Very nice 👍 The darkroom print really shows quality, skills and dedication 🙂

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

Love the look of the 6x9 image (and the camera as well ;-)) and that darkroom print is just 🤩🤩🤩.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Isabel, high praise indeed coming from someone with such an impressive portfolio (and extensive background with just about every Zeiss lens they made for the Blad). 😀

Always enjoy watching your videos Steve. I have a Russian Moskova 6x9 folder a copy of the Ikonta’s in all ways. The lenses can be a bit variable as the quality control was not as good as the German equivalent. Mine, I’m glad to say is a cracker. I understand what your saying about only having 8 frames per roll but I find it concentrates the mind on the image rather like using Large Format. If anybody watching is thinking of buying one first set the shutter to 1 second and fire to see if it’s running smoothly before you fire it at any other speeds. Check blades for damage or oil which stop the shutter working. Put a small torch or your phone into the rear of the camera and check for light leaks in a dark environment. If they need replacing a company in the UK called Custom bellows can help you. Looking forward to your next video.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks William and also good tips on checking out the camera. I find that slow speeds tend to drift off in most of my older shutters with some being worse than other (compur rapid etc). It’s great that bellows can still be supplied for such old cameras and somewhat makes up for the fragile nature of folders.

Love the printed image.

There's nothing quite like a silver print. I wish there were, it would make things much quicker and cheaper! Agree on the relative lack of contrast of older lenses, especially with larger negatives. Luminous tonality.

Really enjoyed your comparison of the two formats. You are whetting my appetite for film again. Many thanks Steve.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

You are welcome Alan.

Best explanation of older lenses and the effects on film. Thank you.

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nigel 🙂

I simply love that video 👍🏻 greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

Love your videos, love your thought process. Thanks for this.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris.

Exceptionally well done. Thanks, Steve.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Frank.

Love watching your videos. They are so entertaining while informative at the same time.

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I’m really pleased that you continue to enjoy them.

@lensman5762

3 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions Not at all. It is I who should thank you for taking the considerable trouble and the effort that takes to make these videos. That we share the same views on photography is a bonus.

Always interesting, I really hadn't thought about it, but I can see now that the older lens (and design) comes with its own characteristics and that's very evident in the final images.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I think it is part of the reason why many digital conversions fail to emulate the look of black and white darkroom prints, they are just too sharp and contrasty.

Once again, great images Steve. Cheers

@SteveONions

Жыл бұрын

Many thanks Brian.

Steve, just wanted to say kudos for another interesting and entertaining video. I really appreciate your quieter style and sensible thought processes, and also the eclectic slices of the photography pie that you choose to talk about. Definitely stands out from the more typical KZread fare.

@eamonhickey

4 жыл бұрын

Also, if I was trying to put together a very compact, reasonably versatile Nikon film camera setup for walkaround shooting, my lens would be the old (i.e. long discontinued) 28-70 f/3.5-4.5 Nikkor (in either D or pre-D version). It's fairly compact but quite surprisingly good optically (it was Nikon's first affordable aspheric lens). Always been a bit of a sleeper. Don't know if you have one, Steve, but they can be had in the U.S. in good shape for well under $100.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Eamon, I need to look into that lens a bit more, I thought I knew my Nikkors 🙂. I do like compact bodies and lenses when out shooting casually, sometimes I’ll take two or three primes if I need to use a slower film.

thank you Steve! That was informative. Also very beautiful picture!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

Great video. I am glad you showed the quality that is possible with medium format film.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks David, the 6x9 negative can capture a lot of detail.

Good video. I love old lenses.

My very first camera about 65 years ago was an Agfa Clack. This took 8 shots on 120 film which was then called two and a quarter by three and a quarter inches. I could only make black & white contact prints - no enlarger. Recall they seemed reasonably good at that size if the shots were taken in good light.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I’ve recently picked up a few packs of old photo paper in 6x9 to make contact prints with Michael, such a lovely format.

Thank you. It's what I was looking for

Great video Steve and very glad to hear that you are back in the darkroom !

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gaetan.

I like printing under enlarger. Better results for important prints than scanning negative.

Thanks for this video. I share your sympathy for the Zeiss Tessar 3,5/105 mm, especially on B/W, and one doesn't need any filters and still gets very nice skies.

Enjoyed that. Good to see you working in the darkroom. It takes me about 2 hours to print several images from a new negative, then there's the toning, then washing, drying, trimming, dry mounting on 4 ply cotton board, and finally an over mat. Museum quality when I'm done, and it's worth the effort.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Totally agree with your archival approach Steve, I carefully wash, hypo clear and rewash my fibre prints and tone wherever possible. I only use resin papers to proof my shots even though it is considerably easier and cheaper to work with (which isn’t why we use the darkroom in the first place) 🙂

Dear Steve: I love the form and content of your channel. English is not my native language but and I understand the British accent better. I like that you are serious, humble, calm and your funny touches of humor. I love the comparisons you make between expensive and also popular cameras and that you go through various formats. It is exciting that a camera that is over 70 years old, but of course, of medium format, surpasses a camera with much more technology in several aspects. I also like that you can integrate both film and digital cameras and rescue the M43 in a kind of countercurrent where photography is often reduced to the more MPX and more ISO maximum level. Very happy that I still have more videos to learn. Greetings from Buenos Aires.

