Author Topic: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?  (Read 4565 times)

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« on: April 24, 2022, 03:05:20 PM »
I woke up this morning with a question.
What does Filmwasters mean to you this year.
I'm really curious to know
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

AJShepherd

  • Sheet Film
  • ****
  • Posts: 496
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2022, 08:25:28 PM »
To be honest I've not really been too active around here for a while, not done much filmwasting in years, for between the pandemic and unemployment I've not been anywhere outside of walking distance in the last two years apart for hospital appointments!

But I still have a read every few days or so, see what other people are up to, see the results for their filmwasting, and read about whatever things they're doing.
And hopefully by the time I have the time and the money to just bung a few cameras and a few rolls into my bag and go off somewhere  the site will still be here to participate in.

It's a nice and friendly society of people with something in common.

gothamtomato

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,148
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2022, 02:33:36 PM »
I'm not as active postings I once was, butI still check in regularly - AND I am oh so glad it's here! This is the only online forum I've overseen that hasn't descended into nastiness. It's a respite from everywhere else!

LEAFotography

  • Peel Apart
  • ***
  • Posts: 289
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2022, 09:47:18 PM »
To me, this is a wonderful community and non-judgemental space to learn, grow, and laugh about my mistakes and improve my film photography. No one is trying to "win" viewers or likes, no one is trying to "influence" me to do something, share or push anything. You inspire me to want to improve by showing examples of your work, without anyone suggesting "this is how you should be doing it".

Also it's a little bit me having somewhere that I don't feel odd or awkward for enjoying older methods and equipment, being excited by finding odd and interesting bits, at a time when most other people are using (mainly) their phones in a really quick and convenient manner, making pretty good images.

Thanks for asking Francois, I'm interested to hear what it means to you too!

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2022, 10:27:52 PM »
I'm just waiting for everybody to post as I don't want people to say "same" and move on  ;D
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

Bryan

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,337
    • Flickr
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2022, 10:48:39 PM »
I don't think it's any different for me in 2022 than it has been since I joined.  It's a great place to share photos, ideas, knowledge and experience.  Lot's of great friendly people. 

John Robison

  • Sheet Film
  • ****
  • Posts: 462
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2022, 11:59:02 PM »
Have to admit it seems a bit sparse around here lately and I certainly haven’t contributed much either.
Glad to have you Francois and Bryan contributions so often and astrobeck too.
I’d like to post topics more, especially in the ‘I just made/fixed’ thread. So scatterbrained it’s hard to concentrate on one project. My most recent involvement, after I got my cataract surgery and could enjoy the night sky again is a renewed interest in telescopes and some (light polluted) backyard observing. Going to need to travel a bit and burn some $5 a gallon gas to find a dark sky I think.
This is a great gang who are encouraging and upbeat and I still check in 2 or 3 times a week.

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #7 on: April 27, 2022, 03:43:45 PM »
I know it will sound a bit strange but Filmwasters is the first thing I check on the computer when I turn it on. It even comes before my own emails!
To me, it's a place where I meet friends that are nicer than a lot of the people I meet in real life. It's a place where I enjoy reading other's adventures. It's a place where I've created so many memories. It makes me a bit sad when I see that nobody has posted a single thing in a few days. But I must admit that I've seen the heydays of the site.

Funny thing is, I personally don't care about the digital/analog debate of a few years back. I just care about the friendships I've created here.
I just want to keep on discovering and inventing new ways of using images.

I know life is particularly hard for everyone these days, it also is for me. But I always try and come to chime-in with either a build or a story... or just a comment which I hope is funny.
For me, the forum is a bit of a slow motion chat room that I find sadly often too empty.

Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

irv_b

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,042
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2022, 08:34:34 PM »
Wow I never thought about this before.
I feel that this site is a place that I can enjoy wonderful pictures from around the world shot by photographers who enjoy what they do and appreciate what they see. People are always on hand to give advice and expertise, no-one pushes their agenda on anyone else. I have and post on Instagram occasionally and I must say I enjoy getting the likes but it's not like on here, when someone comments on your picture, you know it's from contemporary and worth much more.
I know it's has been quiet on here but I think many people still look in and enjoy what they see hopefully as the world get back to being a better place and as we all know more people are using film, this fantastic site will continue to give us such pleasure.

astrobeck

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,357
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2022, 06:36:04 PM »
It's the same as always...a place to see what fellow like minded film users are up to and where.
I like seeing photos of places I've been to with new perspectives.
Bonus stuff is when I can actually meet a Filmwaster in person like last year when I met Bryan.
I've met a few others too in the past, so it's nice to keep up with friends like that and to follow along with everyone's adventures and folly's.

It is sparse around here, but I check in at least three times a week.


jharr

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,923
  • Humble Hobbyist
    • Through A Glass, Darkly
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #10 on: May 09, 2022, 12:06:39 AM »
Like others, this site has been really the only consistent place I have 'hung out' for many years. The friends I have here are people I trust to be supportive, but also sincere. The knowledge base on this site is truly impressive and I have learned as much here as I have on all the rest of the googleverse collectively. In 2022, I am trying to ramp up to more consistent posts (still working on that) and re-connecting with all of the good folks here. Thanks Francois for asking.

James

P.S. I am calling a "flower foul" on this thread since there is no film wasting in the thread. I know that is usually reserved for an overly-technical discussion with no photos, but I'm calling it here anyway. 8)
« Last Edit: May 09, 2022, 12:12:15 AM by jharr »
"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera"   -- Dorothea Lange
Flickr
Blogger

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #11 on: May 09, 2022, 01:32:49 PM »
Thanks j. We haven't had a flower foul in a long time 😁
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

collodion

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 55
    • Aerostigmat
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #12 on: May 19, 2022, 07:09:15 AM »
To be honest Im glad you are all still here. I hadn't checked in for ages and came across the bookmark. This has always been a great place for civil and honest commentary and I have enjoyed all the posts Ive read. Sometimes the GAS can be catchy and I find myself being motivated to buy too much C@#P,  errrr STUFF :-)   I hope you all continue to be motivated to get out and photograph for the sake of it. 


Cheers,
Collodion.

 
We are all just one big solar flare away from being on the cutting edge of technology....LONG LIVE FILM!!

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #13 on: May 19, 2022, 04:29:40 PM »
Sometimes the GAS can be catchy and I find myself being motivated to buy too much C@#P,  errrr STUFF :-) 
You can always do like I do now: build too much stuff instead ;D
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

collodion

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 55
    • Aerostigmat
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #14 on: May 27, 2022, 05:58:23 AM »
Hi Francois,
Your right, I do need to build more and buy less :-) 
My addiction is repair / restoration for the most part. Next on the workbench is a new bellows for an old full plate camera I have.  So some building will take place :-)
In the past I had used bellows cloth that I got from an old photo store. But....since I'm running low on that I have been on a long search for something both thin and light tight. Just this month I think I may have found it. 


Ill let you know how it goes....fingers crossed.....that this stuff is  "THE STUFF".   Its super thin .004" or .1mm, and I cant see my very bright LED flashlight through it in a dark room.... So it looks promising provided the durability is there as well. :o
See link below

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09HGX1CYV?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
CheersJonathan




We are all just one big solar flare away from being on the cutting edge of technology....LONG LIVE FILM!!

Bryan

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,337
    • Flickr
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #15 on: May 27, 2022, 02:52:18 PM »
Hi Francois,
Your right, I do need to build more and buy less :-) 
My addiction is repair / restoration for the most part. Next on the workbench is a new bellows for an old full plate camera I have.  So some building will take place :-)
In the past I had used bellows cloth that I got from an old photo store. But....since I'm running low on that I have been on a long search for something both thin and light tight. Just this month I think I may have found it. 


