Writing, Photography, and the life lessons I learned from Street Academy
Yes, I picked up some new attachments for my Pentacon Six TL medium format camera. And it goes right on top. This complicated gizmo is actually a through-the-lens (TTL) metering prism, which will allow me to get accurate light readings and adjust my camera settings accordingly. I have to adjust the dials on the top…
Read MoreI’ve been pleasantly surprised with the photos coming from my new-to-me Pentacon Six TL medium format camera. The images are sharp, the chassis is strong, and I’m feeling more comfortable using this bad boy. So now I need to invest in some additional lenses. Because, honestly, the 80mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar kit lens…
Read MoreIn an effort to make my Pentacon Six TL camera more functional and versatile, I wanted to test its ability to handle fast sports action. And right now, the best case for “fast sports action” for me is a visit to the Saratoga Harness race track. I packed a roll of expired Kodak Portra 800…
Read MoreLast week, I blogged about purchasing a new digital scanner for my film negatives. I had hoped that this new scanner – which involves capturing the photos on a miniature backlit light table with my cell phone, then using various software platforms to convert the negative into a positive – would improve my photography productivity…
Read MorePoint of clarification. I shoot with both digital and film gear. And when I shoot film, I usually give my pro labs the direction to scan the developed negatives and give me digital copies of those scans. On other instances, I’ll take the negatives and scan them in my flatbed scanner. Which … unfortunately ……
Read MoreIt’s the early morning hours of March 14, 2025. And if I’m going to pull this off, I must prepare like crazy. Clear, cloudless night. Or as cloudless as I can achieve. Equipment at the ready. I’ve got a pack of Kodak Tri-X 400 black and white film packed into my Pentacon Six TL camera,…
Read More
After I had it tuned and cleaned and buffed and waxed by my camera tech Allan at CameraWorks in Waterford, my new-to-me Pentacon Six TL – which at this moment does NOT have a nickname – is ready for its first roll of post-tune-up film. And for this test run, I’ve packed a spool of…
Read MoreI need a second tripod for an upcoming photo shoot. The plan is to use my main Vanguard Tracker 4 tripod for my “A” camera, and a second Vanguard Tracker 4 tripod for my secondary camera, and let both cameras operate independently during the photo shoot. Now here’s the thing. Vanguard discontinued the Tracker model…
Read MoreThere’s a big snowstorm on its way. My home area is looking at anywhere from three to six inches of snow. Which means that when I walk outside, my neighborhood will look like an igloo dealership. In situations like this, I could either do like everybody else – get the shovel, try to find the…
Read MoreWell, this was fun. I basically Frankenstein’ed a new-to-me Pentacon Six TL medium format camera by grabbing parts from various eBay auctions, along with reusing the lens from my previous did-not-like-to-work-on-any-day-ending-in-a-Y Pentacon Six. The chassis for the Six TL came from Ontario; the new waist-level prism was from Washington State, and the 80mm f/2.8 Carl…
Read More
Chuck The Writer 
You must be logged in to post a comment.