Making Mistakes With The Zeiss 6x9
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- Опубликовано: 10 апр 2020
- The best laid plans . . . .
This video was recorded prior to any government restrictions on travel or socialising due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Oh well, everyone makes the odd mistake now and again but I made the same one three times, on a single roll of film! Honestly, I've never done this before and it's made me much more careful when out shooting with cameras that don't have any user friendly features.
Still images can be viewed on my Instagram page I no longer post images to my Flickr account.
Equipment Used
Zeiss Ercona 6x9
Rollei Retro 80s Film
Sekonic L-508 Spotmeter
Velbon Rexi Tripod
Manfrotto MG460 head
Vlogging Equipment
GoPro Hero 7 Black with Rode Videomicro
iPhone Xs
Incidental Music
Broken Souls 4 (Epidemic Sound)
Contact Details
Email: steveonions1@gmail.com Twitter: Steve_ONions / steve_onions Instagram: steveonions1 / steveonions1
I was looking for a video with this typical camera and I found a place where I spend some amazing years living. Thank You
Glad I could help!
Thank you, Steve. I found your channel last week, and it's very inspiring and calming. Be safe!
I had a mistake that I luckily caught while out filming. Forgot to pull the dark slide and started to pack the camera. If I didn't catch it it would have ruined the whole trip because I only took the one shot.
Every trip with 4x5 must end with one ruined frame John, it’s the law.
Those two photos were great: well done
Enjoyed the video very much. You always make your art appear so effortless, but a comfort to know even with your refined skill you are subject to a botched shot once in a while. 😊 Stay safe and looking forward to your next video.
Thanks Kent.
I recently purchased a Zeiss Ikon and I am so looking forward to the adventure. This was a great lesson on watching for the film advancement. I noticed on the film roll you showed for the example it had several rows of numbers, assuming that each row is for a different camera design. But your learning was good to know because it is my biggest concern that frames get overlapped or double exposed from the advancement difficulties. I did like your pier shots. They were set up nicely and good composition. I noticed you had a range finder and using a light meter too. These really are essential to good pictures with these cameras; especially with only 8 shots. Thanks, be safe.
Hope it works out well for you with the Zeiss Christian, the backing paper on most films is tricky to read at times.
Just finished the roll and totally missed the first shot #!. I also noticed that there are little circles on my roll of film. they start small and faint and as you advance, these dotted circles get bolder and larger. They are the warnings that your next stop point is coming up. They are good warnings that your next pic is coming. Im not sure if its on all rolls of film but Ilford BnW 400 was what I used on this shoot. Ill share a shot when I get them processed. Be safe. @@SteveONions
Great video and I love the pebble photograph. Recently I had my grandfather’s 6x9 folder repaired. It’s fun to shoot and a bit never wrecking too. I taught myself to always wind the film directly after taking a photo, Hasselblad style. These folders are great for a grainy film as its masks the quality of the lens.
I usually wind on immediately Vincent but definitely got distracted on this outing. I’ve used the camera since with no problems at all.
I remember in college talking to a friend while unloading my 35mm film. I thought I’d rewound it and as I opened the back, there it was open to the light. Not concentrating was my problem. Great images Steve. Oh how we all miss those days of going to the beach whenever we wanted to. I think we will all appreciate the countryside and seaside like never before when this is all over. I was dong some ICM ( in camera movement )today in my back garden. It came out well after I put it through Photoshop. I’m no longer going out for short walks now. Too many people are about so my garden is my sanctuary at the moment. Who’d have thought that going to Tesco would be a stressful endeavour. We’ll get through this eventually.
I’ve always been pretty lucky (and careful) Simon so I was surprised to see that I’d messed up on so many frames. Probably a good idea to run a roll through in the garden just to ensure everything is working as it should be.
Thanks, another great weekend teed up with Steve O vid; Really liked the vertical panorama (nice focus job) and have given me a good reason to try my newly acquired 6x9 Ikonta w/ flip up viewfinder. I appreciate your candor on the film advance issues because everyone has them. Hunker down Steve and be safe.
Thanks Randy and have fun with the Ikonta 👍
That was a lot of fun Steve. Very well presented. I actually learnt a lot of useful info. I recently purchased an Agfa Billy 6x9 with a fixed AGFA Jsomar lens. It only has aperture settings of f11 and f16. Made in the 1950s. I took the lens apart and cleaned it. Now spotless. I'm about to test it. Thanks to you Steve I'm going to take my time with the 8 shots and hopefully avoid your film wind-on errors.
