Who Likes Black & White Photography?

[mmissile]

B-17 with Allison engines.

 

[65Bel]

And the article that went with that picture: Gas stations may be waning, but electric cars are on the rise

Even when I remember full service stations (in the 70's) I never saw one that was entirely staffed by women!

During the World War II years ('42-45) it was quite common since so many men were in the armed forces.

 

[RJRENTON]

I'm an amateur photographer, but never played around with BW film. Do a lot of BW in the "digital dark room" though.

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Castle Rock in B/W by Mike Matenkosky, on Flickr

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Parting Clouds Over Glacier Point by Mike Matenkosky, on Flickr

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Mammoth Peak in Black and White by Mike Matenkosky, on Flickr

Great photos.....I like working with the old KODAK TRI-X PAN, in a 35mm Canon A1 and a variety of color filters, such as RED, POLARIZED at ASA 400 speed under exposed at 800 speed.....sort of like ANSUL ADAMS......TRI-X PAN .....IS HARD TO FIND.....in these days of instant gratification (digital photography)......although Kodak kodachrome and Ectachrome media is nice also......just my opinion of course....
BOB RENTON

 

[Photon440]

Great photos.....I like working with the old KODAK TRI-X PAN, in a 35mm Canon A1 and a variety of color filters, such as RED, POLARIZED at ASA 400 speed under exposed at 800 speed.....sort of like ANSUL ADAMS......TRI-X PAN .....IS HARD TO FIND.....in these days of instant gratification (digital photography)......although Kodak kodachrome and Ectachrome media is nice also......just my opinion of course....
BOB RENTON

Too bad you didn't have a large format camera, 120 Tri-X Pan is available on Amazon.

 

[RJRENTON]

Too bad you didn't have a large format camera, 120 Tri-X Pan is available on Amazon.

I've been seriously shopping for a Mamia 6x4.5 cm or a Konica or other brands....if i could afford a Haselblad....plus a couple of lenses plus the removable back option...I've always favored the Mamia 6x4.5.....moderately priced...plus accessories...plus reloadable film backs, including a Land back for instantaneous developing for scene composition and trial shoots.....maybe in the coming new year....hints to Santa ......H-N-Y......
BOB RENTON

 

[67 Mopar]

Pentax recently released a DSLR dedicated to B&W photography... the PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome. Having a dedicated Monochrome sensor provides a number of advantages in terms of dynamic range and image quality, which is something B&W photographers are very happy about. They also like the price tag, especially when compared to the Lieca equivalent alternatives.
Now if they would just make a dedicated Monochrome version of the Pentax K-1.

Pentax will also be producing a line of Film Cameras again starting sometime in 2024. You may have seen the recent Toyota commercial on TV lately, which is focused around an old Pentax Spotmatic film camera. Apparently film and film cameras have seen a revival recently, generating a great deal of interest, so film manufacturers have begun to follow suit as well.

Pentax is also the only camera manufacturer which still offers SLR & DSLR cameras. The trendy Canikon makers have switched entirely to Mirrorless cameras now, which some dedicated Pro's like, and others absolutely hate. Many Pro's have switched over to Pentax now, for that reason. There are advantages to both obviously, but I'll take the SLR/DSLR any day.

 

[RJRENTON]

Pentax recently released a DSLR dedicated to B&W photography... the PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome. Having a dedicated Monochrome sensor provides a number of advantages in terms of dynamic range and image quality, which is something B&W photographers are very happy about. They also like the price tag, especially when compared to the Lieca equivalent alternatives.

Pentax will also be producing a line of Film Cameras again starting sometime in 2024. You may have seen the recent Toyota commercial on TV lately, which is focused around an old Pentax Spotmatic film camera. Apparently film and film cameras have seen a revival recently, generating a great deal of interest, so film manufacturers have begun to follow suit as well.

