That’s right…since the dynamic launch of the new Figital Revolution web site back in December of 2007 till NOW, October 31, 2008 we’ve had over 90,000 hits!
Viva La Revolution!
Author: EveNSteve
New Kodak Ektar 100 Film – Part 1
I was lucky enough to get a brick plus (35mm) of the new Kodak Ektar film at Photo Expo Plus in NYC… so when I returned to my studio in Vermont I quickly loaded my Leica M7 with a roll and decided to make a few “test” shots around my yard.
Image Results:
The Full Size image is a 20″ x 30″ print- the crop represents a 4″ x 4″ section of the full size.
Testing Specs:
- Leica M7 with Leica Summilux 50mm 1.4 Lens
- F 5.6 at 1/125, Hand-held
- Film was rated at Box Speed (more on this later…)
- Scan was done on an Imacon with NO sharpening applied, scanned at 6300 dpi.
- Photoshop work was limited to white point and black point, no color correction, no noise reduction, no sharpening, no curves…
Image Size/ File Size Info:
- 309 MB file at 300 Optical DPI, 16 Bit
- 20″ x 30″ Print Size
Initial Thoughts:
This new offering by Kodak has very tight grain (this is 35mm folks!!) with good, bold color but still “neutral/ natural” in feel. My initial feeling is that it is a bit slower than box speed (normal for most negative material). On my next test roll I will rate it around 50-64 which should be perfect (with color negative material its better to be safe than sorry with regards to your exposure!). Box Speed (ASA 100) is usable, but under difficult lighting situations underexposure is just too great a risk. So far… I am very impressed…stay tuned for Part 2 in a few days.
Viva la Revolution!
Photo Expo Plus 2008 Part 1
Yesterday was a VERY long day back and forth from Vermont to NYC for Photo Expo Plus… but it was well worth it. In the coming days I will be reviewing some of the products that intrigued and impressed me, as well as additional articles on those that DID NOT!
Upcoming articles will include:
Canson Papers….Canson has just released many beautiful fine art paper (18 I think) for the purposes of Inkjet printing. Two that really look amazing are Rives BFK and Arches Platine- both coated for inkjet!!…I will be testing both of these and more in the coming weeks so stay tuned.
Hahnemule Papers….Several new papers and upgrades are in the works for this paper maker (hush hush) so I will post articles and results in the coming weeks.
Kodak….I FINALLY got my hands on some of the new Kodak Ektar film and had a great conversation with Scott DiSabato (Marketing Manger Kodak Professional Films). Based on this conversation and sample prints which were available I feel that this film is definitely worth looking at! I will start my testing TODAY so again stay tuned!
I also had a chance to look at many new camera systems and lens options as well as other photographic accessories…it is going to be a busy month! Stay tuned!
It was also great meeting FR readers yesterday and having the opportunity to talk with and in some cases look at your works!
Viva la Revolution!
On a final note: when in NYC try dinner at Artisanal (www.artisanalbistro.com)…the Parmesan Gnocchi slow-cooked in Pork Belly and root Vegetables was, how you say… AMAZING!!!
Hahnemuhle Bamboo- A Quick Review
A quick review of this new offering by Hahnemuhle. Give a listen, try some yourself and lets compare notes!
Viva la Revolution!
The Financial Crisis: How Could it Affect Photography?
Everyone knows that the current global financial crisis is crippling many businesses- but it is possible that the photogra
phic industry as a whole may come out of this painful situation better than it went in! Give a listen.
The Figital Revolution at 80,000
That’s right…since the dynamic launch of the new Figital Revolution web site back in December of 2007 till NOW, October 8, 2008 we’ve had over 80,000 hits!
Viva La Revolution!
Printing from Memory
In this audiobog I advocate the concept of printing from memory…not just real images captured on film or with digital devices but experiences and subjects that were captured as mental photographs for the purposes of making fuller, more expressive prints. Give a listen!
The LOMO LCA – Part 1
Over the next few months I’ll be writing several articles on the LOMO LCA and LCA+. I’ve decided to use these small and very opinionated cameras for my new artwork series, entitled Vanishing Vermont. Articles will focus on working with these cameras, how to carry them, films to use and why… XPros, where to buy and differences in current and older models.
I know there are a lot of opinions out there (both pro and con) about the LOMO (LOMOGRAPHY) and I look forward to an open discussion, so first lets agree on two things: 1. Its the print that counts! 2. See number 1.
Here are a few helpful links to get things started…check them out and stay tuned!
- http://shop.lomography.com/microsites/lca/
- http://shop.lomography.com/lca+/
- http://www.lomography.com/
Viva la Revolution!
- Me and My 1991 LCA!
Rollei Retro 100 Film Processed in Diafine Developer
Yet another Diafine Developer Test! I’ve been wanting to try this film for some time now and was able to fit a test into my schedule this week so here are the results and my thoughts.
First my Thoughts:
Rollei Retro 100 is a nice film with good classic grain structure and good tonality…photographers who like classic grain and film with a bit of punch will love it with Diafine. The film has a usable EI from around 50-200 (in Diafine) but I found that at 100 I got the best shadows and midtone separation and it gave me a bit of margin for meter error. The highlights are clean, bright and open even in the brightest areas.
For photographers who want that classic street photographer look this would be a good choice…however, if you were raised on Fuji Acros for breakfast and TMAX for dinner and love those films this probably won’t be your cup of tea.
The Results:
Both images were made using a Leica M7 with a 50mm Summilux Lens at F5.6 – in camera meter at an EI of 100. Scans were done on an Imacon Scanner at 3150 dpi, no sharpening or noise reduction was applied to either file. File prep/ workflow in Photoshop CS3 is my standard for all Diafine developed test negatives which is to apply just a bit of an “S” curve and make sure my white and black points are fine.
The sharpness of the film is good but again not like TMAX 100 or the New TMAX 400. But I do like the film alot! It won’t be my first go to film for general shooting but it is something that has a unique look and has found a place in my film bag.
PDF with more Rollei Retro Information.
Processing Technique, Diafine Developer and Rollei Retro Film:
- 4 Minutes Part A, 75F – 2 inversions every minute.
- 4 Minutes Part B, 75F – 2 inversions every minute.
- Wash 30 Seconds
- Fix 5 Minutes
- Wash 30 Seconds
- Perma Wash 1 Minute
- Wash 10 Minutes
- LFN
- Dry
Final note: There has been conversation (gossip) on the web that Rollei Retro 100 is AGFA APX 100 or something very similar…as I don’t have any AGFA APX 100 to test I can neither confirm nor deny this BUT even if it is just a slightly tweaked version of APX – as AFGA is no longer in business- it is nice to have a “similar” film still being made.
Viva la Revolution!!!
___________
UPDATE 9.13.2008:
Link to a conversation on Flickr where information on the maker of Rollei Retro (old AGFA) can be found as well as exciting information on the NEW film release set to replace this film as of Photokina 2008:
Unplugging Your Paper
I spend a lot of time testing and re-testing my materials so that when I need to make a print I can make it perfect the first time. One of the biggest difficulties with printing on uncoated papers is the paper getting plugged up (this a huge problem with the introduction in many new printers of 9+ inks…that’s a whole lot of fluid!) The solution can be simple (note: its not Pepto Bismol) so give this audioblog a listen!
Below: Hariku Example and Link to Test Target!!
Figital Revolution 