The darkroom is, I believe, the ultimate escape — if you are a photographer, that is. Whether you call it a she-shed, a man cave, darkroom or by another name, once the door is firmly shut and sealed, it’s just you and your art. It gives you focus — pun intended. Just remember, no touchscreens […]
Category: Gear Reviews
Read all gear reviews on EMULSIVE covering bags, lenses and accessories. If it’s not film, or film cameras, you’ll find it here.
Posted inGear Reviews
Gear review: The Alvandi 6×12 film back, a different perspective
6×12 isn’t exactly a format you come across very often; it’s wide, but not so wide you’d call it panoramic, to put it into perspective, an Xpan has an aspect ratio of 2.4:1, 6×12 is 2:1. Still, to me, 6×12 is the perfect aspect ratio for landscapes. Producing 6 shots from a roll of 120 […]
Posted inLens Reviews
The Lomography Atoll 17mm f/2.8 M-mount lens: Get close to your subject. No, closer. No, really, get a bit closer…
This is just a bit of fun with my Leica M6 and the new Leica M-mount Lomography Atoll 17mm f/2.8 wide angle lens. This isn’t really a review, it’s certainly not too technical, and I’m not going to talk about edge sharpness at f/4 or the lens’ micro-contrast: It’s one user’s experiences with & opinions […]
Posted inArticles
Reviewing the original daylight film processing tank: the Agfa Rondinax 35U
I’ve been developing my own film now for over ten years, using Paterson system tanks and reels. The process of finishing a roll, getting out the dark bag and getting the film onto the Paterson spool has become almost second nature and, when all goes well, almost meditative. A few moments of calm. Does it […]
Posted inGuides & How-Tos
Everything you wanted to know about auto (thyristor) flash photography …but were afraid to ask
I am familiar with flash photography. Much of what I shoot digitally, either in the studio or in the real world, is done with flash. On camera, off-camera, one flash, 6 strobes, no problem. I am, however, no hero. Shooting flash with digital is simple. I am good at simple things. I would even go […]
Posted inFeatured projects
Disassembling the only 35mm Graflex Film Holder Ever Made
Disassembling the only 35mm film holder made for Graflex Cameras isn’t something you get to do every day. Some sixty years ago, a photographer had a distinct need to shoot 35mm on a 2×3″ format Graflex SLR and they were not going to wait for the market to catch up. What they created is most […]
Posted inScanners
The CAMERADACTYL Mongoose: A modern full-roll 35mm film scanner
A few months ago I was catching up with CAMERADACTYL’s Ethan Moses when we got to talking about projects that would have the most impact on the film photography community. I happened to mention my pet peeve: the lack of a modern equivalent to the Kodak Pakon, an automated full-roll film scanner. Fast forward to […]
Posted inLens Reviews
Shooting São Paulo with the Nikon 500mm f/8 Reflex-NIKKOR: the Pandemic from my Window
During this worldwide quarantine, as everyone was generally confined to their homes, I too was stuck inside but still had the desire to get out and shoot. When that wasn’t a possibility, I started to shoot from the inside looking out. I started documenting the city around me using a mirror reflex lens. You may […]
Posted inGear Reviews
The Cocotte Fred: One bag to rule them all
I’ve been remiss in writing on this blog, and for that I apologize. I return to form in a new year with a review to share. I’ve been searching for years for the right bag. Not just a camera bag, because those are thick on the ground. I use a camera bag differently than some, […]
Posted inLens Reviews
Rolleinar: it’s German for Sorcery
Lots of chatter about Rolleinars lately, I’ve only had mine since October ’15. A Rolleinar is a set of close-up lenses that fit on the front of your Rolleiflex. This shortens the working distance to your subject at the cost of minimal distortion and arguable loss of quality. The magnifier goes down below on the taking […]
Posted inLens Reviews
Mini-review: Making portraits with the Lensbaby Composer on film
A few years ago, when I was first getting into serious photography and before I started exploring analog, I purchased a Lensbaby Composer lens for my Canon DSLR. For those who haven’t heard of the Lensbaby, it’s a (rather expensive for what it is) selective focus manual lens. Basically, you decide which part of the […]
Posted inBag Reviews
Long-term bag review: The Billingham Hadley Pro 2020, six months and counting…
First impression count but a longer term opinion is often more important when making an investment. These are my thoughts 6 months in…
Posted inBag Reviews
Billingham AVEA 7 和 AVEA 8 侧口袋好用吗?
我使用 AVEA 7 和 AVEA 8 已经年，它们一直挂在我 Billingham 包两侧。对于 大部分人来说，AVEA 系列侧袋是一种固定在 Billingham Hadley、S、f/stop 等 系列相机包上的侧包。
Posted inBag Reviews
Field testing the Billingham AVEA 7 and AVEA 8 end pockets
I’ve been hanging these off my Billinghams for years. For the uninitiated, Billingham’s AVEA end pockets are small add-on packs which clip onto either…
Posted inFeatured, Lens Reviews, Reviews
The Unique Nikon Nikkor-Q 25CM f/4 for Bronica S2/S2A
Most people will never see, hold, or use the Bronica S2A’s Nikon Nikkor-Q 25CM f/4 lens. In fact, Tony Hilton’s authoritative Bronica S2A book “Bronica: The Early History and Definitive Collector’s Guide” lists only five known copies.
Posted inArticles
Color drama: Negative Lab Pro v2… Finding the right workflow for scanning color film at home
What if you had a scanning solution for color negative and black and white film that enabled you to scan and convert a whole roll of 35mm film in less than 15 minutes and all that in next to
Posted inArticles, Darkroom, Darkroom Equipment, Developing Film, Gear Reviews, Reviews
Review: Comparing FF No.1 and Cinestill Df96 monobath developers
Monobath film developers feel like the in thing for 2018.
Posted inGear Reviews, Lens Reviews, Reviews
Lens review: Pentax prime comparison – five lenses head to head from 40mm to 55mm
If I am not shooting a Half Frame Camera, there is an overwhelming probability that I am shooting a Pentax instead.
Posted inGear Reviews, Lens Reviews, Reviews
Lens review: Schneider Xenotar 150mm f/2.8 + Linhof Technikardan (plus video)
In 2006 or so a good friend of mine sold off his 150mm f/2.8 Schneider Xenotar large format lens.
Posted inBag Reviews
Bag review: the new Billingham Hadley Small Pro part one
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that for me, the new Billingham Hadley Small Pro is pretty much the perfect daily use camera bag. Believe me, I’m as surprised as you.