@SteveONions

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind comments, I am pleased that you enjoy the videos 🙂

Fascinating as always Steve. You're doing a fine job with these videos when you can get a person like me who only has a passing interest in film to watch these videos and still find them really interesting. 👍

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Julian, I'll convert you yet :)

@jbairdexp

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions lol, that's what worries me!

Beautifull video thank you

big fan of those simple element designs :)

@barrycohen311

4 жыл бұрын

Modern lenses have gained perfection, but lost character in the process. :-(

@Noealz

4 жыл бұрын

@@barrycohen311 yup - people are too obsessed with sharpness and nothing else

Fascinating video, you keep tempting me to the dark(room) side. 😃 Brian

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Brian.

Great video Steve, fascinating insight.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris.

Some of thefolders have remarkable lenses, especially the Russian Super Ikonta clones. Fun video! Thanks!

Really interesting Video Steve. Thanks for sharing 👍

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Darren.

I agree, that darkroom print is stunning! Just gorgeous! Glad to see the results of your darkroom work! Really that is just lovely! I also find I tend to get results I like better in my own darkroom over a digital scan of the negative. But I agree it often takes me longer to get results I like. Not always - but often. Well worth it, though I'm quite picky about what I decide to spend time on in my darkroom (which is a good thing I think!)

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tim, I am all a lot more selective of which images I take into the darkroom, if they are too tricky I prefer the digital route. I am conscious that when I shoot now I’m considering how I can print it and whether a different composition would be better.

That's very interesting. 🙂📷🖼

Different sort of presentation from you Steve but none the less interesting & enjoyable. The derelict building image was a corker and not surprised you got a print of it done - it has a realy quality about it. Always interesting seeing and watching you work film cameras and you have a great selection. Thanks for sharing your processes and thoughts.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Alan, the darkroom print is my favourite version of that image so far.

Thanks for the comparison.

I was a professional mountain photographer in the 1980's working for publishers. I had to climb mainly in the alps solo so I coukd do a route description and supply images for guidebooks. I tried a Minox, various other 35mm including an Nikon F3. In the end the best camera by far was the Rolleicord 5. Lightweight, simple indestructible and the case gave easy access. The images are impossible to tell apart from a Rolleiflex. I could be on a 60 degree ice slop and to take an image all I had to do was look down. Both the focus and the wind on are on the right hand side so the camera can be held in the left hand. After the Rolleicord 5 they moved the focus to the left so like the Rolleiflex you have to swop hands to focus and wind on. I repair Rolleiflex I have been for a long time. Most Rolleiflex cameras I see are in a bad state often damaged by amateur repairers. People don't get them professionally serviced often enough.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the invaluable insight Rory, it’s amazing how subtle changes in camera design can affect usability. I found my Minolta Autocord’s focus mechanism seriously restricts its flexibility in the hills, I was in constant danger of breaking the fragile lever and wished I’d carried a simple folder or even Yashicamat.

Your older videos keep popping up, which is good. I had to run upstairs and check up on my tiny F75, and yes, it has the knurly pressure plate too. Not sure why Nikon did that. So far - no striping, knock on wood. Thanks again for a good talk and nice images. Cheers! Lars

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Lars, I’ve no idea why they put such an odd pressure plate on that model, all the others are much smoother.

Thanks for the great video - This is one of the reasons I dont think I'll ever part with my 6x9 Voightlander Bessa II with the 105mm Color Skopar lens. With the push on yellow filter the scans I get back are really stunning and sharp. I love my Leica 1C and IIIf with all the screw mount glass, but there's something so satisfying when I get a great shot with the Bessa II.

@SteveONions

23 күн бұрын

Thanks Steve. I’ve not really got enough use from my 6x9 in recent years so it’ll probably get sold on for someone else to enjoy.

The darkroom print looked incredible. Excellent work. I need to concentrate twice as hard with my 6x17 camera...it only yields four frames per roll. ;-)

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I would love a 617, expensive to run though 🙂

@photog1529

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions Yep, I just finished a roll of Portra 160. Everything seemed to go well until I received the negatives from the lab...one shot of the four was completely blank. I'm guessing user error...could have forgotten to remove the dark slide as the light was fading a little too quickly. But I do like the pano look, though.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

It is easy to mess up at times, I try to be methodical but still slip up and it gets expensive with large format.

The darkroom print looks amazing !

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jeff.

Hey Steve, many thanks for another excellent and informative video. Having just discovered your channel, I think I must have watched everyone of your videos. I feel so encouraged that your still using film alongside digital and even re-entering the darkroom. I totally agree with you that they are two different processes, each with their own characteristics and qualities, although you have a great deal more experience than I. Having bought a 6x9 and 6x12 back for a mono-rail 5x4 camera, which I'm yet to 'use in anger' for landscape, townscape, and architecture, I been thinking about an older, smaller 6x9 folding camera, too. So, this was so helpful. I would very much like to see how your 35mm image develops on your prefered film scanner and processing, for comparison, and I would really like to see some darkroom techniques, too. I once tried Cibachrome / Ilfochrome, which I absolutely loved. Sadly no longer manufactured. Keep up the good work, it is a real inspiration, inspiring me to take it up once again. I knew I kept hold of all my equipment for a reason!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks James and I only wish I had kept hold of all my equipment rather than selling it all off and having to buy it back (twice!!). I also tried Cibachrome a few times and found the contrast unmanageable so I switched to RA4 which was surprisingly successful. A 6x9 folder is a good compromise between the bulk of a 120 system camera and the image size of 4x5, not far off if you are considering a roll film back and I too like my 6x12 Horseman on the Intrepid. I'll certainly be adding in more darkroom related material alongside all the other formats, I like just about any camera system and do not see a conflict with shooting both film and digital. In terms of scanning I have been changing my approach lately and will probably do a video comparing the three options I use.

