xpan and noblex - purepanorama

Kodak: End-of-Life'd

2012-01-27T03:35:00.001-08:00

I cant believe that one of the most traditional or historical photography equipment and film companies (Kodak on Wikipedia) is going down the drain (link) and filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The company made photography accesible to the masses in the early years and introduced or invented a couple of fantastic things. To name a few:

1900: The Brownie Camera
1935: Kodachrome
1963: Instamatic Camera
1975: The digital camera (Engineer Steven Sasson)
1986: First Megapixel Sensor

More than a few time Kodak missed the train with their products and the competitors happily overtook.

2011 - Film is not dead

2011-12-31T02:29:00.000-08:00

I cant believe this year has passed so quickly. I noticed not a single post on this blog for a whole year. This actually reflects how many photographs (film) I created this year: Zero ! Reviewing my equipment in the dry cabinet I suddenly felt very bad and decided to develop a last roll that was still in the camera from 2010 and scan some of the negatives. I miss using the Noblex and the Roundshot, I will try to find some time in 2012 to use them.

So this is my tribute to film panorama for 2011. Two solid Agfa APX (original, not the remake) panoramas made with the Noblex.

All the best to my panoramic friends for 2012. May film be around for another few years !

Noblex ceased production

2010-08-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

Sad to post that another classic film based camera is no longer produced. Noblex Germany, based in Dresden, stopped the production. I have a 135S and always looked for a 150. Noblex Canada took over the service with the remaining spare parts shipped from Dresden. You better dont break it now.

Noblex Canada

Noblex Re-Started

2009-10-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

The very first outing for the Noblex after about a year of loneliness in the dry cabinet and its owner realizing there was still a film inside. And one more time I did the error of not "moving" it for a long period. The lens barrel would not rotate before several rounds of "supported" turning (aka turn it manually and listen to the squeeky sound). Finally it worked (turned at variou speeds without disturbing sounds) and I loaded an AgfaPan (from the 100 year supply fridge) and it had a little walkabout around town.
Half way through the film it started to get difficult to to forward the film, 2 more shots and it got stuck completely.. in both directions ! Only in my makeshift darkroom I could open the body and feel the mess, the film got tangled between the transporting mechanism. I recovered the film (badly fodled at 2 positions) and put it in an empty film can, hoping my lab will accept that.
Before wasting anther panoramic opportunity, I dry-run with some crap left-over film and see if there is any persistent problem. It seems to work fine, we will see.

Noblex from inside:

What happened to (Panorama) Photography ?

2009-10-13T01:16:00.000-07:00

My blog has been very quiet this year (with hardly 3 entries so far), and so was my photography. Let me write down some of my thoughts about current photography.

What happened to Photography ?
Rewinding 10 years from now to 1999, the time I used a SLR and a medium format camera, and printed in my own darkroom, photography was something ordinary people were doing during their holiday or birthday parties only. You would see only professionals or hobbyists (aka. artists, semi-pro,..) using cameras regularly. That was the pre-digital era (few digital cameras at a low quality were available though) and the pre-mobile-phone time (yes, they were available but not everyone was carrying around 2 of them to ensure being connected all the time). Panorama Photography was truly an exceptional photographic form with exclusively film panorama cameras only.
Today photography is prostituted at large. Film photography disappeared almost completely, but digital photography is everywhere. Everyone is a photographer now (or claims to be), even more since mobile phones bring their build-in 6MP camera along. Wherever I go I see people either taking pictures with their iPhone's or with a DSLR dangling around their neck. We got virtually flooded with digital imagery. It is hard to find quality images in the classic sense, free of visible digital alchemy.
The product "photography" is dead in the commercial sense. Picture libraries are offering flatrates for images. Still they are the exclusive ones or the libraries working in niche markets but few photographers make a living of that. I met too many who gave up.

What happened to Panorama Photography ?
Panorama photography is getting more common in the sense of the digital age. Creating panoramas becomes just a result of the camera (with build-in panorama modes), such as the latest Sony model that only requires you to sweep along a scene to get a panorama. Software is getting smarter and faster, and with a few clicks anyone can venture into the panorama business.

What happened to my Photography ?
I didnt make any (film based) photographs this year. I didnt shoot or look much at photographs besides the day-by-day images (you usually do of your family or some simple product shots). Guess my version of an interrim creative break. Now the urge for outstanding photographs is coming back and I started de-dust my film equipment. Tired of HDR'd pictures and awful (even technical perfect) digital imagery, I am eager to take decent pictures and only few of them and enjoy some prints. My style or favorite subjects didnt change much, I still love decay and simple objects. Not necessary all gonna be taken with film but less images with more impact. I will focus on classic panorama formats again.
Also my project to create a book is back now, especially since mockup books are very cheap now from most of the online print-shops.

Stay tuned.

Fotoman stops production

2009-04-23T18:24:00.001-07:00

A bit sad to say, but Fotoman pulls out from the traditional film and large/panorama format domain. With effect of April 1st they stopped production for understandable reasons (as you can read here). Thanks Paul for your dedicated work in the last few years to create a reasonable priced 617 camera (among others).

Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-02T00:25:00.003-08:00

My best panoramic wishes to all readers for the new year ! Another year with hopefully enough film and film producing companies around.

Please dont forget to drop by the panorama-gallery.

Seitz says "Goodbye to film.."

2008-12-15T03:10:00.000-08:00

The Swiss company famous for the range of film based panoramic cameras like the VR220 and 28-220 announced the discontinuation of these cameras. Sadly enough, but fact. Guess the digital world force them to move on. They still will support the old cameras for support but only sell the digital range (even I am not sure who can afford the D3 or the big boy D617). Wonder if the price of my 28-220 will go up. I am NOT it selling anyway !

(link)

On Photo Magazines

2008-12-15T02:13:00.000-08:00

No posting for 2 months ! Thats the longest period of silence for this blog. Haven't been active in the field of (panoramic) film, but more in the digital world (sister blog link). Today I share some thoughts about photomagazines. To be honest I stopped buying them long time ago (with few exceptions). Either they are indulging in technical specs and curves of the latest lenses and bodies (some of the curves I cant even interpret) or half filled with advertising of camera shops. I prefer to see portfolios, experiences on assignment and similar content. The only magazine I read regularly is "Photographie" (german language, link), it is a fair mixture of images and technical editorial over the years, even the amount of nude pictures is too much compared to other portfolios. I gave up on magazines from US and UK, which are also rather expensive in Singapore (due to be imported).

(Copyright with LFI and Canon!)

I specifically want to compare 2 camerabrand pushed magazines:
LFI - LEICA FOTOGRAFIE INTERNATIONAL (link)
EOS MAGAZINE (link)
Both magazines are about the cameras the brand produces and images that are made with the same. The 2 cameras brands are completely different league of equipment approaching different type of photographers. LFI rather on the artistic side, for the purist (hobbyist) who can afford it. EOS on the press/sports-photographer and hobbyist side.

Facts LFI (September/October 2008, Germany):
Price Euro 6,50, available at magazine dealers
74 pages
2 pages readers images
30 pages portfolio (2 photographers)
6 pages (fullpage) advertising
6 pages editorial, impressum, news, exhibitions
31 pages on Leica cameras/equipment (some pages shared with 1/2 advertising)

Facts EOS Magazine (April/June 2008)
Price free for selected customers (spend more than x on Canon), available through pay-subscription.
82 pages
8 pages readers images
9 pages (fillpage) advertising
8 pages editorial, impressum, news, exhibitions
8 pages portfolio (1 photographers)
16 pages on Canon cameras/equipment
27 pages learning trail, how-to (mixed with Canon brand equipment)
4 pages background story

Conclusion: None. Both try to advertise their repective brand. Canon focus more on guiding photographers in using Canon cameras. Leica puts the brand itself into the centre. I wont buy both of them because not being neutral or independant (are other magazines neutral?).

Alternatives: (?)
- For technical reviews and comparison I go online to the various photo portals.
- Maybe the Black and White Magazine for the artistic scene of bw photographers and gallerists.

I leave it to you to comment and decide..

