When you have a great product run with it! Kodak has just announced the release of Kodak Ektar 100 in 120… this makes sense from a marketing point and is something I feel photographers working in film capture should be very excited about…I know I am!
Available April 09.
Viva la Revolution! – Stephen
Everything I post here on the Figital Revolution is- in one way or another- part of a test I am running for my own Artworks, or for a client at Indian Hill Imageworks. Over the last few months I have been testing the Olympus XA, the LOMO LCA, the Olympus XA 4, Kodak Ektar 100, alternative printing paper, perfecting my carry solution (BBB) and new methods for hanging artwork. Now it is time to put everything into action! I am leaving for Italy 
in a few days (note the Italian Flag) and all of the works and testing will finally get full use. Below is a new image I just made called Winter Leaves, Vermont. 2009. It is made using the Olympus XA 4 using an in-camera multi exposure, overlapping-negative technique I have been refining for the last few months. The film: Kodak Ektar 100…I am taking 40 rolls of it with me to Italy! The paper/ image: printed on an uncoated sheet of Arches Rough 22″ x 30″, 640 gsm as a d’Vinci Print (12 color).
Note: I am about to test a similar style paper with some different sizing properties made by Fabriano… since my new artworks will be from Italy it only seemed right to look at Italian paper. Hey, they’ve been making paper for over 700 years… they have to be doing something right!
Winter Leaves, Vermont. 2009
Edition size: One
Image Size: 25″ x 9″
Paper Size: 22″ x 30″
Copyright Stephen M. Schaub 2009
Installation View
Finally, I will be working on additional articles while traveling so get ready for new and exciting things here on FR once I return.
Viva la Revolution- Stephen
A quick video on how to vignette the LOMO LCA and LCA+ using the mechanics of the camera to produce repeatable results!
This is Part 2 to the post I made yesterday…more thoughts. A good sub-title for this would be: Process Does Matter!
Viva la Revolution- Stephen
I’ve just started a film test in preparation for my trip to Italy next month– the two films in consideration are Kodak Ektar 100 and Agfa Precia CT cross processed. Thus far, most of the artworks from my current series A New Eden are either XPRO (cross processed- E6 film in C41 chem) or expired film. However- after much testing here on FR I have recently fallen in love with the new Kodak Ektar …SO I decided to do a quick comparison test and find out: does the XPRO effect really have to be actual cross-processed film?
So what do YOU think? Look at the snapshots below and see if you can pick out the one that is the Agfa Precia CT XPRO…only one is true XPRO…the others are all Kodak Ektar in Photoshop using Alien Skin Exposure 2!
Think you have the right answer? Then give a listen to the Audio portion of this post for additional thoughts on cross processing / Xpro… as well as the answer!
Please click on the logo to listen to the audio.
When you finish with part one, click here to listen to part 2!
Have you ever finished shooting a roll of 120mm film in a Diana F+ Camera only to find the roll very loose (light leaks, anyone?) …I’m all for some light leaks now and then- part of the fun with the Diana- but a loose roll that was NOT intentional can be a real problem! Here is a super quick video blog on how to load 120mm film in a Diana F+ camera and KEEP the film spool tight! This video demonstrates a modification to the film tabs that has proven very successful in over 100+ rolls of 120mm film pushed through my own Dianas!
Please note the video is high quality so it may take a few seconds to load.
Viva la Revolution- Stephen
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:
Image Size/ File Size Info:
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!
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!!!
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!
Viva la Revolution!
Figital Revolution 
