100 year old camera:) Want to start using it

[Stupot_]

Hi guys,

I appreciate this is probably the wrong forum but I thought I'd post it up here in the hope that some of you have some experience with these things. Failing that, Hope you enjoy some pictures of some cool old equipment

This was my 21st birthday present, it's a 1903 Thornton Pickard, Triple extension, Mahogany & Brass Plate camera taking 3.25" x 4.25" glass plates (so my bit of paper tells me)

I'd like to have a go at using this and developing at home, so I guess I need to source some sheet film, which I have found...

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/191134-Efke-PL-100-M-iso-100-3.25-x-4.25-inches-50-sheets?cat_id=404

Any recommendations on what to use?

This is the film back that came with it. Is it a case of loading a single sheet at home, taking it out in the cartridge and exposing, then bringing it back to be developed, or can I take out a changing bag with me and take multiple shots on location (I can see this causing problems with film storage etc..! In which case should I try and source some additional film backs so that each shot can be secured and light proof?

Any advice on setting up, technique and developing would be appreciated! Is sheet film developed in normal developing trays (as you would paper) or do I need something additional?

Here's some more pics for you

sorry, bit dusty!

shutter speed control

minimum extension

maximum extension!

old box is old

focus screen works

Test subject. (no corrective lens to flip the image over so everything is upside down...


I'm also interested in experimenting with some tilt/shift action. As you can see from the brass rails holding the 'film end' and the 'lens end' they can be undone and the 'ends' (i need a better word!) either slid vertically or tilted, so I'm looking forward to some awesome depth of field effects with this!

 

[oldbag]

Where does the SD card go?

 

[benjo]

That is very cool

 

[ichabod crane]

Lucky git I have always wanted something like that to have a play with! Keep us posted how you get on

How long have you had it?

 

[233]

That is very cool

indeed now skin it and slip a meaty dslr body and lense setup in there

 

[Mr Jones]

Don't show us images of the camera, show us what it can produce

 

[Stupot_]

Will keep you guys posted I was inspired to post some shots of it and get using it by V-Specs awesome shots here

Anyway, It's a beautifully made piece of kit and fully working so I have no doubt it can produce some good shots

 

[oldbag]

I'd be interested in seeing how they look.

 

[V-Spec]

Seeing as its a 'funny back' and not a standard size, it will be difficult to go out and take multiple shots.. When I shoot B&W 5x4, I use a Calumet changing bag which enables me to load or unload around 10 double darkslides.. In your case, I'd do a little research and try to get some more darkslides - one isn't much use.... Alternatively - if you're serious about shooting a large format camera, you may wish to purchase a standard sided camera that shoots 5x4... The reason I say this - large format takes a lot of practise, it's hard enough with all the standard gear, let alone a 100 year old one!

Using a changing bag is just practise and whatever you find works best.. I generally put the box of unexposed film at the back, and darkslides in front, load each one and move the loaded one to the bottom, then make sure everything is closed and the film box closed before opening the bag... When removing the exposed film from the darkslides, just do the same process in reverse until you have empty darkslides and a full box of exposed film, then send the box of film to be processed... You generally get back some several sheets of negatives in transparent holders.

Essential bits you will need:

1.> Light meter - (preferably spot meter, I have a Sekonic L508 which is awesome)
2.> Loupe - (preferably 4x, don't go higher than 6x)
3.> Focussing cloth (to go over the back of the camera and your head!)
4.> Remote cable release (god knows what you need for that lol)
5.> Notepad/pen to record what you do..


Quick tips and points worth noting to help get you started.

1.> When shooting negative film, meter the shadows - I generally look for the darkest part of the scene that I want detail in, then meter off that.. Negative film is very easy to expose - you can get the exposure wrong by as much as a stop and still have a very usable image - if you shoot landscapes consider getting some red and orange filters to darken blue skies - don't bother with grads for B&W, average negative film has an exposure latitude of around 15 stops, which is more than the best DSLRs (I think) If you end up shooting colour transparency film (most of my shots are on Velvia 50) you will need to get the exposure absolutely perfect - within a third of a stop, otherwise the highlights will be blown to hell or the shadows will be pure black and too dark.

