Tag Archives: f2.5

Large Format, Portrait

April 2016 Portraits

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April 2016 had been the most productive month for lotophotos.  Here are some large format portraits done for my visitors this month.

First one is Joseph Wei, a drummer and music producer from Hong Kong.  The photo is taken inside a studio (with multiple flashes) from Kodak 2d 8×10 camera + Fujinon 250mm f6.3 lens + Kodak B/RA x-ray film.

Kodak 2D 8x10 + Fujinon 250mm f6.3 + Kodak B/RA x-ray film
Kodak 2D 8×10 + Fujinon 250mm f6.3 + Kodak B/RA x-ray film

The second one is of Michael Ho taken with Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Expired (1993) Kodak Plus-X Pan 4×5 film.  The Kodak aero ektar lens is always my preferred lens for 4×5 portraits.  I am also happy that the very expired plus-x film still very useable despite metering it at ISO 50 (instead of the stock 125).

Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 + Kodak Plus-X Pan film
Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 + Kodak Plus-X Pan film

The following one is of Richard Fung in deep thought.  Also shot with Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Expired (1993) Kodak Plus-X Pan 4×5 film.

Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 + Kodak Plus-X Pan film
Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 + Kodak Plus-X Pan film

My friend Pouya Ashtiani models for the next shot.   He was enjoying the warm San Francisco weather in this photo shot from Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Kodak Plus-X Pan film.

Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 + Kodak Plus-X Pan film

Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 + Kodak Plus-X Pan film

The last set is from the lovely couple Marko Kudjerski and Yandra Lluch.  These polaroids were taken from Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + one big 1000 LED panel as light source.

Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Fuji FP3000b
Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Fuji FP3000b
Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Fuji FP3000b
Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Fuji FP3000b
Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Fuji FP3000b
Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Fuji FP3000b

Here are the portraits taken from April 2016 and I hope the models are as happy with the images as I was!

 

 

Large Format, Polaroid, Portrait

Kodak Aero Ektar Polaroids

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Each time I use the Graflex Speed Graphic with the Kodak Aero Ektar lens, I am always so amazed on what I get.  After a professional photo sitting Sunday afternoon, I threw in a pack of Fuji FP3000b and took some portraits.  For lighting I used an Aputure Amaran AL-528S LED hitting directly at the subject from the front.  All polaroids scanned with Doxie Flip scanner.  Here are results of that session.

A glamour shot of Monica.

Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Fuji FP3000b, shot at f2.5 1/125
Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Fuji FP3000b, shot at f2.5 1/125

Natasha showing us how to smoke a stogie.

Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Fuji FP3000b, shot at f2.5 1/125
Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens + Fuji FP3000b, shot at f2.5 1/125
126 Format, Large Format

Day 7 Self Portrait Challenge

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I was nominated by Joyce Peng to do a 7-day self-portrait challenge: 7 days, 7 self-portraits, and 7 nominations to keep this going with other artists/photographers.  I invite Kirk Lau to take the time to extend the fun.

I put a small twist to this challenge as well.  I will be composing self-portraits through the viewfinders of different cameras.

The last of the challenge, I feature a very special camera.  The 1955 Graflex Speed Graphic camera mounted with Kodak 178mm Aero Ektar f2.5 lens.  Being large format, the focusing screen is again upside down and reversed left to right.  At f2.5, the screen is super bright and you can see the bokeh clearly.  Today I am holding my first camera, the Kodak Instamatic X15 which is in 126 format.  This is the exact same camera that Dustin Hoffman used in Rain man!

Photo taken with Sony RX100II.

Viewing through Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak 178mm Aero Ektar f2.5 lens
Viewing through Graflex Speed Graphic + Kodak 178mm Aero Ektar f2.5 lens
Large Format

Graflex Speed Graphic with Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5

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About a year ago, I acquired the legendary Kodak Aero Ektar 178mm f2.5 lens and it was another few months after that I got it mounted on the speed graphic.  The first trials of this lens gave me some headaches as I experienced micro-shakes from the large focal plane shutter.  Finally, recently I went back to the beast and re-strengthen the mount, so far so good.  Can’t wait to go out and take some shots with this!

I also went back to the Graflex speed graphic box and looked at the flash attachment.  At first, I thought it was incomplete but in close inspection, everything was intact and looked amazingly cool once attached.

It's heavy!
It’s heavy!