I hope the camera works out well, even with a couple of apertures it’ll be fine for B&W use. To be honest I nearly always use mine at f/11 or f/16.
Steve, Just wanted you to know that I thoroughly enjoy your Vlogs. They are very professional. I also appreciate the fact that you don't spend a lot of time talking and get right down to business. My favorite camera is a Voigtlander Bessa Rangefinder a 6x9 folding camera. Very capable, just takes a little time to learn how to use them.
Thanks Robert and you can’t go wrong with a 6x9 so long as you concentrate on what you’re doing and get the sequence of operations in the right order 🙁
I did the same thing recently with a roll of film. Annoying but that’s what drives us to do better and excel using this medium. The actual act of getting out there and enjoying your time is just as satisfying though. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely, even when things go wrong I've still had a great day out.
wow ! You are human after all !! Thanks Steve for yet another nice video!
Thanks Stefaan.
Great to see such an old camera still producing the goods. Winding on the film by looking at the numbers through the little red window reminds me of an old Box Brownie my mother had when I was a little kid back in the fifties. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your trips with the Zeiss when we get back to some semblance of normality.
Cheers John, all the best.
Probably not a very popular opinion, but the shot at around 13:19 is gorgeous as it is. I'm glad you showed those mistakes with us.
Well done Steve. Thanks for the outing during these difficult days. Keep safe.
Thanks Phillip.
Very good work as usual, good to see the whole story. It can be very frustrating when things go wrong, but on the upside it was time, effort, money, and film loss, but not a botched brain surgery ;) - in a prior business we took things very very seriously and gave them our best efforts, long hours, long day, long weeks but but still sometimes things would go wrong. We would comfort ourselves by saying: "Well it's not like we're working on the cure for cancer, it's just consumer research, and we did our best. My take from all of that is people are human, so be it. Thanks for your good efforts! God bless, stay safe!
Thanks John. If I’d been on a long trip to somewhere like Scotland I’d be really disappointed but I can visit Llandudno again easily (well perhaps not at the moment 😀).
Thanks Steve, you have just inspired me to get out my Zeiss Super Ikonta C (531/2) from the display cabinet. I live on the coast so a walk onto the dunes should be fine in spite of the lock-down. This camera has a built in rangefinder and dates from about 1955.
A built in rangefinder, how modern 😊
@@SteveONions But so much easier! On opening it up I found (shows how long it is been in the cupboard) that it has a removable mask giving either 6x4.5 or 6x9 choices.
In the nicest possible way it is soooo good to see an expert make mistakes.... I have recetly been a little disheartened as I have experienced issues with developing my film (mainly due to loading incorrectly onto the drum in the tank , with the film "derailing" as I have wound it on) and needed the boost that watching your video gave, wish a few more vloggers were as honest by showing their mistakes. Great video as usual Steve. Have you ever though about writing a book? your knowledge of film and paper is amasing, and would be great subject matter for a book, along with your collection of cameras.
Thanks Malcolm. I still make plenty of mistakes, indeed the next video I’m which I use 4x5 has a fairly major one 🙂
Pobody's nerfect, they say. Also, I like the little phantoms of the wind turbines looming on of the horizon of the second shot. Adds a bit of eeriness.
Really enjoyed that, Steve. I use a Kontur viewfinder on my old 6x9 Bessa and I find it pretty accurate and easy to use once you get used to it.
I’ve got a small rangefinder too Tom but mostly I rely on small apertures and guesswork 🙂
Brilliant video. I have a collection of film cameras and would like to test drive 1 or 2. Thanks to you i now remember the issues i had years ago before i got reliant on digital cameras.
Love Llandudno too.
I have a caravan in Abergele and can't wait to get back there with my cameras.
Stay safe Steve and don't go stir crazy at home 😀😀📷📸📷📸
Thanks Rob. Hope you manage to get back to Abergele soon 🙂
Really nice, Steve.
Beautiful landscapes and music.
Thanks Juan.
Hi Steve, i like your reviews and info. Thanks and well done. I've got and use a Zeiss Ikon Nettar 512/2 version C with hexagonal face plate (1933). It's a very beautiful easy handeling camera and works perfect for his age.
That sounds like a lovely camera Leendert, it will make excellent images with modern film and processing techniques.
Ah the magic white pebble appearing in just the right spot - amazing how often that happens! I liked your oversized filter attached with white-tack? Nice idea. Stay safe Steve.
Thanks Alan, guess I just got lucky with that stone 😊
Thanks for sharing Steve.
