Low Winter Sun

Speed Graphic Grafex Optar 135 f4.7 FujiFilm FP-100c - The sky was an amazing blue this afternoon and I took the chance to break out the Speed Graphic and shoot some Fujifilm FP-100c.
Scanned with a HP Scanjet G4050 using HP's OEM software.

Instant Autumn

Speed Graphic Grafex Optar 135 f4.7 FujiFilm FP-100c - Autumn is my favorite season, the crisp cool air, the color and the world just seems to smell cleaner... Shooting up through the changing leaves of a mammoth Black Walnut Tree, a single cloud floating by in the clear blue sky. Perfect.
Scanned with a HP Scanjet G4050 using HP's OEM software.

Light, Shadow and Instant Film 2

Speed Graphic Graflex Optar 135 f4.7 FujiFilm FP-100c - I just liked the tones and contrast beneath my feet. The FP-100c did a great job rendering them. This film never ceases to amaze me, it captured the scene perfectly.
Scanned with a HP Scanjet G4050 using HP's OEM software.

Light, Shadow and Instant Film.

Speed Graphic Grafex Optar 135 f4.7 FujiFilm FP-100c - The mid-day sun pouring into my living room on a cool Autumn day. The Speed Graphic makes a great instant camera using the Polaroid 405 instant back. Framing can be challenging using the 4x5 format optical viewfinder of the Speed Graphic due to the 3x4 format of the pack film used in the 405 back. Someday I need to spend some time making a mask for the viewfinder more accurate.
Scanned using a HP Scanjet G4050 using HP's OEM scanning software.

Found on the Web: Travel Wide 4x5 Camera

I recently ran across this Kick Starter project for a point and shoot 4x5 camera. What an insanely great idea. Check it out on Kickstarter.

Shooting with the Travelwide from Ben Syverson on Vimeo.

Ben shooting with the Wanderlust Travelwide in Brazil

Household Object #1

Calumet Cambo View Camera Schneinder-Kreuznach Symmar 210mm f5.6 ISO 100 Arista.EDU Ultra 4x5 Sheet Film Adox Adonal 1:50 - Large Format Photography is about the process. The View Camera is still a very new tool in my camera toolbox. Right now it is about learning the mechanics and forming my work flow, then habituating both. They have to become second nature before they get out of my way and my focus becomes the image. This can be a long process, shoot, access, correct and repeat. Keep what works, rethink what does not. So many steps, some many opportunities for error, patience is not a virtue with large format photography, it is a requirement. Patience is the rule, do not rush, think, work through the process. Enjoy the journey.

Graflex Speed Graphic Image no. 1

Graflex Speed Graphic Graflex Optar 135mm f4.7 using a 6x6 120 Roll Back.  Kodak T-Max 400 D-76 Stock. Using the 120 back mean I am shooting through the best part of the glass and it shows. This lens is tack sharp, The Graflex Roll back requires you to remove the ground glass back to install it so it is important to get things nailed down.

Breaking Out the Big Gun

The Weapon of Choice today. My Graflex Speed Graphic with it's Graflex Optar 135mm f4.7 lens. Shooting with a Graflex 6x6 120 roll film back. Images to follow.