Okay, I'm in a strange mood and starting to tell a story... You've been warned!

I haven't had the time to use my 8x10 as much as I'd like. only got a half dozen shots though it, mostly testing things. Then I went through the 'doldrums' and finally got the camera out for a photo, film and a lens test.

I took the photo with the 'good' film and then again with film I wanted to test. All went as planned. Methodically. Not forgetting anything. Carefully covering the entire camera with the dark cloth to guarantee no light leaks. Paying strict attention to dark slides. Double checking focus and lens settings. carefully holding the shutter release and waiting for the camera to stop shaking. It was an ideal one holder, two film shoot and I was happy.

Then I took the lens off and mounted the new lens for it's test. I had looked through this lens and knew it was a bit on the dark side. An f/8 wide angle. So I didn't expect to see a bright image. I didn't change anything about the camera so I could compare the shot with the previous ones. Okay, lens mounted, shutter opened, under the dark cloth. Don't see a thing... Wait a second for my eyes to adjust. After all, the sun is shining outside the cloth. Still can't see anything. Try the loupe, no better, just closer to the dark!
Did I open the shutter? Go around and check. Yep shutter is open. Check the arperture. Yep open all the way. Okay, back under the dark cloth. Still black as night....
Wait, did I take the rear lens cap off? Out I go. Off with the lens. No lens caps. Yep, I can see straight through the lens to the other side... I'm confused. Put the lens back on, back under the dark cloth.
Stil black as night. Now I'm worried. What did I break? Check again with the loupe. Wait, I can almost make out a pattern. Almost as if I was looking at something, but it's very, very dark.... Now I'm very worried.
Out from under the cloth and mind made up to take apart the camera because I must have broken something. I'm more worried. So I take the dark cloth off the camera to start the disassembly. Then take out the film holder, then.......

I just looked very, verrry dumb. Grinned and went on to take my test shot


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"Ya just can't have too many GVIIs"
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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RichS on 2003-10-01 21:38 ]</font>

Don't worry...you got it out of it's box that's the main thing and was going to use it!
...what do they say,if you don't succeed try again..you have!

Happy Shooting...

Rich
Depending upon your age, you might consider not telling this story to your family. They may start looking for a new home for you.
Harry

Quote:

On 2003-10-02 09:10, worldphoto wrote: Rich Depending upon your age, you might consider not telling this story to your family. They may start looking for a new home for you. Harry

On the contrary, if it weren't for stories like this, life would be very boring. And we have a lot of stories like this and most of them not associated with photography!

Maybe it's just my family?

Better that you discovered the film holder was preventing GG focusing than do what I have done...shoot the pictures without pulling the dark slide which I have done more than once...especially when using a roll film holder when your main thoughts are on advancing the film after each shot.

Sorta like crankin' your old pickup with the key not on. Remember when the starter was not on the keyswitch? Fred.

Quote:

On 2003-10-02 17:07, clnfrd wrote: Better that you discovered the film holder was preventing GG focusing than do what I have done...shoot the pictures without pulling the dark slide which I have done more than once...especially when using a roll film holder when your main thoughts are on advancing the film after each shot. Sorta like crankin' your old pickup with the key not on. Remember when the starter was not on the keyswitch? Fred.

I've done that a few times myself, but luckily realized it as soon as I tripped the shutter. Roll holders would be a worse problem. I would be the one to not replace the dark slide after taking the shot!
I don't like to use the Grafmatics for that reason. Too easy to get the sequence wrong. Plain old film holders are a lot less thought.
Although now, I may just paint something in bright white on all of my darkslides!

And, I'm not quite old enough to have owned those cars with separate starter buttons, but I've seen many and worked on quite a few. Including a mint 1943 Dodge that had only 50 miles on it. That starter switch was under the gas pedal. You started the engine by pushing the gas pedal to the floorboard!

Oh, the memories. Isn't it amazing that we manage to get some shots right, despite the myriad of things we can do wrong? To heck with those "auto-everything wimps" who have it so easy. They just aren't experiencing the essence - the ups and downs - the adventure of photography that we are. The fun of that first moment when you peek to see if it really "came out". THAT's the feeling we're looking for!