Ill let you know how it goes....fingers crossed.....that this stuff is  "THE STUFF".   Its super thin .004" or .1mm, and I cant see my very bright LED flashlight through it in a dark room.... So it looks promising provided the durability is there as well. :o
See link below

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09HGX1CYV?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
CheersJonathan

This is the stuff I use for small bellows.  https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=BK5

jojonas~

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,928
  • back at 63° 49′ 32″ N
    • jojonas @ flickr
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #16 on: July 04, 2022, 08:16:54 AM »
a bit late but I just want to chime in that I really appreciate this place and you guys still being here. it didn't take long after getting (back) into film that I found this place and swallowed threads with wonder and all kinds of film shooting is welcome. I'm glad to be part of it and I hope as I slowly get up my film wasting mojo generally in life, I can make myself time to come here more often too.
places like this are a big respite from the drudge and anxiousness of social platforms
/jonas

Ed Wenn

  • Global Moderator
  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,300
  • Slowly getting back into it. Sometimes.
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #17 on: July 08, 2022, 01:24:48 PM »
This place is still a wonder to me. Thanks to all of you for keeping it ticking over and for keeping the intended FW spirit alive and kicking - even while members like me take the occasional 5 year hiatus  ;)

For me, in 2022 it's an opportunity to reconnect with photography via a group of trusted fellow travellers as I suddenly find myself shooting film again after a long break.

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #18 on: July 08, 2022, 03:29:36 PM »
It's really good to see some older members come back :)
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

Lee Rust

  • 35mm
  • *
  • Posts: 11
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #19 on: July 11, 2022, 01:33:56 AM »
Digital is for now and film is for later.

Later can be a very long time, and a film image is far more likely to get there than a digital one. Don't fail to label your contact sheets, Print-Files and prints with plenty of names, places and dates, because you're communicating with the future.

cs1

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 857
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #20 on: August 17, 2022, 07:52:23 PM »
Even though I don't check in regularly anymore, Filmwasters is a very important place for me. I've met some of you in person and hope to do so again in the future. There're very few places that aren't judgemental or are as friendly as Filmwasters. Unfortunately I've been away from film for a while now (except for Instax) because I strongly felt that developing and scanning robbed me of the little precious time I had. And despite giving it a new try recently, the spark doesn't ignite. :( So I'm a little heartbroken because I miss the community but really don't have much to say about filmwasting anymore.

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #21 on: August 17, 2022, 09:24:43 PM »
I feel your pain.
I too am loosing interest in a lot of things these days. But I'm lucky in some way in the sense that I treat film processing like some type of meditation. It's one of the rare times where the hamster in my head is not running wild.
But on the down side I have a really hard time finding fun stuff to photograph.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

cs1

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 857
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #22 on: August 18, 2022, 07:36:00 AM »
It's strange. For me it's the other way around. Developing is strongly getting on my nerves because it takes so much time away from photographing fun stuff and from being with my family. I do spend time processing my digital images but it doesn't take nearly as long as developing and scanning (it's maybe a tenth of the time). I do finde lots of nice things to take photos of. And being in nature with my camera is actually the time when I unwind. There's a residue of "analogueness" left in me which makes me use cameras that handle as closely as analogue cameras as possible (Fujifilm cameras, that is). But right now I feel like there's nothing I get from film that I don't get with my digital Fujis. I do print photobooks a lot though because I like having physical prints in my hands.

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #23 on: August 18, 2022, 07:50:23 PM »
Thing is we all have our own situation.
Living with elderly parents and not having any family to speak of, processing film is a time I can take away from the madness and get away from the family, even if it's just half an hour.
My dad is 79 years old and he's the most stubborn person that I know. And when anything contradicts him, he will yell at you like an army Sergent.
To describe him, I often say he's like Donald Trump... not a fun or nice person to have around.

And when there is a situation that my mom can't handle, it's always François to the rescue. So getting some time that I know I can quickly react to things going on at home while still having a bit of time when I know I have chances of being quiet just counting seconds feels really nice. Not as nice as being out and about, but it's the second best thing so far.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

cs1

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 857
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #24 on: August 18, 2022, 09:22:19 PM »
Yes, understandable. So the different family situations led us away from and to film. Even if it sounds trivial: such is live, I guess.

