My Weekend
My weekend started a little early, thanks to our head manager rewarding those who actually managed to get into work on Friday by dismissing us early, around 3:45 or so.
After loading my car full of even more stuff to throw away (after unpacking), I headed north, and once reaching Bangor, stopped first at my dad's business to make use of his dumpster, where I unloaded the junk in my car. Then, I headed to Hermon to buy something I saw advertised on Uncle Henry's.
I finally now own something I've coveted for over 5 years: a Shen Hao HZX45 IIa 4x5 Large Format field camera. Finally!
4 years ago or so, when I was shopping for a large format camera, I simply couldn't afford a nice field camera, so instead got my clunky, large, heavy, albeit rather precise Cambo SCII-R Monorail. It's a fantastic camera, but weighs 13lbs and doens't break down so that you can actually bring it anywhere. It goes in a fitted box that bears a striking resemblance to a musical instrument amplifier. I did carry it to Katahdin Stream Falls back in October, but that's about as far as I'd ever want to lug it.
Well, now I have one that weighs a mere 5lbs and folds down into a 6x6x3" box. And it came with a bunch of other stuff, and was probably one of the best deals I've ever got in my life, no joke. Included:
- The camera, a Shen Hao HZX45 IIa 4x5. Worth about $650.
- Nikon Nikkor 180mm f/5.6 MC large format lens in a Copal 1 shutter. Worth about $500.
- Graflok 6x9cm medium format rollfilm back. Worth a few hundred bucks.
- Gossen Luna Pro-S light meter with 7.5/15 degree spotmeter attachment. About $400 for the meter, and $80 for the attachment.
- Fuji Quickload film holder, worth $125
- 2 boxes of Fuji Neopan B&W film, in Quickload. Also 2 boxes of Ilford Delta sheet film.
- Backback with fitted compartments for all the parts.
- Dark cloth, extra lens board, loupe, cable release
Basically about $2,150 worth of large format gear, at current prices. What did I pay? $400! I felt bad for the guy selling it, honestly, but he knew what he had, but had to sell. I'd think that had he been willing to try ebay or craigslist, he'd have got a lot more for it, but who am I to complain?
And to think, I just searched for "4x5" for kicks while browsing for used furniture. Serendipity. Not only did I get a field camera, I got the exact field camera I've coveted for all these years. Now I just need to find a nice Schneider Super Angulon f/5.6 90mm wide-angle lens for it! Expect to see more 4x5" work from me now, seriously.
I spent Friday night cooking Indian Curry, which I made in a crock pot. I'll post the recipe in a separate post probably.
I was lazy for most of Saturday, but did manage to find a gift for the Yankee Swap on Saturday night, at Marshall's: a 4-wine glass and decanter set, for $10. Nice.
Audrey's party was fun as expected. Turnout was smaller than 2 years ago, with none of the Massachusetts contingent making it up, but it was still a good crowd. We had a pot-luck cooking contest. My curry didn't win, but it got lots of compliments nonetheless. The winners were Bert and Amy's Beer and Cheese Soup, Jerry's Man Bread (with jerky, jalapeño, and sundried tomato baked in, and Brian's homemade paninis with homemade ciabatta, pancetta, basil, and mango. All well deserved.
For the gift swap, I ended up, via Jerry and Jaime, a gift bag containing a half pound of coffee, French chocolate, and a bottle of Anchor Christmas Ale. Oh, and a Che Guevera "Viva la Celebracion!" card. The Guevera thing is sort of a running joke with them.
I just relaxed on Sunday, and drove back to Portland early so I could make it to Mass, as I overslept on Sunday morning too much to make to any of the Masses up there.
Considering how late I was up both Friday and Saturday, I'km surprisingly awake today. I have a busy week this week, and tonight is literally my only free night until...well, after my birthday perhaps? I guess I'm free on the 23rd, too. It will be 2009 before I know it!
Btw, a reminder for those who haven't RSVPd, my birthday party is on Saturday the 27th in Bangor! Did I mention there will be wine from the 1970s opened? You should come!
