Steve, I think you're progressing very well indeed, and I admit to a pang or two of jealousy - I look forward to the day when I too can take the step you've taken. Into REAL photography, that is. LOL.
In case you'd like to see the advice given around a century ago, about cameras and movements and such, Google books has a few old camera books here:
Art Books
I've been browsing there and these are literally classic
Jason, what IS that in the second pic - I love the photo!
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I forget now, have I presented my 1937 Certo Super Sport Dolly with its 2.8 Xenar? I must have, but here it is again.... All but the last are 100TMX in Tmax developer, the last is Delta 100 in D76.