Stand Development Part 3

AudioBlog LogoOk, so lets put everything together and start processing some film. First, be sure to listen/ watch Part 1 and  Part 2 prior to this post as there is important information in those posts not covered here. Then click on the Audio Blog Logo to hear an 11 minute summary of tests- what worked and what didn’t- and my thoughts on successful stand development.

Recipes described in the Audio Portion of this post:

  • Fuji Acros (EI 100 / 125)
  • 800 ML Distilled Water
  • 3 ML R09
  • 200 ML Xtol Developer
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Borax (optional but helps control fog)
  • 1-2 Teaspoons Asorbic Acid (optional)

Process as described for 3 Hours. You can cut this in half for smaller tanks.

  • Kodak TMY-2 TMAX 400
  • 800 ML Distilled Water
  • 5 ML R09
  • 200 ML Xtol Developer
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Borax (optional but helps control fog)
  • 1-2 Teaspoons Asorbic Acid (optional)

Process as described for 1 – 1.5 hours. You can cut this in half for smaller tanks.

You can use the recipes above for many films… I’d suggest the TMY-2 Reciepe for 2 hours with films such as TX, Delta 100, Delta 400 and HP5… do a test at 2 hours and then one at 3 hours to see what works best for you!

Source for additional Information and example images (good book to buy!):

Iridescent Light Book by Michael Axel

Thanks also to Carlo Chiopris for his thoughts/ valuable information when I was starting this process:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cchiopris/sets/72157610266094791/

The Unblinking Eye Article: Appreciating Rodinal by Ed Buffaloe

Viva la Revolution- Stephen

Stand Development Part 2

In this second installment on Stand Development I will outline some basic equipment needed, proper agitation techniques and other necessary processing information…

Stay tuned for the Part 3 in a few days!

Viva la Revolution- Stephen

Stand Development – Part 1

RO9This is part one in a multi-part article on stand development and semi-stand development (BW) for the purposes of scanning. I have been spending much time looking at different dilutions, different agitation techniques, different recipies and I have come up with a good working solution for my tested films that produces perfect results every time.

AudioBlog LogoTo listen to the audioblog portion of this post … just click on the Audio Logo.

Many of you know I really like Diafine Developer (I have written several articles here on its fantastic qualities for scanning)… the techniques I am about to outline have many of the advantages of Diafine but with finer grain and better highlight separation.

Before we get started, here is a shopping list if you want to try this technique for yourself:

Film: Fuji Acros or Kodak TMY-2 (New TMAX 400)
R09 “One Shot” Developer (Rodinal Replacement)
Kodak Xtol Developer
Ascorbic  Acid
Borax
Or you can use 20 Mule Team Borax found at most Supermarkets.
Distilled Water (a few gallons)
Plus you will need, of course, your standard darkroom chems: stop bath, fixer, and hypo.

Stay tuned for Part 2 in two days!

Viva la Revolution- Stephen

Ethical Note: I do not endorse any vendor of photographic material over another. The links provided above are just an easy source to find the materials needed but by no means are the best or only source.

The Figital Revolution at 250,000

That’s right! The FR is now at over 250,000 hits and I am busy working on several new articles to include:

1. Film selection for Pinhole Photography
2. How to Talk to Your Printer
3. Rodinal Standing Development and TMY-2
4. How Small is Your Tripod
5. The Zero Image 612F and Zero Image 2000 Camera Hands On Review

Plus a rant or two… or three…

I am traveling the next few days so stay tuned!!!

Viva la Revolution-

Stephen

The Bare Bones Bag in Argentina

I always like to get email and notes from photographers who use information gathered here on FR or who use the products I make for their artworks… I just received this email and photo (see below) from Richard Selwyn… very cool… literally!

April 2009 Argentina Leica MP Ektar 100 052-2

Richard’s Email Text: A few photos for you from Argentina, Patagonia (ektar 100 film, 35mm lux or WATE).  We had a great time and your bag was amazing.  Was really harsh conditions – trekking in winter with some v bad weather.  The bag worked beautifully and was even  better because it is so light and hard wearing.  Thanks also for sending the bag through to me quickly.

_______

Fantastic! Viva la Revolution- Stephen

How Film is Made… Then and Now at Kodak

how-film-is-made-movie
Click to Watch 1958 Movie on Kodak Film

AudioBlog

Click on the Audio Blog logo to listen to a 5 minute discussion on film production today at Kodak and how it has changed from the above video from 1958 “How Film Is Made… for your camera“. The audio references my recent trip to Eastman Kodak and a white light tour of Bldg. 38 where all films made by Kodak are produced from Ektar to TX to motion picture. The video below is of our group getting ready for the tour.

Kodak bldg38 from Google Map
Kodak bldg38 from Google Map

Informal Review Kodak Zx1 HD Video Recorder

Here is a quick informal video review of the new Kodak Zx1 HD video recorder. I have used for videos here on Figital Revolution everything from a Canon G9 to the Vado HD and now the Kodak Zx1. I find devices like these are great not only for the obligatory family videos but also for use in documenting your photography… think of it like a video journal.

As I said in the video this is not the perfect pocket video recorder (I’m still looking) but for my works/ travels the weather seals, extra durability and 60 frames per second make it a good choice and at the retail price of $149 it is hard to beat.

NOTE: If you want to watch the video full screen be sure to turn the HD mode on (upper right corner of the video box)- for smaller play I find the standard resolution (HD OFF) is perfect.

As promised here is a link to a bigger review of the Kodak Zx1.

Working at Less Than 100 Percent

Most pinhole images are made using a pinhole that is very close to- or at the optimum size for- the chosen focal length and in most cases this is a good choice for general photography: it lets you get the best quality image a pinhole can produce. That being said, while testing the PinZonie I have been experimenting using pinholes that are in some cases up to 2 stops more open or closed than the optimum setting and really liking the creative options it gives me.

As I always say… experimentation is key!

Pinzone-2Pinhole28mm

Trees in Afternoon Light, Massachussettes. 2009
From the Negative Series
28mm PinZonie, Pinhole Setting, -2 stops from optimum
Kodak BW400CN, Scanned on an Imacon Scanner
d’Vinci Noir Print on Hand-made Bhutan Mitsumata Thick White
Copyright Stephen Schaub 2009

Kodak Retires Kodachrome – So What Now?

Kodachrome1935Boxand2009Box
Kodachrome 1935 Box and 2009 Box

We all knew this day would arrive: when the iconic Kodachrome film would be retired. This film that has been with us for 74 years is intertwined with the very fabric of our photographic history, images, and emotions. Last week I was invited to a “secret” meeting at Kodak to hear the news and to discuss the future of film in our industry. There were 3 other industry experts in attendance:

AudioBlog
Kodachrome Interview

After leaving the meeting I do feel convinced as to Kodak’s ongoing support for film photography and the belief that both film and digital should coexist… it’s best for the photographic industry… with a capital letter “P”.

Listen to the audio-blog portion of this post by clicking on the audio logo to hear a 10 minute conversation between Stephen Schaub and Eve Ogden Schaub with further insights on this mission to Kodak and what it all really means.


And what post on Kodachrome would be complete without the required Paul Simon song…

PS- there is even a state park named for Kodachrome:

Kodachrome Basin State Park

Here is a link to the sole processing facility for Kodachrome films… I’m sending some this week!

Dwaynes Photo

Click here for the official Kodachrome retirement press release from Kodak.

Viva la Revolution- Stephen