Going 12x20 - ULF Challenges & Tests - ULTRA Large Format Friday

[@bmwohl]

I just randomly “found” this video by way of KZbin’s mysteries. Thirty years ago I tried to understand Fred Picker’s magic, but the closest l got was processing FP4 minature negs for better tonal range and buying some wonderfully inspiringly prints that still hang in my living room. Your 12 x 20 adventures transported me back 70 years when I was 5 and accompanied my dad into his x- ray film manual lab to develop huge sheets of film for medical diagnosis. Thank you so very much. Yours is not my path, but you did inspire my photographic creativity with some nostalgia. Call me a newly created vicarious ULF enthusiast.

[@infinearts745]

Great! To use that camera is a sweet madness!!

[@audio1bob]

I like your channel and want to support it when I can. Thanks.

[@MatMarrash]

Bob thank you so much! :)

[@xander1052]

Okay this was worth the wait to see something even crazier than the 8x20!

[@MatMarrash]

I've been excited to share this with everyone for a long time. :)

[@IlluminatiLand]

Yes,, Me too! ~ This 12x20 format is the one that I want one day. I love the aspect ratio, for me it seems perfect for many things I would like to do.

[@focalplane3063]

Loved your first portrait of your friend. Very cool,.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks! Stephen is a good sport when it comes to testing and hopefully there will be some more portraits in that same vein in future projects.

[@brooksberdeen9307]

Never would I have imagined seeing my two favorite things in a KZbin video, jojos and ulf. Awesome video!

[@MatMarrash]

We're definitely a niche community...at least until SBR gets an anime announcement?!

[@steveh1273]

Good lord, there's always bigger. Very happy for you. ULF is way outside my little world, good luck and I know you'll have success.

[@jpsuperstar]

The stoke is just extreme, thank you for sharing your infectious enthusiasm

[@JasonRenoux]

"work hard, play hard" is taking its full potential with you and your ULF beauty :) Happy for you Mat

[@MatMarrash]

I'm planning on running around with this baby until I'm forced to move down in size. ;)

[@jimwlouavl]

Your channel is by far the best large format information, presented so enthusiastically.

[@GreggObst]

I'm very excited for you with this new ULF venture. The creative possibilities are very broad. I remember that FPP episode when you spoke of your booth visit with Keith at the show and how jazzed you were at the time. The universe fills a need where it needs to be filled. I don't envy the $18 a sheet cost for 12x20 Shanghai GP3 or $22 for FP4 price though. The secret sauce that the Canham cameras have that a lot of people seem to overlook or at least under-utilize is that massive rear shift, in the case of the 12x20, 10 full inches of rear shift. This makes it very easy to add diptychs into the mix without changing the nodal point of the lens. Huge panos via side-by-side 12 x 20 diptychs.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Gregg! :) I'm still exploring the amazing design features of Keith's camera every time I'm out with it. With how large the entire rear standard is, it's amazing there's so much movement to it, and that bellows draw! 12x20 diptychs will now be keeping me up at night. ;)

[@dontshootphotos3372]

Never did I ever think I would see a Jojo Reference especially the Golden Ratio in a Photography video but here I am

[@Powerwashincrocs]

That camera is wild! That very first environmental portrait is so good

[@bernardkelly235]

That was ultra-satisfying, Mat. Every bit of it. Thanks.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Bernard! :) This was an episode a long time coming and glad it's resonating with folks.

[@ope19head]

Had just made the jump to 8x10 all thanks to your channel and now you have brought this beauty out to inspire. Looking forward to your adventures with this beast.

[@MatMarrash]

Whoa 8x10 is a huge jump to make, congrats! I'm going to do my best to balance out how often the 12x20 makes an appearance, there's still so many merits to working in 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10.

[@ope19head]

@@MatMarrash It's time to do the dance for me for the next couple of months. Always looking forward to a Friday with your content, makes the whole week go smoothly.

[@brineb58]

That is so awesome that you were able to have this happen!!! Congrats!!!

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Brian! It's still kind of unreal, but I'm going to try and do it justice by getting out there and making work. :)

[@devtholt]

Mat! I'm so happy that you get to unveil the 12x20 after all this time. One of the best things about this video is how excited you are to work with the camera, and I can't wait to see all the new work (and LFF/ULFs) you make with it! When are we going to get some JoJo's styled fanart with Ansel Adams as your stand by Laur?

