First negative.

[David Webb]

I’ve just exposed and then tray processed my first proper 5×7 large format film negative. I must admit that I found it strange working in complete darkness, and got a bit disorientated even though I’d had a couple of dry runs: just couldn’t find things.
For a first attempt I’m reasonably pleased, but I still need practice in using front tilt to get more in focus as the tree is slightly blurred. It appears to be quite contrasty, but a slight software adjustment shows plenty of available detail in most of the scanned image.
I'm not sure what the slightly dark vertical bar is on the bottom right side edge, so I’ll have to see if it appears on my next attempt or if it’s just a shadow in the scene. The dark bar on the wall at the right of the door is a shadow from a lamp to the right of the scene.
I’m still new to large format, so any criticism, good or bad is welcome.
Next step is to see what it contact prints like, as my enlarger won’t hold this size negative.



Toyo 6½x4¾ field camera with 5×7 back.
Fujinon 210mm lens f20 for 1/8 second.
Film was Fomapan 400 rated at 250 asa.
Developed in Ilfotec LC29 1+29 for 9 minutes.

 

[Diz]

Well done David. The first can be a little daunting. Especially tray developing.
Cheers
Diz

 

[Graham Patterson]

I doubt that tilt will help much. A touch of swing might help to get the back parallel to the wall, otherwise it is a depth of field job. Tilt usually works best for sharpness where the vertical height of an element is small compared to the distance - think gravel foreground, then boulders, then trees, then mountains.

It looks about right for the conditions. And for a first attempt at tray processing it is very good. I would have scratched it!

 

[David Webb]

Thanks for the comments, they're much appreciated. I think plenty of practice with the different camera movements is in order.

 

[David M]

Graham is right about using front swing rather than tilt. If your camera has rear swing, you could use that instead and the size of the trees on the negative would increase, thus increasing the sense of depth. You would move the side of the ground glass with the trees away from the lens.
I've found two things useful when working in total darkness. I have small luminous patches on important switches and a few other things. They are about a centimetre square and re-charge themselves when the light is switched on. I'm not sure where I got them. In front of me I have a fairly large timer with (rather dim) luminous hands. Nothing is really close to the trays and they have no fogging effect at all after more than twice the time the fastest film I use would be exposed to them (from initial water-soak to out-of-fix). In this way, your mind is able to retain a sense of where the room is, in relation to yourself.
The second thing is that just before switching off the lights, I close my eyes and put my hands lightly on everything I shall use. This is also a useful way to make sure that everything that I shall need is actually there. When unloading film, I check that there's a proper space to put the empty holders too. (Same when loading.) Then I open my eyes again.
I said two useful things, so this is 2A. Don't shut your eyes in the dark. You will feel much better orientated. It's surprisingly easy to mistake the darkness under your eyelids for the darkness of the room. How did I discover this? You may well ask. Only once...
Soon, you'll be able to handle two, then four sheets at one time and then six. If you can do more than six you're a better man than I am. I've tried up to ten, but it was a nerve-jangling scramble.
You've made a much better start than most of us, I think.
Oh, and here's 2B, possibly the most important of all. Go the to the loo first. Nobody can work with crossed legs. Dry your hands carefully before you handle film.

 

[David Webb]

Thanks for the tips David M I'll bare them in mind next time, especially 2B - something I've already experienced .

 

[Isabel]

Great first try! I was too chicken to try tray development so I went with tanks but with the trays you get a lot more control.