The "Old Masters of Film" gave us our beginnings... This is something best not taken lightly. We have all studied them and the work they gave us over their lifetimes. Their techniques and advances are still applicable to us today!
How many of you viewing this work have said to yourselves "Gee, I would really like to pick up some film and start shooting it again!" Well, as a life long photographer who has totally embraced the digital world, let me assure you that the thought of again working in film leaves me filled with a desire, almost lust that just will not be ignored! I had my first darkroom when I was just 11 years of age and can still remember it with great fondness. I still like the digital world, its immediate feedback and promise of perfection pull me forward and will not let me go. But it leaves me feeling empty, almost as though something important is missing in my creative soul...
So, after several decades of absence, I again pick up the gauntlet of film and venture forth to create, all the while refilling my soul...
Now, I take as many film images as digital except when teaching workshops (I hope to add a film workshop soon).
I use a curious mix of cameras, some quite old:
For medium format I use:
Mamiya 645 AFDii 120 auto focus system with several lenses, my MAIN system!
Fuji GA645zi, A auto focus 120 system with a zoom lens! My small carry favorite!
Fuji GW 690 III The Texas Leica!
Dayi 6x12 with a Rodenstock 90mm f/6.8 Super Grangdagon. This is a 120 view camera with ground glass!
For 35mm I use old refurbished rangefinders
1962 Petri 7s (takes me back in time)
Olympus 35 RC Beautiful camera in a bright blue set of clothes!
Olympus XA (worlds smallest full size 35mm rangefinder)
Leica M7 with its assortment of world class glass.
For large format I use:
4x5 Shen Hao field camera, with 5 lenses and various back adapters.
Polaroid 900 converted to 4x5 with a Fujinon 150mm lens ( a walk around 4x5)
Polaroid 110B converted to 4x5 with a Super Angulon 90mm lens.
I like all of the systems but really mostly shoot 120 film.
All medium and large format scanning is done by Fluid Wet Mount on a Epson 850 Pro, a lengthy process to be sure but well worth the effort!
For 35mm I scan on a Nikon 4000 scanner.
I have found my center and I am again at peace...