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
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.
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
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
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 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.
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
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
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!
Figital Revolution 