“An introductory take with the RSS 4x5 Z”
JANUARY 2022
“In October 2021 I added a new pinhole camera to my collection, one from the first batch by RealitySoSubtle. The 4x5 Z is the successor of the original 4x5 inch camera and I have been exploring its endless possibilities. What it is that makes this camera stand out? I am a widescreen enthousiast, I like seeing the broader picture - because sometimes more is more. The more you can show in a photograph, the better the story can be told. And that is exactly what this camera can do, see wide... but also much more.
All pinhole shots taken with RSS 4x5Z, 15th of January 2022.
Enjoy,
Stefan "
JANUARY 2022
“In October 2021 I added a new pinhole camera to my collection, one from the first batch by RealitySoSubtle. The 4x5 Z is the successor of the original 4x5 inch camera and I have been exploring its endless possibilities. What it is that makes this camera stand out? I am a widescreen enthousiast, I like seeing the broader picture - because sometimes more is more. The more you can show in a photograph, the better the story can be told. And that is exactly what this camera can do, see wide... but also much more.
All pinhole shots taken with RSS 4x5Z, 15th of January 2022.
Enjoy,
Stefan "
About the camera:
It was mid-October when the RealitySoSubtle 4x5 Z was delivered to my doorstep, all the way from France. A modular 4x5 inch pinhole camera where you can change the focal distance so the camera can be used as an ultrawide to wide camera. The camera has an angle of view from 134° to 84°. In Fullframe terms (24x36) one can speak of a 10mm to 24mm. Wide enough for you?
This camera is really well thought out, the modular parts are anchored to each other by means of magnets, just like the two front plates with the pinholes of 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm and the shutters. This camera is a piece of craftsmanship by James Guerin, the designer and builder of the RealitySoSubtle pinhole cameras. Originally, I wanted this camera for its wide viewing angle. Super wide angle at 4x5 inches. But after using it during this first pinhole session, I fell under the spell of the 90mm. This setting produced a wide image, with normal perspective and little vignetting. I will continue to use it on this specific setting more in the future.
About the film:
Since my fresh start with analog photography I have been using Fomapan negative film. For 35mm and Roll film I have a choice of 100 and 400 iso. For the 4x5 inch sheetfilm I only use the 100 iso. So why did I choose the fomapan? First of all, this film has a large reciprocity factor, whereby the exposure from 1/8 sec at F22 must in reality be exposed for at least one minute. And that's what pinhole photography is all about for me: long exposures. An additional aspect to Fomapan is that it’s also the least expensive film on the market. The exposed films and sheets are always developed in RO9 developer, in the ratio of 1:50. In this particular case, even with the water from the flowing stream. 1 liter is sufficient.
It was mid-October when the RealitySoSubtle 4x5 Z was delivered to my doorstep, all the way from France. A modular 4x5 inch pinhole camera where you can change the focal distance so the camera can be used as an ultrawide to wide camera. The camera has an angle of view from 134° to 84°. In Fullframe terms (24x36) one can speak of a 10mm to 24mm. Wide enough for you?
This camera is really well thought out, the modular parts are anchored to each other by means of magnets, just like the two front plates with the pinholes of 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm and the shutters. This camera is a piece of craftsmanship by James Guerin, the designer and builder of the RealitySoSubtle pinhole cameras. Originally, I wanted this camera for its wide viewing angle. Super wide angle at 4x5 inches. But after using it during this first pinhole session, I fell under the spell of the 90mm. This setting produced a wide image, with normal perspective and little vignetting. I will continue to use it on this specific setting more in the future.
About the film:
Since my fresh start with analog photography I have been using Fomapan negative film. For 35mm and Roll film I have a choice of 100 and 400 iso. For the 4x5 inch sheetfilm I only use the 100 iso. So why did I choose the fomapan? First of all, this film has a large reciprocity factor, whereby the exposure from 1/8 sec at F22 must in reality be exposed for at least one minute. And that's what pinhole photography is all about for me: long exposures. An additional aspect to Fomapan is that it’s also the least expensive film on the market. The exposed films and sheets are always developed in RO9 developer, in the ratio of 1:50. In this particular case, even with the water from the flowing stream. 1 liter is sufficient.
About the location:
Zonhoven, my hometown, still has several nature reserves within its borders, with the Wijers and the Teut being the best known. The Roosterbeek / Molenbeek flows through the municipality. This stream rises on the Kempisch plateau and flows into the Demer; For many centuries this Roosterbeek valley functioned as an open landscape with heathland on the higher grounds and meadows and wetlands in the stream valley. However, mining has drastically changed the face of the valley and successive waves of urbanization have cut it off from the surrounding landscape. Today the core of the valley is mainly a nature reserve with still small-scale agriculture, landscaping and gentle recreation. This pinhole photo session starts at the place where the Teut changes into Holsteen/Molenheide. The course of the Roosterbeek was manipulated in the past, because the water was used to supply surrounding recreational ponds. This recreation has disappeared for about ten years now, so that the waterflow found its own way. This created a meander of small streams that now form a swampy area and become one stream again at the place where I photographed
About the photography:
A new camera needs to be tested thoroughly. As expected I started playing aound with the widest image the RSS 4x5 Z could create.