[@MatMarrash]

That's the best crossover idea I've ever heard! So many possibilities for future memes/content. >__

[@SeaDrive300]

The spirit of Fred Picker is happy... 🙂

[@RYANPARKPHOTOGRAPHY]

OMG this is massive... After long time, I bought my first ever 4*5 large format camera (so excited about new journey with large format camera and will document all that on my channel!!!)

[@MatMarrash]

Ryan congrats on the new 4x5 and hopefully this episode hasn't given you any bad ideas! ;)

[@RYANPARKPHOTOGRAPHY]

@@MatMarrash it definetely did.. i will try to document my journey on my channel as well :) thanks again!

[@creativebluebottle8510]

Very dangerous episode.....^^ Didn`t even considered this ULF(F) BEFORE. Thank you

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks for checking out the episode and when you start to feel the G.A.S. set in, remember this move was 10+ years in the making for me.

[@ChristopherMay]

The amount of awesome in this video is not conveyable with typed words in a KZbin comment but I'll have a go at it anyways. I recall you talking about the Canham 12x20 for years so it's simply magical to see that dream realized. And some super, super kudos on figuring out how to take that monster on the trail. I am so pumped to see what you do with the camera, Mat. The first shots from it already look great and I am eager to see what kind of sublime imagery you can capture with it as you get more and more comfortable with the camera and the process. Again, big congratulations!

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks so much Chris, it's still unreal that it's here and something I'm able to work with. Hoping to do it and ULF justice by getting out there and practicing some more. The good news is there's already some "good" film loaded up for the next few experiments so fingers crossed! :)

[@chilecayenne]

Hey Mat, WOW...what a camera!! Congrats on getting something you've waited for for so long....and earned it!! Can't wait to see your adventures with this beast! Great to see you back for season 5...looking forward to your productions this coming year. Have a great weekend, CC

[@MatMarrash]

This camera still feels too nice to be something I'm lugging around but going to try and dot it some justice! Thanks! :)

[@caldera99]

This was one of the last places i would expect jojo. But im sooo happy about it! :D

[@ChrisMarxen]

Man! Im so happy for you! You deserve all of it! Enjoy, enjoy enjoy ❤️

[@MatMarrash]

Very much appreciated Chris! 🙏

[@lesliesmith5266]

I noticed when you were shooting that you don't shield the open end of your film holder with the slide while you have it withdrawn. I then noticed that the contacts you presented were blown out at the left edge, first I thought this was the studio lghting reflecting on the print but then realised that it must have been fogging on the negative. I know you mentioned some of the filmstoxk had some prefogging but the prints you showed looked most definitely like the negative had been hit by light coming into the film holder while you had the sheath/slide withdrawn. When I learned to operate large format cameras we always shielded the open end of the film holder while shooting in the studio jus in case but it was considered crucial to do so out in daylight no matter how good we thought the the light baffling was in the top of the film holder. Interesting video though. I have just re-entered the world of b&w photography and can't wait to use my Sinar P(we pronounce S-eye-nar like the manufacturers do, and Nick-on not N-eye-kon) 5x4. Thanks for the video, keep on ultra format clicking Leslie

[@Dahrenhorst]

I have an 11x14 (which Michele from Stenopeika custom build for me, together with two double film holders) and I use a very special tripod for it: a Novoflex Quadropod, which is not a tripod but has, as its name says, four legs. I only very rarely move the camera, since I more or less exclusively use it for 1:1 head shots (on 11x14 you can take pictures of heads in their original size) in my little home studio, so the somewhat difficult process to level the Quadropod out doesn't bother me that much. The ball head I use for the camera is rated for 30kg, so everything is quite stable and sturdy. I don't use ULF outside of my house, for large format in the field I have a 5x7, also from Stenopeika.

[@richardstollar4291]

WOW! - that's an amazing camera, Mat. I do like the wide perspective and how you worked the back-pack is real cool. I find taking my 8x10 out hiking really hard so can't imagine how that feels. Great and inspiring video.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Richard! While it's a little less weight than an 8x10 kit, the package is still more awkward in shape and requires a little more balancing. Time will tell if I'll be able to make the same large treks with 12x20 as 8x10.

[@erikepskamp1991]

Mat, this is so cool! Congratulations; it's going to be fun watching your journey with this camera.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks so much!!

