Link: Large Format Photography Forum Post

Posted this today on the Large Format Photography Forum. The people there have been of great help to me, highly recommended all you large format people join the forum. A great source of learning and experience.
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/

Here is my forum thank you-update post.
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Got My 35x35 Coverage Lens, Thanks So Much Everyone!!

Well you guys really came through for me! I was able to get 2 lens to cover the 35x35 camera I am having built in record time. I knew that the lens were out there, and that I would be able to buy them, I did not realize I would be able to get them so fast. Large glass like this is inevitably very expensive but that’s part of doing business when you’re going MAMMOTH! I rejoined this group only recently and found the members here of great help in the search for my lens. A couple of posts on my part and many of you came to my rescue. I wanted to thank the site and the folks out there who reached out to help me. I could not have done it without you!

I already own a 42 inch Goertz Red Dot Artar, which I do not think covers but I think I will be able to use, somewhat. The 2 newest buys with your help are (hope I get all the lens naming lingo stuff right):

Nikkor Apo 1780mm (70 inch) F14 (bought today).
http://gerryyaum.blogspot.ca/2017/06...-f14-lens.html

and a

Zeiss Jena Apochromat Tessar 180cm f15
http://gerryyaum.blogspot.ca/2017/06...old-brass.html

Here are the latest photos of the 35x35 camera build
http://gerryyaum.blogspot.ca/2017/06...update_15.html

I am having the front standard built up to handle the weight (18lbs) of the 1780mm. The metal lens board is just big enough to accommodate the lens (10 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches). I will also be using a separate tripod under the lens for added support. The bellows extension on this camera is 8 feet. The plan is to get a 2nd bellows (5-8 feet) that I can attach to the back of the camera as needed. That might take the total bellows extension to around 13-16 feet. Hope it is not windy!! I might have to devise some kind of tent type thing to shoot out of to protect the camera from the elements. Lots more planning and more thought needed for this project, got to figure out lots of things yet. I was planning to start in just under 5 years but with the quick buys on the lens and camera I might be able to start earlier. Probably a good thing because the weight of all this gear is well over 100lbs (200lbs?). I need to get on with this project before I get too old and shitty to deal with the physical part. It is an inspirational way-reason to stay in shape thou!!! I have 2 online sources for a silver nitrate tank that will hold a 35x35 inch 4 mm thick glass plate. I will also be getting some reducing backs, possibly a 26x35 and maybe a 20x24 or smaller square format size.

Anyway, thought I should update you all on how it was going.

Thanks so much for your help, Gerry
www.gerryyaum.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/gerry.yaum

Bought Me A Nikkor Apo 1780mm F14 Lens

"KANATA" (the word Canada, in the "Plains Cree" language) is one very important step closer to becoming a reality. I decided to change the project name from "Oh! Canada!!" to "KANATA" out of respect for Canada's first nations, indigenous peoples, culture and history. They  were here long before Canada was Canada. I hope to photograph first nations stories in the series.

A few minutes ago I bought me a second major lens for the "KANATA" project. A Nikkor Apo 1780mm (70 inch) F14. This lens is a modern lens in fair condition and also very rare. The Nikkor is almost as rare as my my 100 year old brass Carl Zeis Jena Apochromat Tessar 16/180cm.

The Brass Zeiss Tessar 180cm

My new online friend Kurt M in Italy looked two years for this same lens and said he knew of only 5 in existence, not sure if this is one of the 5 or not. The lens is in fair condition with "LIGHT ABRASIONS ON THE FRONT ELEMENT" (see photo). I am a little worried about the abrasions thing, but I believe it will not cause a problem, I hope not anyway!

On eBay this very unique lens was bid up to $1700 USD with 10 seconds remaining, then 4 other people and myself put in aggressive bids at the very end, I won out at a price of $3857 USD. I expected it to sell for a bit more, closer to $5000 USD. So even thou it is still a very high dollar number, paying in the high $3000s was difficult but acceptable. 

