I just bought my first Speed Graphic. It's been 20 years since I did anything besides a Canon AE-1 and asking "When can I pick up the prints?"

Anyone in the Washington DC area who is interested in these things?

Dave Hennessey (Bethesda, MD)
dave@toyhouse.org

Talk to rsdean [see the Forum "Large Format Photography" further down on the list, and look for "Gathering".

I don't know, though. He imagines everyone is staring at him. I don't know know how he acts, or what he looks like, so, for the first meeting, I would be sure and only meet him in a public place.

That's always a good rule when making net contacts for the first time. (-: But I am north of Baltimore a good bit. Something like Annapolis would be somewhat central--and there's probably stuff there to photograph.

I had the Speed Graphic out today to try a couple of inclement weather pictures, but there wasn't anyone around to stare at me. (-: (Shooting from the porch, out of the path of most of the snow...)

Rob Dean

Folks,

I just picked up my Speed yesterday (Merry Christmas to me!), so inclement weather or not, I was bound and determined to take some pictures today.

First attempt at operating the Polaroid 545 back resulted in Oops - oh, so that's how this thing works ($3). Next attempt produced a lovely picture of the back of my house - ($3), but it proved that this contraption actually works!

Loading the "22" in a bag wasn't too bad. Focus, speed, aperture, cock, shoot. No problem! Oops - you gotta advance the film after each shot. No problem. Oops, you gotta pull the dark slide after attaching the back... I'll bet I will get 2 pics out of this roll (like $5 each).

However expensive today was, it was well worth it - when I took the picture of the kid driving his (Christmas present) scooter through the snowy street, he stared at me like I had two heads!

This could be habit-forming...

Merry Christmas to all,
Dave

See? It's not just me.

A 22? That would probably attract a certain amount of attention as well. Last Saturday we had a beautiful sunny afternoon so I took Dad's Rolleiflex TLR out for a walk in town. Port Deposit, where I live, is apparently thought to be picturesque, as any good days when I take a camera out I meet other photography teams. Last Saturday I only met one, but he did a double take and stopped to ask about the camera when he saw what I was using. That'll be my only chance with that one, though--I undertook the repair operation but Dad wants the Rollei back when I see him this week. (On the other hand, I get to take away the old 4x5 enlarger, so I'll finally be in business on printing these Graphic shots I've been taking the last four months.)

Rob Dean

Dave: I live in N.W. DC, next to the Maryland line, and should be quite near you unless you are in "North" Bethesda. I would be glad to spend time with another Graflex user. I will send you an email with my contact info.

There's a new guy in Silver Spring as well:

Sean, of "kelseanzac".

Well, it sounds like with that sized group together, NOBODY would dare look at you funny (strength in numbers)!

Hey, I'm the new guy. And I would be happy, and greatful, to get together with some other Graflex folks in the area.
I took the first chromes that I shot down to Starlab in Bethesda. I took about 20-25 minutes from where I live.
I have been processing the b&w myself and making contact prints in a sauna in the basement that I have set up as a temporary darkroom.
Let me know and I will send my contact information to you in a private message.
Thanks.

Sean
Silver Spring, MD