[@jacobholland3370]

Outstanding video on ultra-large format cameras. You're a real breath of fresh air for us old-schoolers!

[@SidneyPratt]

Thanks.

[@MatMarrash]

You're welcome

[@baroneblades5386]

Finally found a channel to help me. I am about to get into Tin Type and got stuck on lens attachment. I just watched you video on attaching the barrel lenses. 😊😊😊😉

[@MatMarrash]

Welcome to the channel and glad you've found some of the LFF library helpful in your journey!

[@donyee8970]

Congrats! May you have many years of joy shooting with your new 12x20.

[@ArthurFellig]

Fantastic portrait! Amazing!

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

Wow and I thought 8x10 was big but the monster next to you is really a chonker. :O nice Jo-Jo reference.

[@MyDadIsMrOshins]

Fantastic camera and great shots. I'm very much looking forward to seeing more of this. I'm now trying to work out the engineering it would take to put it into portrait mode.

[@MatMarrash]

Very few banquet cameras can make the leap to portrait mode, but there are some out there. Richard Ritter's ULF cameras can be designed to shoot in portrait configuration and do it at less weight than my Canham. Then with the more square ULF sizes: 14x17, 16x20, and 20x24 it's as easy as a rotating back on 4x5.

[@lesliesmith5266]

I watched a youtube video recently where a cjap was reconstructing how difficult i would have been to take the original shots of the opening of Tut's tomb using a 10x8 camera and wet glass plates. He said he was also using glass plates but actually the film holders were deffinintely cut film only holders and he too did not bother to cover the film holder open edge during the time he had the slide withdrawn....in the middle of the Egyption desert where it tend to be rather sunny. He also payed no rgard to the whit side = fresh film, black side = exposed film indicator strips on the sheaths. He was a professional photographer used to shooting large format too. I'm not one of these folks who look for insignificant slips in film or video production but these instances are important skills that are being left out of public information media. Keep up the good stuff on ulf vids tho. Regards Leslie

[@Beano_z]

Absolutely love this episode, and you’re super brave for going with 12x20! Definitely look forward to more ULFF episodes. Funny you went with the Mystery Ranch bags, because that’s also what I use with my 8x10 and I must say, even being the heaviest kit, it feels the lightest on my back.

[@MatMarrash]

It's crazy how the design of their bags makes it comfortable to hike around with all that weight! Glad to hear from another Mystery Ranch user in the photo realm. We need to see about getting some representation on their website!

[@JSB_family]

Beautiful camera, I especially loved the portraits!

[@MatMarrash]

Holy crap, Jan watches LFF?!! Thank you so much man, I've looked up to and loved your work since first seeing you on the [F]ramed show!

[@JSB_family]

@@MatMarrash thanks Mat! of course I do! quality content on LF is scarce, I very much appreciate your channel!

[@markfohl2167]

Great episode, Mat. Very thorough. I can't wait to see images when you get better film.

[@MatMarrash]

Spoiler, they look great! :)

[@MichaelWellman1955]

As an owner of 8x20 and 14x17 let me welcome you to the ULF camera. yeah I know you had a 8x20 but you never used it that much. This one I suspect will be use a lot. What a camera too. Keith Canaham makes great cameras. I love working in ULF because I prefer to contact print. There is no print better than a contact print. Great point about the differences in working with your camera as you move up to ULF. 4x5 to 8x10 not difficult but doing up to ULF requires, work, patience and money. Even working with the bigger holders for me became a challenge. I screwed up several times putting the dark slide in and got some light leak When developing old film can't you use Benzotriazole to reduce that fog? I am so excited about this because I am hoping (selfishly) that we are going to see a lot more ULF videos. Congrats

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks for the welcoming works Michael! That blank shot from the expired film was shown developed as normal, but some of the practice portraits were assisted with the use of benzotriazole. Very interesting stuff to add with older films, and something worth exploring more. Hoping to share more ULF content throughout the year as projects emerge. :)

[@larsbunch]

I’m astounded that you were able to set up a backpack with that camera! I might try to do something similar with my 11x14. I really like the images you’ve shown from the camera and I’m looking forward to seeing more… especially out in the field.

[@MatMarrash]

Thank you so much Lars! The backpack system was one I'd been searching out during those months of practicing and I'd strongly recommend looking into lightweight hunting frames and "load slings".

[@eastonanderson3032]

Mat! Super cool stuff and what a beautiful camera. I just picked up the Canham 8x10 and just adore using it. Keith makes a great product!

