Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2011/07/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hello LUG, I just joined this group and thought I ought to introduce myself. I see a few familiar names -- like Bob and Tina. I'm a B&W landscape printer and now M9 shooter. As Tina has noted, when I started the Golden Trout Photo Workshop (http://goldentroutworkshops.org/ and http://www.paulroark.com/GTthumbnails.html) she was the only Leica shooter. Now it seems we're becoming an unofficial Leica users workshop -- which is fine with me. My serious B&W started with medium format film (Rollei SL66 & TLR, various Fuji's, and most recently the Bronica RF 645 with Technical Pan film). As a backpacker, light weight became more important as the years rolled on. But, being able to make sharp 22x28 inch prints is also a top priority. I'm happy to report that the M9 does an excellent job of delivering that performance with the least weight (well, at least with my usually slower lenses). My usual forum has been the Yahoo B&W Print forum -- http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/messages -- but they get a bit testy with OT messages, and the B&W printing field is becoming more mature. The OEMs have taken the bulk of it, and 100% carbon inks have secured the top end for those who value the most stable/lightfast images. So, volume on the B&W Print forum is way down. For me, the digital workflows, particularly those that affect the M9, are becoming much more interesting, and where I see most of the action being for now. For example, I find myself increasingly using a dual-focus shooting procedure. See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/Dual-Focus-Focus-Stacking.pdf I tend to post information relating to my various photo projects on http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/ . These are often notes to myself as well as things that I think might be of interest to others. My latest inkset post, about setting up the Epson WorkForce 30 with a custom B&W inkset based on the Noritsu-Epson (Claria) "dry lab" inks -- http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/WF30-BW-Dye.pdf -- is actually for my daughter who'll be using that combo at school. The WorkForce printers are very fast, and the dyes are clog free (and make great high gloss cards and brochures). Enough about me. I look forward to seeing your posts and pictures -- which so far have been impressive. Paul www.PaulRoark.com