SHD 100

2008-10-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

I got several requests about supply and processing the chinese black and white film SHD from Lucky. I buy them when I travel to China and I let them process by a lab with standard bw process for TMax. For me, this is an experimental film, for playing around or artsy projects, not for serious, crips portraits. Same applies to the Shanghai GP film. They scratch very easily !!
Here the website of lucky (link) and scans of the SHD 100 120 box (copyright by Luckyfilm). Thats all I know about it, sorry folks.

Mamiya announce 4x5" adapter for ZD Back

2008-10-11T04:28:00.000-07:00

On the Photokina 2008 in September they also announce a large format adapter. But both price and availability is not known yet. If it takes the same time to market it like the back itself we sell in the shelf around 2011. I hope earlier !
(German link)

Mamiya ZD Back revised

2008-10-10T23:17:00.000-07:00

A rather small revision of the back comes with a internal buffer of double size, which allows to shoot more images in a row. The back also allows remote catpure.
Check Mamiya Japan (link)

Tips on storing panoramic cameras

2008-09-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

I guess everyone is keeping his treasures in a dry cabinet (at least if you live in a damn humid place like Singapore). Since we have so many cameras (don't we?), it is very unlikely that you bring all your equipment along on a trip. Even more, it happens that a camera is not even used for months.

Tip 1: Batteries suck !
Dont leave batteries inside the body, specifically if you use the el-cheapo type of batteries which tend to vomit their content into the cam.

Tip 2: Move it !
If you have a panoramic camera with a rotating lens (Noblex, Widelux,..), make sure you move this parts occasionally. It happened to me before, that the Noblex didnt turn anymore after 1/2 year of not using it, but giving a squeeky sound.

Sure, this sounds a) like common sense and b) to all cameras anyway. Just want to share personal experience.

panochrome.com update

2008-09-14T18:28:00.000-07:00

Quite a while since I started the monochrome collection of panoramic images at www.panochrome.com. I recently received some requests and decided to continue with the portfolio. I use AirtightInteractive's SimpleViewer which is not too flashy and simple to use. It is free (with a link back to his homepage), but I will buy the Pro version with more settings and the sourcecode to make some personalizations.
Drop by panorama monochrome @ www.panochrome.com
(new Australia and China collection, more to come)

Ansco Panorama again

2008-08-29T23:33:00.000-07:00

The Ansco Panorama PIX has been sitting on the shelve for quite a while ! Inside a Konica Minolta Centuria 200, damn I still have a box with 100 of this film. Even manged to have shots from 2 continents on one 24 roll. Like my grandma which used one film for 2 birthday and christmas parties. The colors are ugly and its grainy, but never mind it fits well into the Ansco.

Watermarks

2008-08-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

OK, I haven't been very active with film lately and the few undeveloped rolls sitting in the black plastic bag for 6 months can tell that. For an average bw film that is not really a big deal, but it seams the Shanghai GP3 does not really like to expose his latent images to the protective layer-paper. Resulting in a nice watermark over all negatives. Lesson to learn. Shot with the Agfa Isolette a while ago... yes, early this year.

Mamiya ZD handheld vs. tripod and mirror lockup

2008-08-01T21:40:00.000-07:00

For a while I was thinking the Mamiya is a "tripod only" medium format camera only. As with any other cameras it depends mainly from your lens and shutter speed. So I tried my hands on one subject with different setup and the same settings.
Mamiya AFD II with ZF Back
80mm lens @ F8 and 1/200s
1. With tripod and mirror lockup
2. With tripod
3. Completely handheld only
Result: At this speed I cant recognize any difference. I compared at zoom level of 200%.
I will try with different settings going down to 1/80s.

But: Working with a tripod always ensure you have best possible results !

Trails in the web

2008-07-31T17:50:00.000-07:00

Once you made one footstep in the internet, it will stay like the steps by Armstrong on the moon. I am surprised out of which context I get sometimes requests for images or where I find them, even I dont post millions of pics. Just check out this one at this one at ac "associated content" (link). I have no clue how it found its way there. I dont mind in this case since the copyright is protected, but you should think before uploading images if you potentially want to see them somewhere else. Check out for Viewzi (link) for a very decorative websearch on, uhm.. maybe your name !

Quiet Times

2008-07-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

There has not been activity here lately, true ! This shall not be a sign this blog is dead. But the last 2 months I have been rather busy with work and the cameras look sadly out of the dry-cabinet. There is even a couple of undeveloped films waiting to go to the lab. I will go to my favorite lab, Fotohub (www.fotohub.com), the next few days. Unfortunately the nearby outlet at Bukit Timah closed. So, please stay tuned and I will give you updates on the latest projects.

2008-06-21T03:48:00.000-07:00

You still know what this is ? Yes, red/cyan glasses for viewing 3D stuff. I remember my father having a book 30 years back with theses images. So, this stuff is not exactly new, but lots of fun to experiment with ! I am not sure how to produce these anaglyph pictures before the digital age with "home" tools. At that time photographers were (are still?) using stereolenses (check Loreo at link) or a 2 camera-setup and looked at them with special stereo glasses. Check out this equipment at 3D Concepts (link). I am currently reviving this technology in panoramic terms but with a digital workflow, and because its digital, I move over with this topic to my digital panorama blog at panoramaxl.blogspot.com. Check out results there.

Compare Novoflex and Panamatic

2008-06-21T03:15:00.000-07:00

Not sure if it is fair or if it even make sense to compare this 2 panoramic gears.

Novoflex Panoramaplate
Price: 99.- Euro
Weight: 165 gr
www.novoflex.de
This sturdy german product made of metal allows you to very! smoothly turn with light- and heavyweight cameras. It has no stops but a scale from 0 to 360 degree in steps of 10.

Panamatic
Price: 99.- Euro
Weight: 50 gr
www.panamatic.com

This piece of plastic, which is completely overpriced, turns in steps of 30 degree and allows you to cover 360 degree in 12 steps. It is made for very light consumer cameras working at a fix wideangle setting only. It is patented (!?).

Conclusion: Both products make more sense in a digital workflow. I would always prefer the professional product because of its sturdiness and accurate and smooth rotating ability.

EPSON 4800 Saga Part 3

2008-06-01T20:28:00.000-07:00

A short visit and 171.20 SGD later the skilled EPSON engineer identified heavy clogging and a power clean (which stingy user avoid because plenty of ink goes into the maintenance tank) solved my problem. Maybe the most expensive cleaning I did so far.
Lessons learned:
1) Print once a week
2) Powerclean once a month (thats what EPSON says)
End of todays lesson !

EPSON 4800 Saga Part 2

2008-05-29T01:34:00.000-07:00

Other than previous experience with service centers, EPSON's hotline attended the call and in less than a minute I was talking to the supervisor taking care of the large format printer support.
Since a customer can't carry a printer this size to the service center, they come to your place. Of course, not for free, but within 24 hours I had a quotation for this onsite service. I signed, what else to do, if not continuing pumping ink into the wastage tank ? 170 S$ to drop by ! Lets see what we need to change, its either the pumpcap or the whole printhead. I keep you updated..

Printing Trouble with the EPSON 4800

2008-05-25T17:24:00.001-07:00

Has been a long time since my last entry here. A couple of oversea trips and busy with lots of projects. Anyway we shall continue here. Since my darkroom remains in Germany I started to look for an alternative in 2004. That time first printer generation at a reasonable price (less than 5k) S$) range hit the market that allow to produce prints in archival quality. I bought the EPSON Stylus PRO 4800 in 2005 and I am very happy with the results. Lots of panoramic works I printed with it. I dont print that much but at least once a week to keep the nozzles and the printhead in action. Since I came back from the 2 weeks Germany trip, the printer gave up. Despite full ink tanks he keep on showing clogged nozzles, even after heavy cleaning which sucks truckloads of ink out of the cartridges (1 out of 8 is 140 S$). I suspect the printhead or the pump cap. Gonna call the Epson call centre today, lets see how the saga continues..

Manual Mamiya Sekor ULD C24mm f4

2008-04-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

Not sure if you really require a manual for this lens, but anyway, at least it explains the hidden built-in filter for color and bw photography.

