It's that time of year again... ...new camera fever.
Yes, I've got the itch that needs scratching--the itch which no amount of
Photoshop's "Healing Brush" can do anything about.
I've got the hankering to finally get into pinhole photography and I've
spent far too much time hanging out on the "Zero Image" website as well as
f295. As usual, I'm thinking in terms of "how can I make a dime while
playing", so the decision of what to get is somewhat altered by the profit
motive. Sorry, Moose, but that's my life and the only way I can get stuff
without massively gutting out my kit on eboy. Yet, I am looking to have
tons of fun with it too.
Here are my options:
1. Get an OM-body Pinhole Cap. These are dirt-cheep--I can get one
delivered for under $50. But I'm not all that excited about 35mm pinhole
photography because the images are just too soft for my blood. Also, I'm
looking for WIDE angle pinhole photography. However, I'm fully equipped for
scanning 35mm and film and development options are much wider.
2. Get a 6x6 pinhole camera from Zero Image. I like square and the image
quality is very decent. There are Zone-Plate options for the Zero Image
cameras too, if I'm so inclined (and I probably will be). The big advantage
to 6x6 is that my good enlarger is ideally setup for 35mm or 6x6.
Unfortunately, the 6x6 Zero Image doesn't quite go wide enough for what I'm
wanting to do, but the deluxe version is only $172.
3. Get the Zero 612B which will do multi-format on the roll film which will
give me extremely wide angles and still has the advantage of roll-film film
and development options. Unfortunately, my primary enlarger isn't setup for
it and I can't scan larger than 35mm. The dumbed down 612B is only $198.
4. Get the Zero 4x5 Multi-Format System. The full-tilt, fully-loaded system
is only $230 and gives me focal lengths of 25, 50 and 75mm in 4x5 format!!!
Now THAT would satisfy my wide-angle needs. The disadvantages are less film
and development options, can't scan and then just plain size (which is still
quite small). But the image-quality is amazing!
When I sold the Crown Graphic, I did keep all of my film holders for some
unknown reason. I think I'm partial to the idea of getting the 4x5 system
because this gives me one-off shooting options. I can just expose a couple
sheets of film, develop and go on with life. It also gives me the option of
playing around with photographic paper instead and digitizing the resulting
image with the digital camera, reversing and adjusting in the computer. From
a professional application perspective, I've got the hankering to use it for
an event photography where I can create a special one-off image specifically
intended as the cover photo for the publication.
I guess, what I'm asking is this:
1. Am I nuts for being bored with my photography and wanting to really shake
things up a bit?
2. Can I satisfactorily achieve at least a modicum of my desires with just a
pinhole cap for the OM system?
3. 6x6, 612B or 4x5?
4. How can I sell the idea to SWMBO that I need this handbuilt wood box with
pretty brass fittings?
5. This really is a disease, isn't it?
AG
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