Great video as always Steve. It's good to see someone who has more cameras than me! Especially when you actually use them 😃 I do like the look of a 120 film 6x9 aspects ratio something to think about, but I've also just asked my wife for an intrepid 4x5 for Christmas 🤔

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I’d happily recommend the Intrepid David, it is superlight and ideal for landscape work. I’ve owned a few other 4x5’s including Wista, Nagaoka and Toyo and despite the basic materials the intrepid is built from I actually prefer it.

Wow. The 6x9 vs 35mm was like Foveon vs Bayer sensor in the digital world. 👍

Great video! Very helpful as I am just about to embark on 6x9 for the first time. I have used 6x6 a lot before but really excited to see what I can get out of my Voigtlander Bessa 1 with Vaskar lens.

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

Good luck with the Voigtlander, the 3 element Vaskar lenses are really good.

Steve, that stone building and communication pole with the 6x9 was my fav from the previous video. The finished darkroom product was excellent IMO......8>)

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

Interesting assessment on the Zeiss for black and white. The phenomena your describing I call micro-contrast/ image fidelity. I consider that to be superior fidelity and higher micro contrast. I personally chase this down in every lens I get as I find there are lenses that retain the resolution and microcontrast together. I’d consider them a trade off though so many new lenses seeking to achieve resolution at large apertures corner to corner I see the most severe offenders of reduced fidelity. Zooms especially, but even some of the newer primes coming out for digital full frame.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I also look for lenses that have a certain look and with film it seems that the ones with a lower element count render more pleasing images.

Great video! I’m looking for a Zeiss ikon to buy and this is very helping!

I like the darkroom print very much!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Walter.

The clumping you see is grain aliasing and not actual grain. Another reason to use better scanning methods. Stopped down, with a light yellow filter and with a shade on, and perhaps also with Delta, fp4 or Tmax, you’ll be able to get very different results from the Zeiss. A lot of the effect you went for in the lab, would have come automatically with a red or orange filter. A small triplet lens like the Novar stopped down to 8 or 11 and set close to infinity, will surprisingly often actually give you more sharpness and contrast. Possibly because there is less glass and less transitions to get through.

@johnjon1823

4 жыл бұрын

Interesting considerations.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

The scans are only designed to give and idea of the comparative image quality and are not definitive representations. Grain aliasing is partly responsible for the effect and a true darkroom print would exhibit a more uniform (and pleasing) grain structure. If I had the time I would do all such comparisons using darkroom prints but sadly my resources are stretched too far.

@c.augustin

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions I did some "scans" using my Olympus Pen F Digital and the Olympus 30 mm Macro in hi-res mode, giving 80 MP files that give a very "true" grain structure. Scaling by 0.7 (70%) leads to 40 MP files that should be equally good for comparison. An E-M5 MkII also sports a hi-res mode, and the resulting 60 MP should suffice too. Better and cheaper than any (affordable) flat-bed or dedicated film scanner, I'd say.

@jlaw8882

4 жыл бұрын

@@c.augustinAfter getting so-so results from scanning negatives I think I will try this. Have thought about it for a while but always thought it was more likely my processing or exposure choices.

@c.augustin

4 жыл бұрын

@@jlaw8882 The trick is to use a high-resolution lens made for close distances (like macro or enlarger lenses) stopped down to its optimum aperture (to avoid diffraction). With an MFT camera, this is not the best quality possible. I did this scanning technique using a Rodenstock Apo Rodagon 50 mm enlarger lense in conjunction with a Sony A7RII (both belong to a friend), and there I got even better results.

My 1929 Icarette folder with f/4.5 Tessar yields interesting 6x9 negatives. The 1914 Kodak Autographic 3A folder with f/7.7 Kodak Anastigmat that I learned on produced even more detail, but its huge roll film in size 122 has not been made since the early 1970s.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a good camera Stephen, shame about the lack of 122 film for the Kodak though.

Lovely Print!! I need to get back into the darkroom. My Favorite Light FIlm Cameras are a Minox 35GL (great lens and so very light, if you find a working one) and my Voigtlander Perkeo II. I envy you the areas you get to shoot in, Snowdonia is lovely through your Eye

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

And I envy your Perkeo II and Minox Collette 🙂

A modern Nikon F100 combined with the best AIS or AFS glass and fine grain film with proper development will produce extremely sharp images. The Fuji GX617 or any 6x8 6x7 will also make very beautiful prints but the ease of a fully automatic modern SLR combined with autofocus and sharp lenses works very well too

Enjoyed watching this video. I have a Voigtlander Bessa 1 folder, very similar set up to your Zeiss. I love using it; it takes me back to the nuts and bolts of photography! I have a Voigtlander Kontur viewfinder that I mount onto the Bessa 1 that takes into account the parallax view. The separate Pollux Rangefinder that I have is out of calibration in the vertical mode though and I think it needs to be retired! I have become fairly good at estimating distance though!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Close up shots are tricky for me Pete, I’ve grown used to SLR and View Cameras 🙂

Really love that darkroom print and don't fret that you used a lot of paper and time! When I first started darkroom printing earlier this year, I was really slow and wasteful but I am getting better! I have a Zeiss Ikon Nettar 6x9 too but pre-war. I've stopped carrying it around in favour of the 1950's 6x6 one as I like the normal view of the lens better on square and also the lens has better contrast. What was interesting was that the second set of photos, the Zeiss photo was higher contrast than the 35mm

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I think the light had changed by the time I took the second image James and it was clearly more contrasty on the negative. I also prefer to carry a 6x6 folder as there’s no need to rotate it which is when I get the most problems with framing. I also like the 6x6 format and the gradual softening of the corners brings the eye into the centre very effectively.

