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Chroma has launched their new 679 modular medium format camera

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You might remember Chroma from a couple of years ago when they launched the Chroma 4×5 large format camera through Kickstarter. It’s since grown into a family that includes a 4×5 handheld camera and now the new 679 modular medium format camera. It’s designed to allow photographers to shoot medium format film using a camera tailored to their own needs.

Although it’s a completely new design, the Chroma 679 inherits a number of features from its large-format siblings, including a removable lens board and a pinhole lens board. The main body of the camera is 3D printed, available in any depth you wish to account for flange distance and it’s available with four different film back mounting options.

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Why I used one camera, one lens, one film for five months

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Photography is close to impossible to do without a camera, so why do so many of us both love and hate the equipment side of things? For me the hate comes down to distraction – and a little bit of the love as well.

I currently have a paired back collection of cameras and lenses – but anytime I dual-wield, or really carry anything other than one camera with one lens, distraction creeps in.

I start to question what I am going to use for the shot, rather than adapting to the situation. I’ll frame with a 50mm, then maybe try a 35mm, maybe even regret not having a 90mm – by the time I have done that, I’ve missed the shot. 

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Johnny Depp plays photographer W. Eugene Smith in “Minamata”

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If you’re into photojournalism, movies, and are a fan of Johnny Depp, a real treat is coming to movies soon. Johnny Depp plays photographer William Eugene Smith in Andrew Levitas movie Minamata. It’s due to premiere in February 2021, and after watching the trailer – I must admit that I’m really looking forward to it.

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This “flying train” film footage shows a fascinating look into 1902 Germany with incredible detail

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In Wuppertal, Germany in 1902 the “flying train” was about to open. Of course, the train didn’t really fly, it is suspended from above. construction of the Wuppertaler Schwebebahn began in 1898 but it didn’t begin to open until in 1901. It’s actually still in operation today, despite having shut down briefly after damage during World War II.

This video was shot during 1902 and shows an incredibly high level of detail and quality, even by relatively recent standards. According to the Museum of Modern Art, the film was shot on Biograph 68mm film stock, which offers up a huge frame for capturing a lot of detail.

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This short film hilariously parodies that first 8×10 large format experience

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At some point or another, many photographers will get the idea into their heads that maybe, one day, they’d like to have a go at shooting large format film. For those who shoot digital, it’s often a far-fetched fantasy. But for those already working with 35mm and medium format film, the idea isn’t quite so crazy.

In this hilarious short film, Jason Kummerfeldt from grainydays beautifully expresses that first 8×10 large format film experience and he does it in the entirely pretentious way that most of us hear from some large format film shooters. And it’s absolutely brilliant.

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Intrepid cuts straight down the middle with their new lightweight 5×7 large format camera

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Large format cameras typically come in two sizes these days. They’re either 8×10″ or the more common 4×5″. But there is a size in between, and that’s 5×7″, and now the British large format camera manufacturer, Intrepid has added one to their line up.

About the new Intrepid 5×7, they say it offers all of the features you’d expect from a traditional 5×7″ camera, but at a fraction of the cost and weight, coming in at a mere 1.4kg. It uses many of the same parts that Intrepid uses in their 4×5 and 8×10 models, including fully independent front standard movements and linear focus.

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Follow this tutorial to take color photos on black and white film

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The three-color process is around a century and a half old method of getting a color photo from three black and white images. But even though it’s far from being new, it’s always fun to experiment with it! In this video, Jacob Carlson teaches you how to do it with black and white film photos. He’ll share some useful tips, what to do and what not to do. And to bring this retro technique together with modern ones – he’ll also show you how to stitch the photos together in Photoshop.

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Ilford stays operational during coronavirus pandemic and encourages you to “stockpile rolls”

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While many companies have closed their doors during the coronavirus pandemic, Ilford has decided to keep providing you with film. In a recent statement, the company has announced that its factory is staying operational. But there’s more: it seems that they couldn’t resist mocking panic-buyers of toilet paper. Among other things, the statement encourages you to stockpile rolls, but “those that go into a camera.”

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How we built Bertha – A large format camera that will shoot 1.1×1.1 metre slides

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It’s called Bertha, it’s a gigantic camera built out of a desire to find out what photography can reveal beyond certain limits.

From the first moment I started experimenting I sensed that there are still many ways to go, past and present can merge, just as old and new technologies, historical knowledge can find new contemporary interpretations.

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