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Easton, Keith's cameras are something special and definitely live up to the hype!

[@lucacagnolati5530]

Congrats Matt, very nice camera and super video

[@mikeboudreaux2964]

I've been collecting lenses and accessories for a 7x17 kit for a few years, but every time I see a 12x20 (like Art Sinsabaugh) it makes me want to just go big or go home. Love the driveway portrait the best, I think the context that the wide aspect ratio gives is really special.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks for the comment Mike and funny you mention Art Sinsabaugh. He's one of my 12x20 influences and I love his Midwesterner perspective on panoramic composition.

[@carbonjimfitzgerald]

Thanks Mat for this. I love my 8x20 and 14x17 ULF's

[@EdGately]

Love it! Great video as always Matt. Thanks for sharing the journey and excitement.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Ed! I'm still working on the updated studio/workshop, but will have to have you over for some proper shooting once it's up and running!

[@davidottman9501]

Congratulations on your new dream camera! Interesting that ULF is more than just LF only bigger. Also interesting is your enlightening observation that aspect ratio is as important as total size. Hmmm...

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks David! As much fun as it was hacking apart an old 8x20 and making a bit of work, it never quite felt the same as the 12x20 has right off the bat. That little bit of extra relief at the top of the frame is just what I was looking for.

[@karlfrench8538]

Hey Mat. Welcome to the 12x20 Canham club. An 18" Verito with the 22.25" extension lens and both single components of the Cooke Series XVa convertible are great 12x20 lenses as well. So glad you got those AWB holders with your camera. I have 7 S&S holders and though (mostly) adequate, they are no where near as nice as the Brubaker holders.

[@RFranks]

Damn those were some nice looking images! Looks pretty funny strapped to your back though!

[@johnbrown40639]

Funny that after watching this video, I was fortunate enough to come across one of these beasts in a complete set with plenty of films from a local photographer. Now I am back to re-watch this video again with more attention. :D

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks for the comment and hopefully this video can help you decide if the Canham 12x20 is right for you!

[@johnbrown40639]

@@MatMarrash Too late. I'd snapped up the setup before I realized that it is the same one you introduced in this video. :D. Anyway, one of the questions I have is about the film holders. My holders have the text "AWB ENT. USA 2001" on them. Do you happen to know who made those holders? Thanks again!

[@johnbrown40639]

@@MatMarrash And if you could put up a list of the equipments you mentioned in this video, it will be super helpful!

[@MrFlyby34]

Wow what a camera, have you found a solution for scanning the film?

[@andyvan5692]

one other tip Mat, Fred Newman did a video on the 8x10's in the canham range and suggested that with the flip locks do one, then the other, as that way it squares itself automatically, rather than locking skewed, if you did both together.

[@starnavigator6665]

Hi! I don’t shoot LF or a beast like that but a question I have Those bellows seem to sag a good bit. Does that show on the film? If not how do you get around that?

[@MatMarrash]

Hey thanks for the great question! At very long bellows draw the sag can sometimes show up, but there are some hook and loop points on the top of the bellows for puling them up a bit. If those weren't there, the bellows would cutoff some of the frame.

[@starnavigator6665]

@@MatMarrash ok thank you!!! I’m finding your channel VERY interesting!!! Thanks for all the work that goes into it

[@tim31415]

The diagonal of the film is not "roughly" the standard focal length. The diagonal of the frame is the definition of the normal lens for that size.

[@josephbrunjes6585]

Awesome Mat. You are going to have a blast with that camera. It is great that it also uses Sinar boards. I settled on 11x14 because of lens choice, film availability and ease of scanning with my v700. I use a Granite Gear canoe pack for hiking but the shoulder straps aren’t the greatest. For ULF panoramas, I use a half frame dark slide to get 2, 5.5 x 14 panos per sheet. Looking forward to seeing more.

[@marikapi01]

Congrats on getting this amazing camera. For me 8x10 is the max (for now😬). Thanks again for this inspiring video

[@MatMarrash]

Mariette 8x10 is MORE than enough, and still that perfect combination of size, scanning, enlarging, and contact printing all possible. There's a reason some call it the PERFECT format! The struggle now is to not let the pretty new camera steal the spotlight. Cheers!