Interesting point on the f65 pressure plate I've noticed marks on my negatives shot on this body but could never figure out where they came from. I assumed it was an issue with certain rolls or maybe a lab issue when developing. 👌

Another excellent video Steve. Thank you for sharing. If you ever have the inclination on shooting a video on processing, I would love to hear how you develop your film.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I’ve done a little bit of coverage on processing Rene but never a dedicated video. I’m considering one for 4x5 as this seems to be the area that most people struggle with.

In my opinion the best way to print B/W is with and enlarger. I have tried scans from reputable manufacturers but it seem that grain became more apparent. Anyway I do enjoy your photography and the videos. Thanks 🙏

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

The scanning approach can be very effective but it does need some practice and of course a decent scanner. I find I can make excellent digital prints from black and white film but still like the look of those produced in the darkroom - they just take a lot more effort and materials.

Love the last image as a 3/1 ratio panoramic. Also perfect timing for me, since I am interested in purchasing a Zeiss Ercona 6x9 myself. I realize this is on my computer screen but the clouds and light creating that radiant atmospheric diffusion makes the image glow. Nicely presented comparison of both cameras pros and cons. Thanks for your time in creating another enjoyable video. Cheers from Canada.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Wayne, the 6x9 does have more of a glow than the 35mm version. The darkroom print enhances this further, it’s not particularly sharp but looks very good nonetheless.

Great video and comparison, Steve! I've found to reasons why I don't use my 6x9s, or folders in general, more than I do: It's expensive to use them, and you can't demand reliability from cameras that are 65 years old or more. Image quality-wise, I think I can't beat my Mamiya RB67, it's reliable too, but it's a beast to carry around. So in the end it comes down to the feeling, and what outcome I want.

@SteveONions

Жыл бұрын

They are definitely fragile devices Kalle, I’m quite gentle with them but shutters and bellows will fail from time to time.

So interesting, Steve. I am going through exactly the same thoughts at the moment. I've been a photographer all my life. Have just gone back to shooting film and am about to buy a folder, 6x9, for these same reasons. Thanks. Loved your final crop of the derelict house - makes me miss my XPan but I now know I will be able to do that crop off the 6x9 neg.

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

Very true, I’d love an XPan but the 6x9 offers a lot of flexibility and near large format performance too. Cropping down to a panoramic format also removes the problem of accurate framing with the folder , something I always struggle with for shots with a lot of detail everywhere in the frame.

@Jellybaby50

3 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions Aren't you up very late? UK?

Darkroom? Love it. I'm not a Luddite either, but digital images . . . but all those manipulations make digital images look sterile. A sterile perfection.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I can make convincing digital prints but it takes restraint and I only use a limited range of tools, mainly dodging and burning. Still prefer a good wet print though.

I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of two 6x9s: a Moskva 5 and Bessa RF. I appreciate your description of the differences in lens design. I have a Ricoh GR2 which I'm about to dump. The lens a sharp, but too contrasty.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I like the sound of your new Cameras Alfred, the lenses will give a totally different look to the Ricoh.

In the US in the fifties the Kodak Tourist in 6x9 was the standard household camera, if you went one step above point and shoot. They didn't have the best lenses and Kodak sold the film as 620 which was really 120 on a slightly different spool. They do offer plenty of negative and 60x90 does offer some panorama possibilities. Those with 4x5s around can easily find backs that use 120 in wide formats.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

The size is certainly very appealing especially in terms of the tonality it can deliver. I have a 6x12 back for my 4x5 which is really enjoy using.

Another enjoyable and educational vlog Steve, good to see there's still plenty of life in old camera's, beautiful print at the end with a gorgeous tonal range. When are you going to fire up the 8x10 again?

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael, you’ll be glad to know the next video is all about the 8x10 👍

That was a wonderful print wish you could do dark room vids

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

I’ll do a few more this year Kevin 👍

Hello Steve. A very interesting video. Thanks for the explanation about the lod glass and contrast. As I manly shoot with old glass on B&W film, I was unaware of the contrast benefits, but since you pointed it out I now know why I like that look. Excellent content, and thanks again. Ps. Do you sell your prints.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Phillip. I really like the lower contrast of older lenses for B&W work as it expands the shadows quite considerably which makes printing a lot easier. In terms of prints I don't sell them at present but I would like to offer both digital and darkroom versions of some images if I had enough demand.

Steve - Thanks for sharing this little adventure and reminding us one again that it's the photographer and not the camera that make the picture. With respect to your 4 hour darkroom adventure... Have you ever considered making a digital negative after making all of the adjustments to your photo in photoshop or lightroom? This would mean all that needs to be done is a contact print. It would save you money and, I believe, time. I know that the folks doing platinum palladium prints use this technique. There are books on the subject. One other thought is that using either a yellow or red filter on the lenses might be an interesting experiment. People don't often think of them nowadays and you can find them quite inexpensively on ebay.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rich, the digital negative approach is interesting and I’ve only tried it a couple of times so far, both for cyanotype prints. It would certainly resolve the issues of tricky dodges and burns which can end up costing a lot in test sheets. I should have used a yellow or even orange filter on the Zeiss to boost the contrast but couldn’t find one that fitted in amongst my large collection. I’ll look out for one (it’s a push on fit thankfully so no issues with thread pitch).

