One the most "what a rare exhibit" experiences I ever had, was a show of early Arbus photographs at the Whitney. She started in 35mm, and the different format/dimensions from her famous square images was a real epiphany. Photographers struggle with formats and dimensions and cameras, gravitating to one or another, so inside their process, without any perspective. Arbus utterly owns the square format, and it was inspiring to see what she did before that.
I wonder if that camera remembers all the pictures it already took? And incidentally, I recently bought a little book of Vivian Maier photographs, so I can't wait to see what you'll capture with that same model of camera.
yeah, you get it! They made many, many models of this camera with so many different lenses - schneiders, Zeiss, xenotars, tessars, planars.... and of course none are "bad" just different. but this one is the most expensive, sought after lens for a reason, (thankfully, I got it for a steal). The old German lenses and their Soviet counterparts (ahem, copies) are legendary. A lot of the new shows you see on TV and in the theater use these old lenses on digital cameras to great success If you ask why shows like Handmaid's tale looks the way it does, it has a lot to do with a lens made in the 60s.
If the road to hell is paved with unbought stuffed dogs, then the road to heaven will be paved with images from your magical camera, a road wide enough that the rest of us can tag along. If you want that sort of thing. I'm going to sneak across the rainbow bridge when I tire of being a ghost.
well that sure paints a picture, Scarlett! This camera is very gentle. You don't need to muscle around with it like other cameras (a Hasselblad for example, is a tank of a camera). This is more like a gazelle. the perfect tool to tiptoe across a rainbow bridge with.....
I understand and appreciate this connection; I have some of those tools. The ones that others have worn into their grooves, cementing a generational legacy, waiting for those of us who admire the quality of the past, which has been long gone since the digital age of convenience, to come along. It is not nostalgia, it's the recognition of enduring quality that can produce something long forgotten. I recently upgraded to the latest iPhone model, which comes with all the latest features, and it performs as expected. But a part of me wonders what it would be like to set up a large-format camera and throw a cape over my head and shoot a scene like Ansel A. Ah, but I only have so much time, and that one is not high on my list, but it's a cool thought. Glad you got the new tool, I look forward to seeing some of your new work with it.
David, the black and white image in this post is from the test roll!
Funny you mention a large format camera. I own a 4x5 field camera, a very inexpensive one made from plywood, a kickstarter project purchase that serves me well. I have plans to use it often, and yes life sure gets in the way. I shot 4 frames on it last year at least.
I just saw this, question, so sorry I failed to answer. I read the comment when you posted but you asked about old guitars and I forgot to answer. I do not have any classics, I lost a few "seasoned" instruments including a Martin D3R I had for years, now I got a newer Martin, I can remember the model, its a full dreadnaught but I dont think it has any rosewood in it, I will have to look. They hang in the stairwell of the farmhouse more than they are played, then I have a couple of banjos, a gibson and washburn, I just bought a Taylor full dreadnaught with plastic strings that I am liking well for the tone and sound, I really dont like the Taylor acoustics, only on certain songs, its too ringy or something. Then I have my stage piano that doesn't get played on a stage anymore... My next purchase after the tractor and wife's new car (probably never get it), I want an ebony Yamaha U-3, it will go great in the Farmhouse... man, I've been really busy, would love to catch up with you sometime. Take care.
Indeed! The local lab here in Tbilisi is wonderful, they are even going to do E-6 processing a few times a year, so I may get some Ektachrome in this camera.
I bought a Blackmagic camera and took some pictures with it, large file size, and used one for posts, of late season hydrangeas and though they are so pale, and grey, they fascinate me. The camera is not with me, but I think of it often, wonder if it is safe, in its luggage in my friend's house. Good luck!
"I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn't photograph them." - Diane Arbus, American photographer.
One the most "what a rare exhibit" experiences I ever had, was a show of early Arbus photographs at the Whitney. She started in 35mm, and the different format/dimensions from her famous square images was a real epiphany. Photographers struggle with formats and dimensions and cameras, gravitating to one or another, so inside their process, without any perspective. Arbus utterly owns the square format, and it was inspiring to see what she did before that.