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #25 on: August 19, 2022, 03:38:33 PM »
I know that considering how many of us have left film, I sometimes wonder if there shouldn't be a bit of digital allowed?
I know Ed uses mostly his phone nowadays. I know Leanne has pretty much stopped doing large format work. And there are countless others who just stopped photography altogether. Granted these days of pandemic inflation are not helping things.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

kentish cob

  • Peel Apart
  • ***
  • Posts: 358
  • I've a photographic memory, but it's out of film!
    • tony steers photography
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #26 on: August 19, 2022, 07:58:31 PM »
I've never been prolific in photographic output, and sometimes I can go for months without sharing anything on here, but I drop in on a daily basis to see who's around and what you're doing.
Circumstances change and we adapt with the times. The last couple of years have brought that simple fact into the sharpest relief, so it matters not what (or even IF) you're shooting.
True, film photography brought us here, but that's not the only thing that binds us. I think we're a more inclusive community than that. The camera in your hand is less important than what's in your head and your heart.

Once a filmwaster, always a filmwaster. So if you or I choose to step away from film for a while, that's not a reason not to check back in on the goings on in this little corner of the web.

Personally, I'm delighted to see you pop in with some recent input, Christian. And I'm sure I'm not alone in that.
Merveille de Bollwiller.
A hardy, vigorous and productive variety with large nuts!

http://www.steers-gallery.co.uk/
http://www.putaframearoundit.co.uk/

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #27 on: August 19, 2022, 09:14:56 PM »
Well said.
I always think that this place is precious. And what makes it precious is the people who inhabit it.

I tend to think of it a bit like a pub. Going to the pub is fun. Even if you don't drink a beer, you can still chat with people. Sometimes you even make friends there. And then it gets to be even better. But if at some point people stop going to the pub...
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

rotarysmp

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 154
    • RotarySMP
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #28 on: November 13, 2022, 07:19:56 PM »
I tend to cycle through my three main hobbies. Photography, guitar, and machining. Whenever I am in the photography phase, filmwasters is the best place.

I was thinking back to 1987, when I got that huge Adorama catalog, poured over and agonised which camera to replace my Canon T50 with. Narrowed the choice to T90 or OM4Ti, and got the T90. I loved that camera.

While basically memorising that catalog, I remember the NPC 195 was a very expensive camera, and I could not fathom why anyone could possibly be interested in such an expensive camera, for something as useless as polaroid film.

Fast forward to the early 2000's and the huge change from analog to digital, and one of my work mates was friends with the boss of huge photo store, and said they filled a skip bin with time expired polaroid film, and it didn't even raise my pulse.

In the mid 20teens, I finally understood it when I saw a polaroid exhibition at Westlicht. I finally understood the beauty and art of these unique images. By then all those gorgeous polaroid films like type 45 and type 559 were gone, but FP-100C and FP-3000B were still made. I started shooting with them and they got discontinued almost immediately. It was with a sense of loss that I made a final order of those films. I still have one box of FP-3000B. My next frankenstax will be based on a polaroid 180 or 195, and I will shoot that last box of 3000B before I butcher it.

I struggle with Instax in my Instafrankenroid. It can be beautiful, but is a temperamental partner. Most of my photos on look horrible. I struggle with the razor thin dynamic range. I struggle with the tendency to green hues. I struggle with the unreliable film kick out in my botched camera.

