Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #92: Enter the Hasselblad

by Kevin Lane

Have you ever owned so many records that you no longer remember what you actually have? I have. Several times I've come very close to purchasing am LP that I already own, only to have my wife thankfully save me from such embarrassment. Although I've never come close to purchasing a camera I already own, I have at times owned so many cameras (too many, in fact) that I forgot that I once owned one or two.

I can think of one such camera that hadn't entered my mind at all until quite recently, and although I purchased the camera, I did not own it. The camera is a Hasselblad 500 C/M that I purchased for my older daughter, Megan, to have and use for photography classes at the art college she attended. She made fine use of the camera and made a series of family photographs that got her noticed, and she even sold a print or two. I have since made a photobook of those photographs that lives on the shelf in our living room. 

However Megan's journey as an artist took her to media other than photography, and she asked me to look after the camera. Shortly after that, I loaned it to a close friend, Mark Gilliland, who happens to me a gifted professional photographer and a true artist, and he kept it for several years but used it little. Recently, I began to think about that camera, and this is likely because of my growing interest in the work of Robert Adams, who used a Hasselblad for his square format photography. So I asked Mark if I could have it back, and he obliged. I'm a couple of frames from finishing my first roll in it.

If you listen to our podcast and read our blog, you likely understand what I mean when I refer to 'camera mystique.' There is something mysterious about certain cameras - something almost other worldly, I suppose - that we find ourselves thinking about them, desiring them, and finding finding ways to own them. Don't take this the wrong way, but I think it becomes a kind of worship. We begin to ascribe certain powers to cameras that enable them to produce the kind of results that we all hope for and dream about. "If I had such and such camera, I could make excellent pictures."

Of course, cameras don't have any power at all, any more than a hammer has powers to make me a better carpenter. Nonetheless, we can't deny our perception of cameras as more than mere things. Some people feel this way about automobiles. For others, it's guitars.

I recently had the opportunity to use a Rolleiflex 2.8D, a legendary camera because of its Planar lens. I am well aware of it because of my love of the photography of Vivian Maier. Of course, I would love to own one, but what I really desire is the ability to see like Vivian Maier. Then, I could make better photography with the fine-functioning Rolleicord Va that I already own. Furthermore, I own the exact same 4x5 camera that Shutter Brother Wayne Setser uses (a Wisner Technical Field Camera). However I would gladly go back to using the Intrepid 4x5 that I previously owned if I could somehow purchase the ability to see like Wayne. Sadly, that's not how it works.

I hope you already have the camera you have always wanted, but what I wish for you is that you are seeing the photographic possibilities around you, and that you are devoting yourself to developing the skills needed to capture what you see. That's what I want more than anything else out of this. 

My Rolleicord Va and Megan's Hasselblad 500 C/M.

I recently acquired the KEKS M Meter for Leica M cameras. It is an updated version of the Leica Meter MR, which came with the M2 I purchased a year ago. I found the Leica Meter MR to be unreliable (probably due to its age), so I am looking forward to seeing what the KEKS meter can do. Stay tuned.

The KEK M on the lefty and the Leica Meter MR on the right.

The display is easy to read and the activate button is easy to reach.

Turning the knurled knob actually sets the camera's shutter speed.

As of the day I write this, you still have an opportunity to see Wayne's retrospective show, Things I've Seen:  Fifty Years of Analog Photography, at The Arts Center in Athens, Tennessee. It closes on May 22. It you can't get to Athens but still want to see the pictures, Wayne has made a fine book of every print in the show. You can get your copy by sending an email to unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com for only $20.00. And even if you don't want a copy of the book, we would still love to hear from you. You also can reach us on Facebook and Instagram. And if you would like to support us financially and help us with our production costs, you can donate at our Ko.fi.com account. We want to express our gratitude to all our listeners who have generously supported us with donations large and small. They all help Wayne and I to keep making the best shows we can. Thank you!

Wayne's show at The Arts Center in Athens, TN runs through May 22.

You can get your copy of Wayne's book by sending us an email.

Here is the link to the Leica YouTube channel video in which Anton Dunkelkammer demonstrates how to make contact sheets using 9.5x12 inch Ilford paper.

Happy Photography, everyone! Now go get some good pictures!

Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #91: It's All In the Book

 by Kevin Lane

A frequent topic of discussion on the Uncle Jonesy's Podcast is Wayne and mine's firm belief in the importance of photographs exiting in physical form. As Wayne often says, "A photograph is not a photograph until you can hold it in your hands." While some digital photographers may disagree with Wayne's statement, we feel what can only be called an obligation to make prints from our negatives, and it's a big bonus that we both greatly enjoy the process. Furthermore, Wayne's fifty years of analog photography has resulted in a large body of work, and from now until May 22 you can see over fifty of Wayne's favorite photographs at his retrospective exhibit at The Arts Center in Athens, Tennessee. I see this show as a tribute to Wayne's unrelenting dedication to excellence and honesty in the photographic arts, and I hope you can get by to see it for yourself. Also, the Arts Center is having a reception for Wayne on Friday, May 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Both Wayne and I will be there, and we'd love to see you there as well.

Of course, it's much more likely that you are unable to see Wayne's exhibit. We have listeners who live hundreds or even thousands of miles away from Athens, Tennessee, so we understand completely. However, Wayne has made a way for you so not only see the exhibit, but also a way to actually own reproductions of every print in the show. Yes, I'm talking about a book: Things I've Seen:  Fifty Years of Analog Photography. Wayne, who routinely makes high quality photocopies of his prints (not scans, mind you - he used his Sony A7), used the online service, Mixam, to produce softcover books that contain the entire exhibition for a very reasonable price of $20. All you have to do is email us at unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com, and Wayne will get back to you. And for those of you who are planning to see the show in person, you can purchase a copy at The Art Center.

I should also point out that the prints on display at The Arts Center are also available for purchase, and Wayne would love to have one (or more) of them on display in your home or office. While Wayne and I slightly disagree about whether or not an official quality reproduction qualifies as an actual photograph, I believe that, by purchasing one of Wayne's prints or a copy of his book, you will in fact own a copy of Wayne's art. Remember, a darkroom print is a first generation copy made from the original negative. The images in Wayne's book are only one generation further, and I think the quality of the reproductions in the book are excellent.

So, whether you purchase an original print or the book, you will not only own a copy of Wayne's photographic art, but also you will reward Wayne for his time, effort, and expense in making something that pleases you. Additionally, your purchase helps to enable Wayne to continue making photography, so the arrangement works for everyone.

Our podcast actually begins with a listener email from Mike Kukavica about the topic of filters, which Wayne and I discussed in show #90. Mike occasionally likes to use a combination of filters to darken the sky to almost black, and he included an example of this style. Pretty cool, eh?

Photo by Mike Kukavica

After a break, Wayne answers a great listener email about split grade printing, and I make a fervent plea to 7Artisans for a chance to review their newest lens release, their M 35mm f2.8 lens for Leica M and L39. Now, although I already own a genuine Leitz 35mm lens (an Elmer f3.5 L39 that, when attached to a Leica M adapter, works perfectly), I would love to compare this lens to my lens. From what I have heard online, the quality of the 7Artisans 35mm lens is very good, and it can be had for $428 USD. I think that is a great deal. So please, 7Artisans, if you're listening . . . 

Shameless plug alert: You can visit my Etsy store, Chattalog Photography, by clicking here.

As always, we would love to hear from you. You can email us at unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com, and you can leave comments on our Facebook and Instagram pages. If you would like to support us, you can donate at our Ko.fi.com account. And thank you!

Happy Photography everyone! Go get some good pictures!