kodak ektar
Why Shoot Film – Part 1
Click on the link above to listen to a 6:41 minute discussion on Why Shoot Film, Part 1.
Please note that the test files are kinda big so if you have a slow internet connection just be patient. Also note that the different composition is due to the different aspect ratio but I tried to get at least the top and bottom about the same.
Viva la Revolution- Stephen
Kodak Ektar 4″ x 5″ Film Test and Review
As promised here is quick test and review of the new Kodak Ektar Sheet film… click on the audio logo to listen to a quick review… but in a nut shell, if you love Ektar in 35 and 120 you’re going to love it in LF.
My thanks to Don Ross in helping make this article possible.
Test image: Full size 24″ x 30″… crop represents a 4″ x 4″ section from the full size print.
New Artwork
I’ve been working for some time now with the Overlapping Frame Panoramic Technique I have outlined here on Figital Revolution for my A New Eden Series and I have recently adapted this creative method/ technique to my Leica M7. One beauty of this technique lies in the editive creative possibilities the overlapping frames afford and now with the M7 and my two lenses- the 90mm F2.8 Elmarit and the new 28mm F2.8 Elmarit ASPH- I not only have the option of different focal lengths (something I did not have with the previous cameras I used for these artworks) but now I also have the option of mixing lenses between shots for a Multi Lens Overlapping Frame Panoramic Technique. The artwork below was just made using the 28 / 90 / 28 and results in a sense of space I really like.
Spring Trees, Vermont. 2009
Multi Lens Overlapping Frame Panoramic Technique (28/90/28)
Leica M7, Kodak Ektar 100
Scanned on an Imacon Scanner, Oil Mount
Image Size: 25″ x 10″
Printed on the d’Vinci Fine Art Printing Platform (12 Color) at Indian Hill Imageworks
Paper: Hand-coated Fabriano 640 GSM Rough (22″ x 30″)
Edition Size: One
Copyright Stephen Schaub 2009
Leica 28mm F2.8 ASPH Distortion Test
OK, the proof is in the pudding or in this case the print… I shot this quick portrait of my wife Eve this afternoon in our front yard, had my sophisticated lab soup the C41 (Rite Aid) and I did a quick scan on the Imacon… the lens (Leica 28mm F2.8 ASPH) was focused at 3 or 3.5 feet at F 2.8 / F4 (I shot a variety at each)… distortion, what distortion?… seriously there is a bit of distortion but this is fantastic for a wide angle lens at this close of a distance… again 3 feet! The OOF rendering is also quite nice for a 28mm lens. Is the 28mm my new portrait lens?… NO, but it is nice to “see” that in a pinch or a very tight space it very well could be an option. Film, Kodak Ektar of course.
Eve, Vermont. 2009
Copyright Stephen Schaub
Leica 28mm Elmarit f 2.8 ASPH Meets Kodak Ektar
Just a quick post… I’ve been looking for an “affordable” Leica 28mm lens and was able to make the move last week as Leica has a $300 dollar rebate now available! I decided on the 28mm Elmarit F 2.8 ASPH for a few reasons:
1. It is really small and light and only blocks a very little bit of the lower right corner of the viewfinder on my M7 when the hood is attached- none when it is not.
2. According to test reports* it’s damn sharp (I agree)… see print below / link. Additionally it has very little distortion and a very nice OOF (out of focus) rendering.
3. I had owned the Voigtlander 28mm F 1.9 Ultron lens a few years back and was not really that impressed (so I sold it) and the Leica 28mm F2 ASPH Summicron was out of the question due to the cost and it is a larger lens which blocks more of the viewfinder.
So how good is this lens….
Print 1: Full size print 9.5″ x 25″. Printed on Hand-coated Fabriano Artistico 640 gsm.
Print 2: Crop 4.5″ x 4.5″ of Full Size 9.5″ x 25″ Print
Print 3: Crop 4.5″ x 4.5″ of Extreme Full Size 19″ x 50″ Print!
Note: The negative was scanned on an Imacon Scanner (wet mount) at 4725 optical dpi, 16 Bit… about a 500MB file. Film… Kodak Ektar 100.
Viva la Revolution-
Stephen
Want / need more information on the Leica 28mm Elmarit F2.8 ASPH… here is a link to a detailed review by Erwin Puts.
Buying Used Photographic Equipment
Buying used photographic gear can be a great way to save a few bucks and get that lens or camera body you’ve been dreaming of now. In this audioblog I outline a few suggestions to consider when buying used gear online or at a photographic store.
The artwork below was just made with my “used” Leica M7 and my “used” Leica 90mm Elmarit Lens.
Last Year’s Leaves, Vermont. 2009
From A New Eden
Leica M7 with 90mm Elmarit Lens
In Camera Overlapping Frame Panoramic Technique, 3X
Kodak Ektar Film
Printed 9.5″ x 25″ on Fabriano 640 gsm Rough, Hand Coated.
Copyright Stephen Schaub 2009
Print surface detail, hand-coated Fabriano.
Let The Testing Begin – Kodak Ektar 120
I just received my test rolls of the New Kodak Ektar in 120… I will dive into this new film over the coming days and post my thoughts here just as soon as I can.
Viva la Revolution– Stephen
The Corrupted M7 Meets Kodak Ektar
Ah yes I had a bit too much time on my hands Friday… I just figured out a method for slipping film in my Leica M7 using a similar technique I’ve outlined here for the XA and LCA camera systems… somewhere there is a German engineer grinding his teeth!
Early Spring, Vermont. 2009
Leica M7 with 50mm Summilux F 1.4 Lens
In Camera Overlapping Frame Panoramic Technique, 3X
Kodak Ektar Film
Printed 10″ x 25″ on Fabriano 640 gsm Rough, Hand Coated.
Copyright Stephen Schaub 2009
Part 2 – Is Cross Processing or XPRO Dead?
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
Figital Revolution 