I've got one of these cameras that I've had for almost twenty years, as well as an example of the Zeiss-Ikon version. One of mine has the movement controls and a drop bed (which can be used to give a front tilt to shift the focal plane to, for instance, keep all of a field of flowers in focus, from foreground to mountains); the other doesn't; one has the 13.5 cm f/4.5 Tessar lens on a bayonet mount, the other has a 15 cm f/4.5 Tessar lens on a somewhat larger bayonet mount (so the two lenses don't interchange). I've also got a spare shutter for the 13.5 cm lens's mount, in which I've mounted a pinhole. Along with the two cameras, I have a dozen plate holders, all with film sheaths, and I recently learned how to disassemble the plate holders for cleaning and velvet replacement -- so I might well do that and be able to actually use these cameras (at least five of the plate holders leak light at the dark slide slot). Film sheaths for these are pretty hard to find, but if you have some, you can still buy 9x12 cm film from Fotoimpex in Europe, or B&H and Freestyle in America.
These are fun cameras to use. I have an ICA Ideal 111, the baby brother to your camera. I shoot with a film back which allows me to use 120. The Ideal 111 is in a 6.8x9cm format so 120 aligns well with the framing. Like your vid. Going to check out more.
The Ideal 111 is perfect with one of the 120 film back adapters. I've been looking for one of those for my Ideal 225. I'm glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching!
@@haydenobryanphotography It is fun. Many years ago I had a 225. Many years ago I had a darkroom. LOL I had a lot of fun with that 225, adapting 4x5 to the plate holders. If you have a darkroom, you can make a jig that would allow you to cut modern film to size. Be sure to include a backing when loading film, as it is not as thick as a glass plate.
@@haydenobryanphotography I mis-spoke. I was cutting 4x5 down to size, to fit the 9x12 plate holders. I made a jig that would allow me to use an 8x10 printing matte as a holder and trim the sheet film with a razor blade. All very dangerous by standards today, I'm sure. Processing the sheets was a hand dip process. Though for my 111 I have a tank and holders for the 7x9 plates. I've not used them.
I have 3 of these cameras and all work well, I have a paper cutter that I cut Kodak film down to the size. I'm also lucky to live in the USA Cali where it's easy for me to buy the film for these cameras too. I have two 9x12 and one 6x9. Thanks for posting.
Your video gives me inspiration to try using one of my old 4x5 dry plate cameras. Maybe somehow placing modern 4x5 film over very clean 4x5 glass plates? Looking forward to more of your videos! Phillip
I'm glad you found some inspiration from the video! Placing sheet film over a plate should work. It's easy enough to test it out and try! Thanks for watching!
Thanks Sam! It's an amazing experience shooting dry plates for first time. I'll have a go at making my own emulsions at some point in the future. Haha, not the best place to film with the running water. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Hi Hayden, beautiful camera. I have a Zeiss Ikon Maximar 207-7 that looks like your ICA Ideal and many others from the same era. You mention that you can load film on the plate holder. Would you show us how you do that? I have only two film holders and 6 plate holders but would very much like to use the plate holders for film also. Thank you mate. Cheers
That's a great camera! Yes you can use film in the plate holders, but you will need film sheathes to do so. These are inserts that set the film at the correct distance when inside the plate holder. These can be a little tricky to come by, but there is a company in Poland that are making these in a variety of plate sizes and they post worldwide. They can be found here: www.alternativephotographicsupplies.com/Photographic-accessories-for-LF-photography-c48 I'd be happy to do a video on how these work and load into the plate holder. Just let me know if that's something you're interested in.
@@haydenobryanphotographyHi, I've got the inserts. they are perfect and new. I have now 10 - 9x12 sheet film holders. I also have the 120 film back with masks for 6x4.5, 6x6 and 6x9 for my Zeiss Ikon Maximar 207/7. Thank you mate, cheers.
Some lovely results there! Well done. Did you adjust the exposure and development because of the age of the plates? They came out really really well for plate so long expired!
Thanks Nick! Judging from the age of them, I decided to rate them at 5 ISO. I then did a test with a one plate and used dark slide in the holder to create strips on the plate that are exposed at different times. (Similar to what you'd do when making a print in the darkroom). I then developed the plate in Rodinal 1:50 for 12 minutes. I could then use the test plate to see what the best exposure was for the rest of the plates in the box.
Wow, amazing results using 50-60 year old plates… great job!
Makes me want to get out my Ica Ideal, and have a go…. Thanks, nice video!
I've got one of these cameras that I've had for almost twenty years, as well as an example of the Zeiss-Ikon version. One of mine has the movement controls and a drop bed (which can be used to give a front tilt to shift the focal plane to, for instance, keep all of a field of flowers in focus, from foreground to mountains); the other doesn't; one has the 13.5 cm f/4.5 Tessar lens on a bayonet mount, the other has a 15 cm f/4.5 Tessar lens on a somewhat larger bayonet mount (so the two lenses don't interchange). I've also got a spare shutter for the 13.5 cm lens's mount, in which I've mounted a pinhole.