Glad you liked it 🙂
Steve, I have an even older version of this camera, the 6x9 Zeiss Ikonta. As with yours, you have to be very careful with highlights as well, because without the lens coatings, lens flare becomes a real problem. But I like shooting with it just the same. I just found your videos today, and I've been binging on them this afternoon. Happy new year to you!
Glad you found it useful Tom
And I hope your 6x9 gets plenty of use in 2020. All the best.
Thanks, Steve, for sharing your unlucky experiences with the Ercona. I have exactly the same folder, and I love it, despite the fact that every now and than the film was not transported correctly. I am amased at your using a yellow filter; working on TriX always produces very nice skies, when developed in Rodinal 1:75 for 15 minutes.
Love your work!
I really need to run a couple of films through it before the next outing, just to be safe. I should also sort out some 37mm push on filters for the lens.
@@SteveONions yeah, sure, I miss some shots every now and than. Filters and sunshades are very hard to find. I tried to measure the diameter of the lens, and it seems 40,5 or 41 to me. But, really filters are not necessary on this lens. You could take a look on Flickr where I posted a couple of pictures all made with the Ercona with the Zeiss 3,5/105mm. Search Dordogne and Vezere, Limeuil with Grimpy. I get a lot of inspiration from your work and your vlogs are both entertaining and very instructive. Love to watch them.
Had the same problem with my Agfa Record III - winding on too much, and not enough. Thanks for posting.
I know Lee, much as I’d love to blame the camera there’s not much it can do so the fault is definitely mine.
Definitely a good shot the one with the white pebble. I cant imagine a beach full of pebbles! so used to white sand here in Australia.
I can’t imagine them any more either, it’s almost two months since I went out with a camera 😢
Great videos. Very informative and delivered with humility :) I'm waiting for my Zeiss Ikonta 6x9 to arrive. I'm hoping to take it to Spain soon for landscape shots instead of the mammoth Pentax 67
An excellent travel camera that gives up little in quality to a more modern SLR - have fun!
Great to see images from the Zeiss Ikon - they can produce amazing quality despite their age. Hard to imagine you messing up three times (while not a SuperHero, you are VERY experienced!) - hopefully you do not have a mechanical problem with the camera, or it somehow developed slack in the take-up. At any rate, beautiful images all the same, and looking forward to more down the road. (Oh, and I got the Bessler mounted and tested now, soon to be printing!) Cheers!
I think I need to run another roll through the camera at home just to be on the safe side.
I agree, my 1936 vintage Zeiss Ikon folder I bought and put some film through for fun, has produced some very nice images. and, I might add, sparked my love affair with film that has gotten quite out of hand...lol
Al ways great to see you out with yet another of your cameras Steve, even with user error on most you still came away with one framed print for your endeavours. Saturday's wouldn't be the same without content from you so let's hope yoiu have enough to keep going through these troubled times. Print looked great.
Thanks Alan, it’s a good job I had only average light or I’d be really kicking myself. I had planned to return one morning this month but that’s going on hold for the time being 😕
have one of those, the format is great for full length portraiture.
I feel your pain.I did the same thing with a Bessa 1 when you first get one of these old cameras you have to figure on losing at least one or two rolls of film before figuring out the cameras quirks and oddities. Every camera has them you just have to figure them outThanks for sharing
Thank you 🙂
Thanks for uploading Steve. You dont learn unless you make mistakes!. Even if you only get one image out of a trip, thats a success in my book. Funny how those photogenic stones turn up tho isn't it? ;-)
Thanks Marc, I’m kicking myself for not bringing the stone back with me 😀
@@SteveONions my
There are lots of 60+ years old medium format folders around. The Nettar is one of the nicer ones, but it has its problems as you've found out. One feature I'm looking for in those cameras is the automatic film counter, which usually works quite reliably and does the watching out for the film transport length for you. Not many cameras have this feature, but I try to avoid to actually use cameras without this unless for test shots, because I hate overlapping frames.
I have a Konica Pearl III with the inbuilt winder/spacer feature, it’s so much easier to use.
Nice video of a great shooting experience. These the little outings that I personally love. Too bad about confusion the film advance windows and getting those overlaps. Just shows that even an experienced photographer is subject to simple human error.
Thanks Randall. I’ve never had an overlap problem before so just to be on the safe side I should run a test roll through it before risking it on a shoot.
