Camera Talk

Found some old (circa-2007) provia in the closet last week. Scanned a couple pictures off it today (testing new software on a new laptop). Bowman's Hill preserve, Bucks County, PA.

Bowman's Hill by Scott, on Flickr

Bowman's Hill by Scott, on Flickr

Think these were with some Rolleiflex. I'm developing an Acros test roll from a project camera now, but these scans have me pining to shoot chromes again. There's something about seeing a big positive film image that's magic.

I do have some Provia in 4x5. Hmm...

Scott

Nothing compares to a large slide in a good light box. And your new scanner seems to be working!

Lovely scenes, Scott. Good thing you have the 4x5 stuff, as decent slide film is getting scarce these days.

PF

You know what, PF? I looked at getting some 120 Provia after this. And I found some, and was willing to pay for it. But then I looked at my two (fairly) local "pro" labs - Dan's Camera City in Allentown and Bowers in Reading. Neither do in-house E6 anymore. That took me aback enough that I'm holding off on buying the film until I find somewhere competent to develop it (I can see doing 4x5 E6 at home, but for whatever reason 120 or 135 seem unrealistic). Pah.

A friend of mine who lives in Grove City used York for a long time, but now he sends his stuff off to some place in Wisconsin. I haven't shot any E6 since my local lab quit selling it. They only did the developing on a Thursday, so if I missed getting there on Friday to pick it up, I'd have to wait until Monday since they are closed Sat/Sun.

PF

I've done C41 in 120 and 135 and found that it's not really any worse than doing 4x5, for what it's worth -- similar challenges. I have the E-6 kit and am meaning to try it when I have some time to mix up the chemistry. If you're worried about cost, I recommend the el cheap thermos ice cooler approach, which I tried and found works well. Just heat the water that you put in the chest a degree or two more than needed, and it all works out in the end.

Robert

I've actually done 4x5 E6 that way Robert. Worked out pretty well, too, if I do say so:

crop272 by Scott, on Flickr

BUT, that's one-shot for me. I get really nervous about reusing developer for color, especially with chromes, and that gets expensive quick for 120 or 135. Not sure I'm a good candidate for doing roll film E6 because of that.

Huh. I've never done it one-shot -- I just re-used the chemistry the prescribed number of times. Seemed to work pretty well. But I didn't push it either, so I don't know where the limit is. Don't blame you for being wary of it, though.

Robert

Some old Fuji last well like some old AGFA films.

It's pretty expensive down here now as well, and there are fewer and fewer places that develop E6. A LF sheet costs as much as a roll, making LF chromes very expensive.

I think it's not so much the re-using, but how long between developing sessions. Maybe you need to batch all the developing up, but that then means your turn-around times increase.