After loading my car full of even more stuff to throw away (after unpacking), I headed north, and once reaching Bangor, stopped first at my dad's business to make use of his dumpster, where I unloaded the junk in my car. Then, I headed to Hermon to buy something I saw advertised on Uncle Henry's.
I finally now own something I've coveted for over 5 years: a Shen Hao HZX45 IIa 4x5 Large Format field camera. Finally!
4 years ago or so, when I was shopping for a large format camera, I simply couldn't afford a nice field camera, so instead got my clunky, large, heavy, albeit rather precise Cambo SCII-R Monorail. It's a fantastic camera, but weighs 13lbs and doens't break down so that you can actually bring it anywhere. It goes in a fitted box that bears a striking resemblance to a musical instrument amplifier. I did carry it to Katahdin Stream Falls back in October, but that's about as far as I'd ever want to lug it.
Well, now I have one that weighs a mere 5lbs and folds down into a 6x6x3" box. And it came with a bunch of other stuff, and was probably one of the best deals I've ever got in my life, no joke. Included:
- The camera, a Shen Hao HZX45 IIa 4x5. Worth about $650.
- Nikon Nikkor 180mm f/5.6 MC large format lens in a Copal 1 shutter. Worth about $500.
- Graflok 6x9cm medium format rollfilm back. Worth a few hundred bucks.
- Gossen Luna Pro-S light meter with 7.5/15 degree spotmeter attachment. About $400 for the meter, and $80 for the attachment.
- Fuji Quickload film holder, worth $125
- 2 boxes of Fuji Neopan B&W film, in Quickload. Also 2 boxes of Ilford Delta sheet film.
- Backback with fitted compartments for all the parts.
- Dark cloth, extra lens board, loupe, cable release
Basically about $2,150 worth of large format gear, at current prices. What did I pay? $400! I felt bad for the guy selling it, honestly, but he knew what he had, but had to sell. I'd think that had he been willing to try ebay or craigslist, he'd have got a lot more for it, but who am I to complain?
And to think, I just searched for "4x5" for kicks while browsing for used furniture. Serendipity. Not only did I get a field camera, I got the exact field camera I've coveted for all these years. Now I just need to find a nice Schneider Super Angulon f/5.6 90mm wide-angle lens for it! Expect to see more 4x5" work from me now, seriously.
I spent Friday night cooking Indian Curry, which I made in a crock pot. I'll post the recipe in a separate post probably.
I was lazy for most of Saturday, but did manage to find a gift for the Yankee Swap on Saturday night, at Marshall's: a 4-wine glass and decanter set, for $10. Nice.
Audrey's party was fun as expected. Turnout was smaller than 2 years ago, with none of the Massachusetts contingent making it up, but it was still a good crowd. We had a pot-luck cooking contest. My curry didn't win, but it got lots of compliments nonetheless. The winners were Bert and Amy's Beer and Cheese Soup, Jerry's Man Bread (with jerky, jalapeño, and sundried tomato baked in, and Brian's homemade paninis with homemade ciabatta, pancetta, basil, and mango. All well deserved.
For the gift swap, I ended up, via Jerry and Jaime, a gift bag containing a half pound of coffee, French chocolate, and a bottle of Anchor Christmas Ale. Oh, and a Che Guevera "Viva la Celebracion!" card. The Guevera thing is sort of a running joke with them.
I just relaxed on Sunday, and drove back to Portland early so I could make it to Mass, as I overslept on Sunday morning too much to make to any of the Masses up there.
Considering how late I was up both Friday and Saturday, I'km surprisingly awake today. I have a busy week this week, and tonight is literally my only free night until...well, after my birthday perhaps? I guess I'm free on the 23rd, too. It will be 2009 before I know it!
Btw, a reminder for those who haven't RSVPd, my birthday party is on Saturday the 27th in Bangor! Did I mention there will be wine from the 1970s opened? You should come!