Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/09/19

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Subject: [Leica] Beginner B&W Question - Indoor Available Light
From: Alastair Firkin <firkin@netconnect.com.au>
Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2000 08:09:35 +1100

John,

As another "beginner" of similar pedigree (started at 13 and that was 31
years ago ;-) ) I would ask you to consider processing your own b/w,
digitizing the images (so we can all share them on the LUG) and screen
those you want to enlarge from that. Processing does not require great
space, it is easy, and can be done at the same time you are preparing
dinner. I use a large "dark-bag" to load the film, you put your arms into 2
holes and have a double layer zip up lightproof bag to work in. Once
loaded, in go the "magic" chemicals and out comes the film.

This will allow you to push and pull, and your negs will not go through
roller transport and get those tiny scuff marks which always appear in the
wrong places. Digitize the images (you will save the cost of the scanner by
doing the processing anyway) and put them in a little image programme like
iView multimedia, and it will print out a contact sheet with labels etc.
Then you can work on the images in the computer, and maybe have them
digitally printed -- everyone else but me seems to be doing that now.

Who knows, you might even be tempted (like me) back into the magic of the
darkroom, to watch those images appear in the dim red light ;-)

Cheers

Alastair Firkin

http://users.netconnect.com.au/~firkin/AGFhmpg.html