So what do a love about Film wasters? Some of you are about the only people who could understand that, or care :) You are a great group, who have made this very obscure corner of the internet special.
Thank you.
Mark
Best regards, Meilleures salutations, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Cu salutari
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/c/RotarySMP

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #29 on: November 13, 2022, 10:33:17 PM »
Oh yes... struggles with modified cameras.
Something I am very accustomed to.
The thing is that, with things like that, there are fewer and fewer places where people appreciate a good hack.
Last summer I've struggled with the first project that I ever gave-up on. I was working on making a spot-meter. I got the code working but couldn't find a way to package the components without resorting to a custom circuit board. Eventually, a wire broke and now the prototype needs to be completely re-built... but I just don't have the energy for it. So instead I've been working on finding ways to improve my scanning workflow with my cheap instant scanner...
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

rotarysmp

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 154
    • RotarySMP
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #30 on: November 14, 2022, 05:38:16 PM »
Do you have a 3d printer? Incredibly handy tool. Especially for iterative design.

I did a lot of film scanning 20Y ago with a minolta 35mm scanner, but the time it took was pretty painful. Then I tried an Epson photo flat bed, and it was a different painful. I prefer to do it now with a digital camera, and slide viewer thing on bellows.
Best regards, Meilleures salutations, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Cu salutari
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/c/RotarySMP

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #31 on: November 14, 2022, 09:02:37 PM »
Yep, I've got an Ender 3 Pro that's been modified quite a bit. The only thing it doesn't have is a touch sensor... at least not yet.
It really is a fantastic tool for modifying designs and re-trying them out. And since I use FreeCAD, it's all parametric so I can easily modify things (most of the time).

I used it to adapt a bunch of lenses last year. Some of them were a real pain to adapt, but I now have a super large aperture lens that somehow fits on a Nikon (85mm f/1.3½) that's softer and bloomier than anything I've ever seen, a bunch of crapcam lenses adapted to both M39 and Nikon F, a DIY X-pan clone that merges a broken Chinon with the lens from a broken Ansco Viking, some lens boards for my Graflex and a bunch of other stuff I can't even remember 😁
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

rotarysmp

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 154
    • RotarySMP
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #32 on: November 15, 2022, 04:36:33 PM »
Do you have a link to a photo with that 85 F1/1.3? I would love to see it and what it does.

My printer is a modified Mendel90 design with an MDF frame. I also use FreeCad, but find it frustrating vs the student versions of Catia and OnShape I used before. Since I commercialised my YT channel, I need to obey the licenses :)
Mark
Best regards, Meilleures salutations, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Cu salutari
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/c/RotarySMP

rotarysmp

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 154
    • RotarySMP
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #33 on: November 15, 2022, 06:32:45 PM »
Not wanting to be accused of lack of content...
This is the 3D printer and the camera which shot the pic.
Mark
Best regards, Meilleures salutations, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Cu salutari
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/c/RotarySMP

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #34 on: November 15, 2022, 08:48:36 PM »
Pretty cool printer. The linear bearings must be way smoother than the wheels on my Ender.
Does it print relatively fast? I've pushed mine to something like 50mm/s and while the whole thing shook like crazy and the PLA stunk-up the house, I can't say that it printed much faster than a profile I found on the CHEP channel page...

This lens is a real monster. Lucky for me that PLA is lightweight when compared to the steel mounting board that the lenses came on 😁
The only problem is that it fits only on the old Nikons that don't have the frontal prism bump that newer models have.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

rotarysmp

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 154
    • RotarySMP
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #35 on: November 15, 2022, 09:19:33 PM »
That lens is way cool. Really subtle for surreptitious street photography :)

The MDF frame is pretty heavy and dampens vibration well, but the print head has a fair bit of mass, limiting top speed.  I have the print speed set at 60mm/s. If I can accept the time penalty of 0.15mm layer heights it does really fine prints.

Did you see the beserker speeds that those new VzBot printers are reaching?
https://youtu.be/hcMxEkVvIdE?t=210

My daughter was pretty young when she helped me build it, so she got to choose the color :/
Best regards, Meilleures salutations, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Cu salutari
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/c/RotarySMP

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #36 on: November 16, 2022, 03:37:29 PM »
Yeah, some printers like the Voron and the new one from Bamboo Labs are pretty insane. I'm always amazed when I see the speeds achieved in the speedboat benchy challenge.
The color of your printer is just fine by me. Mine has a bunch of add-on parts in hot red...
So far I've got a raspberry pi running octopi and a filament sensor, a custom shutdown button for the pi, custom LED lighting rails, filament guide, extrusion covers, tool holder, wire clips to make it all clean, a full size SD card adapter in a custom housing, a Z axis adjustment knob and a webcam for remote control of the print.
The ender 3 makes me think of a Honda Civic. Good as is but infinitely customizable.