Shootout Mamiya ULD C 24mm vs. Arsat (Zodiak) 30mm

2008-04-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

The Mamiya ZD keeps on running and finally a new fisheye lens is added to the collection. Currently Mamiya offers the Mamiya Sekor AF 28mm f/4.5 D Aspherical (link) which comes with a hefty price tag of about 5000 U$ (link, coming close to the price of the back itself!). I cant judge the lens, because I cant get my hands on it without selling all my other lenses upfront, but I assume that it is for sure a wonderful piece of glass like most of the other Mamiya lenses.
I purchased the Arsat 30mm with a Mamiya 645 adapter recently from Ukraine (check ebay for offers around 200 to 300 U$) and it is quite OK (at least if you stop down). I fell in love with the Mamiya Mamiya 24mm f/4 Manual Focus Fish Eye Lens which is non-AF (who needs fisheye with AF?) and is no longer produced since ?. It is a rare lens and comes at 1500 to 200 U$ (used). Luckily I catched one at ebay for 1000U$ and I am very happy with it ! I thought it would be useful to have a simple comparison between the 2 lenses.

Test Settings:
Mamiya AFD II, ZD Back at ISO 50
Mamiya Sekor ULD C 24mm f/4 versus Arsat (Zodiak) 30mm f/3.5
Both images at F8 (infinite), 1/125
Adobe Lightroom without sharpening
Original size 5336 x 4008
Downsized at 1400 x 1052 with org 500 x 500 crops from center and outside position.
(Click on the image to see larger version)

Panorama Plate

2008-03-22T02:06:00.000-07:00

I am hunting for a panorama plate, a little plate mounted between tripod and head (the head is rather optional) that rotates smoothly and has little x degree markings. For any non VR panoramas that is good enough and you dont need to rotate exactly over the nodal point, if you shoot with a tele lens, eg. 100mm lens. To cut down on weight (by not carrying the big Manfrotto VR head), I am looking around for this simple plate. In the usual Singapore camera shops (Cathay, Alan, The Cameraworkshop,..) I couldnt get a NOVOFLEX Panorama plate (link), that I was aiming for, with a price around 200.- SGD, but I found a 25.- SGD substitute from Lenspen (link). OK, I am not serious, its not a serious replacement, but I will give it a try until I get my hands on a Novoflex.
I find it a bit ambitious to say "Use with any tripod and any camera", I will mount the Mamiya AFD on it, guys !
But I really like this statement: "Take as many pictures as you need to cover what you to show." That puts the worldwide effort to create panoramic pictures into 1 sentence. Great !

Mamiya ZD Forum

2008-03-21T03:21:00.000-07:00

Searching for a forum revealed none, so I started a new Yahoo techgroup for anything about the Mamiya ZD. Join at http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/themamiyazd.

ISO Challenge for Mamiya ZD Back

2008-03-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

Most important facts about the digital Mamiya ZD back:

Digital back for Mamiya 645AF/AFD/AFD II and RZ67 Pro IID
36mm x 48mm, Full Frame RGB Square-structured CCD (Dalsa)
approx. 21.80 Million Pixels, active approx. 21.50 Million Pixels
(Mamiya Link)

Yesterday in the early evening I challenged the back, resp the CCD chip in a low light high contrast situation and compare results in ISO 50 and ISO 400.
Conclusion: The dynamic range is amazing, but just dont touch the ISO button (fix glue it to 50) !

Setup: Tripod with cable release and mirror lockup. Adobe Lightroom without any sharpening or noise removal.

Test Images Mamiya ZD Back

2008-03-16T06:37:00.000-07:00

I will not indulge in some scientific test series which steal my value time to take photographs, but I created some sample shots with all my current (5) lenses to get a bit an idea how the lens perform. Yes, you are right it should be a range of f-stops for all lenses to compare 2.8 vs. 32 and center vs outer part of the lens. Maybe later (i doubt so).

Setup:
Mamiya AFD II with ZD Back (22Mp, image 5.328 x 4.00o pix)
Gitzo Tripod at same location
ISO 50, F8
Mirror Lockup and cable release

Untouched 8bit Tiff from Raw (Mamiya Digital Photostudio)
Result saved as JPG (8), 1.000 x 751 pix with 100% (400 x 300 pix) detail

Mamiya AF 55/2.8 (Mamiya Link)
Mamiya AF 80/2.8 (Mamiya Link)

Mamiya Macro 120/4. (Mamiya Link)

Mamiya AF 150/3.5 (Mamiya Link)
Arsat30/3.5
http://www.zenit-camera.com/zodiak8_fisheye_lens_for_kiev60.htm
http://www.zavodarsenal.kiev.ua/index.phtml?lan=e&id=_2_2#8

Note the effect on the right border which appears randomly.

No explanation yet.

First experiences with the Mamiya ZD Back

2008-03-16T01:27:00.000-07:00

Any given (digital) camera model (more or less recent model) in the market is discussed on the web, somewhere in Yahoo groups or similar. Not so the ZD, of course the traditional Mamiya 645's are very common and you find plenty of hands-on info.
After a couple of rainy days I finally managed to bring the ZD out for some test shooting.

Setup:
Mamiya AFD II, ZD Back, 120/4 Macro, 80/2.8, 55/2.5, 150/3.5 (plus Arsat 30/3.5 with adapter)
Gitzo Carbon tripod.

Very first (partly emotional) impressions (not based on objective technical tests yet):

The resolution and level of detail is amazing.
A very serious mirror sound on a "digital" camera. Not suitable for observing birds.
The screen is ridiculous small. Any 200$ cam has a bigger screen (but not 22Mpix).
Reviewing images is painful. But some backs dont even have a screen (at least the older ones)
It is slow. Of course, its MF, not point-and-shoot for auntie Ann.
It creates that "slower" and more appreciative way of working in MF.
Why do I need AF lenses ?
Why cant I lock the buttons to prevent the back from switching on by itself in the bag.
It looks good. The AFD II body look sturdy and professional.
Working with a tripod gives you so much more control (but removes speed).

With this camera you quickly will find some new old friends:

Sturdy tripod.
Cable Release.
Mirror Lockup.
ISO50 (any other ISO higher than 100 with this back is useless).
Spare battery.
Big CF cards and lots of them (or image tank).
Another camera if you are in a hurry.

More (technical) results follow.

(Mamiya AFD II, ZD Back, Arsat 30mm, Chinese Garden Singapore)

Free Advertising

2008-03-14T00:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks for adding this little Headlines editorial in the Expat Living Magazine in the March 2008 issue. A lifestyle magazine targeting the expat community in Singapore.

First Hands-On Report Mamiya ZD (back)

2008-03-13T23:44:00.000-07:00

This blog is about panorama photography and anything on film. The Mamiya ZD digital medium format back is 100% digital, but it allows you to work hybrid, going out with a film back and the digital back. I wouldnt start another blog for hybrid stuff, so I put all the reports, comparison and experience write-ups here.

I purchased a Mamiya AFD (I) a while ago with some AF lenses hoping to get my hands on a ZD back sooner or later. The current weak U$ helps a lot, at least anyone outside U.S. Price comparison you can do by yourself by browsing through the catalogs of Adorama, BHPhoto and others.

Only few websites give feedback about the back or show sample images. I relied on a couple of images in lower resolution at flickr and some reports on The Luminous Landscape.

The Mamiya ZD is the entry point to digital medium format photography, it is the budget version of the other backs from Sinar, Leaf, Imacon (Hasselblad) and PhaseOne. Btw. Mamiya went into an alliance with PhaseOne last November (see Rob Galbraith DPI). I am not sure what is going to happen, Mamiya to stop their own back production ? But PhaseOne sure will not enter the budget price market either. Lets see what will happen. Strategy Game time !

Interesting is the fact that the back is not the latest in town, Mamiya started somewhere in 200? with the R&D and finally reveilled it at Photokina 2004 ! Thats a four year old back (?!). Only 1 year later they released the first sample images. Somewhere in 2007 they released the Mamiya ZD (integrated into a body) and later the same year finally the back hits the shops. Not sure what took them so long, but it was woth waiting though !

