[dj_saunter]

Took me a while to get everything I need together, but now i'm set to go.

i'll need to practice loading film into the reel a few more times, then we'll see what happens!

[pbo]

Nice! Are those 24exp rolls? 36exp rolls should fill the reel to the edge.

[dj_saunter]

yep, unfortunately when I ordered my stuff from freestyle, they were out of 36 picture rolls of Arista.

But i figure if I screw up a roll, better to lose 24 than 36 shots

[pbo]

I see. Next logical step is bulk loading

[dj_saunter]

developed my first two rolls! no scanner yet, so i'll have to wait a few days for the results

[boosted03gti]

The best part for me is the printing process. Do you have an enlarger? If not, check craigslist. I found a omega c700 w/ lens and some trays and other odds an ends for 125 bucks. They retail 300 bucks from b&h. I enjoy taking the time to experiment with filters, burning, and dodging. I waste tones of paper.

[Ratmagiclady]

Congrats, DJ.


As for print darkroom, that's another step entirely: I usually had more of an attitude where it was a bit of a chore, but itf you want something done right, do it yourself: I always poured more into getting the negatives so they'd print right, especially after I tended to have little to no facilities to actually do it. I worked in a lab for some time and don't think any of my own negs ever got within a mile of the place.

Still don't like anyone else doing my negs, though.

[stormtech]

Ahh, the memory of loading film reels.....

When I was a kid, I remember my father having me load all his reels for him - had a very good success rate when I was 12 years old.

[dj_saunter]

Sweet, now I know why it's better to do these things yourself. Photo studios just don't know what it is you want.

Anyways, got my first two batches scanned. One set had great clarity, but was weak in contrast. The second one had great contrast but not totally even development.

Loading the reels in a Matin bag was not as bad as I epected.

All in all, i'm very satisfied with this first effort.

Right now i'm only developing the negs to be digitally scanned. Paper prints will be later.

I'm hooked, now that I made the initial investments the costs of shooting film has just shot down quite a bit.

Can't wait to start experimenting more.

Here's some samples, both Ilford FP4 developed with Ilfosol 3.

[boosted03gti]

nice work. what scanner are you using? looks good.

[ardentartichoke]

great work!
how long did you do digital before you decided to go into film?

[Ash]

Beautiful B&Ws dj.
Love the bold contrast these have turned out with.

[stevebrot]

Looks like you are hooked.


Steve

[dj_saunter]

My first DSLR was my K10D which I bought used about a year and a half ago. I didn't seriously become interested in photography until about a year ago.

But i'm hooked for sure! Film is just starting to get fun now! So many developers to try, so many techniques to try, so many films. And i'm not even touching paper!

Now there's LBA, C(camera)BA, F(film)BA, D(developer)BA to deal with

I'm trying so hard to resist 120 film. That would mess up my whole system.

I have a great digital/35mm film setup. I chose my setup so that I have all lenses that work on both, my k10D and super program with no adapters. My wife thinks i'm a geek but I usually go out with my DSLR and one film body. I love being able to swap lenses between the two and can easily show why I don't have a Canon or Nikon.

If I upgrade to 120, that might result in a divorce

What's worse, I think my father in law is almost ready to let go of his Hasselblad 500 c/m!

Unfortunately, the scanner wasn't mine, used a friends coolscan, I just bought an epson v500.

I want to test the waters before making a major investment.

Do you know what I love most about film? Everyone who complains about no full frame Pentax camera's don't realize how fun old pentax film bodies can be.

[stevebrot]

What's worse, I think my father in law is almost ready to let go of his Hasselblad 500 c/m!

Test drive the Hassy with a few rolls of 120. You may get totally hooked or you may decide that the extra bulk is not worth the effort.


Steve