Diana F+ Exposure Guide AND We’re Over 100,000!

by EveNSteve

First I’d like to announce that as of today- November 19, 2008- the Figital Revolution has had over 100,000 hits… Hot damn! Viva la revolution!!!!

Of course, while we are up- the DOW was down, waaay down. This might put a damper on anyone’s good cheer, particularly anyone considering retiring in the next decade, SO- I decided to brighten things up a bit and release a FREE Exposure Guide for the Diana+ and F+ cameras. Hey- these days something’s got to be free, right? The direct link is here:

FREE Diana+ and F+ Exposure Chart

Diana F+ Exposure Chart FrontJust add it to your cart (it really is free don’t worry) and checkout and you will receive an email with download instructions within a few minutes.

Viva la Revolution-
Stephen

New Digital Paper Review, Canson and Hahnemuhle

by EveNSteve

AudioBlog Logo

As promised here are my paper tests/ review for the new offerings by Canson and Hahnemuhle. This audio review covers the following papers:

  • Canson: Arches Platine, BFK Rives, Arches Aquarelle Rag
  • Hahnemuhle: Bamboo 290 GSM.

Give a listen and then try some of these papers and determine what you like.

Viva la Revolution-
Stephen

Note: More tests to follow in the coming weeks…stay tuned!

Poll question: What is your favorite paper? Please note I have left out the Arches Platine as it is not currently available for purchase and the poll below is for Matt surface papers only. If your favorite paper is not listed please just click other and then type it in! I have listed what I feel is a good sample of true fine art papers…your vote counts! (You can vote for more than one.)

Canson/ Arches Platine Fiber Rag vs ?

by EveNSteve

I’m almost finished testing this material but I could not help but post a bit of a preview! The inner projection is an icc. made for an Epson 7880/ 9880 on a premium quality photo white gloss digital art paper…the outer wire frame projection is the new Canson/ Arches Platine Fiber Rag icc. made on our d’Vinci Printer. The difference is HUGE. On new machines from Epson, Canon and HP this paper will rock!

Oh yeah…did I forget to mention that the surface is beautiful as well?! Stay tuned!

Viva la Revolution- Stephen

Testing New Canson Papers

by EveNSteve

Burning the midnight oil at Indian Hill Imageworks!!! Just how many patches are in the icc. test target?…over 2,200!!

Stay tuned for my thoughts/ review on my first tests: Rives BFK and Arches Platine!

Now back to printing!

Viva la Revolution!

Stephen

Visiting Canson

by EveNSteve

This audioblog is a quick list of observations I made on my recent visit to Canson Distribution Facilities here in the US. In the coming weeks I will be reviewing their new offerings, 17 papers and canvases in all! Give a listen and stay tuned!

Below find a sample of images I made at their US facility…its over 140,000 square feet!!

Link to Canson

First paper I am testing…Rives BFK!

New Kodak Ektar 100 Film – Part 1

by EveNSteve

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

by EveNSteve

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!!!

The Financial Crisis: How Could it Affect Photography?

by EveNSteve

Everyone knows that the current global financial crisis is crippling many businesses- but it is possible that the photographic industry as a whole may come out of this painful situation better than it went in! Give a listen.