Some for Andrew

All shot in a derelict factory, Isaccea, Romania, Easter 2009. Pentax LX with either a SMC-A 50mm f/1.4 or a SMC 135mm f/2.5.

1.



2.



3.



4,



5.



6.

you can tell that is B&W film contrast is out of the world.

Did you do any P&P

Number 4&6 if i had to chose but nice set

James

I like the last 3 - looks like a great location.

The only PP I did was a little cropping and altering the levels and contrast. The scans were as flat as a pancake.

No. 3 is the concrete roof beams with bits of roofing felt hanging through.

Thanks for your comments. K.

Really like the last 3 Kris, looks fascinating!

My tutor would have loved the symmetry in #6

One more, taken on Tri-X 400 this time with the SMC 135mm f/2.5.




K.

I like the more contrasty one of the first batch then your last photo Kris

Is this better?




K.

That lens...that lens. I realise it's hard to judge on my dodgy screen, but I can make-out individual stones which must be fifty feet away.

I know how hard it is to maintain highlight and shadow detail when there's this much contrast. That's film for you, I guess.

This was some site, Kris...makes my garage look just a little...English and ordinary. However, even as I write I have lurking on my hard drive the half processed fruits from a visit to God's country today (courtesy of Gareth)... But I didn't get contrast like this!

Excellent work and far too good not to have seen the light of day.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Regards,

Andrew

The "high res" scans are only 1830 by 1232 are were as flat as a pancake (I got the firm that developed them to scan them as well). They got the brightest pixels right up to the edge of the histogram but the blacks were all mid grey!

Here is an unedited one (except for resizing):




I'm going to have a go with my new (but second hand) Minolta Dual Scan III when I get home and see if I can do better.

Your garage had much more left to look at. This place had been utterly stripped of everything and anything that could be sold or recycled. The more I look at them, the more I think No. 5 is my favourite.

Best wishes, K.

Kris, did you have a digital body with you that day? Would be very interesting to see any shots you took with that if so, as a point of comparison.

What a brilliant idea! Can you recall during the early days of digital, AP and other publications carrying out direct film vs. digital comparisons? (Often to the detriment of digital at the time!) Nobody, to my knowledge has done this for a while. certainly not since cameras like the K10 were introduced.

Would make a most intersting weekend for somebody, particularly if an identical lens could be used...

Regards,

Andrew

I'm pretty sure the K20D would win these days although the DR of BW film still beats a sensor unless you start using HDR-type techniques. A more interesting comparison would be a high-quality scan of a 5x4 neg v. the K20D... Sadly my finances don't run to a drum scanner!

I don't shoot film because of any belief it is better, it is just different and fun. There was something inherently nice in using the LX with its FB-1/FC-1 action finder and the manual glass.

Having said that, I may have some digital images from that day, I'll have a look!

K.

I'm not that surprised to hear you say that, Kris. I can remember the day, only a few years ago, when a friend of mine (richer and an early adopter) proudly showed me a 6x4 picture of a boat on the River Avon. 1.3mp and grain like golf balls.

I never though it would catch on, and if it did, it would never equal film... still, thought the same about mobile phones. And nail studios (not that I use either)

Regards,

A.
P.S. On a totally random note: have you ever been to/photographed Petra? There was a programme on about it last night. It was (O.K. iust about still is) on my "to do" list before I shuffle off. Think I'd rather go there than Karnak.