Some films have the numbers so light that it is difficult to see them through the red window of the camera. On the example paper backing that you showed the numbers were nice and dark. I am not sure why the manufacturers feel the need to use very light grey numbers. In those cases it is easy to make the overlap mistakes because can't see the numbers well. However, given all the things that one must think about and do, it is easy to make mistakes with these cameras. This is especially true for the winding of the film as that is one that most of think we don't need to pay much attention to. Another of the joys of "old" film cameras.
The Ilford backing paper is awful, almost impossible to see the numbers.
Hi Steve, I have a Voigtlander Bessa I 6x9 and I happened to have a batch of Kodak Tmax film that didn't show the film numbers on the right location for the red window on the back of the camera so I couldn't see frame numbers at all. ... They've sent me another batch later on. I couldn't understand why they messed up with this particular batch, but effectively they did. The Voigtlander also advances film from right to left, so basically, your film is upside down in the camera. So make sure to check if the right numbers are showing on the right height of the film backing before you re-use that same film.
Very interesting Ludwig, I’ll have to watch for that 👍
Very nice video! I recently inherited a Kodak No. 2 Folding Autographic Brownie 6x9 camera from around 1920. Now I understand why there is a hole in the back. I guess the red plastic is lost. Need to see if I can fix that. Had no idea how to advance the film, but now I know, so thanks. The camera looks to be a real challenge, with a "viewfinder" the size of a pinhead... Would be fun to try it.
I hope you manage to get some useful pictures out of it 🙂
Hi Steve, good to see you are keeping well. The framing certainly adds the finishing touch to the beach shot. I keep promising to visit the Little Orme as a change from its bigger brother; have you ever explored that area? Take care my friend.
I keep passing it Ray and I know there is a small bay/beach there that looks interesting.
The photograph is well worth the effort!
Nice camera, but dont worry we all make mistakes. you will get a feel for the camera and have better luck in the future.
I have a Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515 and adore it. But have made similar mistakes, or double expose often as I forget to wind on haha
I find with my little camera that anything other than infinity tends to not focus, so I usually just use the smallest aperture I can and hope for the best.
I'm also a fan of small apertures with these old lenses Eris and anything below f/8 is a bit hit and miss. They get sharper and sharper as you stop down and don't suffer as much obvious diffraction as newer designs.
White stone is genius shot
What are you on about mate? The second shot of the pier is an absolute banger! It's spot on. Belongs in a gallery.
It’s definitely growing on me Baruch 🙂
Really enjoyed this one. Back to basics really. Have you noticed how the price of these oldies have shot up recently? A good example could be had for less than £50.00 a few months ago but now they have doubled and the majority are just right offs. I think I stick to my Pentax 67 and my Hassleblad for now. Thanks for uploading. Keep safe and well.
I sold a good 6x9 for £20 about 10 years ago, it’s about £120 now 😀
@@SteveONions Yes I do believe so.
I have done those kinds of mistakes with my Voigtlander folder many times. The moment I get too relaxed about it I mess it up :)
Glad it’s not just me 😀
tbh i really like the frame 7/8 overlap result, i would be happy to have a print of it on my bedroom wall
Most photographers never heard about the possibility of changing the aspect ratio of their final print. Well done at 6:50
Thank you
Thank you for the review. How did you mount the filter, what filter size did you use?
Love it
If it's any consulation? The rock shot is a real 'Wall Hanger' 📷👌
Ps we all screw up even with digital 😂
Thanks Eltin 🙂
Apt timing Steve. Heading out on a garden safari with my new 6x9, to make some mistakes. I was generously gifted a Voiglander Bessa. But couldn't really get on with not framing properly (never thought of using phone) and overlapping frames. A chance wander around fleabay came up with a Horseman VH with some lenses and a couple of backs, at the right price. (accused of panic buying as well!) I will be visiting the Voiglander though. Like the miracle rock print😉 I like to Selenium tone the mat Foma papers, a nice little boost.
Cheers
Diz
Revisiting your Voightlander is a must. I have just processed my first roll of film put through a Voightlander Bessa I, the negatives are breathtakingly sharp. Framing is difficult, however pressing your eye right up to the eye piece helps. Enjoy the Horseman 👍🏻
I’ve reprinted the beach scene on Multigrade warmtone and applies a gentle selenium tone to boost the blacks 🙂
@@nickmatthews4939 Thanks Nick, I will.
Cheers
Diz
@@SteveONions Sorted 😊
Cheers
Diz
I put a roll through my Super Ikonta recently, things were going great until I started developing. Realized my stop bath was depleted, so I mixed up of Kodak stop batch full strength, no dilution. You would thing the smell would clue me in, but no. 30 seconds was enough to complete turn my negatives into a shriveled mess.
