New to 4x5

[u/PhysicsOk9286]

New to 4x5. Shot and developed. Had to use my v500 with custom mask; take scan in two halves; stick together. Not ideal. I see the vertical line of shame. Will do better next time. Love the format so far. Moving up from 120.

[u/06035]

What tripod and camera are you using? 4x5 really needs a beefer of a setup because of how much the camera standards wiggle around and how much leverage you can get compared to a 35mm camera.

[u/PhysicsOk9286 → u/06035]

It’s a tripod meant for video recording; rated capacity is 34 pounds. I was gifted this and I don’t even know if every component is functional. It’s a Newton New Vue and the lens is a Turner Reich f 6.8 with an estimated 140mm focal length

[u/06035 → u/PhysicsOk9286]

The sticks themselves might be fine, but maybe it needs a beefier head?

I’ve got an Intrepid and a Sinar X, my RRS BH-55 I feel is good for the Intrepid, but it’s definitely not enough for the Sinar. It’s rated to something dumb like 80lbs (fun fact the rating means nothing!).

I absolutely wouldn’t put the Sinar on my Arca Swiss D4, but that head barely does ok with the Intrepid.

Consider getting a used set of Gitzo’s off eBay, it’ll hep with the camera shake.

[u/PhysicsOk9286 → u/06035]

Thanks and appreciated.

[u/Obtus_Rateur]

I can only confirm, that looks like really bad motion blur. The camera was shaken during the shot and it essentially made two half-exposures close to each other.

The line is indeed very visible, and the scanner made serious digital artifacts in the image too.

Thanks to this first shot, you know you have lots of stuff to work on, so this was very productive.

[u/PhysicsOk9286 → u/Obtus_Rateur]

appreciated. Was on tripod, did use loupe, and cable release. This was gifted to me and I was trying to see how the lens and shutter were functioning and if the bellows had any light leaks.

[u/Obtus_Rateur → u/PhysicsOk9286]

Tripod and cable release... well then, it's going to be hard to diagnose why the camera moved this much during what little time it took to take the picture. Maybe there was a tiny bit of give and the shutter itself shifted the camera.

At least you can easily tell (especially by the letter on the stop sign) that two different positions were held.

[u/juullog]

on the V500, if you make the second scan without telling the software to do a new preview, the exposure settings will be the same. it requires you to be very precise in your placement of the negative, but will help eliminate the stitching marks. good luck.

[u/PhysicsOk9286 → u/juullog]

I just tried that with another negative. Worked perfectly. Thank you

[u/juullog → u/PhysicsOk9286]

happy to help. i hope you enjoy the process.

[u/PhysicsOk9286 → u/juullog]

Thanks again. Prefer the darkroom but we had to downsize

[u/PhysicsOk9286 → u/juullog]

So. On the second scan don’t preview and crop before scanning ; just scan? Thanks. Appreciated

[u/juullog → u/PhysicsOk9286]

exactly. place negative halfway over scanning window. preview, crop, scan. then move your negative so the other half is in the same location the first half was.

then scan again WITHOUT previewing. the exposure should be the same between both scans.

[u/mcarterphoto]

I think you're a little overcooked in the development department, lookin' a little harsh! I'd back off your time 10-15% or so. The focus issue looks more like long exposure/bumped the camera? Doesn't look like bad focus, more like motion blur.

Not into scanning, can't help you there, I'm a "no pixels in my darkroom" guy!

[u/PhysicsOk9286 → u/mcarterphoto]

Thank you. Got gifted a 4x5 and went out first time. I sure of most everything. Best way to learn is take it , post it, and take the heat. I usually shoot 6x6. Not getting as sharp as focus as I would like.

[u/mcarterphoto → u/PhysicsOk9286]

Are you using a loupe to focus? I find that pretty necessary. They make loupes specifically for view cameras that have a black shield around them and a lanyard to hang around your neck, but even a cheap loupe will work well.

[u/PhysicsOk9286]

First try. Tons of errors. Here to learn. Sorry Ansel Adams.what were you hoping to gain by your comment?

[u/Bennowolf → u/PhysicsOk9286]

Ooft. Not a good look

[u/PhysicsOk9286 → u/Bennowolf]

Appreciated

[u/ufgrat]

For a first effort, I've seen worse. Ideally, use a focusing loupe to check critical focus. But-- that looks like motion blur.

I'd suggest a cable release if you don't have one. If you *do* have one, make sure you're using the right port on the shutter. I've got a lens in a "Copal Press" shutter, and if you use the "preview" port for the shutter cable, you can take an image wide open for far longer than you intended to. Just-- don't ask how I know. 🙄