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I want to make a picture now!
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Simplify



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 43

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 1:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is embarrassing but I'm getting antsy to use my new camera. I PM'd a member but am too anxious to await his response. So, to anyone out there who has some free time and uses a 4x5 Anniversary Speed Graphic (or knows how) would you look at the "Silly Story" on the link below and tell me if I am missing a step? Photos are BAD! Took them with one hand quickly using a digi cam. There are lots of typos too! This is NOT made for publication, just to reinforce what I've learned so far! I haven't taken one photo yet as I'm not sure I have the steps down right!
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* Deleted 'cause I did it wrong. Thanks to all of you I now know how to do it right! *
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So, to anyone who dare tackle this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I want to make a picture!

[ This Message was edited by: Simplify on 2004-07-25 15:17 ]
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wisner45



Joined: 23 Jul 2004
Posts: 2
Location: Florida

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 1:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kathleen, I do not see anything about setting the lens F stop and shutter speed for getting the correct exposure. Are you using a light meter ? for determing exposure.
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Simplify



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 43

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Right! I did not put that in there because I figured I'd remember that part. Other than that, will it work?
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Simplify



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 43

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Right! I did not put that in there because I figured I'd remember that part. Other than that, will it work?

Thanks for looking!

ps - yes, I am using a light meter and will probably take my test exposure using my D70 set at the same film speed as the 4x5

[ This Message was edited by: Simplify on 2004-07-25 06:51 ]
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Nick



Joined: 16 Oct 2002
Posts: 494

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 2:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Set the camera on the tripod. Focus it. Do that a few times. Get used to it without film. When you've got to the point you can do everything without film in the camera then you can start making the mistakes that happen with film in the camera.

1) Forgetting to close the shutter before putting the film in.

2) Forgetting to stop the lens down

3) Forgetting to set the shutter speed.

4) Forgetting to lock everything down tight.

You really want to avoid firing the shutter with your finger. Don't you have a cable release?
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Simplify



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 43

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 2:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Nick! I'm going to write that down! I do have a 40" cable release but didn't attach it for this.

I did not realize you had to close the shutter BEFORE you LOADED the film. I just thought you had to do it before removing the dark slide. Thanks especially for that bit of advise as I would have memorized it wrong and messed that up for probably the rest of my life!

[ This Message was edited by: Simplify on 2004-07-25 07:47 ]
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Nick



Joined: 16 Oct 2002
Posts: 494

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 2:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If the shutter is closed before the darkslide that's fine but sooner or later I'd forget-) Safer to close the shutter then putting the holder in.
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Dan Fromm



Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2148
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 5:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:

On 2004-07-25 06:27, Simplify wrote:
This is embarrassing but I'm getting antsy to use my new camera. I PM'd a member but am too anxious to await his response. So, to anyone out there who has some free time and uses a 4x5 Anniversary Speed Graphic (or knows how) would you look at the "Silly Story" on the link below and tell me if I am missing a step? Photos are BAD! Took them with one hand quickly using a digi cam. There are lots of typos too! This is NOT made for publication, just to reinforce what I've learned so far! I haven't taken one photo yet as I'm not sure I have the steps down right!



So, to anyone who dare tackle this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I want to make a picture!
The mantra that works best for me is FAST. Focus, Aperture, Shutter, Take.

It leaves out setting the camera up, inserting the film holder, and all of the dark slide nonsense. The question of which shutter to leave open (front if there is one, when shooting with focal plane; focal plane, if there is one, when shooting with the from) isn't adressed. Yes, I've left the wrong one open/closed and suffered too. Many are the ways to go wrong.

Cheers,

Dan

[ This Message was edited by: dan fromm on 2004-08-23 07:35 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Dan Fromm on 2004-08-23 07:36 ]
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MikeS



Joined: 25 Nov 2003
Posts: 71
Location: East Tennessee

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The slideshow looks good. The only advise I would give is to load the film so that the identification notches are on the opposite side (the side that opens). I think most folks do it this way, and there's a good reason for it, if you have some film holders loaded, and either forget to mark them with what type of film is in them, or it comes off (I've learned that dry erase markers erase too easily!) you can open the holder in a darkroom (or bag), and without removing the whole sheet, feel the notches to know what kind of film it is.