@richball3260

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions I wanted to add that I really enjoyed the multiple story lines. The derelict mine raised all kinds of speculation in my mind. Who were the miners? What were they mining? The site itself would be worthy of a photo whole essay. The building in your dark room print - It obviously took a great deal of labor. Who built it? Why? I also appreciated your comment on a "quality image vs image quality" - to many of us are so hung up on the technical aspects of image making that we forget the aesthetic aspects. Thank you for two very nice videos!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rich, I have also thought that the location would be well worth revisiting to concentrate on the old buildings. I can imagine that on a dull winters day the atmosphere would be more suited to the dull slate and general melancholic feel if the place, it would be amazing to use the 4x5 or even 8x10.

At some point, I do want a 6x9 camera of some sort. I presently prefer the ratio more so than square format or even 6x7, 6x8. I wonder if you could lessen the nikon f65 camera's rough back plate scratches on the film by fine-sanding it. A way to avoid debris is by using wide painter's tape, and also protect the rear curtain with a piece of thin cardboard cut to the size of a few 35mm film frames, then protect that whole area with a plastic zip loc bag around all of the camera except for the open back door. I have an Argus Brick that scratches as well. I assumed it was the pressure plate, and tried sanding it, but the long scratches still occurred. I gave up on it. (a separate topic, but...) there is an adapter that can take the brick's lens and adapt it to a digital camera. I have a veteran of classic camera friend that claims that some Argus lens coatings do very well with sky contrast. So, I may do a lens-ectomy on the Brick and try adapting it onto a digital fuji x. I have very little to loose in this experiment, when I make time for it.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I could definitely get to the bottom of the issue given time but as the F65 is barely lighter than my F80’s I decided to retire it instead. Oddly my Holga has put tramlines in the last two rolls of film despite there being no obvious cause so I’ve carefully smoothed every surface that comes into contact with the film. It’s the time and effort to test that hurts most, shooting a roll and developing it every time soon adds up!

Awesome video! I had bad impressions of 35mm film, but comparing the same composition to 6x6 (as you did here) it changed my mind. I found hp5+ in 35mm to emphasize grain and sacrifice sharpness compared to hp5+ in medium format. Interesting, I found delta400 in 35mm to be a strong rival (in terms of sharpness and grain) to hp5+ in medium format. Additionally, I enjoy the greater contrast and punch of delta400.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

35mm can look bad for certain subjects Jaideep, rather crude and harsh, but if used carefully it’s perfect for conveying certain moods.

Thanks a lot for showing the results of this trip! The results are fairly obvious, although I'd say it is also a question of subject matter, in the sense that 35 mm is probably more suited for taking pictures of smaller subjects while the larger format is much better if you want to show a broad landscape view. BTW: Lately the 645 format has grown on me as a fairly good compromise!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I also think 645 is probably about the best balance of weight and quality, I've owned a few Mamiya 645's over the years and the image is big enough to show a marked improvement over 35mm without the bulk of large 120 and sheet film sizes.

@buyaport

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions Recently got a Fuji GA645Zi, certainly not a camera for purists, but I fell in love with it! Talking about purists: Ever tried converting 35mm Portra or Ektar pictures into black and white? Because of the extrem fine grain one gets a great resolution out of them - if that is what one wants. I wouldn't shoot these films only to convert them into b/w, but if one already got great colour pictures, why not try out how they look in b/w?

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I also had a 645 Fuji many years ago, possibly the best lens I’ve ever used on medium format. I have done conversions from Ektar and Portra but find them a little bland compared to B&W. I also find I compromise at the shooting stage if I know I can choose mono or colour in post processing.

Very interesting video as usual, and I liked the print you made. I don't have any printer and have not yet decied if I will go for digital printer og darkroom printing. I see the results of darkroom printing can be excellent, but may also require a lot of trial and error. Economy is also an important factor. I remember spending a lot of ink by cleaning the nozzles. That ws back in 2009, maube things have changed since then.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

It's a bit like the old comparison of the longbow and the musket Geir. The bow is actually a superior weapon but it takes years to train someone to be proficient in shooting it whereas you can teach anyone to fire a musket in a day. The darkroom is a craft that needs to be learned and practiced in order to improve but digital prints can be made relatively quickly and easily. That said, there is something quite magical about a wet print that is hard to replicate on a computer.

@GeirBakkenVestfold

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONionsThank you, I will be thinking about it a bit more, and maybe I some day make up a decicion or act on impulse. The closest thing I come to printing is my experiments with paper negatives and Harman Direct Positive Paper. It gives beautiful results, but I scan and edit them in post. That is much more forgiving than real analog printing. But the DPP looks really great when i Expose correctly, but witth 4x5, they only makes small beautiful print.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I do like a small print but equally I also found my 4x5 contacts a little bit too tiny. The 8x10 is a lot better for this task.

Have a old Franka Solida III 6x6 folding camera with a Rodenstock: Trinar 80mm f/2.9. That lens has a lot of character with swerly bokeh etc. Plus it has a coupled rangefinder so its a bit faster to work with.