I’ve not done that one Tristan but there’s time yet 😀
Awesome watch Steve I’ve just used a 6x9 folder for the first time loved it even tho I made a few mistakes with it ie thumb being on the shutter lever during exposure and the different numbering in film the first film fp 4 no probs the numbers were clearly visible in the window with good warning circles as you got closer the next frame the second roll today Ektar 100 I was winding on looking for circles again non and wound straight past frame one ffbfs 🤬 also like you say framing is awkward on my folder there a view finder on top still getting used to it but an incredibly enjoyable experience I’ll use a tripod and cable release next time cheers for the vid mate
They can be trying at times but the image quality and smooth tonality are quite something Paul, approaching 4x5.
@@SteveONions definitely a different experience one I’ll stick with I reckon
Thanks for the video Steve i have the tendency to mess up a lot specialy with the yashica D or the rolleicord by forgetting to advance the film and getting double exposure thanks for sharing
I’m usually very careful Isaias but really lost it on this trip 🙂
@@SteveONions i try to put a lot of attention when i use these cameras and still mess up a lot. thank for your comment
I hope you didn't consider filing this video away, never to be seen. It is encouraging for new film shooters to see that even the most experienced photographers make mistakes. The shot of the pebble was worth the whole roll, in my view.
I considered it for less than a minute but knew it was a better video because of the failures, nothing worse than watching someone who always gets it right 🙂
Smashing Vlog, shame about the overlaps.have got many happy holiday snaps on and around that beach
Cheers Dave.
I've largely given up on using folders. The necessity to take a tripod to get sharp photos renders their weight advantage moot, and they are a peculiarly joyless experience when shooting. The one that I do use, a 30s Balda with Trioplan is a bugger to shoot, no viewfinder of note and flimsy, but can produce images of great character. Such is photographic life!
I have a love/hate relationship with them, more often hate at the moment 🙂
Hi Steve,
great video as usual.
you talk about focusing on the 6x9 but was that rangefinder clipped onto the accessary shoe?
It actually came off with the hotshoe when I lifted out of the bag Paul. I’ll need to refix it’s somehow. I don’t often use it for landscape as I zone focus and use small apertures.
I have several Folders and 6x9 format and I found that if I just put the scale to 'infinity' on a couple the pics are NOT SHARP I have to set just about 40 feet for example -- i now 'Test' with a piece of Ground Glass in the Film Plane and a Magnifier. to see the actual 'Infinity' setting.
I have that SAME Rangefinder ( given to me ) !
PS -- Brilliant Composition of that shot with the White Pebble -- it would do well at Brentwood & District Photographic Club !
Thanks Peter. I often use infinity and f/16 to get most things sharp so yours just needs recollimating.
I’m a big fan of 6x9 folders and my plan during this lockdown period is to give my equipment the once over and a service. Your overlap as has been previously said could be down to the winder losing some its tension but unfortunately not much can do about it. If the film is being wound tight into its spool than it should be ok. Obviously if it’s lose then you would have problems with light leaks. I use ILFORD FP4 or HP5 usually and I have noticed and a few others as well that The frame numbers appear to be printed lighter. Or it could be eyesight problems. Film makers have changed the printing on film over the years due to ghosting of numbers onto the neg. Hope that helps. Stay safe everyone and stay at home and print or scan your negs😀
I also struggle with Ilford’s faint printing William but the Rollei backing paper is wonderfully marked so I can’t blame that here. I’ve never had this problem before and I think I know how I messed up the first and last scene so hopefully it won’t happen again.
Always enjoy the videos...are the images framed behind you at the end with a mat or did you print them that way. Would be curious to know if you do your own mat.
The ones on the shelves do have a Mat Randy. I have a cutter and plenty of board but haven’t made one for a few years.
I appreciate that you upload both success and failures in your videos - it's comforting for me who is new in the analog hobby and make plenty of mistankes. I only shoot 35mm, do you recommend the Minolta scanner you have in your office? I can get one for about 450 euros, but that's quite an investment in an old scanner...
It’s a very good scanner but it is a risk buying one. They can no longer be repaired so if it is fairly the money has gone forever. Another excellent scanner in the Nikon Coolscan V (or similar models in the range). Probably easier to get repaired.
I paid about £350 for the Minolta two years ago so €450 isn’t too bad providing it is in full working order
@@SteveONions Thanks for the reply!