I will post more sample images and reports soon. Stay tuned.
Until that you can browse the (old) reports at The Luminous Landscape:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/zd-review.shtml
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/zd-late.shtml
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/zd-saga.shtml
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/mamiya-zd-ist.shtml

(The crap picture above is made with a Kodak V705)

Camera Diet

2008-03-04T22:19:00.000-08:00

During my recent camera inventory exercise, I took note of the weight of all pieces. Fact: I will never be able to bring all my equipment to a trip or shooting.

I try to carry the complete..
.. Zenza Bronica ETRS stuff: 3,5 kg
.. Hasselblad Xpan: 1,4 kg
.. Fotoman with 2 lenses: 3,3 kg
.. Canon DSLR with 5 lenses and 4 batteries: 8 kg
.. Mamiya AFD with 2 backs and 4 lenses: 4,3 kg
.. Pentacon Six with 5 lenses: 4,1kg
(to be added: film, tripod, filter)

Lightest piece: Nikkor 50/1.8 with 150 g
Heaviest piece: Canon L IS 70-200 with 1750 g

Conclusion: Better check the maximum weight you
a) can carry comfortably for long period.
b) can bring onboard a plane when traveling overseas (normally about 7kg max in eco)
and also plan ahead what you want shoot and how flexible you want to be ! More stuff, more weight, less flexible ! Even on a roadtrip where you can virtually bring as much as you want,
try not to exaggerate your flexibility efforts.

Enough mathematics for today. Go out and shoot (without becoming a donkey)
PS: I am on the way to Hong Kong this weekend to get one more piece of bulkiness. Will update you and the inventory accordingly.

Camera obesity

2008-02-17T02:10:00.001-08:00

I am sure some of us camera geeks collected so much equipment that you need to go on a camera diet if you intend to go to overseas fieldtrip restricted by the maximum handcarry luggage in a plane or even local trip limited by the weight you can carry. The pictur below show someone's dry cabinet with equipment as old 60 years to 13 Mpix cameras and hightech IS lenses. I started to inventorize all my equipment to get an overview (as well for the insurance in case sh.. happens).

Critique

2008-02-13T05:44:00.001-08:00

I love to see other photographers work, especially when they work in a similar field or do same style like bw panorama for example. It teaches you, it gives you ideas and creative sparks, it never stops. For this reason I also joined various photo communities, but leaving most of them after a while because there is no added value following the stream of endless praise. The purpose is to criticize, to learn and to push each other to the limit (creatively, not by personal offense). Why some communities have a good start and then the gibberish cloud joins in and all becomes so wonderful.
A small random extract on various photos:

Fantastic. Love the light and the colors.
Very, Very nice!
Beautiful job with this one.
i love this shot
nice job
Beautiful colors and composition
This is absolutely stunning.
Wonderful, cute and clear. Nice shot!

I dont ask you to talk down all images. But praise and critic should be balanced. If all images turn to be so extraordinary, then its all extraordinary average. I give frank feedback, even sometimes its like art, subjective.

Enforced Cropping

2008-02-13T05:30:00.000-08:00

I get to do a small editorial about my work in a magazine (non-photographic), but due some layout restriction they are not able to make use of real life panoramic aspect ratio of 1:3 and longer. So I had no choice of cropping one panorama. It feels like chopping off something. See by yourself. No, its not the panorama I wanted to shoot, even its a classic 1:2 format. But in that case, no choice. Free advertisement.

Arsat (Zodiak) 30/3.5 manual (english)

2008-01-24T04:35:00.001-08:00

What to say ? Its the manual of the lens in english language.

Made in Ukraine (Arsat 30/3.5)

2008-01-24T04:04:00.000-08:00

I love this Russian cameras and lenses. Finally I ordered another tank-like piece of glass from Kiev ! This is my 4th or 5th ordering from there via ebay and it always worked out, not scam, no spam !
You get it only with the usual K6 mount, but together with an adapter you can mount it to the most common camera types. I ordered together with a Mamiya M645 adapter for my 645AFD. I already own a Canon EOS adapter, as well can use it on my collection of BIG SIX and Pentacon cameras.

I am wondering how this could pass customs, see the customs declaration sticker with cyrillian characters .
I will add manual, test results on various cams soon. The lens is not produced anymore, you still get new ones from various sources. Drop me an email, will give you a good ebay seller.

Made in Ukraine Fancy pouch and filtersTogether with the Mamiya 645 80mm lens.
(and with me in the background, I know..)

Cranky FT2 FIlm Transport

2008-01-01T06:29:00.001-08:00

Happy new year 2008 to all my readers. I hope you continue to enjoy the panoramic journey with me !

I didnt manage to shoot with the FT2 (link) because they film cartridges are so tight when inserted in the camera (see third image the right cartridge) that I cant forward the film, it rather tear at the left side (see image 4). I rasp a bit on the cartridge, now it can be inserted with out too much pressure and seems to work !

panochrome.com goes online

2007-12-24T17:07:00.000-08:00

I dedicated a new website to classic monochrome panoramas. Finally, after hovering on several months beta, it went online with 2 basic galleries. When times allow I will add more selected panoramas there. Christmas is always a time of work out some hangover stuff, ain't ? Now heading to Malaysia, I bring nothing but the xpan and 4 rolls of film ! Happy Holiday to all of my readers !

Expired Film

2007-12-19T21:19:00.000-08:00

There are 2 type of expired film:

a) In the box
The film is as you bought it lying in your drawer for the last x years while you always thought "I should use this one next time I go out". The next time happens and you think "hmm, if this film doesnt work anymore... maybe keep it for some experiments" (which never gonna happen). The problem, this expired stock grows if you were to greedy while buying stock last time !
b) In the camera
This effect happened always to my grandma or auntie which kept the film in her point-and-shoot camera from Christmas to Easter and the 60th birthday of uncle Jim 3 years later. But it happens to me because I have this collection of cameras (and I only collect camera that I can use). Luckily I have a little brown notebook where I take note of all films, date and locations. Close to the end of 2007 now, I do some inventory and found 5 film in various cameras. Think gonna go out today, if it ever stops to rain, and shoot them !

Christmas Time

2007-12-17T00:06:00.000-08:00

Ain't ? Time for presents and toys. After 2 weeks moving with house and office I indulge myself with a new toy: This lovely Mamiya AFD and a couple of lenses (55,80,120,150). Oh I love it ! Lucky I still have big stocks of film in the fridge. Now waiting for the rain to stop ! Early next year will start hunting the ZD back, maybe for easter ;-) Isn't ebay a wonderful thing ?

Winter Panorama

2007-12-05T18:39:00.000-08:00

Based in Singapore for 5 years I lost wintertime and even seasons. Yes, I miss the cold time of the year with occasionally snow and short battery runtime in the camera, condensing lenses coming back to the house and all the stuff. I dont miss ice on the roads, getting dark at 5pm.
This Noblex shots are a couple of years old, but they accompany me in this romantic moment.

Vertical Grain

2007-11-19T15:33:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning and thought: Film really gonna disappear ? (after reading yesterdays news that Kodak stop producing 3 more films by end of the year). Will my collection of cameras, which I used all (at least once) render useless exhibition artifacts ? I am thinking about digi back in medium format. Nuts, aint? Some verticals as remedy for the sensitive reader. Streets of Singapore.

Krasnogorsk FT2 Panorama Camera

2007-11-11T03:02:00.000-08:00

Finally, found one on 1-2-3- ! Always missing in my collection of panoramic cameras. The FT-2 was manufactured from 1958-1965 by KMZ – Krasnogorsky Mekhanichesky Zavod (Krasnogorsk Mechanical Plant). It exposes an unique 120 degree on 24x112mm using a 50mm lens. Its now on the way, might take a while before reaching Singapore. I will update you.

