Testing the Bronica Auto Extension Tube S-18…

Camera: Bronica SQ-A
Film: Shanghai GP3 100

Most people who have grown up or lived in Melbourne for any length of time would know the central Flinders Street Station. “I’ll meet you ‘Under The Clocks’ has been a favoured rendevous point for many generations. This is an extended exposure taken around twilight at Flinders St Station –
Camera:Bronica SQ-A    Film: Fuji Neopan Acros 100 shot at f/8 – 8 sec exposure.

My brother gave me a box of old cameras, mainly old box-brownies, but in it was this cool box camera with the largest waist level finder I have seen in these kind of cameras ever.
It’s an Ensign Ful-Vue and what is more it takes 120 rolls nicely!
The settings are pretty simple and shutter speeds are ‘T’ (equivalent to ‘bulb’ setting on later cameras ie shutter open as long as you hold it down) & ‘I’ or instant (which in this case means 1/30th second)
When shooting my first roll, I had accidentally left the shutter on ‘T’ – Of course I didn’t realise my mistake until I had pulled the developed film out of the tank and examined it against the light. When using cameras such as this, with such limited options and controls, it is amazing how often I can make a basic mistake!
This shot is from the second roll of film, where I actually made sure I didn’t have the shutter set on ‘T’

Camera: Ensign Ful-Vue
Film: Ilford HP4 125

This photo is a detail of Ken Unsworth’s ‘Annulus of Stones’ (2007), a sculpture at the McClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park in Melbourne’s South East.

Camera: Bronica SQ-A     Film: Fuji Neopan Acros 100

This old clunker sat for ages in someone’s backyard near where we walk, along a dirt road next to a gently flowing creek. It sat next to another old mini in a similar state of decrepitude. Because these beauties sat at the back of a ‘bush block’ there were no fences as such, so I would whip out whatever camera I happened to be carrying at the time (never leave home without a camera!) and take a shot. Only last week we went past again only to see the rusting minis had been removed *sigh* so it goes…

This image was my contribution to the exhibition ‘RESPECT’ a benefit exhibition to show our appreciation for this man, which is currently open at the New North Galleries in Fairfield, Melbourne. You can read more about it here.

Camera: Diana F+     Film: Fujichrome Provia 100F (cross-processed) – post process: this image has been grey-scaled and duotoned.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Camera: Bronica SQ-A     Film: Fuji Neopan 400 (120)
Rated ISO: 400
Developer: Rodinal
Dilution: 1:50
Temp: 20ºC
Time: 11 min
Method: Initial agitation 30 seconds then 4 (gentle) inversions every 2 minutes.

Seven Acre Rock is a large rocky outcrop, 600 m altitude, which provides superb views of the Yarra State Forest, the Bunyip River Valley, and the Bunyip State Park in the state of Victoria.
It is located in the Yarra State Forest, deep in the logging area south of the town of Powelltown, about 80 km east of Melbourne. It can be visited by a 2km return hike from a picnic area. The geological formations of quite stark white boulders are surrounded by natural forest all around on the slopes leading up to it, but near the peak stand (and lie) the casualties of the bush fires that ravaged many parts of the state early in the year; the charred, blackened and truncated trunks of trees that were. They act as a quite aesthetic counterpoint to the chalky white rocks. Here is one image where I tried to capture the poetry of these juxtapositions.

Camera: Holga with Waist-Level Finder as modified by Randy at Holgamods   Film: Fuji Neopan 400

Developing Notes:
Film Rated ISO: 400
Developer: Ilfotec HC
Dilution: 1:31
Temp: 22ºC
Time: 6 min
Method: Initial agitation 60 seconds then 4 inversions every minute, Fix for 5 minutes then Ilford Wash Technique & dip in Fotoflow.

Camera: Diana 151   Film: Kodak Tri-X 400

Rated ISO: 400
Developer: Rodinal
Dilution: 1:50
Temp: 20ºC
Time: 13 min
Method: Initial agitation 55 seconds then 10 seconds every two minutes.
60 sec Stop Bath (Kodak Indicator Stop Bath). 5 minutes Ilford Rapid Fixer. Ilford Wash Technique then Kodak Fotoflow for 30 sec.

Camera: Holga 120N with Waist Level Viewfinder (modified by Holgamods)
Film: Shanghai GP3 400

Developer: Rodinal
Dilution: 1:50
Temp: 20ºC
Time: 15 min
Method: Initial agitation 30 seconds then 10 seconds every 3 minutes.
60 sec Stop Bath (Kodak Indicator Stop Bath). 5 minutes Ilford Rapid Fixer. Ilford Wash Technique then Kodak Fotoflow for 30 sec.

Recently, thanks to the example and encouragement of some friends, I have ventured into developing my own negatives at home. So far I have done a few rolls of B & W, but I also have the ingredients for some C-41 (colour negative) developing, when I feel brave enough. This particular image was shot with my Diana 151 loaded with Kodak Tri-X 400. For those who like the technical details, here they are:
Camera: Diana 151     Film: Kodak Tri-X 400
Rated ISO: 400
Developer: Rodinal
Dilution: 1:50
Temp: 20ºC
Time: 13 min
Method: Initial agitation 55 seconds then 10 seconds every two minutes. 60 sec Stop Bath (Kodak Indicator Stop Bath). 5 minutes Ilford Rapid Fixer. Ilford Wash Technique then Kodak Fotoflow for 30 sec.