Of course this works great as long as you don't have 2 different types of film with identical notch codes! I have some old Kodak Royal Pan, and some Arista EDU 200 film, and both use the same code, 2 V notches! (and the spacing is identical too!)


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Simplify



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 43

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, thanks so much for all this food for thought! I do appreciate it as it will hopefully keep me from "wasting" film. I think it's time to back up and punt and you guys have been great about explaining the steps I've left out! Thanks again! I really appreciate it! Back to the drawing board. Perhaps this time next week I'll actually be able to make a picture. Right now, I need to add in the missing steps and make myself a new check list. ''

It actually took me a while just to figure out how to open it. That's why I put that in there. If i died tomorrow I would certainly not want the person I bequeath it to break it trying to get it opened!

Film is upside down?! You can tell I really have a LONG way to go, but it is quite a different beast than my D70.

I'm going to write all of this down and start over.

F.A.S.T. - I like it! That will be easy to remember I think!
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t.r.sanford



Joined: 10 Nov 2003
Posts: 812
Location: East Coast (Long Island)

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 8:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You've got the basics down.

The usual way to load sheetfilm, as suggested above, is to slide the short smooth edge in, pushing the notched edge with your right hand. This is conveniently done by lifting a sheet out of the box, placing the tip of your right index finger over the notches, picking up the holder with your left hand so the open end is facing up, and just inserting the film (be sure both corners go under the metal rabbets)!

The key to using any camera that requires several steps before making an exposure is to practice a routine until you do it automatically. This is as true of an Argus "C3" as it is of a "Speed Graphic." A mnemonic like the "FAST" recommended above can be helpful in devising such a routine.

When working with a groundglass, it's sensible to close the shutter as soon as you have the composition and focus you want, before you insert the filmholder. While you're up there, you can set the aperture, too, if you've been focusing wide open. The question does not arise when you're working with the rangefinder.

Working with a rangefinder, I've always found it most logical to set the shutter speed and aperture, tension the shutter, insert the holder, draw the slide, then compose and focus. There's no particular reason to do it in this order; you want to form a habit that is comfortable for you.

I notice with interest that your "Anniversary" has a chromed plunger that trips the shutter from the side of the front standars. My 3¼x4¼ "Anniversary" has one, too, but it runs across the bottom of the lensboard, parallel to the camera bed. I've always loved this system. If yours is convenient to use at its angle, all is well.

A cable release is very desirable when you're working on a tripod, as noted. A "Speed Graphic" has a good deal of inertia, so rigorous precautions to avoid shake are less necessary than with (say) a "Minox"! Here's another mnemonic for you, from Army rifle marksmanship training, applicable to handheld exposures: BRASS ("Breathe, Relax, Aim, Slack, Squeeze")...

The later "Pacemaker Speed Graphic" focusing hood was fitted with two flat metal clips at the bottom, which held the darkslide after you'd pulled it. This is such a good idea that I think it might be worth trying to devise a similar clip for older focusing hoods. When working deliberately, you can use a jacket pocket, but the clips do make life a great deal easier.
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Simplify



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 43

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks! You've been a tremendous help to me as have many others on this forum! I'm taking notes! Maybe soon I can make a picture. I'm pretty enthusiastic about using this old camera, but I do want to get these basic steps down first!

I'll slowly add in the developng, range finder, then some sort of light. Flash, Strobe, painting with light, I want to try it all! One skill at a time though.

I bet I sound pretty dumb to most of you but I have never even seen this kind of camera before. I am in my infancy as far as LF goes!

Glad I found this place and really glad that I can get the clarification I need to move forward.
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Nick



Joined: 16 Oct 2002
Posts: 494

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 9:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/how-to-operate.html

It may seem like over kill but you'll do most of the steps.
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Simplify



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 43

PostPosted: Sun Jul 25, 2004 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Excellent Nick! Printed it! Now I think I can really make a picture! These instructions are excellent!
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JoePhoto



Joined: 13 Oct 2001
Posts: 75
Location: New England

PostPosted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 8:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you want to practice loading film get a sheet and try loading it in daylight and then with your eyes closed and when it feels right go for loading in the dark or a changing bag.

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