The Large Format Photography Podcast podcast

#63 The Return Of The Prodigal Gearhead

16/01/2023

The Large Format Photography Podcast

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#63 Return of The Prodigal Gearhead

We have been waiting for the return of our beloved Simon to the podcast for some time now, so a threesome to kick off the new year of 2023 was a perfect opportunity for us all to have a catch-up and hopefully make Simon realise he misses this whole podcast thing and there’s more to life than the 3d printing of camera accessaries.

As things turned out we didn’t get to cover everything we had planned, even Erik only managed a couple of swear words such was the focus on what Simon has been up to.

Anyway, that’s good as it means we will almost certainly have a follow up……

Things we chatted about on the show:

Our conversation was a tad shorter than usual due to Erik not being able to get out of bed, however, it was enough time for Simon to bear his soul and admit he doesn’t really know anything about photography.

OK, a bit harsh but once you’ve listened you will see what I mean.

His lovely MPP MicroPress, partnered with a Bronica S mount (6x6 medium format camera) Nikon (Nick-on) 25cm f/4 lens and the wonderful edge “otherworldliness” was the focus of a lot of chatter as he has now had it serviced (the MPP) by George Walsh – George’s social media details are here, should you have a similar request.

https://www.facebook.com/george.walsh.35513

www.instagram.com/gwalshphotography/

Earlier in 2022 Simon shared some photos from a LF trip he had in Snowdonia, a bit of a turning point for him really as the blank images he returned with made him realise he had to make things a bit simpler and not try too many new things at once.

In fact it was a photowalk with Simon’s friend, Christopher McKie, during a photo walk with Simon around the Queen Street Mill in Burnley with just one camera that Simon realised 1) HP5 is actually a pretty good emulsion and doesn’t have to be grainy and 2) It makes nice prints in HC110 dilution B.

So you have a combination that you like why change and indeed why not focus on that combo in LF?

More chatter followed………

Erik briefly told us about the million lens elements friend of the show Jason Lane sent him.

Jason is the man behind J Lane dry plates and is also an optical engineer. He is currently looking to restart coating more dry plates as life has gotten in the way.

https://www.pictoriographica.com/store/c5/www.pictoriographica.com/store/c5/All_Production_Dry_Plates.html

Steve Lloyd invariably gets a mention on pretty much every show (don’t think we have seen that endorsement fee yet Steve). This time when Simon mentioned Dave Whenham and his lovely night time images made with Steve’s snapshot camera.

Dave in Elland (@elland_in) / Twitter

Dave Whenham (@dave_in_elland) • Instagram photos and videos

(18) Dave Elland | Facebook

Erik also mentioned the new Jason Lane designed single element lens Steve has recently launched for thread mount Leica things.

Chroma Camera Ltd

All in all a fun chat.

LFPP links -

https://largeformatphotographypodcast.podbean.com/

ko-fi.com/largeformatphotographypodcast

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/2296599290564807/

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