Book Printing

2007-11-08T17:39:00.000-08:00

I worked out the layout and content of the first coffeetable book in pretty short time as part of the presentation I was doing. The quality did not meet my expectation, the paper is ok, the tone matches (almost) the colors of my reference prints. But in some images are stripes, which are not in the original. The paper of the embedded cover image is curling. I will find out what printer they use.
I must say I am very happy yo hit such a steep learning curve again ! Last wedensday I attended a presentation by HP about their Indigo digital press (link). Thanks to Andrew Ng for the professional presentation. They invited people to bring along image files for on-the-spot print out, and I am pretty impressed by the quality of the results (without touching up or adjusting the images before printing). The Indigo printer is nothing for home-use due to the $-tag but you should look for a company using it. I am preparing now the next batch for another local printing company using HP Indigo press. I will update you and upload a before-after comparison.

Daily dose of panoramic grain

2007-11-07T05:41:00.000-08:00

Why is grain so attractive in some images, the same time we are pushing the limits of digital photography in terms of resolution ?

Recap P.I.X. Singapore 2007

2007-11-04T03:27:00.000-08:00

Finally its done. I did my presentation about Panorama Photography. I enjoyed both preparation and doing the presentation. The auditorium was half full and the participants were looking interested. My problem: I tried to pack too much into the presentation. The organizers problem: they gave 50min and there was no break between the sessions, so people needed to run out and join the next session, that might have started already because you extended a couple of minutes. Never mind, it was a good start and I am looking forward to next years event (I hope there will be one!).

To all attendants: If you like to have the slides or any panorama related questions, dont hesitate to drop me an email.

All the best !
and now back to my new upcoming pano projects and backlog of stuff !

Principles

2007-10-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

2 Principles in my photography:
1) I follow very strictly the approach to create the panoramic image on the spot ! I never created panos by cropping a regular picture trying to get something out of it. Maybe for reviewing purpose and to find out if a subject deserves a revisit with the panorama camera. Save your time to discuss this with me ;-)
2) I try to shoot fullframe as much as possible, I avoid any cropping. It teaches you to shoot, not to snap around !

One more principle, but I am not so strict about it: If I shoot color, I occasionally convert it into bw, even I feel like cheating ! This happens very often to color images I shoot during the day, in case the result just lacks of color impact. Shouldnt shoot during mid-day, right ? But you cannot always return on a road-trip to a specific spot at late afternoon because you are already 500km away from it.
And if you loaded color into the cam, you cant change it (without lots of waste).

I share a converted sample with you:

6x17 with Agfa RSX II, but I am not happy with color version.

panochrome book

2007-10-27T03:20:00.001-07:00

Always carrying around ideas, but it takes ages before they manifest themselves. This is the first copy of my panochrome book.
PANOCHROME [PANO]rama-mono[CHROME]. I want to use as presentation material at next weeks P.I.X Singapore (link) when I talk about presentation of panoramic work (online, prints, frames, book,..). Please be inspired !

Heading West 3

2007-10-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

More selected images from the series and exhibition.

Panorama Presentation

2007-10-11T05:40:00.000-07:00

I am in the middle of the preparation for the presentation about Panorama Photography I will do at the P.I.X. Photo Imaging X-Change Singapore event on November 4th (link). The research about this topic reveals lots of interesting stories and information, which I didn't know before. I am "doing" Panoramas, I don't have Ph.D. on the history of it. One of the websites I re-visited is the collection of Panoramic Photographs (Taking the Long View, 1851-1991) showing a big number of very old images available in high resolution, as early as 1850. Amazing what these pioneers created with simple and bulky cameras. Thanks to the Library of Congress for maintaining this collection and making it so easy accessible.

Even only 1 participant might show up the presentation, it was worth the preparation and the research. If you join, I will tell you a bit about the history of panorama photography, its origins, todays available cameras and techniques, will talk about styles and tools, show some images as appetizer and give some advice how to start your journey into the panoramic world.

Apple iPhone Crack

2007-10-11T05:32:00.000-07:00

Oh no..... the site has been hacked. Just kidding. Just want to mention, you wont find any stories, executables, patches, installers or links about Apple products here, not the iphone, not the ipod or whatever product. This is about classic (panorama) photography only. I have regular visitors to this blog and after updating it, new topics show up quickly in the search engine. I just want to find out if this topic changes the visitor stream. So, bear with me and sorry for make you read this rubbish. I am already preparing the next serious entry.
Update 30.10.2007
20 days later, there is not a single hit because of these hot words ! So, dont waste your time trying to bring up the visitor numbers of you r blog or page with odd keywords. Be a serious blogger !

Heading West Part 2

2007-10-04T05:04:00.000-07:00

I continue my journey through these old negatives. I just realized how much I like them and almost missed this pictures, didnt look at them for along time.

Contact Sheet

2007-10-04T04:30:00.000-07:00

Isn't the good old-fashioned contactsheet a wonderful thing ? I was used to create them in the darkroom by putting the negatives under glas on a sheet of photo paper, later keeping them in a folder for browsing. It helped me to decide which negative finally to print. Moving to digital I stopped doing that (using the digital contactsheet in PS oder any image browser). And Why ? Because in the digital age you do 100's of image on a single CF, ending up with 5mm by 5mm sized thumbnails on a contactsheet (and most of the images might be even meaningless). While returning to film in a hybrid way (shoot film, scan and print digital) I am also back to my favorite contactsheets. I scan and print one for each film, put them in a folder and enjoy browsing through it to gather ideas or decide which one to print. Give it a try ! Is much more fun than "page-downing" through hundred of images in fornt of the screen !
Remark: A contactsheet is a very "personal" thing which I would not share normally.

Heading West

2007-09-29T00:48:00.000-07:00

Blog entry No. 100 ! Thanks to all readers and re-visitors.
I use the occasion to delight you with a selection of images of an exhibition I did in 2002 in Germany. Took me five years to finally scan the negatives, even I am not convinced yet, what will survive on the long term, files or negatives (files on DVD will def. loose based on current studies).
All images from this series (Exhibition was titled "Heading West") are shot with a Bronica ETRs and a pano back or 6x4.5 back, the locations are in Nevada and California.

Creative Time and Space

2007-09-27T03:36:00.000-07:00

Some reflection about creative output or value-time. Do you realize, the more you are distracted, the less you get done or the less creative ideas you have ? Some observations:

The more equipment I bring along, the less focused I am. Always thinking which camera should I use now.
I sit in my room/lab/photo office (whatever you call it) and I get distracted by the various books I want to read/look through or finish, by the stack of negatives I need to scan, the number of images I want to print and frame, the untouched book project, surfing the web for inspiration, writing these blog.
The best creative ideas (for books, projects, experiments) I get while traveling in airplanes or lonely hotel rooms on office trips (assuming its a dark, cold and less-interesting environment around the hotel).
It seems there are creative time corridors during the day, you should find out about yours.
The more GB's of images you try to produce on a trip the less you create, you get stuck with sorting out the images. Rather shoot less.
I feel not satisfied when I dont get anything done during a whole day, but also very happy when I finish only one thing.

Conclusion: You can do only one real creative thing at a time. Try to focus and let it flow, anyway you cant force the ideas to come. Whatever we do, we wont be able to visit all places we want to see and explore, work out all ideas and so on. Maybe thats not the point anyway, just enjoy doing what you like.

I write these lines, while scanning 5 year old negatives, sorting other image files on my harddrives, cleaning the clogged printerhead for the 5th time in 4 weeks and thinking of the next entry in my blog, which will be number 100.
My 2 cents for today.

Vertical = Panorama ?

2007-09-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

The question might be technical or rather philosophical. What defines a panorama ?
[pan- + Greek horma, sight (from horn, to see; see)] or
An unbroken view of an entire surrounding area. (link)
From this prospective a vertical would not be panorama, but you can bend it by lying on your side and seeing a scene (90 degree). The vertical is shot with a panorama camera, so does this fact make a vertical equal a panorama ?
To be honest, I dont care. I love both and sometimes I feel like turning my 6x17 by 90 degree and shoot !
Some subjects really ask for the vertical format, sometime you need to think out of the box (or lets say out of the panorama) to see it (bot as photographer and as viewer!).
I will do a little presentation about Panorama Photography during Photo Imaging X-change 2007 (held in conjunction with Imaging Expo Singapore 2007, November 1-4). So if you happen to be in Singapore, feel free to drop by. There a lots of other interesting workshops and presentations as well. More info @ www.pix-singapore.com

I share some verticals with you (also from my last Australia trip through Queensland).

