This is looking like my only option so...

[mark]

Why fart around with the digital stuff at all? Get an older 7x17, 8x20 or 12x20 camera & shoot film. Or get a circuit camera.

In the long run it will be less expensive than the pixelography path.

You are right but it is the initial outlay of funds that is in my way. I figure I have everything necessary for the hybrid process except the scanner and I have access to a printer. I have to look at this situation in a realistic light. Is it more important for me to satisfy my artstic needs and provide a creative outlet to pour myself into, or is it more important to stick to my analog guns, stuffing my artistic needs into the background. Believe me it is a quandry.

I have made several digital negatives with Dan Burkholder's method and they were painless. In fact it was doing those that got me back into traditional BW. I was converting color files to monochrome and really liked what I came up with. The digital learning curve will not be steep. I said I did not like computers, not that I could not understand them.

[Aggie]

Mark, Jim Chin is about to launch his new ULF cameras. YOu can get one a lot less expensive. The 11x14 that comes with a roatating 8x10 back, and 2 film holders will be $2200 brand new, with his warrenties behind it. He can make any size back you might wish to use on it to go along with the camera. His film holders are a new design that opens up and then clamps down stretching the film to keep it nice and tight in the holder. No scratching of the film when loading it. Plus his holders are going to be about 1/3 to 1/4 of what holders out there today are. It might be good to check out his cameras. I'll have one at Zion IN Nov.

Also the 11x14 weighs in at 14 pounds.

[Markus Albertz]

Mark, Jim Chin is about to launch his new ULF cameras. YOu can get one a lot less expensive. The 11x14 that comes with a roatating 8x10 back, and 2 film holders will be $2200 brand new, with his warrenties behind it. He can make any size back you might wish to use on it to go along with the camera. His film holders are a new design that opens up and then clamps down stretching the film to keep it nice and tight in the holder. No scratching of the film when loading it. Plus his holders are going to be about 1/3 to 1/4 of what holders out there today are. It might be good to check out his cameras. I'll have one at Zion IN Nov.

Also the 11x14 weighs in at 14 pounds.

Hi Aggie,

I am also looking into stepping up from 8x10 to 11x14 and/or 12x20. I wish I could find out a bit more about Jim Chin and his new ULF cameras. Do you have an update or Jim's contact info?

Thanks, Markus

[Markus Albertz]

Hi Aggie,

I am also looking into stepping up from 8x10 to 11x14 and/or 12x20. I wish I could find out a bit more about Jim Chin and his new ULF cameras. Do you have an update or Jim's contact info?

Thanks, Markus

I just noticed the spelling mistake and found what I needed searching for Chinn, not Chin...

Best,

Markus

[jd callow]

Mark,

I would like to suggest a different scanner than the Epson that should suit your purposes, the Agfa DuoScan.

I've done side by side comparisons with the DuoScan and the Epson 2450 and 3200. The DuoScan ,IMO provides optically superior results with less noise and similar dynamic range as these two Epson scanners. The DuoScan provides 12 bit scans saves in a 16 bit word and the tonal gradation appears as good as the Epsons. For the magnification ranges you are seeking the DuoScan is the better value. You may wish to consider the Agfa 1200 or 2000 as they are quite similar.

The really nice thing that I favor about this scanner is it's ability to scan the entire negative area which includes negatives sizes up to and a little larger than 8x10 inches.

The Agfa scanners can usually be purchased used for less than $200. It does require a SCSI card but in my mind that is no big deal. And BTW the Epson 2450 is a really slow scanner.

My 2 cents,

Don Bryant

Glassless scanning like the agfa's and the microtek's are supperior at the same resolution then epson's 'expression' line. The expressions' are marketed a step above the perfections that you are looking at. Whether they are better or not I do not know -- it might only be more features, software and nicer packaging.

I have used the duo-scans, microtek 1800f and the epson expression 'pro'.

The agfa's and microtek's start out life more expensive (and the agfa's might not be made any more).

[Michael Slade]

I have been exploring nearly an identical path that you are.

I had spoken at length personally with Keith Canham, and basically had agreed to have him start building me a 12x20 camera. With holders, one lens, camera, tripod and film I figured it'd be well over $5000.

As I realized my financial situation wasn't as flush as I had originally thought, I had to reevaluate my commitment to the 12x20 camera. I came to the conclusion that I needed to concentrate on my next upgrade of camera for my commercial work.

I have purchased a Nikon D2x and plan to make 12x20 negatives from it.

I can use the D2x for my commercial work and have complete confidence in it, and I believe I can make 12x20 negatives with it without too much work.

No, it's not going to be the same as shooting with a 12x20, but it's going to be a lot less work, and I don't have to spend $5000 twice (once for the 12x20 and again for the D2x).

I also just bought the Precision Digital Negatives e-book, and let me tell you it's well worth the price. Even if you know how to make digital negatives, Mark's insight and Photoshop tips are definitely an added bonus that I didn't expect.

I'm saying this and I'm only 1/2 way through the book yet.

Good luck!