@shaunbrowne3963

4 жыл бұрын

bkspicture I have the same camera, and after Steve's video on comparing 35 vs 6x9, I'm rethinking my camera choice on my next trip. An iPhone, for all the general photography, video, etc. and my Franka 6x6 for some 'serious' photography. Thanks bkspicture and Steve O'nions!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a good setup . . . I've got yet another plan and two tiny cameras to test :)

@shaunbrowne3963

4 жыл бұрын

Steve O'Nions my smallest camera is a Minox GL, with a modified battery, 4 LR44 watch batteries, held together with electric tape. This hacked battery requires no battery compensation, and the camera is working flawlessly.

Great video Steve, I really appreciate the effort you go to. Just as an idea, I note in previous comments the question of whether you sell prints. I watch videos by 'Shoot Film Like A Boss' and he has started selling prints that feature in the videos on eBay, with a link to the item in the description. I thought I would mention this as it might be a good way to start some print sales as you photography is of exceptional quality.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I’m definitely looking into it Simon, the plan is to start offering some by the end of the year through either my website or a third party.

@freesewatches335

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions great news, hopefully it will be a fantastic outlet for your work.

Excellent video, as always. I think the superior quality of medium format always outweighs (literally and metaphorically) 35mm. Or maybe I'm just trying to justify lugging a Pentax 6x7 up and down mountains.

@ZachBie

4 жыл бұрын

Ciarán Pringle I applaud you! Medium format is sure superior in image quality, but I think it comes down to how you shoot. I shot a ton a medium format in college for my art classes, but since graduating I have pretty much only shot 35mm. Part of that is a workflow thing, as it is easier for me to scan 35mm using my Nikon D750 and a macro lens with a dedicated film 35mm holder. Not quite the same, but I sure have been pleased with the results I have gotten. Especially with Delta 100.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I am fairly comfortable with all formats of film and see different qualities in each, 35mm really suits stormy weather when the last thing I am looking for is smooth tones and a grain free skies. When I initially shot 120 about 30 years ago I was really impressed with the tonality and over the years have favoured it but I do find myself enjoying the freedom of 35mm alongside it. Large format is quite different again with a 3D effect on certain subjects that is something I have never seen in 120.

Hi Steve. 6x9 is a format I have not really explored. Mainly because of the size of the camera. Never fancied a roll film back for the 5x4. But the folders have certainly fueled an interest. Cheers Diz

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

If you get one just make sure it’s in good order Diz, most of those for sale are beyond repair.

@DizinEire

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions Cheers Steve

Great comparison!! I know it's not about that, but I'd love to see some more pixel-peeping conparisons between cheap and expensive TLRs and folders, how much difference there is between, say a Rolleiflex and a Ricohflex vii. The difference in price is huge but if you try to compare them by sample images you find online, usually the guys with the cheaper cameras are also (mostly) more casual with the shots; they dont use tripods for landscapes and there's a lot of camera roll & shake disguised as corner aoftness... It would really be great if you made a comparison like this for various price point cameras, never seen it anywhere and it would help a lot of us.

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I like doing the occasional comparison but I’m less interested in absolute performance, more the overall look. There will be an upcoming video where 35mm and 120 were shot alongside each other but to do a real technical comparison of similar cameras would not reveal much difference in my experience. All the best 🙂

There is a case to be made for the advantage of having fewer shots with the 6x9 camera. Especially with landscapes.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Very true.

Fantastic comparisons here, Steve. It would be very interesting to see how FP4+ would fare in 35mm versus HP5+ in 6x9. Maybe a subject for a future video? Also, your Zeiss 6x9 looks an awful lot like my beloved Mockba 5 Soviet 6x9 camera. It can be a royal pain to shoot with, but I am forced to slow down and think before shooting an image, but by gee, the image quality is just superb.

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

I would love to do a video with the finest 35mm in the fine grain developer to see how close to the 6x9 with HP5+. I bet the 6x9 still wins but by a much smaller margin.

@totalrecone

3 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions Adox CMS 20 II in 35mm would be a prime candidate for such a comparison Steve. That stuff has frighteningly high resolving power. I don't have any 35mm to hand, but I *do* have a roll of the Adox in 120 that you are more than welcome to play with if you wish.

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

I’ve always been wary of document films as they have an odd tonal range. Perhaps 2021 would be a good time to try them alongside my normal films.

Hello Steve, Since I own a good exemplar of the Voigt. Bessa-1 with a color-skopar (Zeiss equivalent of the Tessar), 2 nikon bodies (FE & FM) ad a bronica sqa +2 lenses, I have fond your comparison extremely interesting. I have 2 questions: - Have you ever compared the zeiss against the Bronica in term of IQ? I supose the Bronica is better, due to its more modern & sophisticated lenses. But would you say it's worth to carry the extra weigh (I am 72 and have some back problem)? - I have looked for a while for a L bracket for the Bessa, but without success. Any clue? Thanks for your untertaining and informative videos Francis

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Francis. The Bronica lenses are sharper and have greater contrast but the additional image size of the 6x9 and older lens makes the image very smooth and easy to print/scan. If you are shooting general landscapes I think the 6x9 has the edge on the Bronica if weight is an issue (and it is for me too). The biggest issue is the fixed lens which offers less options when framing shots but if you work within these limitations then the folding cameras small size and light weight are very tempting. In terms of L-Brackets I use a generic brand which works very well on the Zeiss, not sure if it suits the Bessa but it is worth a try and it makes vertical compositions on a tripod very easy. www.amazon.co.uk/Andoer-Universal-MPU100-Release-Bracket/dp/B00RFLU5IY/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=camera+l+bracket&qid=1567362939&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Very informative Steve - as always! Shot my first test roll of film with a Zeiss Ikon 6x9 (90 years old!) and happy to say no light leaks. Amazing! Definitely a different experience, but now looking forward to putting a good roll of film or two through it and getting comfortable with it to learn its qualities and limitations. Again, enjoyed your comparisons. Soon will be printing again in a darkroom as I have now the parts I need to get the old Beseler 23 up and running. Cheers!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Good new Robert and who would have thought bellows could still hold up after all those years.

