Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #58: The Noblex (Go Wide or Go Home!)

If you have been listening to the Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast for the last year or so, then you know Shutter Brother Wayne Setser as a large format photographer who makes beautiful images with his Wisner 4x5 Technical Field Camera. However, until very recently, I did not know that there was a camera that

Wayne has desired to own and use for more than thirty years, the Noblex 6/150F panoramic camera. Wayne finally has acquitted one of these unique cameras, and I got a good look at how it works. It makes its panoramic images on 120 film with its motorized revolving lens, recording six 5x150cm frames on a single roll. The negatives Wayne showed me are stunningly sharp and beautiful, and I couldn't wait to see his first print from them. Then today he sent me a photo of his first print, and I was blown away. He has something that I could easily see matted, framed, and hanging on a wall. I think Wayne is really excited about using this camera, and we are going to see some great panoramic prints emerging from his home darkroom. Congratulations Wayne!

Not to be left out, I too am excited about a new camera, although mine hasn't arrived yet. I have ordered my very own large format camera, the Intrepid 4x5 Mk 5. It will arrive in about a week, and I can't wait to get started with it. As you know, Wayne has generously loaned me his Crown Graphic to begin my large format journey with, and I really enjoyed using it. But know I will have my very own LF camera to use and learn with. I will share more about it soon.

35mm point and shoot cameras are all the rage at the present, and prices have really gone up on certain models. But in my humble opinion, the Minolta AF2 is one of the best ever made. I recently used mine to make snapshots at my wife's nephew's wedding, and the camera was a lot of fun to use. I got good results from it as well. Why would a camera that generally has a low price tag and less features than other "popular" point and shoot cameras be a better choice? Listen to the show to find out.

Here are my two favorite reviews of the Minolta AF 2.

https://casualphotophile.com/2020/09/07/minolta-hi-matic-af2-review/

https://casualphotophile.com/2020/09/07/minolta-hi-matic-af2-review/

Inspired by Wayne, I have been mixing my own developers recently, but I have not been getting the results I expected. My negatives developed with homemade D-23 mostly came out over developed, while my negatives developed in homemade D-76H (an environmentally friendly version of D-76 that has no hydroquinone) were consistently underdeveloped. While I cannot identify the exact cause of these problems, I did remember that I also began using water from my Brita water pitcher to mix my chemistry around the same time I began to experience the problems noted above. Could it be that not using distilled water was causing my developing "losing streak?" 

Finally, Wayne are I are giving away some things that we don't need. Could our "junk" be your "treasure?" It might be if you would like to own an Argus C3 or a Shutter Hut Tent! If you want to have a chance at winning, you must send an email to us at unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com.

You can find us on Facebook and Instagram, and feel free to leave your feedback there. Until next time . . .

Happy Shooting!