Digital BW, The Print

Ernst Dinkla writes:

"I like to use my MF folders. An Iskra 6x6 and a modified Monitor
6x9. Smaller than a 35 mm SLR and a lot of square inches of film.
My modified Polaroid 110A with 665 film is the slower one with
even more film space. Though I do have a Nikon 8000 scanner, one
could use the Epson 3200 (that I also have) as well for smaller
prints. In price and print quality the combination of a good MF
camera and the Epson is hard to beat."

Ernst, you and I must be twins separated at birth.   I agree entirely with 
you here.   I recommended the Rolleiflex because it has great optics, is really 
easy to focus with its big viewfinder, and is a beautiful and an elegant tool. 
  And it can be had in one model or another surprisingly cheaply -- I just 
bought a 3.5 MX-EVS model in good condition on eBay for $155.   

But my format of choice, like yours, is 6x9 roll film.   I just get there a 
different way.   I have a Sinar Norma 4x5 view camera, to which I've mounted an 
old 8.5" Kodak Commercial Ektar lens and a Graflex 6x9 roll film holder.   
The 6x9 format, the Ektar lens and the movements afforded by the Sinar (which I 
am only now coming to use to great effect in portraiture) blow me away.   
Here's an example:

http://www.pbase.com/image/24625958

And another:

http://www.pbase.com/image/24606005

I'm with you on scanners as well.   I use a Microtek 120tf for most of my MF 
scanning -- it does a good job on traditional b+w emulsions like Tri-X.   But 
I too also have an Epson 3200 and I agree that it is capable of tremendously 
good scans with a little learning.   The "problem" with the 3200 is that its 
automated routines are too good, and a novice scanner may not appreciate the 
extent to which he/she can control the 3200's output -- I know that was true in 
my case, when I first started with it.

Someone said (advocating digital) that Tri-X is not the holy grail.   True, 
but not in the way the poster meant.   There are many really good film 
emulsions out there besides Tri-X, each with its own strenths and weaknesses.   In 
addition to the usual alternatives from Kodak, Ilford, Agfa, there are a number 
of films from central Europe that are essentially 1940s emulsions -- 
traditionally formulated with high silver content.   They have their own look and 
texture.   Go to www.jandcphotography.com or www.frugalphotographer.com and see 
their offering of Efke and Classic Pan films, among others.   

Sanders McNew
www.mcnew.net


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