For this I used the pinhole hole of 0.2 mm. This hole in combination with the 35mm formed the aperture of F175. I measure with an exposure meter where I always measure for an aperture of F22. Using the table below I can calculate a reasonably accurate exposure time, taking into account the reciprocity extension for the Fomapan 100 negative film used.
After removing the darkslide and opening the hole, I wait until the set exposure time has elapsed on the smartphone timer. Close the hole, darkslide back into the flat film holder, turn it over and ready for the next shot. In each flat film holder I can place two 4x5 inch sheets. I use three holders per session, so I can make six recordings. Why six you ask? Because I can develop a maximum of six sheets simultaneously in the Mod54/Paterson development tank. So the six recordings are just for practicality.
I have to say that I am very satisfied with this RealitySoSubtle 4x5Z camera. This camera still has many features that I will use very soon. More on this in the next article, and that will continue in a more urban setting.
No lens, no viewfinder, no electronics. Only a hole, a wooden box and light-sensitive material. In short, the wonderful play of light and shadow captured in a box.
Slow photography as stilled beauty ... for eternity.
Zonhoven, my hometown, still has several nature reserves within its borders, with the Wijers and the Teut being the best known. The Roosterbeek / Molenbeek flows through the municipality. This stream rises on the Kempisch plateau and flows into the Demer; For many centuries this Roosterbeek valley functioned as an open landscape with heathland on the higher grounds and meadows and wetlands in the stream valley. However, mining has drastically changed the face of the valley and successive waves of urbanization have cut it off from the surrounding landscape. Today the core of the valley is mainly a nature reserve with still small-scale agriculture, landscaping and gentle recreation. This pinhole photo session starts at the place where the Teut changes into Holsteen/Molenheide. The course of the Roosterbeek was manipulated in the past, because the water was used to supply surrounding recreational ponds. This recreation has disappeared for about ten years now, so that the waterflow found its own way. This created a meander of small streams that now form a swampy area and become one stream again at the place where I photographed
About the photography:
A new camera needs to be tested thoroughly. As expected I started playing aound with the widest image the RSS 4x5 Z could create.
For this I used the pinhole hole of 0.2 mm. This hole in combination with the 35mm formed the aperture of F175. I measure with an exposure meter where I always measure for an aperture of F22. Using the table below I can calculate a reasonably accurate exposure time, taking into account the reciprocity extension for the Fomapan 100 negative film used.
After removing the darkslide and opening the hole, I wait until the set exposure time has elapsed on the smartphone timer. Close the hole, darkslide back into the flat film holder, turn it over and ready for the next shot. In each flat film holder I can place two 4x5 inch sheets. I use three holders per session, so I can make six recordings. Why six you ask? Because I can develop a maximum of six sheets simultaneously in the Mod54/Paterson development tank. So the six recordings are just for practicality.
I have to say that I am very satisfied with this RealitySoSubtle 4x5Z camera. This camera still has many features that I will use very soon. More on this in the next article, and that will continue in a more urban setting.
No lens, no viewfinder, no electronics. Only a hole, a wooden box and light-sensitive material. In short, the wonderful play of light and shadow captured in a box.
Slow photography as stilled beauty ... for eternity.
meting aan F22 |
F175 |
F166 |
F250 |
F300 |
1/125 s |
1/2 s |
1/2 s |
2 s |
6 s |
1/60 s |
2 s |
1 s |
11 s |
19 s |
1/30 s |
11 s |
9 s |
29 s |
45 s |
1/15 s |
28 s |
25 s |
1 m |
2 m |
1/8 s |
1 m |
54 s |
2 m |
4 m |
1/4 s |
2 m |
2 m |
6 m |
9 m |
1/2 s |
5 m |
5 m |
14 m |
24 m |
1 s |
14 m |
12 m |
40 m |
1 h |
2s |
38 m |
33 m |
2 h |
4 h |
4 s |
2h |
2 h |
7 h |
14 h |
F175 = 35mm - 0.2mm pinhole - beeldhoek: 134°
F166 = 50mm - 0.3mm pinhole - beeldhoek: 116°
F250 = 75mm - 0.3mm pinhole - beeldhoek: 94°
F300 = 90mm - 0.3mm pinhole - beeldhoek: 84°
inclusief reciprocityfactor voor Fomapan 100 film.
F166 = 50mm - 0.3mm pinhole - beeldhoek: 116°
F250 = 75mm - 0.3mm pinhole - beeldhoek: 94°
F300 = 90mm - 0.3mm pinhole - beeldhoek: 84°
inclusief reciprocityfactor voor Fomapan 100 film.