Queensland Panorama

2007-09-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

I still want to share some panoramic work that I made during the recent Australia trip. I have been off to Germany for the last 2 weeks, so while being really offline, I didnt update this page, your bear with me. Some more thoughts about panoramic Australia: So much I appreciate the panoramas by Ken Duncan or Peter Lik for their craftsmanship, experience, strong colors and so on, I sometimes dont feel like following their style and do another similar shot. Of course there are only limited ways to do landscape photography, no doubt. A panorama is special, on recent trips I occasionally didnt make a panoramic shot because its already there, nothing new, or I didnt find that angle, that view, which is new. With this attitude you wont find any leftover landscapes which has not been shot 100.000 times before, you might say, just think of the 12 (10?) Apostles in Australia or the famous black tree in the red Namibia desert. But at the end of the day you shoot for yourself ! So I share some different black and white views, which are not necessary typical for Queensland or Australia, but for me they are ! Cheers.

Vintage Queensland with the Agfa Isolette

2007-08-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

One or another piece of my vintage camera collection always follows my trips. This time I selected the Agfa Isolette, made in Germany somewhere 1951-1954, with a 85mm/F4.5 Agnar lens. Surprisingly the images are quite sharp (at least in comparison to the other vintage cameras I was playing with before). It offers more flexibility than the box, since it have an aperture range from 4.5 to 32 and shutter speeds 1/25, 1/50, 1/200 and B. Its sensitive to flare!
Anyway, I am always happy to bump into a subject or scene that gives that vintage look as well. Here we go: Isolette + Shanghai GP3 100 bw + locations in Blackwater and Miles (Yes, I admit, tourist spots).

Agfa Synchro Box

2007-08-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

What a simple tool ! A box (guess how the name was created) which contains the most simple camera tech (after pinhole) to make pictures. Produced (this model) by Agfa somewhere 1949 to 1958 the camera was the average joe's affordable camera (before single-use-throw-away, alias delvelop cameras were born). Now in 2007 my box still dont need any service (what to fix?) or batteries (there aren't any) besides a de-dusting of the simple lens.One test image on a chinese Lucky100 SHD bw film. If I am in the nostalgic mood I will do some more shootings with the box. Btw, it goes with F11 and 1/30s. Either you dont enlarge your images or you use a tripod !Have a look at BoxCameras.com for more boxes and historical more accurate data.

I love the dreamy, slightly blurry effect. No Photoshop required.

And for anyone keen to read the manual, here you go...

Shanghai GP3

2007-08-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

OK, before I delight you with the panoramas from Australia, I still owe you results from the GP3 testfilm (link) . I used it with a Voigtländer Bessa (6x9). Please note the sharp centre area and the rather blurry rest of the image. I have no explanation yet for the funny dots (see enlargement). The film has an OK grain (less than Lucky 100), but is similar sensitive to scratches like the Lucky100 SHD (link).

Expectations

2007-08-12T03:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am back from Queensland ! A very interesting, but long trip, managed to drive 3.700km with the campervan from Brisbane to Townsville and back. I must admit, I did far less panoramas than I thought I would do. It has something to do with expectations ?! Earlier this year we traveled through South Australia (a very short 5 day excursion from Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges) and I didnt expect to do lots of panoramic works there, the opposite happened ! Now I thought in Queensland, the 2 weeks time and with the flexibility of the van can do lots of panoramas... also the opposite happened ! Maybe a bit too ambitious with the driving time and didnt take the early (5.30pm) sunset into consideration. The distances are huge and there are less subjects (I found less!) than in SA. I am always looking for ruins (like the early settlement houses), a shack or rusty car, but the only things we were passing for 100's km were trees and trees. Also need to add that I run into that non-standard-tourist subjects more or less randomly and hardly find a suitable scene in an outdoor museum or "follow-the-tourist-route-sign" place. Anyway it was a great experience and I am looking forward to explore more of Australia soon. One thing I experienced one more time: (Panorama) Photography is about learning, endurance and patience, thats wonderful, there is always a next step to do, a new experience to be made along the way !
I bought a book from Peter Ilk (for my panorama bookshelf) in Townsville ("Australia - Images of a timeless land").
Now its time to work on the backlog and to wait eagerly for the films (about 5 rolls 120 and 5 rolls 135). More soon at this place.

Heading to Australia

2007-07-21T02:29:00.000-07:00

Finally another real panoramic trip. We are heading for 2 weeks to Queensland Australia with a campervan. The panorama will be right outside the window. Should be bit easier to get up early morning. So for the next 3 weeks you wont find any updates here, but hopefully lots of panoramas after we return. 2 panoramas from the last trip to South Australia earlier this year as appetizer.

Zhouzhuang Panorama

2007-07-07T04:09:00.000-07:00

The village near Suzhou, about 2 hours drive from Shanghai, is also known as the "Venice of the Orient" or "Venice of the East". The torturous and bumpy busride to that place reveals a full flavor tourist trap. There are definitely some very nice and old-looking spots between the old houses and waterways, but there is a high density of shops selling all kind of tourist stuff that make you ask yourself "Why the heck would I want to buy that ?". Btw, on the ride there you see villages that are much more appealing for a shooting in bw, but anyway I want to share some panoramas made with XPan, I was straying around too long without the trusty and pinsharp hassi in my pocket.

Wikipedia about ZhouZhuang

Fotoquelle Panorama

2007-07-06T21:37:00.001-07:00

Another 1$ camera from my panoramic gear collection. This model with fix focus, fix aperture (1/11) and fix exposure (1/100) was distributed by Fotoquelle in Germany but must have been produced by another company. The box shows an english description but the manual is in german, added by Quelle. Unfortunately the box doesnt show any clue of its origin.

I like the description of the features printed on the box.
The wide angle optical lens 25mm focus free angle is wider one time than 35mm focus.
Excuse me, what ? Of course the lens is optical, but one time wider than 35mm focus ? I didnt know focus comes with a focal length.
DX coded film.
huh ? its a plastic camera without battery, but with fix aperture and shuttertime, DX is useful as a third leg for this camera.
24 or 26 films actually take 24 or 36 exposures.
Really ? Thats wonderful ! I never thought so.

I took it to the usual "1$-camera-with-1$-bw-china-film-and-5$-development-test". Sorry, not convincing, it definitely cant compete with the Ansco panorama camera ! Here some results. I will refrain from further shooting with it.
And if someone really needs the manual in german, here you go..

Shanghai Photo Shopping

2007-07-02T04:42:00.000-07:00

Another trip to Shanghai last week allowed me to hang out at Xing Guang Shopping Center (you remember - link) and hunt for bargains. Finally I got my hands on the 120 black and white film Shanghai GP3 for a price of about 60 ct Euro a roll.

I am not expecting too much in terms of fine grain and so on, but if it shows similar results like the ERA film, then I am happy. I will ipdate you with the results as usual. Maybe I will give it a try in the Agfa Box !

The other bargain I made: A tripod. Not that I really need a 5th tripod, but the quality is amazing for 30 Euro. It looks like a copy of Gitzo tripods with the same features and look, just 5..10 times cheaper. I cant judge the longterm quality, but I will work with it to find out. And it came with a bag, my real Gitzo didnt !
So, in case you pass by Shanghai, dont miss the chance to drop by ! It is an advantage to have a Chinese talking friend, it is rather hard to communicate in english, or just very basic conversation. You wont discuss the latest abberation of wideangle lenses :-)

1 year later

2007-06-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I started this blogs one year ago (27th June 2006, link). 88 Posts later, its time to celebrate ! What an endurance ! Time to show another picture of myself (shot by my wife Angeline, no tripod, so its only me)

Thanks for reading my 2 cents and come back to follow me on my little panoramic journey.

From DMZ with Love

2007-06-27T06:29:00.001-07:00

A short visit to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone!), a strange place between North and South-Kora. Advertised as a very tense experience by the tour operator transporting busloads of tourists (South Korea citizens are not allowed to visit the DMZ btw). It is still the neutral zone between the 2 (1?) countries but somehow converted into a attraction. I didnt feel the espionage like tense atmosphere !

