wonder if you'll see that written in an ad sometime on ebay? It's wonderful you're enjoying this aspect of photography so much, Erich.

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

Like them all Erich, especially 1 and 2. Can't get Tri X here, it was replaced with T Max some years ago and I never seemed to get it right. Ilford HP5 is very forgiving and can be pushed across town if needed. I do have problems with skies though like in flat light situations as in #2. Perhaps it is the scanner.

Great fun to be able to afford those 60's - 70's SLR's. More fun to take them out for a shoot.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I tried T Max and liked it. I'm also going to tri the Ilford HP5 film. I've been experimenting with stand developing that uses a very diluted solution and 1 hour developing time with no agitation. Sound crazy, I know, but you can look it up on google and the one roll of film I've done like that so far turned out pretty nice. I used Tri-X and rodinol. If you want to buy Tri-X , you can get it at this link. It is where I buy most of my film since it is about seventy-five cents a roll cheaper than my local store that is a twenty minute drive. If you follow the link to their home page, you will see "store" as a tab on top. Then select 35mm or 120 film. They have a nice selection.

https://filmphotographyproject.com/

Erich

Dave Chinn

Erich, by far for me is #2. The leading line of the walkway and lamppost/street light draws me in, while taking me on my own personal stroll. The grain/noise doesn't bother me so much with this one. It sorta has a time lapse look and feel to it. I also like #3, but the composition could have been a little different ... maybe. That is if you had room to capture the pier off center. Just my thoughts for a couple of strong images.
Dave

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

Thanks for the info Erich. There are very few stores here in the Calgary area that still stock film/darkroom supplies. I'm reluctant to purchase supplies on line from the US as our $ plus shipping tend to increase the costs significantly. Also, if I and others don't buy locally, the store will, as many have over the last 10 years stop stocking film etc. or go out of business completely, victims of the smartphone.

Once upon a time someone told me that 30 sec of vigorous agitation at the start of the development cycle would go a long way to eliminate the lack of contrast I was getting with T Max. Remember trying that with some success. Back then I used Microdol X almost exclusively.

Ilford and some Fuji product are still readily available around here. I found that D76 lasts well stock, even better than correctly stored ID 11.

Stand development is supposed to give more favorable grain. Store has Rodinal so may try it and see.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I've been using Tri-x for a while now. I like it; but I think I should experiment with some other films. I think I might try Ilford HP5 in the 120 size for my Hasselblad. I'll probably use the stand develop method first time out. If it doesn't work so well, I'll try traditional. If you really want to get a hold of some Tri-x and you can't get it in my area, then let me know. I don't think it would be too inconvenient for me to buy some and mail it to you when it gets here. That would eliminate the hassle of Canadian Dollar conversion online. I could tell you what the price would be for me to purchase the film and ship it to you. You could reimburse me by Paypal or by check. I would not mind. Of course if Ilford and Fuji are readily available, they are also good. But the offer stands.
Erich
Erich

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

Kind of you to offer to do this Erich.

I have been watching the pricing of mail order US stores. B&H's prices are almost equal to our exchange and they have started offering free shipping to Canada on orders of a certain size. Getting more used to Ilford as well having shot Delta 3200 as well as HP5 and FP4 in the past month.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I've never tried Delta. I'm definitely going to buy some Ilford, though.
Erich

dansmith Loc: Southwest Alberta Canada

Think that you won't be disappointed. Had a roll of Ilford's super high speed Delta 3200, saving it for a night shoot downtown. Got asked to shoot a friend's band in less than favorable light and wanted to use ambient light for effect. Although I have metered this stuff at 3200 with OK results, general consensus is to shoot at 1200 and develop for 2400...

(Both developed in D76 stock)

...shot on 120 rollfilm G.B. Kershaw 450.

(Download)

...and Ilford HP5 in a Pentax ME Super pushed ridicuolusly to 1200.

(Download)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Nice, and not very much grain.
erich