Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Ever since I first saw my late father-in-law's 11x14 Deardorff camera I have been fascinated with large format film. We have, I feel, an innate affinity for such simple and well made works of the hand.
Well I want enlargments of landscapes, people and buildings and not compromise. Well, I've tried stitching and that works well. In fact I'd say I'm an addict. But it occurred to me I ought to now reconsider the simple wooden Large Format Camera. I already own several 4x5 cameras, a Crown Graphic and A Busch Pressman. They are limited in movements but quite functional. I want to explore the possibilities of designing planes of focus that selected what I want from the background. Since it means a new camera with swings tilts and shifts, I thought, let's get this right first time. So I decided to really go "big". After all, with just a moderately good scanner, I'd not have any further jealosy and lust for the MFDB, at least, that's the theory! Scan a piece of 8x10 film at just 2000 dpi and one has a super file to work with. Alternatively, 8"x10" makes impressive contact prints using silver gelatin, platinum or other chemistry. IOW, this camera can be an analog-digital multipurpose camera for me!
Well today a simple unimpressive cardboard box came by US Post Office, wrapped in sealing tape. Inside, safely packed with styrofoam panels, a sturdy handsome and well made carrying bag: the womb for my the 8"x10" test camera!
Chamonix 8x10 Camera: "Walnut in Womb" Photo by Asher Kelman
Chamonix 8x10 Camera: First Breath of California air Photo by Asher Kelman
Chamonix Kindly made a reduction back to take 4x5 Graflok back attachments. This I'll be discussing later. The idea is to be able to use 4x5 sheet film, pack film from Fuji or Kodak, Polaroid film, a 6x7 back and a digital stitching back (review to appear shortly).
Chamonix 8x10 Camera 4x5 Reduction Back: Carbon Fiber Protector over Ground Glass Photo by Asher Kelman
Chamonix 4x5 Reduction back: Seeing Color Photo by Asher Kelman
So there it is, a new baby. I will be reviewing it and will report to you.
Asher
Thanks to Hugo Zhang for getting this for me so fast!
Well I want enlargments of landscapes, people and buildings and not compromise. Well, I've tried stitching and that works well. In fact I'd say I'm an addict. But it occurred to me I ought to now reconsider the simple wooden Large Format Camera. I already own several 4x5 cameras, a Crown Graphic and A Busch Pressman. They are limited in movements but quite functional. I want to explore the possibilities of designing planes of focus that selected what I want from the background. Since it means a new camera with swings tilts and shifts, I thought, let's get this right first time. So I decided to really go "big". After all, with just a moderately good scanner, I'd not have any further jealosy and lust for the MFDB, at least, that's the theory! Scan a piece of 8x10 film at just 2000 dpi and one has a super file to work with. Alternatively, 8"x10" makes impressive contact prints using silver gelatin, platinum or other chemistry. IOW, this camera can be an analog-digital multipurpose camera for me!
Well today a simple unimpressive cardboard box came by US Post Office, wrapped in sealing tape. Inside, safely packed with styrofoam panels, a sturdy handsome and well made carrying bag: the womb for my the 8"x10" test camera!
Chamonix 8x10 Camera: "Walnut in Womb" Photo by Asher Kelman
Chamonix 8x10 Camera: First Breath of California air Photo by Asher Kelman
Chamonix Kindly made a reduction back to take 4x5 Graflok back attachments. This I'll be discussing later. The idea is to be able to use 4x5 sheet film, pack film from Fuji or Kodak, Polaroid film, a 6x7 back and a digital stitching back (review to appear shortly).
Chamonix 8x10 Camera 4x5 Reduction Back: Carbon Fiber Protector over Ground Glass Photo by Asher Kelman
Chamonix 4x5 Reduction back: Seeing Color Photo by Asher Kelman
So there it is, a new baby. I will be reviewing it and will report to you.
Asher
Thanks to Hugo Zhang for getting this for me so fast!
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