Quote: Don Yee (Facebook Friend)

 

It is Just, Figuring Stuff Out

AMBROTOS KANATA, my cross Canada wet plate project, is a lot of this.

Video: 24x24 Silver Tank

Here is the 24x24 Silver Tank I will use in my trailer. When the lid is attached it is leak proof. I should be able to travel with the silver still in the tank. Item will be shipping in from the Ukraine soon.

Video: Trailer Silver Tank Stand

The plan is to mount this stand to the floor of the trailer, allowing for 24x24 inch Ambrotype plates to be made.

Quote: Edwin Land (Mr.Polaroid)

 

Time For Important Work!!

It is time to do important work in the AMBROTOS KANATA project. Enough of this learning shit, let's make some lasting strong ambrotypes!

I will shoot my 11x14 camera exclusively this 2024 shooting season. No 4x5, no 8x10, onwards and upwards!

11x14 Camera Lens?

 Lots of lens for the new used 11x14. So far found these that work. They seem to have converge.

12-inch projection lens
360mm Nikkor W
350mm F5 Gundlach Petzval Lens
240mm El Nikkor Enlarger Lens
and of course, the 450mm Nikkor, 600mm Fujinon and 600 Nikkor process Lens.

The INDUSTAR-51 (I-51) 210mm f4.5 might be fun to play with it as well. Doubtful it will have coverage, but it can create an interesting wide-angle effect at close range (extended bellows) focus.

Portrait Inspiration!

Saved this image in my wet plate notebook as inspiration for my own ambrotype portrait work. Will try it soon at 14x14 inches. Thanks Kurt

Note* Thinking of multiple possible lens for this type feeling image.  I have lots of options. Will find what works!

14x14 format, 360mm Nikkor W, 350mm F5 Gundlach Petzval, 240mm enlarger, and 12 inch Projection.

24x24 format, 655mm Voigtlander F6, F11.5, 600mm Fujinon, 600mm Nikkor F9 and 18 inch Projection.

Photo by Kurt Moser

Gave a Fun PowerPoint Talk!!

 

Adaptor Board Fun!!

Figured out a double adapter lens board set up today. This idea uses things I already own without the cost of an additional lens board. So, follow along!

I mounted my 360mm Nikkor lens onto a Linhof Copal 3 lens board. Then placed the Linhof board into a Linhof to Sinar adaptor. Then placed everything into a Sinar to Deardorf adapter board.

I then mounted the whole contraption onto the camera.

So, we have a Nikkor lens mounted to a Linhof board, mounted to a Linhof/Sinar adapter board, mounted to a Sinar/Deardorff adapter board, mounted to the Chamonix 11x14 camera.

It should work! Or I could just buy a Deardorff copal 3 board for $50-$100 USD!

Note* I have 2 types of Linhof to Sinar adapter boards, 1 plastic, 1 metal. Using the plastic board here.

Bought an Extension Board

 

Gosh, spent a bunch of money again. $340 USD (including shipping) for a simple little item, an extension board for the 11x14 Chamonix camera. The board allows you to focus much closer, allows for longer bellows extension. 

The thought is too use this item on the 11x14 with the 14x14 wet plate back to do close head shots. I can also use it to do details of items in nature etc. Lots of money! For such a simple thing. If I had the skills I could have probably made one. The Chamonix version is a carbon fibre material I believe.

Note* I can probably use this item with the 16x20 and 24x24 cameras as well but with a much shortened extension. Still it is a bit of multitask device.

Second Wash Table Setup

I have been thinking of the best way to attach my hosing for the circulation-agitation pumps in my wash tables. One of the problems I have been having while washing plates is the hose getting away on me and scratching the surface of the ultra sensitive collodion emulsions. So you work all day trying to get a good plate and then during the wash process the wash hose moves and creates ugly damage on the plate. THAT HAS TO STOP!!

I was thinking of using a couple of these type double clamps on the table. The idea would be that both the water in and water out hoses would be held firmly in place with the clamps, preventing unintentional hose movement and damage.

The double clamp is mostly plastic but has some metal parts. I worry that with time they will become rusty. Each clamp cost $33, I would require 4 for the 2 tables (white and black wash tables).

Note* I like the black table color better, especially for clear glass ambrotypes. It should allow me to see the image while washing. This white table was $50 CAD cheaper ($130 versus $180 CAD), so I decided to save some money on the second table.

Lens Board Problem Solved

One good thing about having a ton of photo gear is that you can usually solve problems. I was worried about lens boards for the new/used 11x14 Chamonix and thought I might need to buy some. Expensive items! 

Today after work I tried attaching my Deardorff to Sinar adapter board to the camera and it worked! Now I can simply use my existing sinar lens-board lens (450mm, 600mm, 12inch projector lens) on the camera.  Easy speazy!!

My 11x14 Chamonix, Safely in Edmonton!

My 11x14 Chamonix is unpacked. Everything in good shape!! Can't wait to start shooting this beautiful tool. It will be my main camera for the 2024 Ambrotype season, replacing the 8x10 Deardorff. Thank you, Shin!

The package includes an 11x14 camera, 2 wet plate backs (11x14 and 14x14), 50 sheets of 11x14 aluminum for tintypes and a nice heavy duty camera bag I can use for many years.

Everything in almost new condition. I do not think the 14x14 back was ever used.

11x14!

 

Link: Fixing an Ambrotype Plate YouTube Video

 Made a new YouTube video of the fixing of an Ambrotype plate. Will use a portion of this vid in my coming (February 7) PowerPoint talk at the St. Albert Camera club.

Fixing an 8x8 Ambrotype Plate

Link: Jackson Pollock?

 Pollock Painting

Redo Darkroom Trailer Design?

I have been thinking lately of how I can redo the darkroom trailer layout to accommodate the 24x24 silver tank and stand I am having built in the Ukraine. 

The tank is acrylic with a wooden support base that I need to mount on the floor. If I place it at the back of the trailer, the wooden support and tank will block access to the rear doors, not a good thing. I am thinking of removing the metal shelf and the plastic drawers on the left side of the trailer (if you're looking to the back of the trailer) and placing the new silver tank along the left side of the trailer. I would need to screw the wooden box tank holder into the floor, so I need to figure out a permanent design. I will probably need to lose the metal shelf and also some of the plastic cupboards to make it work.

I think this idea might be functional. It would allow plates up to 24x24 to be made more easily and also allow me to seal the silver nitrate solution in the watertight tank and drive away from a shooting location more quickly. We will find out how it works in April when I start trailer the transformation.

Note* I asked the builder Alexander to add an additional cross support piece to the Silver Nitrate tank box.