Freedom Bridge
(Bridge to the DMZ, not to North Korea, even people behave like
at the former wall between east and west germany)

Dorasan Station
(South Korea expect the border to be opened, sooner or later, so
they provide a full infrastructure on their side inclusive a
full working train station (to nowhere now, but to Pyeonyang later,
whenever that gonna happen)

View to Northkorea

From the viewpoint that allows a sneak into the north, unfortunately
they dont allow to bring the camera behind the "photo line" to avoid take pictures
from the supersecret stuff there (on the southern side).
Hey secret agent folks, did you have a look at Google Earth yet ?

Tunnel Entrance

The plastic thing looks somehow like the that guy running the
show on the northern side ....

OK, no more panoramas from Korea. Anyway no more pictures left.
In case you dont understand the title,
remember the early 007 movie ?

Noblex goes Seoul

2007-06-27T04:39:00.000-07:00

Finally some turning panoramas from Seoul made with the Noblex. I need to admit its my favorite camera at the moment. Thats changing from time to time, but most of the time the Noblex and the Ansco are currently my trusty companions .

Seoul with the Ansco in bw

2007-06-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

There cant be a trip where not at least one roll of black and white film, preferably Agfa or Era goes through the Ansco.

With the Ansco in Seoul

2007-06-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

Finally I got the film back from the lab, Iam already back for days without an update to the blog. Some panoramic korean impressions made with an equally cheap film, Konica 200 (No longer produced). A cheap camera likes a cheap film. Seoul ? Not much to say about it, interesting, but not the most exciting place in Asia. Is a megacity like Taiwan, Hong Kong,.. To be honest: I just dont like Kimji !

Panoramic Singapore II

2007-05-30T23:13:00.000-07:00

Just returned from Korea with a couple of films; until they find their way home from the lab I was browsing through the continuously growing collection of panoramic shots in Singapore. I wonder how fast some of these not so clean and less than perfect sights might survive the hype of turning the whole island into one big integrated condominium with attached casino and shopping center. The last entry for May 2007.

My last Velvia 50

2007-05-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

The Noblex made its way to Sydney and surrounding as well, not that I fly to such an iconic environment equipped only with light leaking pseudo panorama camera from 1938. So, here some results, this was the last Velvia 50 I had. Will it ever come back ?

Yes, thats Australia as well, Nan Tien Temple near Wollongong.

..and of course, on the attempt to shoot the most iconic place at all, the Opera House, the film transport went bezerk .... think there are already enough pictures/panoramas of that anyway.

Beirax goes Panorama Results

2007-05-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

Here we are, back from the lab. The results reach about the level of quality I have foreseen. Not breathtaking, but the fun I had was worth the effort.

Some feedback:
1. The whole film is exposed (not a surprise), that eventually gives some kind of artistic touch (maybe).
2. There is big light leak (obviously). Assume its caused by the improperly sealed film count window.
3. There are tremendous scratches on the film, no clue where that comes from.
4. The Beirax works with a 105mm lens and fastest speed of 1/125. Most of the images a blurred. Of course ! These 6x9 cameras were build to create contact prints not enlargements.
5. My selfmade panorama viewfinder does not match correctly. Who would shoot the Sydney Opera without the top in the frame ?! Will do some adjustment shots.

Think will go for another round of this experiment ! With tripod and proper sealing.

Great offer

2007-05-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

Thats a great offer ! I found this in the seat pocket on the flight to Sydney. You can use the motion sickness bag to submit you film for print or development ! What happens if I dont feel well AND want to send negatives to them ;-) I assume for both purposes need to seal the bag....

Ken's Gallery

2007-05-10T23:05:00.000-07:00

I had a chance to drop his gallery last week. He is running 3 or 4 of them across Viktoria and NSW, this is one is at the Rocks in Sydney, a prime location - no doubt. People are filling up the gallery all the time and the cashier runs like in a supermarket ;-)
As you can see I could not afford more than the free brochure ...not true.... I bought 3 small books. His pictures (the framed versions, not the mousepad, mug, calendar and so on) is pretty pricey. But nevertheless I appreciate his work very much and he created milestones in panorama photography, think he started 15 years before I started to think panoramic. I would not mind meeting him but he is maybe the only celebrity in our panorama business/hobby/craziness and hard to catch.
my 2 cents

PS: Just realized I got a Ken for free. The 3 books came in a glossy paper bag that has 2x 40x10cm panos on front and bag in pretty high resolution. Cut it and paste it on mounting board. Thats it, can add to my panorama museum here.

Panorama ?

2007-05-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

Just returned from Australia with a couple of panoramic images as well other panoramic "findings" as you can see on these images. Seems the word panorama is used more often in Australia for all kind of stuff, other than panorama images.

My real panoramic Australia will follow soon.

Panorama Workshop (alias Beirax goes Panorama)

2007-04-29T05:55:00.000-07:00

Today we look for a non-destructive way to convert the Beirax (Beier) 6x9 from 1938 to convert into a 135 Panorama camera. All we need is some double-sided sticky tape and hot-glue.

Preparation: We prepare an empty 120 film roll width 2 pieces of cut plastic providing the with of 135 film, Hot glue comes handy since it dries fast and is pretty hard.

1) Use the new converted roll for the loaded film, the glued plastic gives some guidance.
2) Load the film in the middle, anything like crushed paper can be used as distance piece.
3) You must find out with a test film, how many turns are required to forward after each shot to the next frame without overlapping (since there is no visual control or counter).
4) The film size: 90x24mm (aspect ratio 3,75)
5) Use some black cardboard to create an estimation of a panoramic viewfinder.
6) Dont forget to tape something over the 120 counter window !

Have fun with your new old panorama camera ! In principle this works with all kinds of old 6x9 cameras, e.g. like the Billy Record. It would be possible to create a mask to avoid exposing on the holes and eventually create a more flat film.

Dont sue me if you screw your collectible vintage cam ;-)
Over and Out, on the way to Sydney now for 8 days. When I am back I will post some results.

Supersampler Panorama ?

2007-04-29T04:18:00.000-07:00

Finally I got one piece of this horrible plastic junk that I recently was writing about from the famous LO.. company. Plastic body, plastic lens, .. all packed in a plastic box with a hip booklet.
You buy for about 40..50 U$, they produce it for maybe less than 1U$. Probably the booklet is worth more. I bought to complete my panorama camera collection, so far used one film, I dont spare you with a test shot of sub-miniature panoramas of 9x12mm each. (It shoots 4 panoramas in 0,2s or 2s using some kind of spring mechanism.)

Panoramic Singapore

2007-04-26T04:10:00.000-07:00

Busy with some other panoramic projects, I thought its about time to browse through the archive and publish some more panoramas about Singapore before running away to Australia next week. Even its getting harder to refresh the photographic eye in Singapore, the place keeps on changing and Singapore has a specific taste that can be transported in panoramas.

Digital World

2007-04-26T03:45:00.000-07:00

This blog is about classic panorama photography, in other means anything that produces a panoramic image on film, from 1$ cameras to a 2000$ flatbacks or rotational camera and even converted cameras. But I live in a digital world as well and create digital panoramas that are stitched or made with a digital panorama camera. I share some of this at the panoramaxl blog in case you want to stop by there.

Trash Camera

2007-04-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

I cant spare you with latest addition of ebay treasures for 1 Euro ! (Seems its made for the spanish market) This wonderful piece of plastic crap which is praised in the highest words on the box. Please enjoy the following pictures of the camera. Sorry, I cant show you results because I couldnt make it work, the shutter is the only part of the camera which is not loose or or moving. You want to find out more about this photoequipment trash ? Google for "Canomatic" or "Canonmatic".

Full plastic, even the lens and the built-in lens protection.