Hi Steve I've just received my latest Ebay purchase, a zeiss nectar 517/2 f4.5 (6×9) with the lens hood a green filter also with cases for hood, filters and camera all for the hefty price of £31.00. It looks to be in mint condition and everything seems to work but I'll not know for sure until I get a film through it
I think you got a bargain there 👍
@@SteveONions I think I did especially when I saw a correctly described one with a asking price of £175! which might be a bit of an ambitious price but I think anything under £100 would be good. The filters on there own are 10 to 20 pounds so I'm well pleased on the condition as It looks as if it's only a couple of years old instead of a 70 year old not to mention the price.
I'm getting back into medium format film after 40 years away. Forgetting to focus, forgetting to set the aperture, and overwinding. Some films (Kodak and Ilford) are making the numbers on the backing paper so light I can't see them through the red window. Fortunately Fujifilm works fine. I have two 6x9 folders on the way - hung up in the mail somewhere.
I'm with you regarding backing paper Alfred, it's nigh on impossible to see the numbers through the ruby window and I've often lost a frame or two due to this.
Another brill video! What easel do you use to get those lovely even borders? Do you have a 4-blade?
Thanks Marc. I only use 2 blade easels but the RRB I have does include spacers for me adjust the border in 1/4 inch increments.
Vert nice image of the stone on the beach. I liked the pier shot as well. I didn't pick up on the Photoshop add. It is still odd to me how the film got off sequence. Had me wondering if something slipped on the film take up.
I think I’ll try a couple of different films through the camera just to be safe.
That's a beautiful 6x9 camera -- I have a few models of it's poor, distant cousins -- and the lenses are not all that great. Beautiful picture of the beach/surf/sky and that white stone, just perfect depth-of-field and softness in the motion of the surf!
Thanks Aengus, it was such a lovely day to be out I’m not too disappointed that I suffered ‘user issues’ with the camera 🙂
@@SteveONions -- Most definitely you had better weather on the beach than I have seen in your previous videos! I have found that the printing on the backing paper of much of the current Kodak 120 film is very faint -- there had been problems with the ink bleeding onto the film, so they reduced the amount if ink. But depending on how dark and aged the red window is on the camera, it can be pretty difficult to see the marks/numbers. More than once with various 120 cameras (box, folding) I have accidentally advanced right past the first frame! But a few frames are better than none!
I often lose the first frame too 😊
@@SteveONions -- I have had the chance to shoot/finish some rolls of *really* old 120/620/127 film in my old medium format cameras and the printing on the backing paper of those rolls was definitely darker/higher contrast than the modern offerings -- so maybe the ink is different now as well. And Kodak seems to have the lightest printing -- the Ilford 120 and Lomo 120 backing paper is more readable than the Kodak.
Amusing video, i really enjoyed that. I just bought a Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515/2 which uses the same 6×9 format. I was wondering if you could share the name of the app you mentioned in the biggining of the video, bacause as a novice, i would appreciate some advice before shooting.
Thank you and great job!
Glad you liked the video. The app is called the MkII Artsists Viewfinder.
Very inspiring video, should do more 6x9! You know the feeling that you want to love something/-one but it just doesn't happen? That's me and square format. I will shoot some 6x9 instead of 6x4.5 next weekend. Luckily we live in a more liberal county (Denmark).
I’m a bit of a 6x6 fan at heart and struggle more with the 6x9. Hopefully my daughter will be allowed back to Copenhagen soon to retrieve all her possessions that she had to abandon when the University closed in March 🙂
@@SteveONions Hmmh, that will take at least another month. Anything I can help with? Mail YT username at gmail.
Thank you very much for the kind offer 👍 🙂
Lovely! I have a 1920's Kodak No1 Autographic. I failed half of the first roll I put through it, I had the focusing wrong. Figured it out though. It's currently got a roll of Ilford Ortho 80 in it, think I have one shot left on it, so I'm thinking to try a star trails from the back garden next week. Just wondering, what app do you use to figure out focal length and framing?
Thanks Jeni. The app I use is called ‘The Artists Viewfinder Mk2’ and I use it for nearly all my previews now.
Another very interesting and motivating video! ! what a lot of things I could learn from you ! Could you give me the name of the app used on the iPhone to frame please ? Thank you.
Thanks Hervé, the application is called “Artists Viewfinder Mk2”
Watching this video, GREAT!!
I have a Super Ikonta 6x9 coming in.
Mai I ask what the crop was on your first pier shot?
What dimensions?
Thank you in advance!!
CC
It looks like I cropped the image 3:1 to give it a more panoramic feel. I always stick to standard aspect ratio's such as 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 3:1.
