Rangefinder Magazine
Departments, August 2001

Problems and Solutions

Please accompany your questions with a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish an immediate reply. Alternatively, you can e-mail me at: bhurter@rfpublishing.com.

From: Rick Waddell
rwadd@cyberhotline.com
I receive Rangefinder every month and I believe it was the December 2000 issue that had an article about an inkjet printer kit, which had large bottles of ink which sit on the side of the printer. These bottles have feed lines to the ink cartridges. I have misplaced or lost my issue and would kindly appreciate any assistance . Thanks

I have enclosed a text version of the article, “The Waterless Darkroom, Still Under Construction,” by Arnold Gassan, Ph.D. You’re right, it was in the December 2000 issue of Rangefinder. If you would like a copy of the article, e-mail me your street address and I’ll have one sent to you.

“P&S” readers are constantly looking for a good source of photo restoration services. A buddy of mine sent me a release on APR (American Photo Restorations), which has been a leader in a leader in this field since 1977. The company has an excellent reputation and strong relationships with professional photographers across the nation. The prices aren’t bad either. For more information visit: www.AmerPhotoRestoration.com.

From: Bob R.
BRuthrauff@aol.com
(866-FOTOGUY (368-6489)
Ocean City, Md.
A friend and retired professional photographer is having trouble finding two items of film developing equipment. They are:
(1) A Nikor stainless steel 35mm film reel for a semi-automatic loader (the arms are broken on the one he has).
(2) A printing screen for 6x6 (21ž4 x 21ž4), that produces a textured effect such as brush strokes, etching, etc.
If you know of a source where he can purchase either item, please let me or him know. If you need clarification you can e-mail him at rcredgreen@aol.com. Thanks in advance.

For your second question regarding texture screens, contact Stephen Gilette, a well known expert on texture screens, and the technical director of Texturefects, the company that sells texture screens made from the original Mortensen masters. There are a dozen different screens available. You can contact him at Texturefects, 2041 Swanson Ave, Main Floor, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403; (928) 453-2400. You can also visit the company’s web site: www.texturefects.com.

Regarding your first question about the Nikor reel, I suggest you contact http://www.shutterbug.net/classifieds and either search the classifieds or advertise your need there. Nikor reels are still around, although I haven’s seen one in a while. In doing a search on the Internet, I found old friend, John Craig of Torrington, CT, has some Nikor items for sale. He can be reached at: www.craigcamera.com, or: john@craigcamera.com.

Jim Reed Photography
Tucson, AZ
alt. email: jamesmreed@earthlink.net
At the last WPPI show, Mr. David Williams talked about how he had a Nikon converted to square format. I want to do the same with an 8008s and contacted Dave to see if he could recommend anyone in the States. He didn’t know of anyone but suggested I contact you. If you know of someone who has done this or would be capable of doing this, I would appreciate it if you would let me know. I enjoy the Rangefinder and look forward to all the helpful articles and ads every month. Take care and thanks for your help.

I have two good sources for camera modifications of the type and complexity you are referring to. Contact either: Professional Camera Repair, 37 W. 47th St., New York, NY 10036; (212) 382-0550. or Lens & Repro Equipment Corp., 33 W. 17th St., New York, NY 10011; (212) 675-1900.

From Photography by Bob
Woodbridge, CT
I need a new supplier of photo stamps. My previous supplier has gone out of business. Any help would be appreciated.

PhotoStamps, from Special Delivery Gifts, offers postage-size, self-adhesive photo stamps. You can contact the company at (800) 225-1545, or www.photostamps.com.

From: J.J. Allen
jjaflair@worldnet.att.net
I was skimming through the current issue and saw an answer to a question about processing Verichrome Pan. I just rediscovered the film. It processes well in Kodak’s newer developer, Xtol, too.

Incidentally, I seriously doubt if this film is made for the average consumer. If it were it would be available in 35mm and not just 120 only. I was surprised to find it is still around. Apparently there are some pros who prefer it for portraiture. I just recently shot some and it works great. I don’t know enough about it, but my guess is that the spectral sensitivity is different from Plus X and T-Max 100. Maybe VP is closer to the earlier pan films.

I recently ran across this reference in Steve Anchell’s Film Developing Cookbook and I thought you might find it interesting. Here are his comments.

“For landscapes, still lifes and portraits, we strongly recommend Kodak Verichrome Pan. Its beautiful, long-scale gradation is in the tradition of the old thick emulsion films. Once popular, this double coated film is now hard to find in the U.S., though it is readily available in some other parts of the world, particularly South America. Nonetheless, many professional U.S. dealers carry it, though it is only available in medium format. It easily pushes to El 200, making it useful for some street photography. Kodak Plus-X, a film with the same speed as Verichrome, is available in a wide variety of sizes, but is inferior to Verichrome. Plus-X is grainier, less sharp, and has more constricted gradation than Verichrome. We would like to see Kodak make Verichrome in sheet film sizes.”

From: Stefan Herzog
Trust Video
trustvid@ecinet2000.com
Recently I have been seeing the term “gelatin silver print.” Would you please tell me what it is, and explain the process?

I think the term began coming into vogue as inkjet and other digitally output prints gain prominence in fine art circles. A silver gelatin print is a conventional photographic print made in the darkroom with conventional photographic materials, including photographic paper, which, coincidentally, uses a silver emulsion suspended in gelatin.