[@Sicatristes]

Hi Mat, Thank you so much for the resources your channel provides. As a new 4x5 photographer I can't express with words just how grateful I am to use your videos to reference and learn. I love large format and perhaps one day I too may get a setup like this, I just don't know how as well haha. Question: is there color film for 12x20? I tried doing a quick search but was unable to find any answers. Enjoy your beautiful camera! All the best wishes!

[@MatMarrash]

Luis thank you very much for the kind words and I'm glad the channel can be a resource for you! Unfortunately 12x20" color film isn't a regularly occurring thing, but from time to time Keith Canham (the same guy that made this camera!) collects enough special orders to commission Kodak to make a special run of select films. Basically, if there's enough interest + $$$$$, Kodak can make it happen!

[@jmdavis45]

I've been thinking of ULF since I did a workshop with Michael Smith and Paula Chamlee many years ago. Must...Fight... urge!!! Seriously though, congratulations! I look forward to seeing your work with the 12x20.

[@dongxu2059]

Congratulations my friend, I am glad to hear that you have it in exchange for contents! Isn't that bellow sag bothering you while shooting? Cheers!

[@MatMarrash]

There is a healthy amount of bellows sag, but Keith has installed on the top of the bellows a few hook and loop pieces for support when needed.

[@dongxu2059]

@@MatMarrash sounds good. We have all said "one of these days" to some specific camera. ( But I m good with my linhof for the moment)

[@d-nd-n5028]

Just saw this. I bought my 12x20 from Keith back in ~1993. It was the second one Keith built along with the first.. Something to consider that I had done at the time - I had Keith build a 7x17 reducing back for the 12x20. As for small lenses, you should consider finding a Fuji 600mm lens. It will cover. Another very interesting lens is the Nikor 1200T - which is speced at just 8x10 format but which covers 12x20 --- remember that you are contact printing and that the softness does not show around the edges that would show with enlargements (and Nikor did not put a hard stop circle in the lens. I don't use it because I have the crazy sharp Schnieder Fine Art XXL 550mm and the 1100mm(Yes there is plenty of bellows) as well as another 750mm. BTW there is NO standard for film holders for ULF - I had to have Alan Brubaker make the holders first and then have Keith make the camera to take the holders (Again no standard exists for the depth of the film from the holder and Keith had never had one of AWB's holders so I had to loan him one for the build). So other holders like S&S or Chamanoix or the older holders from the 1900-1930 period you might find will not work properly). One other thing I had Keith do to the front lens support is to place a 3/8 threaded hole in the bottom crosspiece under the front swing control;. Whereas the tripod effectively supports the body of the camera and holder, the lens is way out there on a lever arm. I use a monopod under the lens standard to support it especially when I have the bellows out to four (4) feet for the 1100mm. I think Keith incorporated the idea on all the later ones he built so you might look to see if it is there on yours BTW those loops on the side of the bellows are to be put over the support screw on the rear standard to shorten the bellows and prevent the droopy bellows from cropping the bottom of the image (inverted image on the ground glass of course). And AWB custom makes nice white polycarbonate cases for film holders - I have 4 for the 6-12x20 and 6-7x17 holders I had built. Nice for storage to protect the holders but not for carrying in the field. Well looks like you are hooked! Great to see this video and thanks for making it.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

That is a beast of a camera! As always excellent photos. I think I'll just stick to my "tiny" 4x5!

[@Foxglove963]

Which beast? A cow? Buffalo? Elephant? Or if you could afford this camera, would you recognise first class craftmanship?

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

@@Foxglove963 Elephant for sure! And yes, the quality is not lost on me, top notch for sure!

[@mathieubauwens9759]

Waw, that will be a sooo god giveaway for the end of the season... ; )

[@MatMarrash]

>___< I still need more time with her!

[@SAethicsgradient]

Very cool Matt! As a wet plate shooter, I can definitely recommend repurposing a jogging pram (stroller) if you're travelling over level ground. You might look in to the Ilford Pop Up Darkroom for being able to reload holders in the field, or at least on a multi-day trip.

[@andyvan5692]

great that you have moved up in camera, but with that first shot, gives an inspiration for other videos, like how you used the flash gear with this camera; aka a follow up from the Tariq Tarey studio flash episode, how to meter, connect to the lens, etc. as you actually use these skills outdoors, and would be a good thing to show us.

[@BAstudios5]

Looks awesome, great job

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks a bunch!