I wonder if that camera remembers all the pictures it already took? And incidentally, I recently bought a little book of Vivian Maier photographs, so I can't wait to see what you'll capture with that same model of camera.
The black and white square image in this post is from the test roll :)
It already has that glassine surface-level depth to it.
yeah, you get it! They made many, many models of this camera with so many different lenses - schneiders, Zeiss, xenotars, tessars, planars.... and of course none are "bad" just different. but this one is the most expensive, sought after lens for a reason, (thankfully, I got it for a steal). The old German lenses and their Soviet counterparts (ahem, copies) are legendary. A lot of the new shows you see on TV and in the theater use these old lenses on digital cameras to great success If you ask why shows like Handmaid's tale looks the way it does, it has a lot to do with a lens made in the 60s.
Thanks! And thanks for sharing the detail of how old lenses are used in present-day movie making. Fascinating!
I could talk about lenses for days. very few people want to hear about them!
If the road to hell is paved with unbought stuffed dogs, then the road to heaven will be paved with images from your magical camera, a road wide enough that the rest of us can tag along. If you want that sort of thing. I'm going to sneak across the rainbow bridge when I tire of being a ghost.
well that sure paints a picture, Scarlett! This camera is very gentle. You don't need to muscle around with it like other cameras (a Hasselblad for example, is a tank of a camera). This is more like a gazelle. the perfect tool to tiptoe across a rainbow bridge with.....
That's why you could pave the way to heaven.
I understand and appreciate this connection; I have some of those tools. The ones that others have worn into their grooves, cementing a generational legacy, waiting for those of us who admire the quality of the past, which has been long gone since the digital age of convenience, to come along. It is not nostalgia, it's the recognition of enduring quality that can produce something long forgotten. I recently upgraded to the latest iPhone model, which comes with all the latest features, and it performs as expected. But a part of me wonders what it would be like to set up a large-format camera and throw a cape over my head and shoot a scene like Ansel A. Ah, but I only have so much time, and that one is not high on my list, but it's a cool thought. Glad you got the new tool, I look forward to seeing some of your new work with it.
David, the black and white image in this post is from the test roll!
Funny you mention a large format camera. I own a 4x5 field camera, a very inexpensive one made from plywood, a kickstarter project purchase that serves me well. I have plans to use it often, and yes life sure gets in the way. I shot 4 frames on it last year at least.
I imagine you have some old guitars, yes?
I just saw this, question, so sorry I failed to answer. I read the comment when you posted but you asked about old guitars and I forgot to answer. I do not have any classics, I lost a few "seasoned" instruments including a Martin D3R I had for years, now I got a newer Martin, I can remember the model, its a full dreadnaught but I dont think it has any rosewood in it, I will have to look. They hang in the stairwell of the farmhouse more than they are played, then I have a couple of banjos, a gibson and washburn, I just bought a Taylor full dreadnaught with plastic strings that I am liking well for the tone and sound, I really dont like the Taylor acoustics, only on certain songs, its too ringy or something. Then I have my stage piano that doesn't get played on a stage anymore... My next purchase after the tractor and wife's new car (probably never get it), I want an ebony Yamaha U-3, it will go great in the Farmhouse... man, I've been really busy, would love to catch up with you sometime. Take care.
Yeah Taylors are tricky, but nylon strings make perfect sense.
Tractors, pianos - you are a man with a plan!
We do need to catch up. I'm hectic as ever, when I see some dust settling I will reach out. Until then - remain frisky!
Enjoy every frame!
Indeed! The local lab here in Tbilisi is wonderful, they are even going to do E-6 processing a few times a year, so I may get some Ektachrome in this camera.
I bought a Blackmagic camera and took some pictures with it, large file size, and used one for posts, of late season hydrangeas and though they are so pale, and grey, they fascinate me. The camera is not with me, but I think of it often, wonder if it is safe, in its luggage in my friend's house. Good luck!