I must say that I'm getting pretty used to FreeCAD. While it's not as fast as other commercial stuff, it really gives a lot for the money.
Now I'm finishing work on a Graflex lensboard to Burke&James adapter... and I just had to re-calibrate the Z axis as it was way off.
« Last Edit: November 16, 2022, 08:58:57 PM by Francois »
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

rotarysmp

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 154
    • RotarySMP
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #37 on: November 16, 2022, 09:42:05 PM »
The thing with Freecad which drives me nuts is the way 2D geometry falls apart if you add corner rounding or chamfers. I find that more complex projects I end up stuck somewhere, and it can take hours to fix some minor niggle.

While I'd like a new faster printer, I am happy with the quality of this one, and am seldom in such a hurry.
Cheers,
Mark
Best regards, Meilleures salutations, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Cu salutari
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/c/RotarySMP

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #38 on: November 17, 2022, 02:36:53 PM »
I must admit that freecad's topography problem is a bit of a hassle.
But from the get go, I learned to do pretty much everything in the parts workbench, so I don't run into many problems.
I found that combining the spreadsheet workbench with it can make things easier in many ways.

Yesterday I began working on a film holder to scan half frame negatives and I had to use the spreadsheet to center some of the parts that weren't centered on the origin directly... I know it doesn't make much sense said like that but when you see what I'm trying to achieve.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

rotarysmp

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 154
    • RotarySMP
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #39 on: November 17, 2022, 09:26:36 PM »
I am very undisciplined about using parametric modelling. I mostly use part design and sketcher. I tend to just dimension as I go, and only constrain that which is really necessary. FreeCad punishes that swiftly. Do you assign everything a parametric variable? Most features need at least 3-4 constraints, so your parameter list must get long fast.

The last two days I printed the 35mm film scanning advancer from the Thingiverse.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4672950
It will be a xmas pressie for my daughter, as she likes shooting and developing film, but is bugged by the PITA of scanning.
Best regards, Meilleures salutations, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Cu salutari
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/c/RotarySMP

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #40 on: November 17, 2022, 11:27:28 PM »
Wow, that's gonna be a nice present!

But yeah, I do have a lot of parts in what I do; so keeping everything well labeled is definitely a must. Since I draw and measure everything pretty much in advance, I can set the dimensions of every part pretty quickly. When I use the spreadsheet, it's for when a value can change and is applied to multiple objects.
Like that negative holder I've worked on today. I have the original that came with my cheap instant scanner, but the window is only for 35mm and I want to scan half frame without having to manually crop each picture. So I figured that reproducing the holder and then shrinking the window to half frame would be fantastic. I could have done it the easy way out but I wanted the image to be centered so that I get the best resolution possible. That's where the spreadsheet came in super handy.
I also calculate my tolerances manually.
One of the fun things is that in just about every property field you can type = and get a calculation window (if you don't want a calculated field anymore you have to click on the ƒ button and press clear). And there you can use references to other parts or the spreadsheet by typing <<Spreadsheet>>. or something like that.
Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty fast and doesn't suffer from the topological naming convention problem that the other modes like the Sketcher does.

Here's one of the simpler things I've designed https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5124174
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

rotarysmp

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 154
    • RotarySMP
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #41 on: November 20, 2022, 05:05:44 PM »
Nice design. I bet you put a lot of work into it.

