Speaking of my GA645 camera, I just bought a close up kit for it this morning! I waaay over paid for it, but I dont care, the idea of medium format close up photography is far too interesting than to worry about money. The kit consists of a close up lens for the camera, and a steel frame that gives you information about how to frame the image. Because it is a rangefinder camera, parallax error is magnified even more once you start getting super close. I can't wait to get it, but it ships from Hong Kong to the US and then I have to get it somehow over to China. I have to do this due to China's stupid import rules. Apparently the stability of the nation is threatened by $150 camera accessories.
As a price-point, my GA645 cost me US$299 last December (A$360 delivered, once our currently lousy XR is factored in). I'm astounded to read that the original retail was $1650.
R/M: Is China happy to accept imported integrated-circuits, FPGAs and so on, but not camera close-up devices?
lenticular11 wrote:
As a price-point, my GA645 cost me US$299 last December (A$360 delivered, once our currently lousy XR is factored in). I'm astounded to read that the original retail was $1650.
R/M: Is China happy to accept imported integrated-circuits, FPGAs and so on, but not camera close-up devices?
Many many many years ago I bought a GA645 brand new from B & H. I think I paid $1500 for it but ended up returning it because I wanted to go whole hog with 6 x 9. For $400, I'm keeping the one I have now.
I have *NO* idea how to import anything into China. The few times I tried ended up in near catastrophe. This country is just crazy stupid from any logical point of view. I will never, ever try to have anything shipped into China. It's getting worse here, not better.
Got another film camera today. Don't know if I will keep or use it though... Canon AE1 with a 50/1.8. I think I will get more use out of the filter set it came with than the camera itself.
You guys have me thinking I should be exploring more estate sales around home!
I had a Mamiya 645AFD a few years ago. A nice camera but about as expensive as a 6x7 outfit.
Mmmmm, velvia bluezz. All your medium format talk does me no good (my wallet actually). I have some frozen portra 400nc rolls been in my freezer since it was fresh dated. I may need to hook up my Epson scanner, re-install vuescan and get a 120 roll for my Patterson tank. Then to pull the yashica mat LM out of retirement. It sits all alone, after a complete overhaul I only ran a few rolls through it.
kwoodard, the ae-1 50/1.8 is a fine combo, one I shoot with regularly. I prefer the ae-1 over the A-1 or ae-1p. It just handles beautifully. Shoot a couple rolls through it and I think you will agree. I have two, one which was my dad's from the late 70's and another. Also the A-1 and ae-1p.
Jon Buffington wrote:
Mmmmm, velvia bluezz. All your medium format talk does me no good (my wallet actually). I have some frozen portra 400nc rolls been in my freezer since it was fresh dated. I may need to hook up my Epson scanner, re-install vuescan and get a 120 roll for my Patterson tank. Then to pull the yashica mat LM out of retirement. It sits all alone, after a complete overhaul I only ran a few rolls through it.
kwoodard, the ae-1 50/1.8 is a fine combo, one I shoot with regularly. I prefer the ae-1 over the A-1 or ae-1p. It just handles beautifully. Shoot a couple rolls through it and I think you will agree. I have two, one which was my dad's from the late 70's and another. Also the A-1 and ae-1p. ...Show more →
My Paterson reels do both 135 and 120 film. Are yours not adjustable?
Jon Buffington wrote:
I thought I had bought an adjustable one (I have 3 reels) but last time I checked, it appeared I had not. Maybe I need to check again. How to tell?
The adjustable ones are clearly made from two pieces. You twist them to unlock the wheels and the pull or push to the new size you want and then twist again to re-lock. If your wheels are a solid single piece, then they are not adjustable.
Edit: Actually, I dont see how you can have a single piece reel. You need two pieces to provide the rotation to pull the film onto the reel. I think you must be able to adjust yours to 120 size.
rattymouse wrote:
I figure I'll post some GA645 shots from the archives.
<...>
Cool pics. Is that a fish pen in the water?
---------------------------------------------
rattymouse wrote:
The adjustable ones are clearly made from two pieces. You twist them to unlock the wheels and the pull or push to the new size you want and then twist again to re-lock. If your wheels are a solid single piece, then they are not adjustable.
Edit: Actually, I dont see how you can have a single piece reel. You need two pieces to provide the rotation to pull the film onto the reel. I think you must be able to adjust yours to 120 size.
The steel reels are one piece. I may be the only person around who cannot get the plastic ones to work -- I've kinked more film in those things and once had to disassemble the mess in a changing bag. Not fun. The steel ones take a little practice and then it's easy peasy.
I am using BetterScanning inserts and ANR glass to improve my chances with the basic scan process. Using EpsonScan as I have yet to get consistent and a less-than-frantic experience with VueScan!
The attached is an Epson V700 scan of Fuji Velvia slide, taken last December.
Lots of dynamic range in the scene (too much) and so I've attempted a mix of compensation at the scanning stage but also some levels and curves adjustment in PS. I haven't remembered to de-spot this scan, so apologies for that.
Also significantly, there was a strong violet/mauve colour-cast to the sky. Some have said that it's down to atmospheric pollution however the 2nd image is a digital one and no such colour-cast was present. The digital file was using a Sony A7R with FE55/1.8 lens, with a Hoya UV filter. No filter on the Fuji GA645.
Looking for collective experience and advice on similar issues experiences with slide scanning / Fuji Velvia, particularly with regards to any colour-cast tendencies. Finally, the film was fresh and although the cast was also present in some of the shots i think the scan has made it worse and introduced some nasty areas of blooming in the sky.
Sadly I can't help out, as I've never scanned any of my film. One thing is for sure though is that you should get far better results from Velvia 50. Keep up the search, you will find it with other's help.
Thanks 'RM'. These are particularly poor shots, albeit of a scene that took some solid walking to get to. The rest of the film is better although I think my GA645 technique needs work as I was getting underexposed shots quite a lot (only my second or 3rd film with it however).
All your medium format talk does me no good (my wallet actually). I have some frozen portra 400nc rolls been in my freezer since it was fresh dated. I may need to hook up my Epson scanner, re-install vuescan and get a 120 roll for my Patterson tank. Then to pull the yashica mat LM out of retirement. It sits all alone, after a complete overhaul I only ran a few rolls through it. 
