How can I use this old view camera?

T

The Matt

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,642
Edit My Images
Yes
I've got an oddly sized view camera (quarter plate I think) that just isn't going to be practical to use properly. In Ilford's odd sizes run (which I missed) film was £75 a pack. I've only got the one film holder with it and dev would be mail order only so I'd be taking about one shot a fortnight and paying the same again for postage never mind development... Also the shutter is knackered at all but bulb/time. I'm thinking of sticking in some low sensitivity photographic paper in place of film and getting results that way. Would that work? I'd need some kind of fixer or something but I don't really know much about that. Any tips or other ideas? It belonged to a friend's grandfather so I'd like to be able to show her at least some results from it...

DSC09697.jpg
 
Paper probably would work as an alternative for film and at least you could cut it to size under a safelight. You'd need developer, stop and fix plus trays and a safelight.

I'm not sure but you may need to use small apertures as the difference in thickness between film and paper may be enough to miss the focal plane as can sometimes be seen when using 220 film in a 120 back.

Someone recently posted some picture in the show us your film shots thread where they shot directly onto paper. It might be worth finding that post and asking them for advice.
 
Looks an ideal body for some alternative processes.

I have no idea how it would work, but I did have the vague idea a while ago at trying some long exposure anthotypes. It's normally done with contact printing and is infamously impossible to fix.. but it's so simple it has to be worth a try with a plate camera.. ..
 
ooh, alternative processing... I may have to give both a go... Always did fancy cyanotype...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top