Thanks for the motivation to finally learn Freecads spreadsheet integration.
Best regards, Meilleures salutations, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Cu salutari
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/c/RotarySMP

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #42 on: November 20, 2022, 10:11:09 PM »
No prob.
You know, that design wasn't that hard to do.
So far, I've done some pretty complicated stuff and worked on some just plain annoying things.
The hardest I've worked on is a shutter (that is still a work in progress).
The most annoying was a lens for my Nikon (the multiple multi-start screws was killing my computer, so I had to make all the parts into separate files).

Yesterday I had to take apart the extruder to clean-it up. There was a won of charred plastic that was gluing the sock into place and the most plugged nozzle I've ever seen! I'll have to hit-it with the heat gun next spring.

But if you want to see some pretty neat FreeCAD tutorials, Check out the Mango Jelly Solutions channel on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@MangoJellySolutions)
This guy really know his stuff.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

rotarysmp

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 154
    • RotarySMP
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #43 on: November 21, 2022, 04:39:10 PM »
Thanks for the link. There are also some really good FreeCad tutorials in German.

I just made a fully parametric part with the spread sheet function, and you are right. It is not so difficult, and the discipline actually makes the whole modelling process easier.

This is the LED light holder which will sit under the film advancer.
« Last Edit: November 21, 2022, 04:44:46 PM by rotarysmp »
Best regards, Meilleures salutations, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Cu salutari
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/c/RotarySMP

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #44 on: November 21, 2022, 08:43:57 PM »
Pretty darn good for a first try.
I find that the spreadsheet and part workbenches account for over 90% of my Freecad usage

Right now, I'm printing version 3 (and hopefully final) of my film holder for scanning half-frame film in my cheap scanner. In the meantime I've been working on an ImageMagick based batch file to automatically crop the images without any user interaction.

It's funny because FreeCAD and that printer have got to be some of the coolest toys I have. I even repaired a broken shutter with some 3D parts... and also made an X-pan clone...
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

rotarysmp

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 154
    • RotarySMP
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #45 on: November 23, 2022, 05:41:32 PM »
What is your cheap scanner? I used a Minolta dualscan, and then an Epson flat bed, but not prefer to do it with digital camera.
Best regards, Meilleures salutations, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Cu salutari
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/c/RotarySMP

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #46 on: November 23, 2022, 08:28:24 PM »
My scanner is this thing that was made by a company called Innovative Technologies who became Victrola.
It was one of those cheap devices that is aimed at the aging population.
It's got just a 5 megapixel resolution and only output JPEG's that have in the EXIF tag "My Beautiful Photo"  ;D
That's how bad it is. But on the up side, this thing is blazing fast, so I use it for 90% of my scans anyways.
But the images do require a lot of post processing to be considered decent. The speed does enable me to quickly scan and make index pages for sorting stuff.
I have a bunch of batch scripts I've built over the years to make this as effortless as possible.
Here's a picture of the device.

I also included a picture of something that I don't know if you have for your printer. It's a deburring knife and it has got to be one of the best things for 3D prints. I got mine cheap from Aliexpress, complete with three different types of blades. Really a good investment when you consider how much they cost.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

rotarysmp

  • 120
  • **
  • Posts: 154
    • RotarySMP
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #47 on: November 24, 2022, 01:40:19 PM »
We used to use those style deburring tools when I was doing aircraft skin repair. I can see how it would be helpful for deburring the elephant foot on 3D prints.

That scanner sounds preety bad :) How is the half frame mask coming along?
Best regards, Meilleures salutations, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Cu salutari
Mark
https://www.youtube.com/c/RotarySMP

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #48 on: November 24, 2022, 03:47:51 PM »
It's all done, fitted and printed.
I'll post a picture of it this afternoon 😊
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,775
Re: What does Filmwasters mean to you in 2022?
« Reply #49 on: November 24, 2022, 08:55:35 PM »
OK, here is the design.
In the first picture is a comparison between the commercial one and mine.
In the second is the inside of mine. Complete with registration pins and film flattening ribs.
To prevent scratching the film, I de-burred and then proceeded to sand with 1000, then 2000 and finally 3000 grit sandpaper  ;D
Might be overkill a bit but I know that my film will be safe.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.