[@Picskull]

Very well done video! I really enjoyed it. I have a question regarding the sharpness of the print, i couldn't see for long enough as you were moving it whilst talking but it seemed a bit soft for the aperture you were using, am i correct or is it just how the video was taken? All the best.

[@crocato]

that's huge step forward, congrats mat, Im so happy to see your energy and success, best wishes 👌👌👌 that's awesome 🔥 🔥

[@andyvan5692]

one question mat, what is a RC print?, as some of us out there read RC as being stood for Remote control, aka the model planes that use a toy car's joystick controller to fly.

[@kevinfickling6384]

Yesss it finally showed up in a video!!

[@maximilianshootsfilm]

wow, mat! im now super jealous, thanks! now ill have to get a 30x40" to outdo it! jokes aside tho, that's such a cool camera and I'm happy you finally got one! can't wait to see more LFF (or well I guess it´ll be ULFF now) episodes of this incredible camera

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Max! It's going to be fun to incorporate ULF into the mix, and I'm going to try my best to keep showing love to 4x5 and 8x10.

[@dotz0cat]

I likely wont use anything bigger than 120s, but its amazing to see such a big camera.

[@michaeljenner1795]

I agree with you in being able to appreciate the detail in large contact prints. Nothing beats the look of a large contact print. But, I'm wondering about the fogging going on with the one side of the prints. Is this a film fog problem due to age or heat, or is it from the film accidentally getting exposed in the camera back when the shot is being taken? I recall needing to drape the dark cloth over the camera top and sides when shooting large format to prevent this type of light leak in the field.

[@MatMarrash]

Hey Michael, it was 100% the film. Another box of slightly expired HP5+ came out beautifully. All the holders are light tight, and the camera is in tip-top shape.

[@michaeljenner1795]

@@MatMarrash Okay, I understand. I haven't shot large format film for quite a few years now, but when I did it was 4x5 and 5x7. Those images are still some of my favorite due to the detail and tonal range. I was very keen on FP4 or Plus X. I also loved Panatomic X with 120 in a Rolleicord. I still have some of the old stock Agfa 25 in 120. My friend and I used to purchase AZO contact paper, govt. surplus, from a guy in Ohio for like $5 for a 250-500 sheet box. He had all the contrast grades, 0-4. He would ship it in the Kodak box with no extra box outside and it would usually come with the corners open, very scary. But the black rubberized paper inside was so thick, we never found any to be fogged. I used to do split toning with Linda Conner's directions, made the prints look 3D. I'm too frail to drag around the equipment anymore, but my friend is still shooting 8x10 and larger.

[@MatMarrash]

@@michaeljenner1795 contact printing on AZO AND split toning?! Man that's the dream. The other great thing about AZO is it almost never shows signs of aging due to the silver chloride emulsion. Hoping to get my hands on some Lodima or Adox Lupex for contact printing.

[@michaeljenner1795]

@@MatMarrash My friend still has lots of huge AZO, like 24-x30 or larger. He got it years ago from a studio along with a Banquet camera. He was going to sell it a year or two ago. I'm still sitting on some 8x10 in various grades. I used to develop it in Ardol. I still have some of that in cans, probably still good. Between the two of us, we've got quite a stash of paper and chemicals. He might be interested in selling. Me too. I'm 67, had cancer last year, will never go back out to do traditional except maybe medium format. I've got a Mamya 6 outfit and lots of film I purchased for my students that they never bought. I finally went digital, but Chuck's still doing large format film. He's had some giant cameras too, but old ones. He's made bellows and done repairs. He has a copy camera that he uses as an elarger for making gigantic prints. He's an artist, draws as well, Chuck Bowden, not the author. bowdenart.com

[@MatMarrash]

Michael thanks for the info and introducing me to Chuck's work!

[@retromograph3893]

It would have been nice to list the costs of the camera, film, paper etc. a those things are probably quite "challenging".

[@jrmorganpetro]

Matt, I’m using a game cart in my fat bike. So I put a rack on the bike behind the seat and I have a little trailer hitch for the cart and I can put my 717 and 1114 cameras and all equipment and ride out to a site and take a photograph. Would not recommend riding down single track or technical areas just dirt roads and dirt pathways. No stump jumping! I

[@customerbf]

Would love to see a LFF or ULFF episode on transporting equipment, including by bike.