2.> You will need the loupe to magnify the image on the back, I use a Rodenstock 4x which you can get from Linhof & studio for around £50, but you can get away with cheaper ones - I certainly wouldn't recommend much more than 4x magnification. When you shoot a large format camera, you eventually learn to operate the camera with the loupe jammed in your eye socket and both hands round either side of the camera (movements/focus/etc)

3.> Practise makes perfect

 

[Stupot_]

Thanks V-Spec that's very useful, I was hoping you'd reply

I'm familiar with 35mm photography and know my way round a changing bag for loading films into developing tanks etc but this is a whole different kettle of fish Thanks for the technique on changing whilst out in the field.

I'm going to try and minimise costs at the moment as I'm not expecting amazing results! However I would like to try and get some useable images out of this camera, so I'll probably use my DSLR as a meter for now, and pass on the loupe (it's a pretty mucky focusing screen anyway, I would imagine I would need a new one for more accurate focus).

Cable release is going to be difficult The shutter press is on the left hand size and is a piece of metal that you lift to release the shutter which is sprung. It's pretty difficult to do this without moving the camera so I'm going to have to perfect my technique and start by shooting on the highest shutter speed (1/75s).

I'm going to stick to black and white for the minute. That efke stuff I linked earlier is the only one I could find in 3.25x4.25 and it's in the USA so about $70 to ship it over here). I'm tempted to buy some standard ilford HP5 sheet film as I'm familiar with this and I already have the developer.

Or... If I don't develop at home, where do you send your films off to? Probably best to get my first batch of shots developed for me so if I get a load of junk back I know the faults in taking the shot and not the developing

I have a focusing cloth too, will keep an eye out for additional film backs but wont hold my breath!

I'm also tempted to make a tripod mount so I can use a modern tripod... Think that would greatly increase its usability as there is no adjustment in the current tripod and the camera must be level.

What camera do you use? Do you have any shots of it?

Thanks for your help, much appreciated

 

[V-Spec]

What camera do you use? Do you have any shots of it?

Thanks for your help, much appreciated

Happy to help,

I shoot a Linhof Technikardan S 5x4, some shots of it in action in the USA earlier this year.

My camera is basically a 'monorail camera' as each stand moves back and fourth along a rail, and each one has full 'tilt' 'swing' 'rise/fall' 'shift' so I can shoot pretty much anything with it, from landscapes to portraits and difficult architecture.
I've been using it for around a year and a few months, and it's taken plenty of usage during that time for things to become second nature. I'd say i've got a pretty good grasp of the more advanced techniques and movements now, but it takes lots of practise.

I absolutely love shooting in large format these days, the nature of it forces you to think about the images you take in ways you never thought possible. I find myself walking around for hours finding a *spot* before I even break the camera out, then of course theres the end result - mind boggling sharpness and detail.. for example, take the following image (one of the first I took on my setup right after I bought it)

100% crop of the closest pillar:

Image size of 5x4 is around 100 megapixels, scanned on a Hasselblad scanner at the standard DPI. I reckon I could get it sharper now I'm more experienced with complex movements, but its a good example of how sharp and detailed large format can be
I'd also stress that large format images always look even better printed.

 

[Stromatolites]

Thats an amazing bit of kit.

 

[Stupot_]

Beautiful camera V-Spec, I now want one! I've been reading a long about large format the last couple of days and I can definitely see the attraction. I'm not taking many pictures on digital at the mo and I'd like to think that if I could direct myself to doing something that requires a lot of time and skill whilst out in the field (rather than on the computer) I might enjoy it again. I'd also like to do it before all the film runs out!