Is the 6x9 a 120 or 620 film camera? Great, great video. Thanks for posting.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

It’s a 120 camera so no problem with film 🙂

Many thanks for another very interesting video and comparison. One question: How did you size up the 35mm scan? Do you use a specialized software, or are you using Photoshop? If you are using PS, are you resizing in one go or in steps? Thanks a lot, Michael

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Michael. I just used basic photoshop resizing, both scans were in a simple flatbed so they were never going to be particularly sharp to start with. A better method would be to optically enlarge to 8x10” then make a reflective scan from the flatbed. This gets round many of the limitations of simple scanners as the print has less dynamic range and grain aliasing is removed. Perhaps I should do a video comparing optical and digital enlarging.

@michaelkaufmann7540

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions Hi Steve, this would indeed be very interesting. For a quick comparison of the negative scans, I was able to keep grain in reasonable check by enlarging in steps of 10%, bicubic smoother to a little over the final resolution. Then resize down to the desired pixel size, using bicubic sharper. Many thanks for your response and looking forward to more interesting videos. Michael

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

That’s an interesting approach Michael, I must try it next time. Thank you.

@michaelkaufmann7540

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions My pleasure. I learned about this in a Photoshop tutorial (maybe in a side note, not sure). You may want to create a PS Action for this. Good luck and again a big thank you for all your efforts, Michael

Hello Steve, thanks for next great video :-) Also great news that you're back in your darkroom, there's nothing like to hold finished fibre based darkroom print. Do you plan to share some darkroom videos? Also if I can recommend - I had pretty good experience with T-Max 100/400 for 35mm photography. T-Max 400 has grain comparable to regular ISO 100 film with 2 stops better sensitivity and prints from 35mm T-Max 100 are so fine grained that one of my friend asked me what medium format camera do I use :-D

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Definitely do something with the darkroom videos this year 👍 I was a big fan of TMY-2 for a number of years and agree that in 35mm the grain and sharpness are excellent. I’ve made 20x24” darkroom prints that stood close examination and it scans exceptionally well. I tend to favour HP5+ at present because it has more of a film look although having recently digitised some 35mm negs taken with primes on TMY-2 I’m definitely considering it again.

Great video very insightful. One question, do you always scan with the Epson? I've always been dissatisfied with the results for 35mm. I now scan with a dedicated 35mm scanner and the results are much sharper and richer in detail.

@SteveONions

Жыл бұрын

I rarely use the Epson now, it sometimes comes out for the larger formats and when I’m being lazy. I can use my Minolta 5400 for 35mm but typically opt for the Panasonic G9 with 30mm macro lens, it resolves all the details in the film and is quick too.

For finer grain and better detail from 35mm, why not try Ilford PanF (50 ISO). You may need a tripod, however, which adds weight. FP4 may be a good compromise between the two.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

That is definitely an option but would have meant carrying a tripod and that’s something I really want to avoid when going on long hikes.

I wish Ilford brings out a 620 film cartridge. One emulsion like HP5 is all it takes in my opinion. with 3D printing those 620 reels can be easily reproduce but maybe they think there is not a market out there. Even a simple Kodak Tourist camera can prove them wrong in my opinion.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I agree that there must be enough market to justify it, even 127 is still made.

Always interesting videos, good work! As one gentleman commented about filters, perhaps some examples of different filters and even scanning resolutions and techniques would be interesting to see in terms of results. Also, one wonders what digital techniques would deliver results as close as possible to a traditional print i.e. closest match to your 4 hours in the darkroom ? What printing method and papers etc. Then of course there is the whole monitor brightness vs printed result brightness.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

It’s a huge subject John and there are so many variables from scanner to how you develop the film. I’ll be doing a video this year that looks at three options for digitising 35mm film, there’s a big difference for sure.

@johnjon1823

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

id like to see an hp5+ 6x9 vs a tmax 100 in 35mm, or even a slide film. trade all other considerations for maximum sharpness on 35mm and see how close you can get. beautiful darkroom print. id also like to see the same scene darkroom printed from the 35mm negative. how close do you have to get to tell any difference? i got to take a baby graflex with a 6x9 roll to colorado this summer. i found i considered my shots a little more carefully with the higher price tag.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I’d love to do more comparisons Chris when I get the time, I’ll be putting out a video examining how close 35mm can get to 120 if enough care is taken at the shooting and developing stages.

Hello Steve! My Nikon F65 leaves no tram lines on the film. Perhaps it was your copy. Thank you for sharing!!!

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

I’ll give it a gentle clean Giovanni, it can only be a small issue.

went out and bought a 120 folder after seeing this.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

I hope you like it (and it’s a good example!).

That looks like a really good print Steve. You've got a "Constable" sky, if only you could have found a pretty shepherdess.... I'm admiring the folder. Be honest now. Aren't you secretly looking forward to deploying it in front of an audience? I keep looking at my humble Vest pocket Kodak. If only it didn't run on unobtainifilm...