[@andrewbroekhuijsen6770]

Really happy for you getting a dream camera. I love shooting my 4x5 and have a good solution for packing it around, but it's hardly "convenient." Seeing that absolutely preposterous behemoth of a pack on you for carrying the 12x20 made me laugh out loud. Really would love to see a livestream of you making kallitypes or salt prints from 12x20 negs. One of my favorite episodes of LFF of all time was the livestream making platinotypes. Alt process is one of the only reasons I can think of that I might someday make the jump to 8x10.

[@qvisionstudios]

Fantastic camera. Congrats on finally obtaining it. At 50lbs just for the camera/lens/holders combo, not even considering the weight of the tripod, who is going to be your sherpa? 😜. I'm sure this will be a great combo for landscapes. Enjoy it.

[@MatMarrash]

Fun fact: This setup weighs LESS than what I use for my regular 8x10" field work episodes! When you are your own sherpa, you can cancel your gym membership and buy more film! ;)

[@TheNathanMChannel]

It’s cool as hell but if I can’t scan the negative I’m not tempted to go larger than 8x10. It would be cool if drum scanners made a comeback. The Schneider 210 lens made me gasp when you showed it. I’ve lusted after it after seeing its bananas specs on the Schneider coverage chart. But I’ve never seen it in video. My god, it’s got its own case too. Hoooaahh…

[@andyvan5692]

one other issue with ULF, esp. for landscape work, as the lens diameters are bigger, what filters or filter systems (square filters) do you use, as most landscape photographers use polarisers, ND's, and other filters to adjust exposure and contrast for their film.

[@MichaelGAubrey]

I'm surprised that you didn't encounter portage packs in the discussions of bags i the large format forums. I'm really pleased with mine on 11x14, but it looks like you found a great solution.

[@toulcaz31]

The portrait with the dog in the arms was pretty glorious. So what truck did you have to buy to move that camera around? 🙂

[@MatMarrash]

It sounds silly, but that camera kit weighs less than my 8x10 pack, is more comfortable, AND takes up only a little more space. We've still got a ways to go until the camera IS the truck. ;)

[@toulcaz31]

@@MatMarrash just saw that as I commented in the middle of the video 😆

[@jimmypatrick1441]

The photos don’t look sharp in this video. Is it hard to get sharp photos in larger and larger sizes?

[@retromograph3893]

My thoughts exactly, super blurry. Could be that the video camera wasn't focusing properly as he was hand holding them (he mentioned the first pic was ultra sharp). Would have been better to lay the photos down on a flat surface and take a properly focused photo of the photo (i would have that was obvious, but ho-hum).

[@Jsoberon]

This is the first video of yours I've watched, I don't own a large format camera but I'm definitely subscribing just for the Jojo reference.

[@MatMarrash]

If memory serves, there should be another half dozen JoJo references throughout the previous Large Format Friday seasons!

[@Jsoberon]

@@MatMarrash Looks like I'm binging, wouldn't be surprised if I have a 4x5 by the end of this.

[@NigelHaarstad]

This is wicked awesome! Congrats! Can't wait to see your work. That photo of Lauren and Strudel, especially, is amazing and is one of the looks I'm after if I ever get around to finishing my ULF build 😅💸. For giggles, I picked up a 36" f/8 telephoto lens off a reconnaissance aircraft lol. 26 pounds with the shutter! Won't be doing many environmental shots with that (and the image circle is slightly smaller if I remember right) but it's worth it for the conversation factor.

[@martinhertsius9282]

"Perspective distortion" has nothing with focal length to do. It's _only_ depending on distance to subject. So your superwide ULF gives exactly the same perspective (distortion) as you would get with a tiny pocket camera, when the distance and angle of view is the same. 🙂

[@maircraft4079]

How do you make 20X30 enlargements?😉 5X7? 😁 Wallets? 🤨 Beautiful rig.

[@MatMarrash]

Funny you should ask, David...Clyde Butcher does have a 12x20" capable enlarger down in Florida. Would be truly amazing to see a real enlargement onto silver from one of these negatives!

[@maircraft4079]

@@MatMarrash I'm thinking billboard. 😁

[@thomashewitt2597]

Do you do LF workshops ❓

[@chesslover8829]

You might consider a Fuji Fujinon C 600 mm F/11.5 large format lens from Japan Ebay. The lens is not too large (Copal No. 3 shutter) and has an enormous image circle of 840 mm. Back in the day, I bought mine for $1,600. Unfortunately, that lens, new/mint, now sells for $5,000.