Wow!!, 5 bidders in the last 10 seconds, my new lens was highly sought after. Who knows how many years will pass before another one comes up for auction on eBay. This also speaks well to the resale value of the Nikkor Apo 1780mm f 14. I should be able to get my money back when I eventually resell it. Heck I might even make a profit on the resale, especially if it is used to create an important ambrotype project (at least that is the hope!). "This wonderful lens was used in the ground breaking "KANATA" wet plate project by internationally acclaimed artist, and generally nice dude, Gerry (Mr. Camera Gear) Yaum ", :)), haha, that sort of sales pitch thingy.

I knew the bidding was going to be hard and fast at the end and I desperately wanted the lens for my 35x35 camera so I went all in on it. I will also need to pay for Fed Ex shipping, brokerage and taxes. A very expensive item but one of those necessary steps in the process of making mammoth ambrotyes. This lens will cover a 35x35 inch negative at infinity quite easily (not 100% sure the Zeiss Tessar will). It was basically a must buy for me. I now own 2 lens for "KANATA" and a 35x35 camera, about 4 years 10 months before I planned to start the project! Heck I might start this thing earlier while I am younger and stronger. I will have all the gear, so why not!

This Nikkor has a huge flange/base plate that measures in at 10 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches and weighs in at 18lb 6oz (8.35kg), with the box it weighs 26lb 14oz (12.2 kg). Filip my HF3535 camera maker is building me a enhanced front standard to handle the weight of this lens (bigger metal parts and new design), I am also going to rig up a separate tripod support of some kind for it. I do not want my beauty lens to rip its way free of the camera body, smash onto the ground and break into a thousand pieces!  When I got the lens I will send the the 1780mm flange to Filip in the  Czech Republic to get special lens board adapter made for the camera.

Note* This will be my last major buy for a long time. I need to pay off the 1780mm Nikkor, the other 100 year old Zeiss Tessar brass lens and the HF3535 camera and then save as much money as I can before I go to Thailand. I have so much to do there. I need to start concentrating on the "Families of the Dump" film , the photos I will make in Asia and the donation work for the families which is extremely important.

Here are photos of my new FAIR condition lens. With the eBay description from the seller (San Francisco, USA).

1780 mm apo Nikkor for sale!

For all you dreamers and poets. This may be your last chance to realize your ULF wet plate dreams. Condition is fair, light abrasions of the front element but nothing to spoil extraordinary sharpness. Covers a huge format. Stop dreaming and get bidding!!

Quote: Cary Grant

When asked what his epitaph should be.

"He was lucky--and he knew it."

Photo Comments, Confidence Boosting And Cringe Inducing Praise

Recently I had 2 positive comments from pro level art folk in the city that have buoyed my confidence a bit. It has also created those awkward silences where I am not exactly sure how to respond to their compliments. I like that people respond to the work in an emotional way. I want to show the work, love that the stories of my subjects get told. I  just sometimes wish people would not do the praise thing with me me face to face!

Jenny the curator from the AGSA, speaking of the "Dads Last Days" series photos said something to the effect of "This is the most personal work we have ever shown at the Gallery"

Shane from the AGA, speaking of the "Dads Last Days" series photos said something to the effect of "These are among the most powerful moving photographs I have ever seen"

(think I got Shane's quote basically right, close to what he  said anyway, I was a bit stunned by his comments. I sort of shutdown while hearing them.)

I am always uncomfortable with that type of praise, especially when it comes from established -experienced-professional Edmonton area art people. It does make me think I am on the right path. I have to make my photos even more personal and powerful. I have to find it within myself to push to the next level of creativity and make work that continues to evoke an emotional response. This is just the beginning, got to find more in the future, got to make stronger images this coming trip.

Note* I also had the head person at the Photographers Forum" magazine say the "Families of the Dump" pictures were, "Important and they broke my heart", That thou was easier to deal with because she was not standing in front of me, it was an email sent from California.

Going Back To Basics, Thai Gear Choices

I have decided to simply my gear choices again. Have been back and forth on what to take to Thai but my recent love for 35mm photography and problems with the 120 stuff has pushed me back to my roots and 35 cameras. Printing these last 2 shows 35 negs has been a eye opening experience. I have come to love the look of 35mm enlarged to 20x24 then bleached and toned. So I intend to spend a lot of time next time shooting various 35mm cameras.