Great movie as always!. Steve - would you recommend any specific 8x10 camera to start with a large format photography?
Definitely get the Intrepid 8x10, lightweight and very easy to use. I’m sure there are others out there too but for the price it is a real bargain.
Thanks Steve, will look for it :)
The lack of integrated range finder fills me with horror. My very first camera (also East German made Briette vsn) didn't have it, so shooting with aperture fully open was almost a guaranteed failure regarding focussing, meaning achieving sharp, focussed portraits with shallow DOF with that camera was a matter of pure luck...
I’d struggle too Tomislav but I only use it for landscapes and stop it right down.
enjoyed the film i also have a Zeiss 533/16. 6x6 i have had similar issues with very close frame gaps not always the same, reading about the old film i believe was thicker compared to what we get today, i have read where some people wind some paper on at the same time as loading the film, haven't tried that .my camera you cant use a window it is automatic, meaning it stops at the next number
The auto spacing models are a lot rarer Clive. I have the same feature on my Konica Pearl and even after a service the spacing isn’t perfect.
@@SteveONions thanks for the reply, at least i have not had overlapping issues amazing how small they are and compact, glad you enjoy the Bronica, i have a ETR and a EC the EC has wonderful lenses all nikkor, the 75 is 2.8 which is fast for a 6x6 format, also built like a Dreadnought, and feeles heavier than my 500cm. and by the way your channel is first class good pacing and no needles hype
Weird I also happen to run across a bright rock just on the right spot in one of my later photos :)
Who would have though eh 😀
i think probably you can use the difference or what blending option in photoshop to save your image
No use for the darkroom though 😕
Thanks for the video! I have a Voightlander 6x9 similarly a pain in the neck to view thru. Could you tell me the name of the app you used as a viewfinder?
It’s called The Artists Viewfinder Mk2’ Jess.
I used my fathers Super Ikonta for years. But what happened is that the film advance degraded so I did not get positive stops at every frame. When I took it apart, turns out the winding shaft had worn where it entered the advance mechanism and was slipping. Tried filing it down but it wouldn't hold. So now its shelf-ware. Pity... was the perfect travel camera.
That’s a shame Gregory, they are wonderful cameras.
6x12 would be ideal i suspect 👍
If only they made a 6x12 folder 🤔
The good old days. Every shot costs money. Digital: take a hundred images and delete 97 of them afterwards.
But that landscape is so fantastic, I would probably take more than a hundred images :-)
Haha yes, but imagine all the developing afterwards 🙂
Great video Steve, quite refressing to show that mistakes can be made everyone wants to make themselves look perfect. I've just bought a Zeiss Ikon Nettar that's in excellent condition, and I'm a complete novice when it comes to film photography. I have a few questions if you could answer them It would be greatly appreciated, the first question is what do you gain by using red or yellow filters and in what circumstances would you use them? and secondly, if I wanted to use my Nettar for some fine art long-exposure images, where I would be using an ND filter to flatten out the sea is that possible with this camera using bulb, please?
Hi Andrew.
Filters for B&W photography affect the image depending on the colours within the scene. Basically the filter will pass light of its own colour and block the opposite colour (on the colour wheel). For example, a red filter blocks a lot of blue light so it darkens the sky. Yellow blocks less blue light than red while orange is somewhat in between. Green is useful for lightening foliage while blue lightens skies. It can take a while to get a hang of this but for most landscape images yellow is the best starting point.
You can do long exposures with your Nettar by using a cable release and setting the shutter to ‘B’. There’s no worry about draining batteries either as the camera is obviously entirely manual!
Hope that helps.
Thank you @@SteveONions I plan on using the Nettar for vintage style portrait shots quite a lot would colour filters benefit in any way, please? Regards Andy
I’d leave the filter off unless you find the results too soft, if that’s the case add a yellow. To make them very soft you could try blue.
Thanks for the videos, really interesting. I am currently having some fun with an ikonta. It seems you guess everything including framing the picture. One issue is the tripod mount which is very unstable as it is at one end of the camera.. I noticed you are using an L bracket. Could you advise on which one is best? Thanks, any help much appreciated.
Glad you're having fun with the old Ikonta Keith. For brackets I just use a generic eBay/Amazon one that seems to fit a whole range of cameras including my manual focus Nikons.
@@SteveONions Many thanks
Really enjoyed the video. I have a Zeiss Ikonta 6x9 folding camera from the 1930’s that my father bought in Germany after WW II. He gave it to me in 1970 when he taught me photography and I used it for many years. I have never been able to find a filter to place in front of the lens. It looks like you some how stuck one in front of the lens, but I could not understand how you accomplished that. Could you please explain? Thanks again.
