Photographic Arts by Dennis M. Bettin

Technical

Technical Information

The page contains the technical information regarding the cameras, film and developers I use. Someday I will complete it and include infomration on Web design, scanning film and my favorite wines. Someday, until then, enjoy.....

Photographic Technical Information
When it comes to photography, I am still learning to keep it simple, but it is easier said than done.

I work with a number of film formats: 35mm, 120/220 roll film and 4x5 sheet film. Most of my work is done in black and white using Kodak film, either: Plus-X or TRI-X and every now and then TMAX 100. The majority of my work is done in 220 roll format, I would say about 70 to 80 percent of what I shoot is in 220 roll film, then 35mm and finally 4x5. I like the 220 roll film format over 120 roll film format, because it gives me twice as many exposures per roll. And when working with models less film changing is better.

When working with infrared film I normally work with the Ilford SFX 200 and am very impressed with the results. The advantage of this film is it can be loaded in daylight and comes in 120-roll format (something that I wished Kodak would introduce). Kodak infrared film offers a total infrared look and the film comes in both 35mm and 4 x 5 (but not 120/220, hint, hint, again).

TMAX 100 is a second favorite of mine, however it is only made in 35mm, 120 and ready loads 4x5 sheets. I use the TMAX 100 as my view camera film, because it comes in "Ready Load" 4x5 sheets. The "Ready Load" sheets are simple to use, can be reloaded anywhere without worries of dust and it agrees with the principle of "just trying to keep it simple". I find making 11 x 14 or 16 x 20 prints with the 6 x 7 TMAX film a snap. The 4x5 sheet film can produce 16 x 20 inch prints or larger. My preferred general black and white film for my view camera is TMAX 100. Since its introduction I have used it almost exclusivity when shooting with the Wista 4x5.

I was an Ilford film user until Ilford stopped making 220 FP4 and 220 HP5. When they stopped I was forced to switch to Kodak and I was happy ever since. Don't get me wrong, I was happy using Ilford black and white films and would be using their film today, but they stopped producing 220 roll film and I was forced to switch. And when I made the switch I was very happy with the results and found more gray scale information and less "chalkiness".

I use very little color film. I was a Kodachrome junkie, but Kodak no longer makes the film in a 120 format. When it comes to color positive film, I switch between the Kodak Ekachrome and Fuji slide film. I have not come up with a standard color slide film that meets all three format needs.

Developer
My developer of choice is Agfa Rodinal; I use the developer for almost all my film developing. I have even developed my TMAX in this developer. When developing 4x5 films I will use Kodak D-76 due to the large quantity needed to develop the film.

Cameras
The cameras I use are: Nikon 35mm, Hasselblad XPAN, Pentax 6 x 7, Mamiya 7II, Fuji 6x17 and my Wista 4 x 5. The camera used on an assignment will depend on the type of shooting, subject and time allowed. I prefer using the larger negative cameras when possible, but the majority of images are now being produced with my 120/220 roll film formats. The Mamiya 7II camera and the Fuji 6x17 camera are my first choice cameras, due to speed of use and negative size. With the 6x7 negative, I can easily make 11x14 or 16x20 inch prints.

The Mamiya 7II has replaced the Pentax 6x7 camera. I find the Mamiya 7II a breeze to use and I could use the camera hand held, but most of the time I use a monopod or a tripod. With the Pentax 6x7 I found that I needed to lock up the mirror before taking the picture, with the range finder Mamiya 7II, there is no mirror to worry about. The only thing I miss with the Mamiya 7II is a fish-eye lens, which the Pentax 6x7 supplies.

I now use the Nikon 35mm cameras for mostly infrared film and some color side work/shooting. The 35mm cameras have been replaced by the Mamiya 7II and Pentax 6 x 7 cameras. When time allows and quality demands it, I will use my favorite camera, the Wista 4 x 5. My Wista 4x5 allow me full control and the negative quality is outstanding. But the Wista 4x5 takes time and when hiking I need a mule to carry it.

Panoramic
But then came the Panoramic format and I was hooked. I was attending a show of fine art prints and fell in love with the format. When I first "rented" the Fuji 6x17 and several lens from Calumet photo, I found the new format challenging to use. I was surprised how much work was needed to "seeing with this format". It is almost like two formats in one, where you first see a part of the image (the main attraction) and then there is the rest of the format. I like the format for encompassing massive landscapes or introducing a nude in an environment. I like the idea of the removable view finder which I can use to compose a picture. I generally carry it most pocket and as I hike use it to compose pictures, faster and simple to use.

Seeing in that panoramic format takes time, causing my eye to scan the whole image format, starting from one side to the next. It takes more time to compose a picture, than the normal rectangular format of my other cameras. But I the final result can be more stunning and pictatorially more interesting than the other formats. I am using the format in my landscape photo series and with the "Nude and Landscape series". I just completed a photo assignment with several great models in the Yosemite area, where at times the format worked and times where it does not.

I have three panoramic cameras, my Mamiya 7II with a special roll holder, the Hasselblad XPAN and the Fuji 6x17 camera. I first tried using the Mamiya 7II and found it a little challenging to use. The Hasselblad XPAN and the Fuji 6x17 cameras are what I use today. Again the 35mm Hasselblad XPAN and the Fuji 6x17 work well together. They can be back-packed, setup fast, used on a monopod (tripod for outstanding results) and each camera has several interchangeable lenses.

The Fuji 6x17 gives me a negative that allow me to create a normal size print of 12 x 34 inches. If I want I can easily go to 24 x 68 inches (great for the wall that needs a little something).

Most images on this web site were captured with a Mamiya 7II or the Pentax 6x7. The panoramic images are created from the Hasselblad XPAN, or the Fuji 6x17. A few are from the Mamiya 7II. But the Fuji 6x17 is now my favorite and preferred panoramic camera.

Why not a digital camera?
I have too much invested in film cameras at this time. The Hasselblad H1D interests me along with the Kodak 14N. At this time I am staying with the film cameras to do my Black and White work. When it comes to doing color work I am starting to question why I am not using a digital camera.

I Scan
Up until a couple of years ago, I spend all my time in the darkroom printing. However I became overwhelmed by the number of negatives I had to print and the amount of time need to print them along with the issue of reprints and making consistent prints.

Along came the EPSON 2200 printer and Photoshop. I had a number of issues, questions, terminology, and how to questions, which were all answered by West Coast Imaging. I had been using Photoshop for a number of years, but never could put it all together. I found a three day Black and White workshop offered by West Coast Imaging, which very successfully taught me a "complete process" to making an exhibition black and white photo from my film negatives. The workshop terminated the hours I spend in the darkroom printing. I am making more prints using this process and better prints than I ever did in the darkroom. Only problem is what to do with all the unused darkroom equipment and photo paper?

I scan, Photoshop and print on my Epson 2200 or 4000 printer. For prints large than 16x20, I FTP the final photo image to West Coast Imaging, where they print it and mail it back to me. Life is getting simpler….