Pentax is also the only camera manufacturer which still offers SLR & DSLR cameras. The trendy Canikon makers have switched entirely to Mirrorless cameras now, which some dedicated Pro's like, and others absolutely hate. Many Pro's have switched over to Pentax now, for that reason. There are advantages to both obviously, but I'll take the SLR/DSLR any day.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND SUGGESTIONS....I forgot abt Pentax...it is/was an excellent venue...I use to use Canon A1 and AE1 SLR's..all with auto winders plus the Canon FD lenses: 20-35 mm F3.5; 35-105 mm F3.5: 70-210 mm F4.0; 100-300mm F5.0; 24 F2.8; 28mm F2.8 F2.8; 2x converter; Sunpak flash; Vivitar Flash + a myriad of filters in various sizes for ALL lenses. Use to do sports photography of high school football and with the 100-300mm F5.0 + the 2x converter and ASA 3200 speed film and the Sunpak flash, I could stop action from behind the players bench to the interior line....center vs nose tackle...with snot dripping off the centers nose....when the ball was snapped.....maybe once again....???? Cheers..
BOB RENTON

 

[68BabyBlue]

Great photos.....I like working with the old KODAK TRI-X PAN, in a 35mm Canon A1 and a variety of color filters, such as RED, POLARIZED at ASA 400 speed under exposed at 800 speed.....sort of like ANSUL ADAMS......TRI-X PAN .....IS HARD TO FIND.....in these days of instant gratification (digital photography)......although Kodak kodachrome and Ectachrome media is nice also......just my opinion of course....
BOB RENTON

My dad, who was a professional photographer for Penn State, used all the stuff you described, years after digital arrived on the scene. He was a true artist, both in his camera technique, and the tricks he used in the dark room during processing.

 

[Photon440]

I've been seriously shopping for a Mamia 6x4.5 cm or a Konica or other brands....if i could afford a Haselblad....plus a couple of lenses plus the removable back option...I've always favored the Mamia 6x4.5.....moderately priced...plus accessories...plus reloadable film backs, including a Land back for instantaneous developing for scene composition and trial shoots.....maybe in the coming new year....hints to Santa ......H-N-Y......
BOB RENTON

That would be nice to have. I can still get 620 film (6 X 9 cm) for my antique Brownie SIX-20 D but it's not a serious camera and I last used it in 1970.

 

[67 Mopar]

I've been using Pentax cameras for 50 years. I've used the other brand cameras as well, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, various Medium & Large Format cameras, Rollei, Mamiya, Graflex, Zone, etc., but the Pentax brand has always been my main camera. The simple fact that every lens ever produced for a Pentax camera, still fits any and all Pentax cameras made today was a big deciding factor there. Especially way back in the early days when changing cameras meant buying all new lenses and gear to fit the newer model.
I still have my old 35mm Pentax ME Super here, which was a ground breaking camera in it's day. It was one of my favorites for everyday shooting back then. I use to use a nice hand grip motor drive with it, but that's long gone these days.

 

[Photon440]

I've been using Pentax cameras for 50 years. I've used the other brand cameras as well, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, various Medium & Large Format cameras, Rollei, Mamiya, Graflex, Zone, etc., but the Pentax brand has always been my main camera. The simple fact that every lens ever produced for a Pentax camera, still fits any and all Pentax cameras made today was a big deciding factor there. Especially way back in the early days when changing cameras meant buying all new lenses and gear to fit the newer model.
I still have my old 35mm Pentax ME Super here, which was a ground breaking camera in it's day. It was one of my favorites for everyday shooting back then. I use to use a nice hand grip motor drive with it, but that's long gone these days.
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One thing I liked about my Argus Cosina is that it could use Pentax screw mount lenses. I forgot I even had that camera and a pile of lenses, stashed away in a camera bag somewhere.

