Blue Ridge Parkway In April

[br1078lum]

Shot a roll of color film in the Netter after a roll of b&w.  Lets just say it was not a good week photographically for me.  I really do believe now that I got the middle element reversed, after looking at the latest scans.  I got the 16base instead of the 4base this time, and I can see all sorts of coma throughout the image.  Then, to top things off, either the camera has a massive light leak all of a sudden, or I mishandled the film.  Back to the workbench.

Here are a few selections from the roll, and if you want to see the rest of the mess, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157629580737706/


Peaks Of Otter Sharp Top by br1078phot, on Flickr
One of two mountains that make up the Peaks, it's sibling is known as Round Top.  That is McFalls Mountain in front of it.


Parking On The Parkway by br1078phot, on Flickr
At the Mills Gap Overlook.


A Splash Of Color by br1078phot, on Flickr
Tried to get a good shot at the closest focus (1.2m).  There's that leak again.


Goose Creek Valley by br1078phot, on Flickr
Nestled between the Blue Ridge, Porter, McFalls, and Taylor Mountains, Goose Creek flows for over 25 miles to Leesville, VA, where it empties into the Roanoke (Staunton) River.  In this photo, Taylor Mountain in is the left background, with Flat Top in the distance some five miles beyond.


Purgatory Mountain Panoramic by br1078phot, on Flickr
This was hopefully going to be one of those epic shots, printed out large for a wall hanging.  But all for naught, as the camera is a bit leaky (or I mishandled the film).  I'm suspecting the hinge seal, as the number 3 is on frame 4, 4 is on 5, and 5 is on 6.  Oh well, the lens isn't performing as I had hoped either.  I'm going to have to flip the center element to see if that is the problem.  Looking at the images blown up, I see a lot of coma.  Could be the scratch I put on the element, but it looks more like it's flipped.

PF

[Nick Merritt]

Too bad about the light leaks; these are very nice.  Beautiful country, for sure.  Why do you think the middle element is reversed?  These look plenty sharp to me.

[jamesmck]

Phil - Stunningly beautiful country.  I have the same lens on a Nettar 517-16, and have gotten really nice results results with Ektar and Fuji Pro 160C.  I posted some here on NFf a few years ago (http://nelsonfoto.com/SMF/index.php/topic,20311.0.html).

James

[br1078lum]

Too bad about the light leaks; these are very nice.  Beautiful country, for sure.  Why do you think the middle element is reversed?  These look plenty sharp to me.

Nick, as you look at the photos, you'll see there is quite a bit of distortion around the perifery.  Blown up in the original size view on Flickr, you can see the coma that indicates an element being in the wrong position.  I took it back out today, and sure enough, it was reversed.  That's what I get for not taking notes.

PF

[br1078lum]

Phil - Stunningly beautiful country.  I have the same lens on a Nettar 517-16, and have gotten really nice results results with Ektar and Fuji Pro 160C.  I posted some here on NFf a few years ago (http://nelsonfoto.com/SMF/index.php/topic,20311.0.html).

James

Thanks, James.  I remember reading that post while doing an info search on the 517/16.  The local lab has a spotty record of keeping films in stock, so I haven't got much in the way of color here.  I do have plenty of Ektar in 35mm, and have shot the Fuji Pro 160C in 35mm.  (Just checked the stash drawer, I DO have four rolls of Ektar in 120!).  Now if I can just trust the guys down at Photo USA.  What do you think of an outfit that charges for free film?  Ilford has twin packs, and triple packs of two of their films, with the second or third roll free, yet they charge for all the rolls.  And if you get more than one roll of 120 developed, they scrimp by cramming all of the negs in one container.  If you drop off more than one roll of film, and ask for scans, they'll put all of them one one CD if you don't demand seperate ones.  But they still charge for a CD for each roll.  Too bad they are the only game in town for 120.

PF

[Nick Merritt]

Phil, I'll take your word for it, but I didn't see the distortion.  So I'm very interested to see what the lens does now!  I have been quite impressed with the results I have gotten from the Novars on my own Nettars.

[lesged]

Phil,

I've only seen a bit of Blue Ridge mountain, but what I saw and loved looked a lot like your shot of Goose Creek Valley. That's a lovely shot.

I hope to spend more time in that area.  Maybe when we drive out to visit our son, Dan, and family in Louisville, we do it en route or on our way home.

Tough luck about the light leak, but I'm sure you'll fix it.

[br1078lum]

Thanks, Les.  I hope you and Claudia have a nice trip.  The Blue Ridge might be a little out of the way for going to Louisville, but if you do make that turn, be advised there is a lot of construction on the interstates in Virginia.

Nick, I should have remembered this posting I came across when doing some research on the 517/16.  Seems there was nothing at all wrong with the lens, and I properly recalled the 'triplet swirl' from others experience.  http://nelsonfoto.com/SMF/index.php?topic=7457.0  I'm going to put the lens back in it's proper configuration, and plan on shooting on sunny bright days from now on.  And stepping back a little further when I can, to give some cropping room on the neg.

PF