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We know we're supposed to focus on "large format" but last November we ran into a deal on 35mm film that we couldn't pass up. But since we haven't found a use for it yet, we're just going to give it away. Knowing that many of you also shoot 35mm, we decided to offer our newsletter subscribers first dibs. But when it's gone, it's gone. It's all expired but what we've tested has been quite usable. The E6 came out great, even at rated ISO; Tri-X and FP4 was a bit grainy, as expected (when shot at about half the...

Last week we did a comparison of the Toyo 45CF and the Nagaoka 4x5 field camera. In many ways, these cameras represent opposite ends of the last century: wood, leather and steel vs high-tech composites. Details here: https://shop.stearmanpress.com/blogs/news/camera-compare-nagaoka-4x5-and-the-toyo-45cf It only seemed reasonable to give the same treatment to the Graflex Super Graphic. After all, in many ways, the Super Graphic (introduced in 1956) is the grandfather of the Toyo (born in 2002). So we spent most of yesterday shooting the video. By the time it was edited, we realized it was actually rather boring! It had turned into a tutorial...

Two cameras couldn't be more different and still perform the same basic functions. First, let me state that I love both cameras (though I love one a bit more than the other, I'll tell you why later.) Technical details: weight size bellows extension Toyo 45 CF 1.6 kg/3.6 lbs 180x200x100 mm 90/350 mm Nagaoka 1.15kg/2.5 lbs 180x200x70 mm 75/300 mm   As you can see, they really aren't that different in size. Sure, the Toyo weighs a pound heavier but that's not a major factor to me since I generally don't hike more than about two hours away from civilization....

People have been asking about using the SP-8x10 for color processing. The real question is: "how do you control the temperature?" So we ran a thermal profile of the tray. The procedure is pretty simple: Fill the tray with water at the desired temperature and presoak for 1 minute. Empty and refill with water at the desired processing temperature. We mounted a digital thermometer probe inside the tray and recorded the temperature over a 30 minute period.   You can see the results below (click the image to open the pdf):   As expected, the temperature dropped over time but...

I recently bought a Wista 8x10 field camera (it will be the subject of another review). It was a package deal that included a Komura 210mm, f/6.3 lens, that is supposed to cover 8x10 without much movement (I haven't tested that yet). Didn't think much about it since I already had a really nice Rodenstock 210 mm, f/5.6. The Rodenstock has been one of my favorite lenses for a long time, so I figured I'd dump the Komura on a popular auction site and be done with it. Then I opened the package. I confess that I was a bit...