Now if something like this digital film for old cameras idea gets produced, I might be interested. Turn your film camera digital with this 35mm canister insert… but there's a catch

 

[RJRENTON]

I've been using Pentax cameras for 50 years. I've used the other brand cameras as well, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, various Medium & Large Format cameras, Rollei, Mamiya, Graflex, Zone, etc., but the Pentax brand has always been my main camera. The simple fact that every lens ever produced for a Pentax camera, still fits any and all Pentax cameras made today was a big deciding factor there. Especially way back in the early days when changing cameras meant buying all new lenses and gear to fit the newer model.
I still have my old 35mm Pentax ME Super here, which was a ground breaking camera in it's day. It was one of my favorites for everyday shooting back then. I use to use a nice hand grip motor drive with it, but that's long gone these days.
View attachment 1581904

You are 100% correct in your evaluation...I just forgot abt Pentax....not sure why I settled on Canon...cost, availability,??? Although I still favor Mamiya for 6x4.5 medium format possibly for the same reasons...although interchangeable lenses are pricey. I'll look at Pentax on ebay or similar for alternatives but give my left nut (and possibly the right one too) for a Hasselblad, there are several left on the moon and are available....but I've got to get the Canons going again b4 getting too carried away....thx for your comments....cheers...
BOB RENTON

 

[65Bel]

Posing at the pumps of Marty Levitan's Signal Service Station in Los Angeles, Ca. - 1953

 

[67 Mopar]

Now if something like this digital film for old cameras idea gets produced, I might be interested. Turn your film camera digital with this 35mm canister insert… but there's a catch

I know they've been making digital backs for medium format cameras for a long time now, and adapters for Larger format cameras too, but I've never seen one for 35mm... but then again, I've never really looked into either.

 

[67 Mopar]

That would be nice to have. I can still get 620 film (6 X 9 cm) for my antique Brownie SIX-20 D but it's not a serious camera and I last used it in 1970.

Way back when, I made a set of adapters for an old Kodak Six-16 camera that had been given to me back then. I still have it today, complete with original leather case and owners manual.
Today you can simple buy pre-made adapters for converting 616 to 120 roll film... really cheap as well. Hmmmm, maybe I'll look into it.
There's something to be said for the images produced by some of these old cameras. I even used that old 616 camera at a wedding once just for kicks, just a one off shot, nothing serious. The couple actually liked the look of the image and asked me to enlarge it for them.

 

[Photon440]

Way back when, I made a set of adapters for an old Kodak Six-16 camera that had been given to me back then. I still have it today, complete with original leather case and owners manual.
Today you can simple buy pre-made adapters for converting 616 to 120 roll film... really cheap as well. Hmmmm, maybe I'll look into it.
There's something to be said for the images produced by some of these old cameras. I even used that old 616 camera at a wedding once just for kicks, just a one off shot, nothing serious. The couple actually liked the look of the image and asked me to enlarge it for them.

View attachment 1582296

The 120 spool adapters are fairly cheap ($15) but some people want to modify the film gate as well because of the slightly narrower 120 film size. If you have a really clean and dark environment you could buy bulk 70mm film and re-spool your own, but you'd have to also keep re-using the original 616 spools and backing paper.

For bulk film, this site describes some different types and advantages...in case you see a deal on ebay and want to see what you might be getting. 70mm Film | Complete Guide to 70mm Film

 

[67 Mopar]

Back then I always bought film in bulk and spooled it myself, especially 35mm films. I developed my own film, and printed on a Beseler 23C II XL with the standard condenser head and a dual dichroic color head. I also made most of my own chemistry for B&W film development.
I made a 6x9 gate for Six-16 posted earlier. Sometimes I would remove it and use the full 616 format. I would use that camera for the strangest stuff on occasion, just because I had it on hand at the time. It was fun.

 

[HEMIB]

Victorian Dodge

 

[65Bel]

Dick Landy's '68 Charger gets the jump on a competitors '66 Chevelle . . .

 

[65Bel]

Linda "Miss Hurst" Vaughn . . .