Thanks Alan, glad you liked the video. The official filter size for my lens is 37mm push on but it varies a bit for other lenses. I just used blu-tac to keep it in place on the video.
@@SteveONions Thanks.
i have the Ercona II as well. The only thing you should really be aware of is to cock the shutter instantly after shooting.If you don't and press the shutter button on top you have to wind a little OR cock the shutter and release it directly at the lense, but the button on top if the camera is blocked unless you wind a little as i said. But this will cause overlapping easily
I’ve noticed that Peter, sometimes I’ve had to fire it by pushing the lever mechanism directly.
Hi Steve,
My question is about framing when shooting with the 6x9 to create a panaroma. Do you figure or want a 40mm image to appear with borders of 10mm above and below? or you use the Viewfinder app to previsualize what you want and adjust the camera accordingly? Thanks again for your help. It's too bad about the 'slippage' of the film advance. It was a 'semi-costly' lesson, but one you probably won't do again.
Take care - Andrew
I use the viewfinder app Andrew, it gives me a very close representation but I still allow some leeway top and bottom.
6x9 frames are tight to begin with. I wonder if the film is loose due to the friction holders losing "spring" - it might not have been noticable when the camera was made as films tended to be thicker? I have an Ikonta 6x9 but have yet to use it, but I do know when you pop that bellows open the vacuum effect really sucks at the film. With all my folders I tend to close and open it before winding on or at least gently open the bellows or just leave it open where possible.
I also though about the film tensioning Russell but I’ve never had a problem with it before. I’m pretty certain I was messing around doing B-roll and made some double exposures along with poor positioning of each frame 😕
Hi again, Steve. I own an Adox Golf 64, 6x6 format, and I always have to figure out wether I'm winding the correct amount of film after each shot, as the little red window in the back of the camera is almost opaque. Thus, I cannot see the numbers of the frames and in consequence, I often get partial double exposures or, in the oposite, a wide space of not exposed film. It's quite a mess!
I feel your pain Pedro, even 10 years ago I was better able to see the poor markings on the back of Ilford films - much prefer Kodaks clear numbering. I now like using folders with automatic wind on spacing like my Konica Pearl III and Voigtlander Perkeo II.
@@SteveONions In the past, the camera had a visual and mechanical aid to fix the exact winding between frames: a red dot was shown by the winding wheel when the film had been winded in the exact lenght. And, moreover this, the shutter wouldn't work until the red dot was visible. But this aid begun to fail a long time ago (I inherited the camera from my father) and it won't work anymore, as I didn't find anyone who is able fixing it. So, winding is now a task to be undertaken only under the "test and error" method. 🙂
Oh, and of course my own "oldness" affects my capacity to correctly view the numbers under the tiny, dark red window! :-D
can i just ask how to focus using this camera? rangefinder coupling?
Hi Zheng. It’s not coupled sadly, you have to estimate the distance or use an auxiliary rangefinder then set that manually on the front lens element.
Have you seen the chroma cameras? I tried 4x5 once before, a Wista 45, but it was too bulky and heavy for me. Chroma make a camera called the snapshot that I'm considering, providing Ilford suriving the lockdown!!
I’ve seen a little online but not in person.
What is the name of the iPhone app that you used to get the view of a 6X9 camera? That would be helpful for me when using my 6x9 folder.
It’s called Artists viewfinder Mk2. 🙂
Shooting at f/22 aperture would give you lens diffraction and loss of fine details. I have this camera, it really benefits to open to f/11 - f/8
I’ve found the tessar design to benefit from stopping well down to being the corners into decent sharpness. At f/11 - f/16 I like the look of the images.
Steve, did you process the film with Rodinal developer at concentration: 1+50?
I did Yury, it is very fine grained too.
Get a shade. It will improve contrast no matter what. And it will make flare none of a worry.
Tape over the window you are not using, to make sure to choose the right one every time.
I’ve been looking for a decent shade for a while - something I have for my other folders.
Steve O'Nions There is a good possibility that I have one somewhere. Do you want me to send it (free) if I find it at some point?
Very kind of you - thanks 😀
Steve O'Nions it’s 37mm push in (in the groove around the lens), right?
Helge Frisenette that’s the one Helge, it’s also possible for some push on filters to go on the outer edge of the lens but they aren’t as stable.
Steve is it possible to process the middle part of the tide marker image ?
It would be, yes, I considered it but though it didn’t work as well as a panoramic.