[@andrewwright9512]

Are there any square format LF or ULF cameras?

[@MatMarrash]

There are square ULF cameras, most of which originate with the use of aerial roll film, but there are lots of odd sizes.

[@lucaraimondo5967]

is it youtube or are the pics very soft/out of focus?

[@comeradecoyote]

What mystery ranch bag are you using out of curiosity?

[@MatMarrash]

It's currently sold as the Load Sling, but you can also assemble one with any Guide Light Frame + Back Strap.

[@franciscovarela7127]

Interesting, as usual though I'm max'd out at 4x5.

[@MatMarrash]

4x5 is and always will be the most practical LF option and at the top of my recommendation list!

[@fbraakman]

Mat that is a fantastic camera. A real challenge to use. One question: does the bellows sag interfere with the image circle at all? It looks like it would. (Time 15:51)

[@Kitsaplorax]

Sometimes, size matters. I've always wanted a full plate camera. 6.5x8.5. Showing up with a film camera outdoors is a statement these days.

[@leeo.alexander2324]

Mat, I like watching your videos. You make it look quite a simple process. One question I have with the 12x20 is in regards to the back. Can it be rotated for actual portrait orientation? Even with "Environmental" photography, it seems you will waste film space with the panoramic view in shots with close-up portraits. This is not a complaint, just an observation of sorts. Right now I can't get pass my 4x5, plus my back would not survive that camera. Great video.

[@tplyons5459]

I know what you mean about how sharp the big prints are after seeing an 11x14 inch contact print at a gallery in Cherry Creek, Colorado in 1980. In the 1870s William Henry Jackson lugged around a 20x24 inch wet plate camera in the mountains of Colorado. His solution would not work for you. he used a mules.

[@MatMarrash]

Nothing like a ULF contact print! Not sure if Lauren will let me get a mule, so until then I guess that's me! ;)

[@charlywedl5544]

Which films are available for this format, which one do you use?

[@Nathanola-Studios]

Hi Mat, Nice video about the ULF camera! By the way, will the winner of the Graflex giveaway be announced in a seperate video? I'm just a little bit nervous to know who won the camera. ;) Best regards from Holland, Nathan

[@MatMarrash]

Hi Nathan, Graflex announcement will likely happen the following LFF, and sometimes I have to leave it vague depending on the wishes of the recipient. The winner has already been notified with shipping arrangements being made.

[@Bunnyisms]

Wow! That 12x20 looks really magnificent! It's hard to believe that's basically 12 times the area of my 4x5. It's like shooting out an entire box of 50 sheets in 4 shots. It's awesome and frightening at the same time. I could live with it being just a few shots because I tell myself that as long as I get one or two photos out of an outing I'm doing really well. I shoot my digital like I shoot my film, and most of my time is spent using my eyes to compose and plan my photos I think I'm sticking with my 4x5 because it's a pretty good balance for what I'm doing. I feel like it's just small enough to be more convenient As far as the dance goes, more recently I was playing around with my Nikon bellows unit with movements, and it took a few moments to get used to the fact that my controls for my standards and movements were in different places than my 4x5. It's like you have to learn a new dance for each view camera you use.

[@huepix]

I worked at the museum of NZ and had the honour of making contact prints off 12"x16" glass plate negs. The detail was amazing. Slightly terryfying handling them. lol

[@MatMarrash]

Wow ULF glass plates must be something to work with! The details in a contact print are something special, glad you had the chance to make some!

[@huepix]

@@MatMarrash yeah. I was very lucky. Right place right time. I handled every whole plate neg in the collection, recording the density range and then contact copying onto tmax 100 all hand cut to whole plate size. Learned so much. I often used a sinar 10x8 at the museum and still have my own 4x5 sinar set up. My style was to make a 4x5 color transparency then contact print onto 4x5 line film which id develope in paper developer which gave it an excellent continuous tone negative i could make monochrome prints from. Very nice results

[@mariuslysiak6402]

Can you use it vertical ?

[@MatMarrash]

With a very, very sturdy tripod head? Yes. Practically? Not so much. There are specialty made vertical 12x20's as well as the Richard Ritter 12x20 which can convert.

[@unityoc]

What made you pick 12x20" over 4x10", 5x12" or 7x17" and how do you think it will complement your 8x20"? I would've thought one panoramic ULF format is enough but who am I to judge!