Porta 400 and the LensBaby

Some months ago—April, actually—before I went down the Raw Convertor rabbit hole, I burned a roll of Kodak Porta 400 testing out some of the toy/art/fun lenses in my stable.

I loaded the film first, likely in late March or so, but forgot what was in the camera when I decided to test these lenses… had I remembered, I probably would’ve run these tests with a somewhat cheaper film.* But since I didn’t know anything about the Porta, a week or two with three different lenses was as good a workout as any. Continue reading “Porta 400 and the LensBaby”

Compare/Contrast (2)

Well, it took me long enough.

And, interestingly, I got similar results this time too: heavy handed, overcooked, garish. It’s too easy to go too far on a tiny little screen, methinks. Continue reading “Compare/Contrast (2)”

First outing with the Graphic View 4×5

Several months ago, Alex (Dad) gave me his Graphic View 4×5. I’ve used it as a subject a couple of times, but it otherwise languished, wrapped in plastic, precariously balanced on top of the file cabinet since the day I brought it home.

Friday, Alex called to tell me that he found some film holders and film while cleaning up his garage or closet or something, and invited me to come visit him at work and pick them up.

So I did. Continue reading “First outing with the Graphic View 4×5”

Rollei Digibase CN-200 (4) – Random Thoughts

I’ll just put it right out there: I like the look I get from the Digibase. It’s not all brilliance, but it’s a good film, with good sharpness, contrast, color, and saturation. Plus, the polyester base means I can ‘scan’ it without needing color correction.

It’s a shame that it’s discontinued. Continue reading “Rollei Digibase CN-200 (4) – Random Thoughts”

Rollei Digibase CN-200 (3) – at Southfork Ranch

One thing I forgot to mention about the Vintage thing: it was held at Southfork Ranch, the setting for much of the Dallas TV show way back when.

Back in the 70s and 80s, Southfork Ranch was out in the middle of nowhere, and you could fly over miles of open countryside in a helicopter, as they did for parts of the intro, and you might’ve even seen a combine out there.

But Climate Change and suburban/exurban creep ended all that long ago, and even the flyovers for the early 2010s (and ongoing?) remake were shot somewhere else, somewhere far, far away: tract homes are easily visible from the balconies of the house in virtually every direction. Continue reading “Rollei Digibase CN-200 (3) – at Southfork Ranch”