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Springback · Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2003 4:20 pm Post subject:

Through a pleasant coincidence, I went on a last minute trip to Oahu. At the eleventh hour, I deceided to take along my new old Crown and a box of Arista Pro 400(Ilford HP-5+) film. Lots of fun, especially shooting whats left of 1950s Waikiki funky architecture. On the North Shore, the BIG waves were really cooking, but my faithful 127 Ektar couldn't "reach" out that far. If I ever get in this situation again, I was wondering if any body had any recommendations for a good telephoto that would work on the Crown? Thanks! errr..... Mahalo!

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

Just remember that if a 150mm lens is normal on your crown, then the 380mm is equal to a 127mm lens on your 35mm camera. ( If you want to play diagonals then it bumps to a 167mm lens)

So the guy next to you with a 200mm on his SRT 101 will get the closer photo, unless you crop a lot. He will also have more depth of field for a given f stop, which means his shutter will be faster.

You're suddenly starting to realized why the Big Berthas with their 20" 40 and 60" lenses were so popular. And why, when there was something better, lighter and easier, they were dropped like lastweek's laptop after Mac Expo.

But you'll get the tourists around you asking the tough questions. "is that a camera?" "Are you taking pictures?" "Is it heavy?"

FrankS · Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2003 11:30 pm Post subject:

Springback,
Please tell me how it was, travelling with a Graphic camera! Did you have a patient travelling companion? Have you developed and printed anything yet? Were you using a handheld light meter or were you guessimating exposure? (sunny 16 all the time?) Did you try any dusk/night shots? SDid you take a tripod?

Can you tell I'm interested in travelling with a 4by5? Can anyone else share their experiences doing this, please?

Frank

_________________
...preferring to be on the shiny side of the film, Frank S.

[ This Message was edited by: FrankS on 2003-02-24 15:31 ]

Springback · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2003 12:07 am Post subject:

Frank, travelling with the Crown really wasn't much of a hassle. The airport security people did a hand inspection of my film as I requested. Never check your film in your luggage! I shot handheld most of the time, why not? I had four holders with me, which I reloaded in a dark bag I got from the local photo store(not recommended if you've got two young children bouncing on the hotel bed while you're trying to reload! Wait until they go night-night!) This was a family vacation, not a photo trip, so I did a lot of shooting in the early morning, while the crew was still asleep. I carried my Crown, holders(in a baggie) light meter, and cable release(still haven't got the body release on mine to work) in an ordinary day pack. If your body release works, that will speed up things a lot. Taking the cable off and on sure takes the "speed" out of the equation. I used the infinity stops adjusted to my 127mm Ektar but using the ground glass, but on the street I just set things to the infinity stops and sighted through the finder. When I get the time and money, I'll send it to Fred Lustig and get the kalart and the body release adjusted and working. I also took a tripod(an old tilt-all) and a stop watch in case I wanted to do some night shots, but never got around to it. Oh yes, I did get a lot of "what is that?" and "is that a camera?" but not nearly as much as you'd think, since the Crown lived in the day pack and was only out for a few minutes when I was actually shooting. I'm sure if I'd taken time to use the tripod the questions & comments would have been endless! The Crown(or it's Speed sister) are excellent travelling companions. As the cruise line ads say; "Get out there!"

Springback · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2003 1:18 am Post subject:

Heres something novel you can use your graphic camera for: I was out early one morning, shooting. The few people out on the streets were mainly concerned about finding a starbucks, except for one pan handler who ask me for some dough. "If I had any money, would I still be taking pictures with this ol' camera?" I replied. He took a long look at me, shrugged his shoulders, and left in hot pursuit of a starbuck hunter. The Crown as an antedote for pan handlers?

AWT · Joined: 05 Sep 2002 Posts: 57 Location: Upstate SC

Springback: You've anticipated my upcoming trip to Phoenix! It's mainly a business trip, but the wifester and I are taking a couple extra days to do a side trip to Sedona and Red Rock country with my Crown. I'll carry the Crown and accessories (light meter, filters, cable release, changing bag) in my carry-on day-pack. The Bogen 3021+3028 goes in my checked luggage.

I've decided that I don't want the hassles of trying to get sheet film through security, so I've decided to order some Provia from B&H and have them FedEX it to my hotel and process in Phoenix. I'll price the film locally, but I've read on photo.net that the few "pro photo" stores in Phoenix tend to gouge on film prices.

I think the time to attach/detach the cable release is all part of the process. Since I'm gonna be shooting 100-speed chromes (at ISO 80) I want to be sure that I'm not shaking the box. That *is* why I'm hauling a tripod cross-country :0!

Also, until I can afford a "real" tele-whatever for my Crown (think "tax refund"

), I'll pack along a Telek -3 slip-on and shoot some frames with and without. The Telek may not be as crisp, but I've made some impressive 16x20 enlargements from it.

I just hope I don't have to give a detailed demo of my Crown to the TSA folks at the airports. ('This is a c-a-m-e-r-a! Really!!')

alecj · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 853 Location: Alabama

For travel situations, consider using a Grafmatic or two. Lots more film contained in a smaller package than multiple filmholders.

Come to think of it, I bet trying to explain that concept to an airline security person, w/o opening it, would be fun. Probably best to travel with them empty.

Isn't it awful we have to think in such terms these days. How life has changed!

[ This Message was edited by: alecj on 2003-02-25 08:47 ]

Springback · Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2003 6:26 pm Post subject:

Arizona? Beautiful! My daypack with the Crown inside served as my carry-on. TSA Security didn't bat a collective eyelash. Have a great trip!