Along with the two cameras, I have a dozen plate holders, all with film sheaths, and I recently learned how to disassemble the plate holders for cleaning and velvet replacement -- so I might well do that and be able to actually use these cameras (at least five of the plate holders leak light at the dark slide slot). Film sheaths for these are pretty hard to find, but if you have some, you can still buy 9x12 cm film from Fotoimpex in Europe, or B&H and Freestyle in America.
These cameras are fun to use and the images produced are outstanding.
They are indeed! Fantastic image quality. Thanks for watching!
These are fun cameras to use. I have an ICA Ideal 111, the baby brother to your camera. I shoot with a film back which allows me to use 120. The Ideal 111 is in a 6.8x9cm format so 120 aligns well with the framing. Like your vid. Going to check out more.
The Ideal 111 is perfect with one of the 120 film back adapters. I've been looking for one of those for my Ideal 225. I'm glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching!
@@haydenobryanphotography It is fun. Many years ago I had a 225. Many years ago I had a darkroom. LOL I had a lot of fun with that 225, adapting 4x5 to the plate holders. If you have a darkroom, you can make a jig that would allow you to cut modern film to size. Be sure to include a backing when loading film, as it is not as thick as a glass plate.
@@avnostlga I miss my darkroom! That's pretty cool! I'd be interested to know how you went about converting it to 4x5.
@@haydenobryanphotography I mis-spoke. I was cutting 4x5 down to size, to fit the 9x12 plate holders. I made a jig that would allow me to use an 8x10 printing matte as a holder and trim the sheet film with a razor blade. All very dangerous by standards today, I'm sure. Processing the sheets was a hand dip process. Though for my 111 I have a tank and holders for the 7x9 plates. I've not used them.
@@avnostlga I'm planning on making a jig so I can cut down 4x5 for my ideal 225. Plenty of film stocks to choose from!
A beautiful camera and the detail in the plates is very impressive
Thanks Kevin! I've got some more content coming with this camera soon! Glad you enjoyed the video.
I have 3 of these cameras and all work well, I have a paper cutter that I cut Kodak film down to the size. I'm also lucky to live in the USA Cali where it's easy for me to buy the film for these cameras too. I have two 9x12 and one 6x9. Thanks for posting.
They're nice cameras! Thanks for watching!
Kudos to you for even attempting this genre of photography. Unbelievably impressive images and excellent video. Atb.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video!
Great camera I've been using one off and on for a few years now.
It's one of my new favourites. Thanks for watching!
Very enjoyable. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Terry! Gad you enjoyed it.
Your video gives me inspiration to try using one of my old 4x5 dry plate cameras. Maybe somehow placing modern 4x5 film over very clean 4x5 glass plates?
Looking forward to more of your videos!
Phillip
I'm glad you found some inspiration from the video! Placing sheet film over a plate should work. It's easy enough to test it out and try! Thanks for watching!
yes that works fine.
Really lovely video and it’s scratched an itch for me to have a go with dry plates. (The background water sound made me want to go for a wee 😆)
Thanks Sam! It's an amazing experience shooting dry plates for first time. I'll have a go at making my own emulsions at some point in the future. Haha, not the best place to film with the running water. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Hi Hayden, beautiful camera. I have a Zeiss Ikon Maximar 207-7 that looks like your ICA Ideal and many others from the same era. You mention that you can load film on the plate holder. Would you show us how you do that?
I have only two film holders and 6 plate holders but would very much like to use the plate holders for film also. Thank you mate. Cheers
That's a great camera! Yes you can use film in the plate holders, but you will need film sheathes to do so. These are inserts that set the film at the correct distance when inside the plate holder. These can be a little tricky to come by, but there is a company in Poland that are making these in a variety of plate sizes and they post worldwide. They can be found here:
www.alternativephotographicsupplies.com/Photographic-accessories-for-LF-photography-c48
I'd be happy to do a video on how these work and load into the plate holder. Just let me know if that's something you're interested in.
@@haydenobryanphotography Please do so.
@@haydenobryanphotographyI just order the inserts.Thank you.
@@rolandofuret2658 no worries at all. Glad I could help. Let me know what they're like! I need to order some in the future so I'm keen to know.
@@haydenobryanphotographyHi, I've got the inserts. they are perfect and new. I have now 10 - 9x12 sheet film holders. I also have the 120 film back with masks for 6x4.5, 6x6 and 6x9 for my Zeiss Ikon Maximar 207/7. Thank you mate, cheers.
Some lovely results there! Well done. Did you adjust the exposure and development because of the age of the plates? They came out really really well for plate so long expired!
Thanks Nick!
Judging from the age of them, I decided to rate them at 5 ISO. I then did a test with a one plate and used dark slide in the holder to create strips on the plate that are exposed at different times. (Similar to what you'd do when making a print in the darkroom).
I then developed the plate in Rodinal 1:50 for 12 minutes. I could then use the test plate to see what the best exposure was for the rest of the plates in the box.
here he is.
Here he is indeed.
I just bought one of these cameras, can you tell me which dry plate holder you have?
awesome
Thanks for watching!
Nice video, love your accent also
Thank you very much. Thanks for watching!
Who rebuilt you're West light meter?
I'm pretty certain this one hasn't been serviced at any stage of its life. It's all original as far as I can tell.