The plan is now take the following gear:

- a variety of 35mm cameras to shoot tri-x in . Leica cameras, plastic cameras, 1/2 frame cameras and maybe the Hasselblad Xpan. I will load up on lots of Tri-x and might take odd films that have been in my freezers for years.

- 8x10 Deardorff (Eddy) with 1 lens

- Canon 5d Mark3 with flash for possible color work.k

- Possibly the Kodak Aero Ekta(great bokeh) lens with Speed Graphic and 4x5 Tri-x

My main cameras this trip will be the 35s, hope to make some important and powerful pics with those babies.

Print # 7 For "Healing Process"

Been working on the 7th print for the coming AGSA " Healing Process" exhibition. This photo is of dad in the hospital early on in his last year, I wanted to include 1 hospital shot in the show.
The printing involved multiple steps including 2 masks 1 dodge and 3 extensive  burns plus. F irst I printed at filter 4 but the effect was much to extreme, the attempt below is at the softer 3.5 grade. The burning was also done at 3.5 to avoid the mushiness feel of a lower contrast filter.

Spent a lot of time thinking of my father while making this print tonight, it is so hard to concentrate on what your doing when memories keep flooding back. Tonight's main flashback was how dad stared at me those last few days, he just stared up at me with big sunken-frightened sad- eyes, he did not say much but watched me those last days. His staring eyes came back to me over and over again as I  made this print. God I miss him so much, I have never felt the kind of loss before in my life. I have never felt so hollow inside like I do now, when I think of dad.

I will also try to print (photo #8)a very difficult neg of dad with his hand over his face and one eye showing. That neg should prove to be very hard to print.

Here is print 7:

Dad in hospital, 5th attempt

More "Forgotten Faces" Scans 4

Got a bunch more glass plate negs from the post lady today, here they are:

Unknown #25 (the best portrait so far I think)

Unknown #26 

Unknown #27

Unknown #28

Unknown #29

Developing Kodak Aero Ektar 4x5 Sheets

Developing some of the Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 4x5 sheet film. These were made as test shots at the Windermere  BC cemetery on my trip with Mom. I tested the lens because I am still deciding if I will take it to Thai with me.

Original Blog Post: Bought Me A Kodak Aero Ektar Lens

The Windermere cemetery might be worth a trip back with the wet plate darkroom at some point when I shoot "Kanata" (Oh! Canada!!).

Here are the scans, I rather like the look-bokeh effect. I need to try it doing portraits yet before I leave Canada. I need to know how people look with the extreme shallow depth of field, people shot at different distances. If I used it in Thai it would be for portrait work in Mae Sot and Bangkok. I was thinking of using this lens specifically if I go back into the sex trade world to make portraits with. I think it might be an effective, visually mysterious and expressive tool.

Note* This camera lens combo (Speed Graphic with Aero Ektar) might be an effective way to shoot 4x5 ambrotypes. I need to adapt a holder but have one that was given to me that I can work on

Note** All the images were made at f2.5 as I cannot change the aperture of the lens. All shot with the Speed Graphic wind up cloth focal length tripod at 1/60 of a second (camera on tripod).

Grave #1

Grave #2

Grave #3

Grave #4

Grave #5

Quote: Rebecca Burger (Fitness Model)

Rebecca Burger died this week as a result of a freak accident at the young age of 33, RIP, condolences to her family.

"We don't have any control over time so make the absolute most of it."

More "Forgotten Faces" Scans 3

Damn broke some (3) of the glass negs, I hate when I screw up like that, dump stupid move on my part. These things survived for 130+ years till bone head Gerry broke them. I need to find a bigger work area and need to be more careful. I can see this same thing happening with my personal ambrotypes in the future. I will have to go to 4mm glass.

Unknown #19 (broken glass)

Unknown #20 (broken glass)

Unknown #21

Unknown #22

Unknown #23

Unknown  #24