"Red-eye protection" by a permanent red blinking LED ! Effect: Zero !
"New japanese lens" - great ! a newpiece of plastic !
'Focus Free" - Wonderful, no more problems with expensive Autofocus lenses.
"Case" - The only thing worth 1 Euro.
"Color Viewfinder" - Bloody Hell, its a film camera, you wouldnt find a bw viewfinder in it !
Can you explain to me what the lady is doing on the manual drawings ? Aerobics with the camera ? Maybe the only thing you can do with it.
I am considering some serious free fall tests with the camera and keeping the smelly bag alias "Free Case" ;-)
Think only Alfred E. Neumann would choose and buy this camera.

Mystic Beach

2007-04-06T02:02:00.000-07:00

The mystic beach of Pulau Ubin, facing Malaysia a long fence protects the beach (?) from any swimming intruder. A strange feeling, at the seaside your experience always this relaxing and calming thing, but this fence rather creates a strange atmosphere.
Done with the Roundshot and Tmax 100. With some practice can use the beast without a tripod.
Besides the fence, Pulau Ubin is my favorite spot to hang out in Singapore, still slower and more laid back than the main island.

Billy Record goes Panorama

2007-04-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

I recently had the idea to load 135 film intp the Billy Record I (1951). That would produce a panorama with 24 x 90mm negative size, a dramatic 1:3.75 aspect ratio ! So I taped the small window on the back and put the 135 roll in between some tissue paper roughly in the middle. A first experimental test setup.

The result you see above. I am more than happy with quality, I just need to find a way to keep the film in the middle and the film forwarding needs some manual counting approach. After finetuning the whole process I will upload a more detailed instruction.

Ansco Panorama goes Hong Kong

2007-03-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

I can t leave out the 1$ panorama camera results from this Hong Kong panoramic series, right ?
Ansco Pix Panorama with ERA 100 bw film.

Roundshot goes Hong Kong too

2007-03-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, the the panoramic outing to Hong Kong with the Seitz Roundshot 28-220, the Noblex 135 and the Ansco Pix Panorama.

Noblex goes Hong Kong

2007-03-25T04:41:00.000-07:00

The first visit to Hong Kong this year. I like to explore the city even I came here already 5 times last year. The diversity and sounds and sights are great. Best time to come here, not too cold not too hot. And the Noblex makes her "rounds" with me !

Ansco and Lucky 200

2007-03-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

Another set of Anso Pix Panorama pictures from Shanghai using the chinese Lucky 200 colornegative film. Thats pretty grainy, dont think gonna replace my Velvia 50.

Agfa Isoly III

2007-03-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

I call it the Isoly Deluxe because it comes with aperture f3.9 to 22 and 1/30 to 1/250 (plus B) which is quite luxurious in comparison with the standard Isoly's which comes with f11 and 8 plus 1/100 or 1/30s. The Isoly is using 120 film and exposes 4x4 cm (1,5x1,5").

Isoly III with Agfa RSXII 200 slide (greece)I dont want to spare you from the wonderful manual of the camera in english and german language !

Supersampler Panorama

2007-03-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

In my quest on collecting panorama cameras I came across the Supersampler panorama camera from the Lomo hype company. Its a piece of plastic that shoots 4 panorama shaped images on 1! piece of 35mm 24x36 frame. And it comes for the hefty price of 40 to 50 U$ ! Excuse me ? I always thought lomography is a photographic artform not a trademark, but after further investigation I found out that "lomography" is a trademark by an austrian company that bought it from Russia. Nope. Not with me, I will not follow this plastic hype, but create my own style of cheap cameras with a certain art style. I will update you on that.
PS: I bought the supersampler on ebay for an "ok" price to get the collection complete !

With the Ansco and ERA in: Shanghai

2007-03-20T06:25:00.000-07:00

During my last trip I explored the very basics of panorama photography. Using the chinese bw film ERA in a Ansco plastic panorama camera with fix 1/125, f11 and fix focus. I used occasionally my lightmeter, I must admit that trains your light sensitivity ! The camera is handy, almost zero weight. I paid more for the development of this film than for the film and the camera together !

This is not about fancying cameras or trash photography. Its about seeing !
My 2 cents for today.

Shanghai 4x5 black and white film

2007-03-12T07:45:00.000-07:00

During my second visit within 4 weeks to Shanghai, I decided to hunt for the bw film brand i only heard of before: "Shanghai". Same location, "Xing Guang Photographic Center". I found a shop only selling large format equipment - How do they survice ? - having stock of these brand. I bought 2 boxes, 80 RMB each (about 8 Euros), each box contains 48 sheets. Also get another four 4x5 film holder. Next weekend will do some test shots and enlighten you with the results.

Shen Hao GJ 4x5

2007-03-05T07:12:00.000-08:00

The latest addition to my collection, a large format field camera (4x5 inch) from the chinese manufacturer Shen Hao (see link). I bought it used with a Nikon W 210mm/5,6. Seems this model is no longer available. My treasure shows some traces of use but after using some wood wax and brass polish, its a pleasure to use and look at.
Next satruday I will source for "Shanghai 4x5 film" in Shanghai. A local contact told me the price for one box with 50 sheets is 80 RMB. Lets see. As soon I am able to use it I will update you with some stunning large slides.

Ansco Pix Panorama

2007-03-03T19:38:00.000-08:00

Latest addition to my panorama camera collection. Maybe the cheapest, I bought for 1U$ and got it shipped for another 10U$ !The Ansco Panorama camera, a piece of plastic from the pre-Holga era, with fix focus, 1/125 and f11 exposure uses 135 film and mask to 13 x 36mm. This specific model was packaged by the Outdoor Company. Ansco does not exist any longer, the factory was torn down around 2001. This camera was made in China anyway, from some recherches in the web it seems Haking Ltd in Hong Kong bought once the name for the consumer market products.

Will dont spare you from experiencing some Ansco panoramics soon.

More info: The old company Ansco does not not exist anymore (see link Ansco Chronolgy by William L. Camp), also the name is no longer used for an actual product. The HP 122 (see link at Haking website) still looks a bit like the Pix Panorama !

You are looking for the manual ? Check this:

First steps with the Roundshot

2007-02-24T01:38:00.000-08:00

The roundshot is a great tool. And its different ! Even I use a Noblex which also follows the rotating lens concept, I need to get used to the Roundshot. No automatic, of course. No viewfinder, only a bracket that helps you to roughly aim or rather estimate where the top and bottom border will be (you need to use a tripod for this feature). Anyway I shot 3 films as starter to learn the way of Roundshots. Most importnat things I learned: At least f-stop 11, you try to expose medium format film with a SLR Nikon lens, there is vignetting at the top and bottom. Expose more degrees than you need, the first and last few millimeters of the exposure are slightly blurred. Go for a dgree value of 180 degree or more, the effect in the picture smaller with smaller values is not as exciting as you get with 180 or 360 degree !

I keep on walking and keep you posted about new and more serious works.
I want to use the opportunity and thank Thierry, who helped me to get the Roundshot to Singapore.

With the Xpan in Delhi

2007-02-23T20:55:00.000-08:00

I want to share some more of the street portraits I made in the temples and tombs of Delhi.
All shot using the Xpan with Agfa APX 100.

Mr. Lag

He told me about the history and what he was doing in his professional life and afterwards he agreed to make a couple of portraits.

Testing Lucky Film SHD 100

2007-02-23T03:12:00.000-08:00

I spare no expense to share my first hand experience with the Lucky black and white film. The film gives certain vintage look and easy to handle with exposure. It comes with grain and has for sure its own field of application. I need to highlight the sensibility for scratches, the lab which develop my films never fail so far and I have very good experiences with them, but the Lucky is pretty scratched. I assume its during being wet he get scratched easily.

The example image is made with the AGFA Billy Record I from 1953 on a recent trip to Delhi. The second images shows some sample scratches.

Shanghai Panorama with the Point-and-Shoot

2007-02-13T18:34:00.000-08:00

You were wondering about the panorama in the previous entry? I brought the 1994 NIKON 310 AF Panorama (masking 24x36 frame to 9x36, aspect ratio 1:4 !) with some AGFA Portrait along. Dont expext too much, but it is a REAL panorama, no cropping in PS. And it will not replace my 617 ! But its easy to handle, full auto, no one realize the camera and just take you for a stupid tourist.