@davidpowell5437

4 жыл бұрын

Actually I wanted to comment on what you were saying about old lenses tending to be significantly softer at the edges than the center yet still producing pleasing images. That sounds horrendous by todays standards where consistency over the whole image circle is one of the features on which lenses are judged. When you think about it though, that's a pretty close match to the way our vision works - sharp in the centre and less so towards the periphery, If we want a clear look at something on the edge of vision we just redirect our gaze. Ceratainly leaves me wondering how the modern way came to be.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

This is very true David, everyone judges lenses by their across the field sharpness but this can be a disadvantage in many scenes. I also like the way older lenses bring you in to the centre of the image (especially in 6x6) and often compliment this with a gentle vignette. I think people have mixed up the meaning of image quality and a quality image.

I am impressed by the darkroom image's quality. How is it though that its grey is slightly warm ?

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Partly the scan and partly the effect of the video I think.

I would take the 6x9 cm Camera, compared to a SLR camera with a Lens mounted, then there can also be room for say a Minox 35 ML Camera together with the 6x9 Camera. 🙃

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

I like it 🙂

Great video, Steve. Exactly mirrors my experience with my old Agfa folders (6x6, though), but as you said already in the video: a lot of the "softness" of your 35mm scans is due to the V700 being somewhat ametropic on small negatives. I use this scanner myself, and it's so much easier to get good results with medium format.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Very true Carsten which is why I am looking to use digital camera scanning in future once I’ve sorted out the workflow.

Lovely prints. Is it RC or FB paper?

@SteveONions

Жыл бұрын

FB 🙂

i´ve always dreamed of an Voigtländer Bessa III 667W. unfortunately its a bit too expensive.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Sadly yes, it looks like the perfect camera for travelling.

Steve, how do you advance film on the 6x9? I don't remember Ilford having guide numbers on paper in which film is wrapped. A few years ago I , regretfully , let go a Bessa 6x9, but I don't remember film I used. What I remember is that I saw numbers through that red circle. My today's 6x9 is Fuji GW 690 II - lightweight but huge in comparison to those lovely folders. Totally unrelated now, I cut off those fins on the 8x10 processor :) And another thing, I bought today an old fujinon 180 w f5.6 with a huge image circle of 305; very lightweight lens for the field on 8x10 in addition to my nikkor m 300. Great video, Steve, I learn plenty from you.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I have found the Ilford films to have fairly clear frame numbers Gene but nowhere near as good as those on Fuji films, they really stood out. I'm interested in your results with the Orbital too and how much chemistry you use (I typically go for 250ml now). Is the 180 Fujinon the earlier single coated version? I believe that can just cover 8x10 at f/22 while the later model has less coverage.

@genegoranov5865

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions The other day I tried to do stand developing with 500 mm of rodinal. In spite of prewetting for a couple of minutes, the corners turn out undveloped, so I guess either I'll forget about such modus operandi or try it later with around 700 ml of solution. For now I am going to stick to constant agitation with 250 ml. About the lens; yes it is the earlier W series with the lettering inside the filter ring. They look smaller, than the later version so they should be ideal for field use. The W S series looks identical with the same parameters according to websites; both have 305 mm image circle.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Shame about the stand development but I’m not surprised given the orbital design. I’m now interested to see how you get on with the 180mm Fuji.

@genegoranov5865

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions I'll be glad to report my experience with it , Steve.

@genegoranov5865

4 жыл бұрын

So, Steve, this is my initial thoughts on Fujinon W 180 f5.6 the older version with the i.c. of 305 mm ; it is not that lightweight as I imagined (438g). First time I tested it with no special precision on the Intrepid yielded about half inch vignetting. The second time I was very thorough in setting the front standard by the book. Unfortunately, the result with the sky vignetting came out even worse; the first time at least it was even, but the second time the left corner vignetting was two times bigger then the left. Of course it is manageable to make it all eventually even, but I don't think it's worth the torture it takes. It looks like my sample of the Intrepid's front standard isn't that precisely positioned in the center. Perhaps the best usable mild wide is the Fuji A 240.

Seems like the 6x9 would be fabulous for experimenting with Cyanotypes.

i recently bought a Zeiss Nettar made in 1933 to play with using black and white film. Is there a BW film that you have found is a good all around film to start with? I know you often base your film on the conditions and look you want but I'm a long way from that level and just want to get started. Also do you know of any good reference material you would recommend to understand how various films (BW) behave?

@ZachBie

4 жыл бұрын

Philip Culbertson Tri-X or HP5 are both easy films to work with and good for starting out. FP4 is another great film for when you have more light.

@philipculbertson55

4 жыл бұрын

@@ZachBie Thank you Zach. I'll note those and give them a try.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I'd agree with Zach that something like HP5+ is perfect for just about anything and is so flexible and forgiving you are hard pressed to go wrong.

Hi Steve, hugely impressive image quality from the folder but would you kindly explain what the gadget is that's perched on the top plate, please? What is it's function and is it unique to Zeiss? Thank you.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

It’s an auxiliary rangefinder Russell, I can more accurately asses the focus distance with it. They are quite cheap and can be fitted to any camera, just make sure you get one that uses the same scale as your lens IE, metric or imperial.

@russellsprout2223

2 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions Steve, I'm very grateful to you for taking the time - doubtless you have much better things to do.👍